What can I expect with Michael as my Personal Stylist?

Michael will arrange an appointment with you to discuss your particular wardrobe needs.

He can meet with you at your home, office or hotel. You may choose to go shopping with Michael to select new wardrobe pieces where he can make private dressing room arrangements with any major department store in NYC. In most cases, the client will opt to have Michael do the ensemble shopping and coordinating himself Michael can have all purchases brought to your home, office or hotel where he will personally assist you in the selection of garments and accessories.

Once garments are selected, Michael can arrange to have alterations done for a custom fit. Michael will also accessorize all of your selections with anything from undergarments, body shapers, hosiery, shoes, belts, gloves, handbags, jewelry, coats, wraps and even hairpieces and wigs.

In addition to Michael's Personal Styling services, he can arrange appointments for his clients with some of New York's top professional Hair Styling and Make Up Artists.

What is Michael's view on Fashion?

Michael feels that fashion is fleeting and should be used as a fun, positive experience. Fashion is here as a tool to help with self-expression. It is important to feel good about the way you look in your wardrobe… it might be a skirt that was purchased at a thrift store, but it has a great style to it, makes you smile, all while making the most of your physical attributes. Or it could be an extremely expensive top, that's paired with your favorite pair of jeans from 5 years ago…

Also, Michael believes you should never be concerned with whose name you are wearing. Fashion designers are here to express their viewpoint of what is happening in fashion today, but just because it might be in vogue now, does not mean that it is a wearable style that will flatter you.

Not everyone will love the way you look at all times, it is most important that you love the way you feel and look.

Michael's promise to each client is he will do all he can to help you feel and look your best.

Will a Lifestyle Designer such as Michael impose his “sense of style” ideals on me?

Michael will not dictate what you should wear or what purchases you should make. However, he will offer his experienced opinion on what fashions look most flattering on you, making the best of your physical attributes. At times, Michael will gently guide you outside of your comfort zone, revealing a new way of thinking about your personal image. He will also be able to help you express your individuality through the design of your home and the planning of special events in your life.

What if I am not sure what styles are best suited for me or my home?

If you are not sure what styles look best on you, how you want the interior of your home designed or how to express yourself through entertaining, Michael will gladly work with you in guiding you in any or all areas.

Often, clients are too busy to work directly with Michael and opt to have him use his design experience to coordinate their personal style, their home décor and their events. Michael's clients' style becomes effortless, therefore allowing them to enjoy their time with the people and things that bring them happiness.

Michael's personal and professional goal is to help his clients feel, look and live more beautifully, enabling them to create cherished memories for both themselves and their guests.

Does Michael focus on certain designers or collections and does he work with moderate priced clothing as well?

Although Michael appreciates designer's collections, he feels that having a true sense of style requires working with a vast array of garments and accessories. By coordinating a “look,” Michael might include one designer garment, one moderate piece, a vintage handbag and faux jewelry. Mixing up the elements in your wardrobe gives you an individualized look that is yours and yours alone.

Michael also specializes in taking moderate priced clothing and changing various things about the style to create a custom look that is all your own. Many clients can benefit from moderate purchases that can increase your wardrobe and accessories without making a large investment on trend or seasonal looks. This is especially important for those clients in the public eye who do not like repeating their wardrobe more than a few times a season or those who just love fashion and want great diversity in their wardrobe.

What is a Wardrobe Clarification?

Michael will evaluate your closet with you to help you edit your wardrobe. This can be a cathartic process which helps Michael's clients see their wardrobe in a new light.

The following is an excerpt from CNN.com:

Wardrobe clarification is done by eliminating garments which do not flatter the client (while explaining why) and pairing items that may never have been thought of before while possibly reconfiguring garments to flatter and accentuate the best of you (with the help of a professional tailor). The end result will be a streamline closet which is both clear of clutter and organized that will be a pleasure to open. This will also give the client an opportunity to see what items will be needed to purchase for their wardrobe.

Some clients may choose to opt for a whole new wardrobe. Possibly the client is beginning a new chapter in her life: a recent separation or divorce, a major weight loss or beginning a new business will prompt the client to want a whole new image.

Michael can also make arrangements for his clients to meet with top hair and make up artists.

Does Michael specialize in any one area of Lifestyle Design?

Michael specializes in styling clients for Special Occasion dressing for events such as red carpet premiers, formal affairs and black tie charity events.

