![\"Fashion](\"https:\/\/missionvalleynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/20140825_fashionvalleypersonalshoppers_0322webtop.jpg\")
<\/a>The personal shopping program at Fashion Valley is simple: two hours of complimentary engagement that is prefaced with a \u201cstyle assessment\u201d customers complete. The personal shoppers can do the shopping for the customer or escort the customer through the stores.<\/p>\n
Chris Lane, director of marketing and business development at Fashion Valley, said the mall is one of three Simon Propery Group malls that\u2019s offering personal shopping services.<\/p>\n
The program, which launched in September 2013 with just one stylist, recently grew to a team of three stylists because of the high demand, said Lane.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a need to enhance the shopper experience for everyone,\u201d Lane said. \u201cWe wanted to show off our new stores and introduce people to new brands and styles that they may like. San Diego people aren\u2019t always familiar with some of the stores we have, so the stylists help us articulate the changing fashion and the new brands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lane said the three personal shoppers see about 30 clients a week at Fashion Valley, and the feedback from both the shoppers and the businesses has been positive.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like having a friend at the mall,\u201d Lane said. \u201cThe stylists are very easy to get along with and you know they have the credentials to make you look and feel good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mahjuba Levine is one of the three personal shoppers recruited by Fashion Valley Mall. She has been a personal shopper for 12 years and said the industry attracts people from all walks of life who are seeking services.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started working for mostly wealthy people but over the last five years it\u2019s gotten more popular,\u201d Levine said. \u201cNow, I help teachers and stay-at-home moms who just need advice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Levine, who said she\u2019s worked with thousands of clients during her career in the industry, said people seek personal shopping services for various reasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt saves a lot of time because people are just so overwhelmed with the amount of options available to them,\u201d Levine said.<\/p>\n
Industry research backs Levine\u2019s thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past five years, consumers have been searching for higher quality and more personalized customer care, which increasing disposable income has allowed them to pay for it,\u201d stated the IBISWorld report. \u201cConsumers overwhelmed by an abundance of clothing choices, or too busy to shop for themselves, have sought to outsource their shopping to professionals who specialize in style consultations, wardrobe edits and a variety of other specialty shopping services.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are now tens of thousands of businesses that offer personal shopping services and it\u2019s estimated that the industry will see an average annual rate increase of 2 percent over the next five years, according to IBISWorld.<\/p>\n
The report estimates that womenswear purchases make up 31 percent of total sales whereas menswear purchases make up 10 percent.<\/p>\n
But for Levine, the experience is more personal than just color blocks and numbers. She said the client who most stood out to her was the first woman who cried when she first looked at herself in the mirror after being styled.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very emotional,\u201d Levine said of the moment that happened nine years ago. \u201cShe cried in the dressing room. It happens a lot. Many women stand in the mirror and they are literally in tears because they\u2019ve always imagined themselves that way but never knew how to put the clothes together.\u201d<\/p>\n
But for those who still want to hit the plaza without guidance, Levine offers one piece of advice.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have a gut feeling that it doesn\u2019t look good on you, it probably doesn\u2019t,\u201d Levine said. \u201cIf you\u2019re questioning it, just put it back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shoppers interested in the personal styling service can contact Chris Lane at chlane@simon.com<\/a> or send a text message with the code ADVICE49 to 74666 to arrange an appointment.<\/p>\n