Laura Siebold

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Chicago Style: Laura Siebold, Owner of LiveStyle and star of Style Me with Rachel Hunter

Laura Siebold is a busy all-around bustling career woman - she's the owner of LiveStyle, a styling company that focuses on "real fashion for real people", she's also a regular contributor on ABC news doing regular fashion segments, married to a rock star and mother to a seven year old daughter. If only it stops there. The busy entrepreneuer is also going to make her reality show debut in the highly anticipated show for the WE channel called "Style Me with Rachel Hunter".  "You know the drill;  twelve "aspiring" celebrity stylists compete to style Rachel...I did learn how much I really  enjoy being in front of the camera.  But the show only needed one hostess, I guess!  It's a good balance for me," says Siebold. Now find out about her company, Livestyle, where she shops worldwide and in Chicago and tips for making it in the biz...

FACTIO MAGAZINE: Give us an inside look at your company, LiveStyle.
LAURA SIEBOLD: LiveStyle offers fashion consulting and styling services to the general public and also works on private projects.  One focus of LiveStyle is "Real Fashion for Real People".  I work with every day men and women, wardrobing their closets, providing valuable information about how to dress for their body type, lifestyle and budget.  I have a menu of services for clients to choose from, as each have different needs from a personal stylist.  I empower them to look and feel like a million dollars.  Without spending that of course!  This side of LiveStyle is about teaching each client what clothing works for them and what doesn't.  It's not an intimidating environment for the client or for me.  When we finish working together the results are humbling.  The letters, emails and phone calls from our client's are wonderful reminders of the power of looking and feeling good and the impact both have on us as humans.  The information we provide is invaluable and something that lasts a lifetime.  Most clients just need a little reality check and some guidance.  I enjoy the process.  The second focus of LiveStyle turns to projects that allow us to work within the fashion and entertainment industry.   I write a column for a high end magazine called Quintessential Barrington about industry trends, fashion tips and ideas with a focus on the Barrington man and woman.  I enjoy writing and contribute to First for Women , Chicago Tribune and Lake Magazine .  I have worked with the Oprah Winfrey Show, providing wardrobe for her guests.  I am also a monthly fashion contributor to ABC/WLS Channel 7 with fashion segments that appeal to their audience.  I have enjoyed this for over a year now! 

FM: What is the best aspect about your company, from being a stylist to being a fashion expert on your ABC segment?
LS: The best aspect about LiveStyle is the interaction we are able to have with our clients and peers.  The company is not pretentious.  We have a good time and try to keep in real.  We have accomplished a lot in the short two years we have been in business, but really, it's about enjoying what we do and who we work with.  It's nice to be able to choose who you want to surround yourself with.  I don't do well in forced situations!

FM: Describe your signature style.
LS: When I first met my husband, he used to call me Johnny Cash.  I wear a lot of black.  But I wear it well, with fabulous accessories.  It makes a big difference when you wear  kick a** high heels, great jewelry, perfect black jeans and a cashmere T shirt.  So, I suppose my signature style is somewhere between good basics like cashmere, jeans and fabulous jackets to accessories and SHOES!  My gosh, my closet is ridiculous with shoes.  But I love it.  I can't help it. 

FM: What are your favorite shops worldwide?
LS: Let's start in Chicago.  I am a Bloomie's girl.  That's really the only department store I shop in.  I've been introduced to some great independents, which I like to do business with because they are grateful for the business.  Perlie in Winnetka is fab.  Ultimo on Oak Street is awesome and one day I'll be able to really shop there like I want to!  There is a great lingerie store in Old Town called Wildflowers.  Gretchen (owner) does a good job mixing up the pretty with the saucy items she carries.  "thirtysix" in Naperville is worth the trip and you're lucky if you live close by!  I also dig a good deal, so Marshall's at Rt 59 and Rt 19 in the burbs is fun for me.  For some reason that location always has cool stuff.  I love shopping in Vegas!  I bought my first pair of Louis Vuitton shoes at the boutique in Caesar's.  And, my all time favorite men's and women's wear designer:  Roberto Cavalli.  He just gets it. 

FM: Where are some of your favorite places to travel and what do you always pick up for your wardrobe?
LS: I'm a southern belle, so I love Savannah. GA.  I have found wonderful jewelry designed by locals.  There is no way someone is going to show up wearing the same thing as me!  Savannah is also a great place to pick up accessories and artwork for my home.  It's a very inspiring place.  I enjoy Vegas because of the shopping.  I don't gamble.  I shop.  I can find great shoes in Vegas and "investment" pieces that are not in the Midwest market.  I look for pieces that are unique.  NY is another place I love to visit.  There is usually a Bon Jovi concert involved, so a concert T-shirt is a must!  The Hell's Kitchen flea market is fantastic.  I recently walked away with a great vintage pocket book and some turquoise jewelry.  I try to stay away from trendy items when I travel, because you can find them anywhere.

FM: What are you always on the hunt for?
LS: Usually something for a client!  Since I am able to build a relationship with each client, I can spot something for a particular client by accident.  And shoes for my husband.  Men's shoes are really vanilla right now.  And I just pruned his closet, so he doesn't have many left. 

