A beautifully organized closet is only half the equation—the real magic happens when everything inside it makes you feel incredible. This month, we’re continuing our Expert Q+A Series. We sat down with a Global Image Consultant to talk about personal style, wardrobe editing, and creating a closet that works as beautifully as it looks.
Sidebar, if you missed last month, head over to see what Matt Fiore from West Side Movers had to say about navigating moves in NYC!
Paul Fishman is the founder of Præviare, a fashion and concierge advisory. We connected about what he does, how he helps his clients, and how we were able to transform his home including closet design, furniture sourcing, and top-to-bottom organization that benefits not only him but his clientele too!
Jolin: Hi Paul! Thanks so much for having us back in your beautiful home - we looove being here.
What does working with a Global Image Consultant really look like?
Paul: That’s a great question. As a Global Image Consultant, I am advising my clients on how they dress and how they present themselves in the room. We’re looking at their calendar; we’re doing strategic fashion investment. Whether they have goals to go to certain events or runway shows, it’s full service. We look at what their life is like and how to dress to impress for that.
Jolin: So smart. People need that!
Paul: I think everyone needs that.
What are some common misconceptions people have about styling and image consulting, and what does your work actually involve beyond shopping and selecting items?
Paul: I think the misconception of being a style consultant is that it isn’t about strategy. When in reality, when I’m thinking about a client, it's very strategic. Yes, we rely on what's coming down the runway and what's showing up in stores [but] it's my job to make sure that my clients feel embodied as they are in the clothes that they wear. It's how we show up. It's representative of who we are on the inside. I think a lot of people chase trends and are trying to impress others with what they wear. My hope and dream is that we look in the mirror and we impress ourselves first, therefore we can show up more confident, more embodied.
Jolin: I love that.
What is the major reason people reach out to you? Is there usually a pain point or transition?
Paul: The main reason people reach out to me is access. The desire to have the thing- have the bespoke items. [To] get the specific item that they saw on the runway. I have connections to every single fashion house, and I’ve been in this industry for over two decades. So my goal is to never say no. That’s why people reach out to me and choose me over any other stylist because I can get it for you. I can make it happen and if I need support, I have a global network of people to support my sourcing.
Jolin: We love a yes man!
What’s the process like when a client is first reaching out to you? Are you building wardrobes, travel outfits, capsule wardrobes?
Paul: If we’re talking about first steps, it's really getting to know the essence of my client. Where they are, where they’re going, where they’ve been, where they want to be in their life. A lot of people don’t realize that when we aren’t dressing for the human that we want to be, we’re actually telling ourselves a story that we’re not worthy of being there. It doesn’t always mean that you have to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on clothes. It means, [we think about] representing you- in the best way- with clothes that align with who you are right now, but also subconsciously tell you that you’re worthy of having the impact, building the dream, having that vision be you.
Jolin: I love supporting that for people. That’s lovely.
I know you’re just returning from a trip to Italy, can you tell us about that project and what you got to do?
Paul: We visited Rome with Fendi. It was all about made-to-order, so we did some custom bags and outerwear. We also got to tour Sophia Loren’s home and saw her vintage Fendi trunks and luggage. If you are thinking, I want to have an experience with Fendi, or Louis Vuitton or whoever it might be, those are strategic things that I can build. It's about relationships and investment. To go to a Fendi experience, you get to invest in the brand and therefore, they get to invest in you and invite you to these events. That's the strategic consulting that I do, as well.
Jolin: That’s super fabulous. Our team had SO much fun organizing your spaces.
How has having a newly organized space and a newly organized closet changed the way you move through your wardrobe?
Paul: First and foremost, it's really important to be able to see everything that you have. Especially in New York, that can be really challenging. I’m not the person to talk to about minimalism, so it's been great to see everything that I have and also have space to add new things.
Jolin: We like to have a little wiggle room.
Paul: Yeah, I need a lot of wiggle room.
Head over to our Closet Gallery to see some of our other favorite closet projects!
How do you think having a well-organized closet impacts your ability to put together outfits and your decision-making for styling?
Paul: Something that I do for all of my clients is create a digital wardrobe. Every single thing that lives in their closet is digitized into an app that they have access to. We can build outfits that way. It’s important to know what you have to be able to put it on, but sometimes, seeing things all together, you can have bigger and better ideas about how to pair things. Before you were here, it was hard to see anything [in my space].
Pop quiz! Who have you manifested the real life version of- who had it in a movie first?
Paul: Cher Horowitz from Clueless!
Jolin: Yes! Cher Horowitz from Clueless! That’s literally the dream. Many of our clients at Sage Organization are CEOs, board members, and other busy professionals with limited time, and it seems many of your clients are similar.
Where do you see the biggest overlap in how a Professional Organizer and a Global Image Consultant can work together to help people simplify and elevate their lives?
Paul: There are so many reasons but primarily, my job is to get my clients the things, and then the organizer can step in and make sure the things are where they need to be. Seasonal wardrobe transition is a huge, massive project, and having someone who is also in connection with the image consultant can be really valuable. Teamwork makes the dream work.
Lightning Round
Jolin: Designer you’re loving right now?
Paul: I love everything that comes out of Loewe.
Jolin: Closet item everyone should own?
Paul: A really good pair of shoes that makes you feel hot AF.
Jolin: Most overrated fashion trend?
Paul: Dressing for other people.
Jolin: Heels or sneakers?
Paul: Heels. Always.
Jolin: Carry-on or checked luggage?
Paul: Carry-on.
Jolin: Dream city to style a client in?
Paul: I love styling people in their home towns.
Jolin: One thing you’d never have in your own closet?
Paul: Uggs.
Jolin: Favorite thing we organized in your apartment?
Paul: Probably my shoe and accessories wall…they’re my babies.
A huge thank you to Paul for joining us and sharing his perspective on personal style, confidence, and creating a wardrobe that truly reflects who you are.
At Sage Organization, we believe the best closets aren't just organized; they're curated. When every piece has a purpose and every category has a home, getting dressed becomes less about searching and more about expressing yourself. That's where organization and personal style become the perfect pair.
If this interview inspired you to rethink your wardrobe, be sure to follow Paul for more styling insights and head over to our Instagram to watch the full conversation LIVE! If your closet could use a little expert attention of its own, you know where to find us. Until next time: buy the shoes, skip the Uggs, and dress for yourself.
Stay tuned for our next Expert Q + A guest and let us know if there’s an industry expert YOU want us to talk to!
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