Fashion isn’t something that crosses everybody's mind on a daily basis. However, it is all Emerson Kobak thinks about. Kobak has made a huge impact in the small fashion world located in Westport, Connecticut.
From her bat mitzvah gown to her graduation outfit, Kobak has always had a passion for designing her own clothes. She has even created her own clothing line, where she designs different pieces and displays them at an annual charity fashion show called Fashion for a Cause. Along with her personal fashion achievements, Kobak has found a love for styling other people and has recently started working at LF, a store in downtown Westport, as a stylist.
“Basically a lot of what we do is coming up with ideas to get people to come,” Emerson Kobak ’18 said. “Then we have styling sessions and we want to really make sure that the customers feel like they are getting a full LF experience and make them feel good and confident about what they are wearing.”
Styling has always been right up Kobak’s alley. Her love for fashion has helped her learn new ways to style customers at LF in less than ordinary ways and also to make sure that they leave the store with a completed outfit, not just random pieces of clothing.
“At LF, we want to create outfits that you wouldn't really think to put together, like two different patterns. Basically things you wouldn't think of yourself but when you put them together they look really good,” Kobak ’18 said. “We want them to feel really good about having full outfits to wear so that it is easier to get dressed and feel good about what you are wearing. It is really fun because there are so many styles of clothing there and it is a different experience interacting with customers like that.”
Working at LF has been a different experience for Kobak. She is used to working by herself, but LF has expanded her horizons by giving her the opportunity to work with a team and bring her out of her comfort zone. It has also provided new inspiration for her own business at home.
“It is different from my business because it is obviously a lot bigger and there are so many stores all over the country, so it is really interesting to see where I could possibly go with my business,” Kobak ’18 said. “Seeing the ‘behind the scenes’ of that and how I can apply that to what I eventually want to do is helpful.”
Along the lines of learning, Emerson has been wanting to expand her knowledge on producing her own line, and working at LF has shown her a different side of that.
“Working at LF has shown me what the outcome of producing is and how that works, like when we are always unboxing shipments and really getting into what customers don't see.” Kobak ’18 said.
From designing her own clothing line for charity fashion shows and the fashion club at Staples, to finding a new love for styling and applying that to her own fashion business, Kobak’s passion for fashion is undoubtedly strong.
“My favorite thing is being able to fully style people because I love fashion and I love putting outfits together for people so it was a perfect fit for the job.” Kobak ’18 said.