Why I started Not Perfect
I didn’t set out to start a styling business. I set out to fix my own style crisis - and ended up building Not Perfect along the way.
Post-kids, post-COVID, mid-perimenopause, and more than a few impulsive buys deep… my wardrobe no longer made sense. And I knew I wasn’t the only one. Getting dressed had become harder than it should be. Clothes and combinations that once felt right suddenly didn’t. Wardrobes were overflowing but uninspiring. And that little daily frustration was knocking confidence left, right and centre.
So, in the middle of turning my life upside down (career changes, family shifts, the whole lot) and looking for a new path, I knew a few things were non-negotiable. My work had to be meaningful. I wanted to work with people, to empower them. I wanted to be my own boss. And I wanted to show my kids that you really can grow up to be Melbourne’s very own Tan France from Queer Eye, if that’s what you want.
The obvious intersection of all of that was using my knowledge of fashion to help people feel better about themselves. One day I’d love to formally study psychology or social work. But for now, wardrobes are my way in, and Not Perfect is the vehicle.
What’s in a Name?
In the early stages of planning, I got caught up in the familiar trap of chasing perfection. Then came the lightbulb moment: if I called the business Not Perfect, I’d have to live by it. No hiding behind flawless facades, just showing up as I am.
It’s been so rewarding to give myself permission to do that, and I hope it makes me more authentic, relatable, and human. Because that’s what I want for my clients too.
What Makes Not Perfect Different
There are heeaaaaaaps of stylists out there, but I wanted to offer something that feels more like coaching or personal training for you and your wardrobe. Practical, supportive, and sustainable. Instead of turning you into someone you’re not, or pushing you to buy heaps of new clothes you don’t need, I help you work with what you’ve already got.
It’s about taking gentle, incremental steps towards a version of yourself that feels more… you. Whether that means feeling more confident, stylish, authentic, organised, casual, or professional, I’d love to help.
Because the truth is, confidence doesn’t come from shopping bags full of new. That dopamine hit doesn’t last. Real confidence comes from learning how to dress for your authentic self, in clothes that actually work for your body and your lifestyle, and feeling great from the inside out.
Lived Experience Matters
I’ve lived in a body that has worn many different sizes. I know the wins, and I know the challenges. That lived experience means I’ll always approach your wardrobe with empathy and curiosity, never judgement.
And I’ll always be the person reminding you that style isn’t about chasing perfect. It’s about finding ease, confidence, and joy in yourself and your inherent style (whether you believe you have it or not). And when you do, that confidence often spills into every part of your life.
The Why Behind It All
When I started Not Perfect, I asked myself what I wanted this business to stand for. Here’s what I came up with:
For me:
Help people
Share my skills
Make a difference
Add value
Create a business that works with my lifestyle
Embody the public version of the fashion person I’ve always wanted to be
For you:
Make you feel more confident, stylish, authentic, organised, casual, or professional, whatever your goals may be
Demystify fashion
Save you time - whether it’s mornings, packing for holidays, or just making one less decision to overthink
Save you money by building a plan that actually works (because your time is valuable, and so is your wallet)
Where We’re Headed
Not Perfect is about more than clothes. It’s about helping you show up for your life with confidence, clarity, and ease - without the pressure to be anything other than yourself.
Because when you feel good in what you wear, you move differently. You hold yourself differently. And that little shift can ripple into every part of your life.
