Meet Alena Le Blanc | Personal Stylist & Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alena Le Blanc and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alena, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I started Le Blanc Label, my personal styling business at the end of 2020. I was a fashion designer working in the fashion tech industry. We focused on sustainability through the rental model, and I learned a lot about the backend side by working with direct customer feedback, fit, wash and wear testing garments. Unfortunately due to the pandemic our company filed for bankruptcy and everyone was laid off. No companies were hiring designers. I was given time to think and realize a lot of issues that were going on in the fashion industry. The amount of waste is astronomical. The fashion industry is one of the world’s largest pollutants and I know I wanted to do something to change that, even just a bit. Since my background is in fashion design I knew I couldn’t just keep designing more product, especially if it wasn’t something special to me or customers. I decided to start personal styling. I knew I could help women feel good in their clothes and use the knowledge and skills I had to help women understand their body type, fit, fabrics and function. By teaching these things and focusing on personal style I am able to help women build wardrobes that are more intentional, and in turn, more sustainable.

I have always seen style as an art form, and as a way to express ourselves. I am able to help women make better choices, invest in items that serve them and who they want to be, and elevate their style. Many women fall into trends and buying items and just wear them once and they just sit in their closets, taking space and adding to clutter, and often to landfill. Instead I get to help women hone in our their dream style, and create a personal wardrobe for them that they will wear and appreciate over and over. I love using my creativity to add versatility to what they own.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Le Blanc Label is different from many other styling businesses because I focus on being more intentional. Showing clients the importance of creating a style that is both personal to them and elevated. I show ways to be more sustainable in exciting ways, including videos on Instagram sharing how to wear your items in different ways. I love sharing my fashion design knowledge and giving small tweaks that have a large impact. I also focus on celebrating your body. Women deserve to feel good and I love uplifting lives with style.

I want women to know they deserve to feel good now, their bodies do so much for them, styling is basically adorning and celebrating the body you have. I was recently styling a size inclusive fashion shoot and the hair dresser shared a quote I loved; “Life is too short to wear boring clothes”. Women often feel they need to dim their light to show up professionally or to be taken serious, but now is an exhilarating time for women to show up and shine. If I can help women show off their personalities through their wardrobes, and attract their dream clients, their voices are heard and they attract more clients because of this.

My gift is helping women feel confident. I use style, clothing and accessories as a way to empower them. It can feel a little scary putting yourself out there at first, showing up on videos, speaking, hosting events, but it’s worth it knowing I am making a positive impact on women’s lives.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ooh that’s a hard one! I am in the Bay Area, California and there is so much to do here. We would DEFINITELY eat. I love food and love sharing great meals and laughs with others. I would take them to San Francisco to try a bread bowl with clam chowder, Oakland to have delicious tacos, and we would go wine tasting (Napa or Livermore depending on the weather). I love Rubino in Livermore because they have a great white wine selection. We would do brunch at Kitchen Story (Oakland), or Monica’s (Livermore). Museums are always great for spending the day feasting your eyes. I love the MoMa, and De Young Museum in San Francisco. The Guo Pei exhibit is going on in SF until the 27th and I’ve seen it once, but would definitely go back. She is a Chinese Fashion Couture Designer and all of the garments are BEYOND beautiful! We could also spend time outdoors, hiking on some gorgeous trails, or hanging out at the beach. The possibilities are endless!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have so many people to thank for the unconditional support I receive. I have the most amazing family that has always encouraged me to follow my dreams. I am grateful for my incredible boyfriend who shows me how capable I am. I am grateful for my friends, for letting my test out my services with them, especially my creative friends who are a part of my dream team, constantly bouncing ideas off of eachother and supporting and collaborating with. I am grateful for taking the leap and investing in a wonderful Styling mentorship program with KTI. The entire community is so uplifting and supportive. I am beyond thankful for my mastermind buddies who are encouraging and the most amazing friends. Being an entrepreneur is challenging and most people don’t understand what it’s like. I am so lucky and grateful to be surrounded by so many inpiring and supportive women who are up to amazing things. To my clients- thank you for investing in yourselves and my services, I love helping you!

Website: www.leblanclabel.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leblanc_label/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alena-le-blanc-04269770/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leblanclabel/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/le-blanc-label-castro-valley-2?osq=le+blanc+label