About Ginger Burr

I have a confession to make. I have not always felt confident about my personal style. In fact, I was almost 30 years old before I found a look that felt deliciously right to me. This comes as a surprise to many since there’s a common expectation that every image consultant has had a flair for fashion since birth and used to dress her friends as a teen, shopped ‘til she dropped after school, etc. That was not true for me. (Just take one look at the picture to the right  when I was in my early 20’s to know that I was clueless! Me in pink – what was I thinking and even though vests were in…well, enough said!)

I suspect part of the problem was that mini skirts were in style in the 1970’s when I was a teenager (in fact, they were the only length in style at the time), and I just don’t have the legs for short skirts. (Trust me, I don’t!) And, back then we were required to wear skirts to school (pants were not allowed except the winter of my senior year when it was so cold we had red knees every day so they gave in). I am knock-kneed, my legs are white with freckles, and I’m pigeon-toed (especially in my left foot). Not exactly the ideal legs for short skirts, and I was extremely sensitive about them! Of course, I have since learned exactly what length skirt is flattering and of course my choice of shoes is critical to finish the outfit. Not knowing any of that back then, I just felt embarrassed.

Before I became a fashion stylist and image consultant, I majored in music at Mount Holyoke College (a music major — who would ever think that would lead to a career in fashion!). Fresh out of college I was intrigued by the fashion industry but had no clue if I had a gift for it or if it could turn into a profession (fashion was really different back then)! On a whim, I attended modeling school because I thought that would be a great way to learn about the industry. How wrong I was (more on that in a minute)! I was 30 before I figured out how to dress in a way that made me feel good inside and out. Before that I spent countless hours and wasted tons of energy and money copying what others wore (see the photo of me in my ‘earthy-crunchy’ outfit), and trying to fit into what society dictated I “should” wear. I was miserable.

After college and modeling school, I moved to the Boston area.  During those first few years in Cambridge I worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the Biology Dept. not as a researcher but as a word processor (a glorified typist (I could type 120 wpm) where I learned all my computer skills!). Everyone (as you can see from the group picture) wore super casual clothes and I, wanting to fit in and not knowing what else to wear, did the same. It never felt right to me, but I didn’t know what my options were until…

Then, a few months before my 30^th, I attended to a 3-day “fashion, color & image” seminar. My future mentor, Nevena Cranney, taught me about style, design, color, balance, makeup…you name it. I felt like I had been reborn. Gone were my funky sweaters, my Birkenstocks (yup, the original ones), and blue jeans (which I never found to be comfortable (before stretch!) anyway). I was in my element and there was no stopping me! With her blessing and guidance I started my business the day after the workshop and have never looked back.