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Anyone who loves shopping knows that their pocketbook will probably be much lighter by the end of the day, but one Frisco woman has made a successful career out of it.
Gretchen Ratkovic owns Style Fab Inc., a wardrobe and fashion styling service that helps clients weed out old clothes, find their perfect style, and finish their custom look with complimenting hair and makeup.
“I’ve always had a passion for fashion and wanting to help people look good and make them feel fabulous,” Ratkovic said.
The Wisconsin native knew in high school that she was good at spotting clothing trends, so she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. After graduating she moved to Texas to work as a buyer for Gadzooks, which was based in Carrollton, and J.C. Penney Co. Inc.
Ratkovic traveled frequently to New York and Los Angeles and made lengthy trips overseas to keep up with the latest trends as a retail clothing buyer. After the births of her two daughters, she realized that she did not want to continue in the corporate world and decided to make a career change so she could spend more time with them.
As she considered the next step in her career, Ratkovic realized that friends were frequently asking her to go shopping with them because of her keen eye for fashion. She decided to translate those skills into the business world, and Style Fab Inc. was born.
Ratkovic works with women, men, and teens to find a look that is flattering, age-appropriate, and matches their personality. She charges $75 per hour for the service, but in the long run she said she is saving money for her clients.
“If you look in your closet, you probably have many $75 mistakes, and with my service I can help you get rid of those mistakes,” Ratkovic said.
The stylist believes in the 20/80 rule: Most people wear 20 percent of their clothes 80 percent of the time. She helps clients edit out the clothes they should never have bought in the first place and keeps them focused on purchasing only what they will wear.
All Style Fab Inc. clients complete a questionnaire before their first meeting with Ratkovic so she can assess their needs, knowledge, and goals. Next, she meets with the client to discuss a plan to reach the goals, followed by a session that lasts at least two hours where they go through the client’s closet together and to organize outfits and remove superfluous clothes.
After Ratkovic knows what’s missing, she will go shopping with clients to help them stay in budget, buy only what’s necessary, and give honest feedback. This process can be ongoing as the seasons and styles change, and Ratkovic may even purchase items for clients when she’s shopping alone after she knows their perfect size, style, and budget.
Most clients appreciate Ratkovic’s professional eye and honest commentary.
“I don’t want to waste their money,” Ratkovic said. “If it doesn’t fit, or if the colors are wrong, I politely and diplomatically tell them, and they’re usually pretty responsive.”
Ratkovic shops for her clients at stores of all types, ranging from Target to Neiman Marcus. She said one of the biggest misconceptions about her job is that all of her clients are millionaires who shop at high-end boutiques. The stylist has clothes from Target in her wardrobe, and said that many less expensive retailers sell the latest fashions soon after they are available in cutting-edge stores.
“I don’t want to come across intimidating,” Ratkovic said. “I’m here to make you look good and make you feel fabulous and look fabulous within your budget.”
Her favorite designers create clothing for stores at all levels, and include Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Mossimo, and Badgley Mischka. She admires the celebrity style of Victoria Beckham and Kathryn Hepburn.
Ratkovic said that she does not know of any other stylists in Frisco, and is familiar with only a handful of others in the Metroplex. Style Fab Inc., she said, offers a few services that no other stylist provides, including bag packing for airplane trips and consultations with teens and parents who disagree on fashion necessities.
After just a few months in business, Ratkovic said she is thrilled to have such a rewarding job that utilizes her passion.
“[I love] seeing when I put an outfit together for them and they put it on, how their confidence exudes and their smile shows how excited they are,” she said.
For information, visit www.StyleFabInc.com.