FM: What are some of the staples we’d find in your closet?
LS: Staples in my closet include a good cross section of accessories from rock and roll to ladylike.  And shoes to match every mood and then some!  My closet isn't full of clothes.  I am not a clotheshorse.  You'll find nice garments, a few trendy pieces, great trousers, a jersey dress and a few suits.  You'd be amazed how easy it is to change one outfit with different shoes, accessories, hair and make up.  I'm semi-low maintenance.

FM: What women and men (from which city worldwide) have great style and why?   
LS: I hail Steven Tyler's style.  I think his stylist does a fabulous job bringing out his personality and creating the perfect vibe for him.  I kind of have a crush on him!  This kills me to use these women in the same example, but I also dig Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston's style.  My personal taste is combination of both women:  simple, elegant, rock star and smart;  I recently met a Chicago menswear designer, Kent Neilson.  He is a breath of fresh air with his style.  He is always put together and can make a pair of flip flops look good.  Nice flip flops, of course!  He has a very tailored, clean, edgy style about him.  I have to give my husband props, too.  His style, on and off the stage is fabulous.  He is a man of style.  Who do you think dresses me?! 

FM: Do you think money and style go hand in hand or can style never be bought? Is it something you just have? LS: Good style can be taught.  But never bought.  It's easy to spend thousands of dollars at a designer house and still fail terribly.  Style is embracing who you are and understanding yourself.  Your wardrobe is reflective of that.  It's easy to spot someone in need of Style;   I call them a poser- they wear everything at once or clothing that is "cool" or "hip"  but it doesn't work with their body type or personality;  or they are plastered with designer labels.  Posers are truly uncomfortable in their own skin and it shows.  I think everyone has some sort of style---in style, out of style, their own personal style.  It's easier to spot someone who has timeless, fabulous style because they usually command a double take. 

FM: What does global style mean to you?
LS: I think global style is something most of us can't pull off.  It's "fitting in" wherever you are, though still standing out enough to create a positive vibe.  Global style is much more simple than going crazy with patterns, fabrics, colors.  That's more like costuming.

FM: What would people be most surprised to know about you?
LS: Most people are surprised when they find out I have a seven year old daughter and that I'm married to a guitar player/lead singer in a rock band.  I recently surprised my close friends and family with a tattoo.  I nearly passed out.  It only took seven minutes. 

FM: Did you know when you started that the company would rise to the success that it has?
LS: I doubled my prayers.  Nothing is ever guaranteed and I realized that when I quit my job and launched my own company.  I am absolutely thrilled with the way LiveStyle has grown and that people are embracing the concept.  I knew there was a need for what LiveStyle stands for.  I am lucky that I have a personality that allows me to connect with people.  I am able to teach them how to embrace their bodies and to excite them with the prospect of getting dressed every day.  Knowledge is powerful.  And I'm willing to share with whomever will listen. 

FM: What business advice and inspiration can you give to entrepreneurs?
LS: Be brave and be optimistic.  I practice visualization on a regular basis that include projects and goals that I want for LiveStyle.   If you can visualize yourself succeeding, whatever that means to you, it becomes a realistic goal.  I also think it's important to be passionate about what you do.  With passion comes drive.  With drive comes success.  And a thick skin doesn't hurt either!  Try not to sell yourself out with the temptation of immediate gratification.  I do think at some point in everyone's career you face an obstacle and the easy way is to sell out.  Stay true to yourself.  It will serve you better in the future.

FM: What tips would you give women and men in general to be well rounded, balancing out life and business?   LS: Well, they could go on a reality show and leave their family and business for a few weeks!  Just kidding.  The only reason I can answer this question is that I just figured out what works for me, my family and my business.  You have to enjoy the ride.  Forget about living for the future.  You need to live for the present.  My perspective has completely shifted over the past twelve months because I was so worried about LiveStyle and not upsetting people.  Now I worry about not upsetting my family and that LiveStyle will continue to grow as fast or slow as I want it to.  I own my business.  It doesn't  own me anymore. 

FM: Where do you see the brand and yourself in five years?
LS: Building your style for life and bringing your style to life are two phrases that we use with our logo.  Both identify exactly where I want LiveStyle to be in five years.  I would like to see LiveStyle take on projects that would involve wardrobe for a movie or television show.  It would be a new challenge to work with non-fiction characters and  "bring their style to life".  I do this with real people every day, so I think I am ready to shake it up a bit.  I am interested in pursuing more on-air work, as well.  I really enjoy ABC and the reality show was also a trip.  I like being in front of the camera!   Do you know any good agents?  I see LiveStyle focusing on quality vs. quantity in our client base, i.e. Building your style for life.  It's a personal relationship a stylist has with a client and should be nurtured.  I am keeping my options open for a potential partner.  As LiveStyle grows, I will have to pursue someone who is industry savvy, intelligent and who can only enhance LiveStyle. 

For more info contact:
Laura Siebold
LiveStyle
Are you LiveStylin'?
Find out. www.livestylist.com
847.612.0368 Direct Line

To find out more about Style Me with Rachel Hunter Click Here.
The show makes its premiere on Monday, January 23rd at 10 PM ET and 7 PM PT