What is Michael's hourly/day rate? Are there any hidden fees I should be aware of?

Michael's hourly fee is a flat rate of $250 per hour and Michael's day rate is $1700 for up to eight hours. Michael pledges to donate $25 per hour from his hourly or day rate to the charity of his client's choice, or they may choose from a list of Michael's favorite causes.

Click here for “Making the World a Better Place”

There are no hidden fees to be incurred by Michael's clients. Michael charges for expenses such as taxi/town car service to and from appointments, etc which is explained in detail on his policies page.

Click here to see a full description of rates and expenses on Rates & Policies page.

What is Michael Biondo's, “Making the World a Better Place?”

Michael's hope is to bridge people together who might not normally have the chance to cross paths. Michael happily pledges to donate $25 per hour of his hourly rate, or $200 per day of his daily rate, toward the charity of his clients choice, or his client may choose a cause from a list of Michael's favorite charities.

Michael believes this is a wonderful opportunity for both he and his clients to help those in need of a better future, while he helps his clients create a more beautiful reality for themselves through their personal presentation, the décor of the homes and the entertaining of their family, friends and colleagues.

Michael also pledges to donate 20% of his fee back to any charity that retains his services as their Event Producer.

Michael is excited that he, together with his clients can have a direct effect on, “Making the World a Better Place.”

Click here for “Making the World a Better Place”

*Clients will receive documentation of the donation made to the charity or cause of their choice.

Many designers and stylists up-charge items they purchase for their clients. Is this Michael Biondo Lifestyle Designs policy as well?

Absolutely not.

Any and All discounts Michael receives from vendors, retailers, wholesalers, designers and showrooms with whom he works are passed on directly to his client. Michael believes in a straight-forward hourly rate. Any discounts he receives are yours. Integrity is important to Michael as well as establishing and maintaining a deep level of trust with every client.

What is Michael Biondo Lifestyle Designs “Sliding Scale” policy?

Michael would like to make his Personal Stylist services available to as many people who can benefit from his expertise as possible. Therefore, if you are not able to afford Michael's published rates, Michael will make every effort to work with you in your price range.

This can be especially beneficial to the client who recently graduated from college or university and is venturing out into the work force, clients who are recuperating from illnesses and are looking to update their image, or clients who have just secured a job in the public eye who are in need of an elegant, fashion forward image yet don't have the means to afford their own full time Personal Stylist.

Please do not hesitate to "contact Michael at info@MichaelBiondoDesign.com to discuss possible arrangements.

Unfortunately, if Michael decreases his published rate for a client, he cannot make an hourly donation to his, “Making the World a Better Place” campaign.

Is Michael Biondo available for extended travel with his clients?

Yes.

Michael has traveled and worked with clients in Europe, the Bahamas as well as the US Virgin Islands and both the East and West coast in the USA.

Please feel free to contact Michael Biondo Lifestyle Design for more information on extended travel arrangements.

Will Michael travel out of NYC to meet with a client?

Yes. Michael is available to meet with a client wherever she may be. If you are a first time client, and not in the NYC area, Michael would be happy to travel to you to help you with any or all of the services he offers.

Please see Michael's Rate's and Policies Pages for more details and feel free to contact Michael at info@MichaelBiondoDesign.com with any questions you may have.

Does Michael work with Male Clientele?

Yes. Although Michael specializes in working with female clientele, he is more than happy to work with gentlemen who may require any of the services he offers.

Often times, Michael is asked to style his clients' husbands, fiancés, or boyfriends for red carpet premiers, formal affairs and black tie charity events as well as less formal occasions.

What is a Michael Biondo Lifestyle Design Gift Certificate?

Michael Biondo Lifestyle Design Gift Certificates are a unique gift for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, job promotions, incentives, hostess gifts, a thank you, or any time you want to give a distinctive, thoughtful personal gift.

Gift certificate denominations begin at 3 hours and can be in any time frame you wish. For an example, you may choose a day with your own Personal Stylist, which will consist of up to 8 hours of services.

For an additional charge, you may also wish to include a luncheon or high tea for your gift recipient with Michael where she will have a relaxed opportunity to ask Michael “Style” questions or the chance to talk and share life experiences.

Gift Certificates are primarily purchased for Personal Stylist services although they can be secured for Home Décor Design and Event Production services as well.