Dr. J. C., Upper West Side, NYC

"You have such a lovely way of making people feel comfortable-- no small thing when it comes to appearance and, for me, shopping, that I honestly felt like we'd been friends for years.

Thank you for the BEST present I have ever given myself! I had so much fun "working" with you. I look forward to doing it again."

Reena Napolitano, New Jersey.

(excerpted from her blog Sunflowers in Autumn)
“When I decided to hire Summer Robbins to evaluate my closets I felt euphoric about treating myself to a personal stylist, nervous about what it would cost, and frantic about getting all of my clothes out of storage and into my closets… The first part of our session was therapeutic, recognizably an eclectic word choice, but it was in fact therapeutic. Sitting on my couch and answering questions about what I enjoyed most about my body, my style icons and where I enjoy shopping are questions I rarely entertain. This mini-session forced me to think a lot about how I present myself and how I would like to be seen. The next part of her visit is what I will call, the ‘pruning’ process. There are times in our lives where we have to let things go in order to move on, and that is exactly what happened to me. As Summer pulled an 8 year old dress suit out from my closet, I felt like I finally had a reason to let that piece go. Afterwards, my clothes were piled onto a chair and then Summer explained to me why these pieces just won’t work for me any more. Next I was to try on the remaining pieces in my closets, these were called my core pieces. She then made a list of the core pieces I was missing, and finally I was off to shopping. She told me that I was an Anthropologie girl which I was thrilled about, but she mentioned that Century 21, Saks Off 5^th, and other outlet stores which carried name brand pieces would work just as well for my budget. The four-hour shopping spree that followed had me feeling like a famous rich girl who was being spoiled with her stylist- Summer took her list and piled pieces into carts while I ‘modeled’ them for her at the fitting room. If we both agreed on a piece, I purchased it. This was by far the most fun I ever had shopping. The next day, while I was at work she went into my home and put outfits together, re-organized my closet with my new additions and then took pictures for my look book which I keep next to my closets now at all times. The excitement I felt throughout this process continues to be matched by the excitement I feel as my friends, students, and colleagues continue to compliment my new look! Thanks Summer!”

Maryann Roison, New York, NY.

“As an attorney, I never thought I could express my personal style at the office or in the courtroom. My wardrobe was full of black suits and sensible shoes. After working with you I learned how to accessorize and wear color. I feel more professional, pulled together, and confident than I’ve ever felt at work before. I just looked in my closet and realized how much I love everything I now own. Dressing for work is actually fun now. Thank you for showing me how to bring out my personal style. It really has been a life changing experience.”

Rebecca Bell, North Carolina.

“I just got back in town this week to discover the Inspiration book you made waiting for me! I have to say, you really nailed it. I LOVE all of the looks you pulled for me. They really do reflect a style that feels ‘me’ and are truly inspiring. Thank you so much for putting this together for me!!!!!
I’ve mixed and matched our outfits in endless ways for all of my meetings, but felt like I was wearing something new every time. I think the best buys were the new belts. I think I incorporated one of them into almost everything I wore throughout the trips. I’ve also bought several new dangly earrings since we met. Very exciting!”

Jennifer Von Wahlde, Connecticut.

“So, a week ago I was ready to write a letter to TLC’s What Not to Wear, nominating myself because of the sad state of my closet and my lack of self-esteem, hatred of shopping, and overall lethargy when it came to doing anything for myself. Not to mention, I would gladly have given up what was left of my “wardrobe” in exchange for $5,000 to go shopping in NYC. I begged Summer to help me, begged my husband to let me go on a shopping spree (or so I thought…this time I guess I am asking for forgiveness rather than permission–thanks, honey!), and took a deep breath. Knowing the havoc Summer can wreak on a woman’s closet, but also knowing I needed to let go of even more than I had the year after I had my daughter, Ella, I dreaded last Friday, which was the day Summer was coming over. Despite my fears, each time Summer has worked with me, I have breathed a sigh of relief and have felt a weight lifted off my shoulders (and literally out of my closet). This time was no different. She ransacked my closet, we made a pile of “give aways” larger than what remained, and Summer made a list of the six “essential items” we would need to shop for the next day: a pair of knee-high black boots, a black/neutral colored structured jacket, a black turtleneck, a white shirt, a gray (preferably) cashmere sweater, and a gray or black cardigan. Despite the manageability of this list, I doubted we would find everything on it in one day. Not only did we find it all in one day, we found it in less than four hours! And what’s more: I had FUN doing it. (Note: I HATE shopping. Correction: I HAVE hated shopping, in the past). I had so much fun that I found myself grabbing things off racks that were NOT on my “list”–and despite Summer’s approval that they were great items and warnings that they were not “within” budget, I allowed myself to spend a little more than planned in order to add the great “extras”: the yellow wool pea coat, for example; a great pair of Favorite Fit trouser jeans from J. Crew; a gray jacket from BCBG; and some additional cardigans and shirts from J. Crew. I literally now have a brand new wardrobe…getting dressed for work is not only easier, it’s exciting! What’s even more important…I feel like myself again, rather than like a run-down, slightly out-of-shape mom who put all her energy into her daughter, instead of saving some for herself. Summer, you’ve done so much more than style me…thank you!!!”

Rachelle Iurato, New Jersey

“I’m a stay-at-home Mom and money is tight. I haven’t really bought myself clothes since before I was pregnant(!) and my son is 11 months old. My closet looked awful and I had given up. However, since Summer did her magic, I now love to look in my closet and I love my wardrobe! Prior to working with Summer, I felt terrible about myself. People kept saying how thin I had gotten since my son was born, which would usually make a woman feel great but I just felt frumpy, sloppy, and seriously unstylish. A hard pill to swallow when I used to feel so cute. Anyway, Summer came over and got rid of the majority of my closet and as scary as that was at the time, it felt soooooo good! I wasn’t wearing any of the stuff she got rid of but for some reason I was still hanging onto it out of what I thought was necessity. Then we went shopping!! I had a very small budget ($300) but it didn’t matter, because we got all the things I needed and she showed me how to work them into my wardrobe. It actually feels good to look at my closet and know that I could wear everything in it. I feel great and I actually look forward to getting dressed every day! Thanks Summer! You made me feel like a kid at Christmas!”