I love connecting with other local businesses in and around Eastbourne, East Sussex, and showcasing their amazing talents, products and services! I am delighted to share this interview with Donna Lane, Corporate and Personal Stylist.
Firstly, tell us about your business and where we can find you...
I’m Donna Lane a Corporate and Personal Stylist, I provide colour analysis, styling, wardrobe edits, makeup edits and shopping services. I have a beautiful studio in a 16th-century manor house in Hailsham. I love my work, everyone leaves my studio feeling amazing, and it’s the best job in the world!
My franchise is with House of Colour with whom I trained in 2022. Our training was extensive and first class (House of Colour hold the Investors in People Gold Award for their training). I am trained in colour analysis, advanced colour services, style, wardrobe edits, and make-up for all ages. All services are available for both men and women.
I use this knowledge to support both women and men in their business and personal lives to be visible, and confident and to look their best effortlessly, every day.
Telephone: 07774 825315
Website: houseofcolour.co.uk/donnalane
Facebook: @HouseofcolourEastbourne
Instagram: @houseofcolour_donnalane
1. What is colour and style analysis and what are the benefits of having it done?
Colour Analysis is the process of finding someone’s best colours so that they glow and look younger and healthier. The wrong colours will make us look grey and old, often we are so used to wearing them we do not see them.
The benefits are that you look younger, well, radiant and are visible. Your wardrobe will all work together so that you wear all of your wardrobe and not just 20% of it. Shopping becomes easier and you don’t waste money on clothes that are not right.
Style analysis is all about analysing your body architecture so that you complement and balance it, learning how to focus on your best points. We look in depth at you, to find your clothing personality so that you wear your clothes with confidence, no more indecision about whether you look right or not, you just know you do!
2. What's the process and how long does it take?
Colour Analysis is done by using our precision-dyed scarves. Preset pairs of scarves are compared, eliminating colours that are uncomplimentary until we get down to your best and 'WOW' colours. We follow this with matching makeup if that’s appropriate to you and ensure that you know how to use your colour fan and personalised guidance booklet. This takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
A Style Day lasts 5 to 6 hours. We analyse your body architecture and find the best trouser, dress, jacket and skirt shapes and lengths. We look at face shape to find your ideal necklines and heights. We look in depth at you as a person and find out what type of clothing personality you are and look at how to dress that so that you are comfortable and confident in what you wear.
3. If hair and skin tone change with age, does the colour palette change too?
Your skin tone does not change with age, a colour analysis with House of Colour lasts a lifetime. If you colour your hair it needs to be a colour from the range that suits your skin tone.
4. What if someone isn’t keen on the colours that suit them – can they still wear black?
I have never had a client who has not rapidly learnt to love their colours. After all, if you go out and everyone keeps telling you that you look great, well, younger etc who would not grow to love them?
All clients find some new colours when analysed, it is just a question of adjusting to them. Most clients also find that they are already wearing some of their best colours too, so it’s a mix. Black is great for some people, and if it's not for you, then another dark colour such as wine, navy, burgundy, dark greens, browns etc will be your Better than Black.
5. How does knowing your colours affect wardrobe choices? Do clothes need to be thrown away if they’re not right?
Clients slowly change their wardrobe over time. Charity shops are a good source of clothes to begin with and you can recycle yours there as well. Most clients have a much smaller wardrobe after having their colours and style done as all their clothing works together, therefore providing a much greater number of combinations. 5 tops x 5 bottoms x 5 jackets provide 125 outfits!
6. Are there any colours that look good on everyone?
Pure mid-red is great for everyone. Think postbox red. It’s not an accident that Virgin staff and Clarins wear red! Both companies know how to dress their staff so that they all look fabulous.
7. What’s the one piece of advice you would give to someone struggling with their clothing choices?
Photograph yourself in outfits that you get complimented on, and ones that you don’t wear but you are not sure why. Look at the photos the next day, can you spot what’s wrong with the one you do not wear? The camera tends not to lie, whereas when we look in the mirror depending on our mood we will view ourselves differently each time.
