Hello my dears,
I want to formally introduce you to my friend, Alice Kim.

Alice and I are partnering up to bring you “The Ultimate En Femme Fashion Guide” on November 10 … and we’ve got some goodies in store for you in the meantime.

I posted an interview with Alice below and now I want to interview YOU. Keep reading and then post your answers to my questions in the comments section!

10 Questions for Alice Kim

Alice is a New York based image and style consultant with over 12 years of fashion experience. She has designed for Saks Fifth Avenue and produced a line of clothing that was featured in Bergdorf Goodman and speciality boutiques across the U.S. She is the founder of the image consulting company, Veritas Image, and her mission is to help TG women improve their lives by transforming their images.

1.  Why did you decide to become an image and style consultant?

While working as a fashion designer for some time, I came to a point where I asked myself, “Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life?” I still loved fashion, but at the same time, I wanted something more fulfilling that directly helped people. After some self-assessment, the conclusion was that I had no particularly marketable skills besides my fashion expertise. Luckily, that skill-set was the perfect stepping stone to becoming an image and style consultant.

2. What do you love most about helping TG women improve their images?

I feel a genuine sense of fulfillment when helping TG women because they face a lot of challenges that most genetic women tend to take for granted. So when a TG woman improves her image, it’s that much more transformational and rewarding. Also, it’s been a rather humbling—as much as an eye-opening—experience for me. I thought I pretty much knew it all until I got hit over the head with TG challenges. They keep me on my toes and requires me to get creative. I appreciate that it keeps me from being lazy, and that I’m always learning something new.

3. What is the one fashion item you think every TG woman should own?

A really good, reliable, feminizing dress that totally flatters your body. The dress is the single item of clothing that represents femininity, so you’ll get an instant feminine boost every time you wear it. It’s an entire outfit in itself, so you don’t have to worry about coordinating separate pieces, and understanding what goes with what. Having said that, it’s also very versatile in that it works as a canvas upon which you can switch up jewelry, scarves, belts, jackets … you name it.

4. What’s your biggest secret for developing a sense of style?

Get to know yourself. Most people think style comes from wearing fabulous clothes, and to a certain extent, it’s true. But the real secret is to really know who you are as a wonderfully unique individual. When you know yourself, you automatically know what you are and what you’re not. Quite naturally, you’ll know how to select clothing that looks fabulous on you according to your body, coloring, age and personality. A great sense of style comes from you wearing the clothes, not the other way around.

5.  Which celebrities do you think are great fashion role models for TG women?

Angelina Jolie: She’s a wonderful example of feminine strength and beauty without overdoing anything. She’s usually seen wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans, yet no one can contest her hotness. Yes, of course it’s easy for her—she’s only one of the hottest women alive—but really, there’s also a lot to say about her inner confidence and attitude. Michelle Obama: I think most TG women can relate to her tall, muscular physique, which she pairs so wonderfully with a modern, simple yet statement-making wardrobe. Our First Lady dresses just right for her body and age and never looks outdated or dowdy like many of her predecessors … with the exception of Jackie O, of course.

6. What are your favorite trends for Fall/Winter 2009?

Personally, I absolutely love the glam rock/dystopia trend with lots of studs, straps and the motorcycle-inspired “Mad Max” vibe. I also love the bold colors and shapes happening in clothing, shoes, bags and jewelry—this is great news for TG women. Oh, and tall tall boots—a must if you want to amp up your sex appeal.

7. What one trend do you want to see die?

Oh boy … it’s hard to pick just one. I never ever liked the bling-bling trend, with rhinestones and crystals dripping all over jackets, bags, jeans, and even cell phones. It’s just very tacky. I would have also said velour track suits, but I think that’s already dead now … I think. I hope.

8. Confession time: What was YOUR biggest fashion disaster?

Back in high school, I remember wearing MC Hammer pants with a Michael Jackson-inspired military jacket. Actually, the jacket was pretty cool, but the pants  … they were truly unfortunate … the crotch drooped down to my knees. And I seriously thought I looked cool.

9. What’s your favorite piece of clothing in your closet?

I must confess I don’t have a big wardrobe, and I tend to prefer simple things that I wear over and over again. But if my closet was burning down and I had to save one piece of clothing, it would be my perfectly worn-in pair of Levi’s. However, it would be nice if I can salvage my next favorite—a $5 black t-shirt—so I won’t have to go around half naked.

10.  What is one great fashion tip you can share with our readers?

Forget the boobs for a moment. Instead, make sure you do what you can to shape and define your waist. The waist/hip silhouette is the most important physical indicator of the female body, so the more you can work on that area, the better. The best way to do this is to wear some volume at the bottom, like a full skirt, and nip your waist with a belt. The volume of the skirt helps shrink your waistline by contrast, and does the added job of creating the illusion of more hips. OK–now back to the boobs….

3 Questions for YOU

Ok, your turn!!!!!! My interview questions for YOU:

1. What is your favorite peice of clothing in your closet?
2. What was your biggest en femme fashion disaster? (Just for fun and to acknowledge how far you’ve come …)
3. What is one fashion tip you can share with me and the rest of the girls?

Post your answers in the comments section below! (You get extra points for posting a photo of your favorite piece of clothing.)

Love,
Lucille