Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Fashion Magazine | Fashion Stylist

Colour, style, accessories...welcome to the world of Shannon Belsito, owner of Shannon Image Consulting and wardrobe consultant for local fashion designer RozeMerie Cuevas for Jacqueline Conoir at JC Studio.

For the past decade, Belsito has worked with women from all walks of life whose common goal is to present themselves in the best possible light. Working as an image consultant, she has helped her clients find their own style to reflect their unique fashion sensibilities. Her success is partly due to an extremely keen eye for fashion along with knowledge of the latest styles and trends, and her aptitude for knowing what looks good on her clients. "I've always had an understanding of the natural sense of colour and how things fit, what looks good and what doesn't," explains Belsito. She must be onto something as she works with hundreds of women between her time at JC Studio and her own image consulting business.

Belsito's interest in fashion started as a teenager, influenced by her grandmother who was a model and seamstress, but it wasn't until the mid-1990s when she realized she should pursue her love for fashion as a career. Purely by accident, she met the owners of the Deep Cove boutique, The Mystic Wardrobe, and took a position helping to run the store, merchandise and grow the customer base. Belsito eventually began wardrobe consulting and closet organization, and took her knowledge of body types and colouring to other clothing stores, Wear Else and Twist Fashions Inc. Image is important, and creating a stylish, personal image is often the key to positive self-esteem. "Every woman is extraordinary. We all have something that is special and unique. When looking at personal style it's about bringing that to the surface so that other people see it."

In November 2008, Belsito attended a professional women's networking event organized by Fasken Martineau, where she met Rozemerie Cuevas, the designer for JC Studio. During their tête-à-tête about the latest JC collection, they immediately connected and not long after Belsito became a wardrobe consultant at the studio where she "fell in love with the quality and style, everything from feminine power suiting to (really - delete) sexy cocktail dresses and gala gowns." Although each day at JC Studio is different, whether it is private consultations with clients to hosting JC Studio events, she always places an emphasis on building relationships and customer service. Shannon believes in "empowering women through providing a wardrobe that is a self-marketing tool." She loves giving her clients personal attention, making them feel welcome, confident, and special, while pulling together an outfit that makes her clients feel comfortable.

As for her favourite pieces for spring, Belsito favours the bold, colourful floral and geometric prints from the JC collection and loves the idea of wearing a neutral or mute-toned suit with a pop of colour underneath. Deep, rich colours, such as intense red, purple, or chiffon floral, plus this season's jersey wrap dress and billowy, flowing gowns are just some of Shannon's most-wanted items.

With the recent arrival of Spring and the warm weather on the horizon, why not treat yourself to an afternoon of shopping and personal styling attention by one of Vancouver's best, Shannon Belsito.