Joy's Story

Note from Fiona

The wonderful Joy Baptiste contacted me a few months ago explaining how she wanted to fulfil her childhood ambition of being a Stylist. Looking at the outstandingly successful career she had enjoyed in the legal profession, I worried. On paper it was a dramatic leap. She arrived on my doorstep. I took a deep breath and opened my door to the most groomed, innately stylish woman I’d ever seen in my life! She was a born stylist.

Joy’s Story

My earliest memory of fashion and styling is watching my mother, who was a seamstress for the likes of Laura Ashley and Bruce Oldfield, working on luxurious fabrics. Back copies of Vogue, Harpers & Queen and Tatler often surrounded her.

I remember flicking through the magazine and losing myself in a glamorous world full of the beautiful people like Iman, Marie Helvin and Lauren Hutton wearing stunning gowns by Gianfranco Ferre, Gianni Versace and Halston. It was then that my love affair with fashion began and from that day onwards, without a single exception, proceeded to buy every issue of Elle magazine.

Unfortunately due to financial restraints, I followed a career in law. Although I found this was very rewarding, my love of fashion never went away. I modelled part-time and took evening courses at the London College of Fashion. I always felt that I was supposed to be living another life, a Fashion Life.

One day my sister suggested that I read Fiona’s book “The 10 Minute Life Coach”. I was captivated, I could not put it down. It was like Fiona knew what was going on in my head. When I finished it, I felt that I needed more. I needed a dialogue with her. I needed to work directly with Fiona.

I took a series of life coaching sessions with Fiona. The experience was amazing because she instantly made me believe what I wanted to do was achievable and she encouraged me to set my sights as high as possible. Moreover, she made me feel that that someone like me could lead a “fashion life”. I realised that I had to follow my dream.

My “Fashion Life” suddenly sprouted wings. I became a Style Consultant. I started styling friends and colleagues. I now have a broader client base. Most of my clients are women, but I have styled some men.

I style and groom people for interviews, presentations, award ceremonies and weddings. Through self-evaluating questionnaires, grooming tips and checklists, I help them choose the right clothes, colours, make up and accessories to achieve the ultimate impact.

Joy Baptiste