Photoshoot and Interviews with Rent frock Repeat Founders Lisa Delorme and Kristy Wieber

A few weeks back Anne Cayer and I had the opportunity to create our own shoot!  We visited the lovely Lisa and Kristy at Rent Frock Repeat and modeled dresses for our lovely and very patient photographer Nicole! When we arrived, Lisa and Kristy had already selected a number of fun and flirty dresses for us to try on.  It was a dream come true and a privilege to work with such talented professionals.  I asked Lisa and Kristy for their thoughts on the latest gowns, life and work and fashion advice for all of us working women out there!  Enjoy! 

Lisa Delorme

You have such a diverse background! What inspired you to get involved with fashion?

I’ve always loved fashion but never thought I could make a living doing something fashion related. When we came across the business model and the numbers worked I was elated that I finally found something that allowed me to use my business background in such an exciting industry as fashion.

How did you and Kristy meet?

We met at the Art Institute of Toronto where we both worked.  Within days we were fast friends and we knew early on that we wanted to do something together but we just didn’t know what.  Fast forward 9 years and here we are – business partners and even more importantly, still the best of friends!  I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.

Favorite Oscar look?

So hard to narrow it down to one.  Isn’t that like asking who your favourite child is?  I have to say Gwyneth Paltrow looked stunning but that girl could wear a potato sack and still look great and I loved Michelle Williams in the coral Louis Vuitton, Jessica Chastain in McQueen and Octavia Spencer shows that curvy can really rock a frock.

Your favorite dress in store right now? And your advice for shopping for an important event!

We are now calling the red and cream Tibi dress the Lisa dress http://rentfrockrepeat.com/products/red-and-cream-short-sleeve-print-mini .  It is just so fun and flirty and yet unique that I can’t help but gravitate to it each time.  As for advice for shopping for an important event, go with what feels right.  So often we covet a look we’ve seen in a magazine but it might not be the right colour/cut for us.  Try on as many as you can and pick up the one that doesn’t look great on a hanger (or one that is so different from the style you normally wear), it is amazing how putting it on a woman’s body can transform a frock.

Kristy Wieber

As a recruiter and someone who has been recruited, what is your advice for women looking to be noticed and succeed in any industry?

Be your own cheerleader - make yourself heard – and by that I mean, don’t just submit a resume and think that’s all you have to do to get the job.  If there is a company you really want to work for or a position you want to advance to, talk to the people hiring for and/or doing that job.  Find out what they look for and what they did to get there.  Ask them to be your mentor.  Be vocal about your accomplishments.  Be a problem-solver.  Be kind. Be positive. Be a leader, even if it isn’t your role. 

What kind of look would you suggest for a work evening party?

Well, if you are going straight from work to the party, choose a dress that works under a cardigan or blazer that you can slip off after work - add some great accessories, throw on a different pair of shoes, change your lipstick and your set.  The dress style can vary depending on your work environment and culture (funky, conservative, casual), but it should always be professional.  That doesn’t mean you have to cover every body part, but save the mini-skirt and the plunging neckline for date night. 

Some of my favourites:

http://rentfrockrepeat.com/products/splash-of-red-sleeveless-dress

http://rentfrockrepeat.com/products/mocha-jersey-dress-with-origami-draped-sleeves

http://rentfrockrepeat.com/products/noir-long-sleeve-pencil-skirt-dress

http://rentfrockrepeat.com/products/oyster-beaded-shoulder-dress

  

Fashion advice for the office?

Really take notice of the environment and culture in your office and take your cues from that.   However, just because everyone is wearing khakis and button-downs or jeans and t-shirts doesn’t mean that you should, too.  Take it up a notch and throw a jacket on, or pair your jeans with a great tailored blouse and accessories.  Wear a dress! Just because you’re at work doesn’t mean you can’t feel pretty. Finally, dress for the role you WANT, not the one you have.  And wear clothes that FIT – tailoring can make or break even the most casual outfit.