From developing concepts to sourcing garments and accessories to dressing models, Ashley Brister of Style Envy has worked her magic to create stunning ensembles for a year of TOWN fashion features. After working with Brister on three features, including 5 Decades of Vintage Style, Spring Romance, and now, Style, Streamlined, we’re thrilled to introduce her as TOWN‘s contributing fashion editor. In her new role, Brister’s expertise will reach beyond the style issues, and she’ll routinely bring trendy, classic, and chic style to TOWN.
As a “Carolina girl,” Brister is a professional stylist and image consultant who moved to Greenville from Columbia when she was seven years old. She graduated from Greenville Senior High School and moved back to Greenville in 1995 after briefly living out west. Since launching Style Envy, she’s helped her clientele look and feel fabulous.
Here’s more about TOWN’s new contributing fashion editor, from the pro herself:
Professional background: I have been working as a stylist and professional image consultant for over 15 years. Style Envy was launched in February, 2008, after helping a few friends create “the perfect wardrobe” to suit their busy lifestyles, enabling them to focus on work and family. They wanted to look good, feel good, and be confident in their appearance in every aspect of their lives.
Style services: Through the years, additional services were offered to include closet purging, personal shopping, special events, packing services, tween/teen shopping, and photography styling. My clientele includes men, women, and children.
Career perks: My favorite part of my work is the people. I am a high-energy, self-proclaimed extrovert who never meets a stranger. I absolutely LOVE helping people look, feel, and do their best! I have made some very special friendships through Style Envy. My relationships with my clients are heavily based on trust, transparency, and giving an honest answer if something just isn’t “right” for them.
Favorite designers: I love Ralph Lauren for women and men. He knows how to dress a woman’s body regardless of her shape or size. The tailoring is always consistent, spot on, and universally flattering. For the men, the same principles apply with regards to fit, tailoring, and timeless style.
I also love the late Kate Spade. Her designs were always colorful with a fabulous mix of pattern and clean lines. The parent company of Kate Spade has done a really good job carrying on her vision and designs.
As far as special occasion dressing is concerned, I am a fan of Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta. Who doesn’t love a crisp, white blouse paired with an elegant ball skirt or a beautifully crafted bow?
Favorite season and accessory: My personal favorite style season is late fall/winter. My favorite accessory is a fabulous coat. With the cooler weather, you can also wear a layered look that gives much more visual interest. Boots are also a really good accessory to express personal style with the variety of style offerings.
Memorable moments: The most meaningful moments or the most memorable moments are the client testimonials. I get pictures, letters of gratitude, texts, e-mails, etc., thanking me for the many ways I have helped my clients through Style Envy. There have been many pivotal moments when a client is standing in front of the mirror, eyes filled with tears of joy as they see their actual transformation looking back at them. It really just doesn’t get much better than that! I just love helping people reach their full potential and teaching them along the way.
Top tip: I have LOTS of style advice to offer, but I’ll limit it to one: Just because it’s on trend or the current style, doesn’t mean it’s for you. With social media influencers and now AI, we see a little bit of everything regarding style and fashion. It’s important to be realistic about your individual shape, size, age, and lifestyle to determine what works and doesn’t work for you. I have had great success in helping clients achieve a personal style or look that suits them perfectly.
