3 min read ·
Mary Michele Nidiffer opened StyleFinder, her women’s boutique and style consulting business, in the Lassiter District of North Hills in July 2017. Nidiffer relocated her business from North Raleigh to reach a larger audience in the heart of Midtown.
Nidiffer has been fascinated with personal style and fashion since she was a child. She began sewing when she was 6-years-old and after earning a degree in Apparel Arts at UNC Greensboro, she created custom wedding gowns and launched a ready-to-wear apparel and hat line from her downtown Raleigh apartment. In 1997 she opened a boutique in downtown called Head Over Heels, selling hats, clothing, shoes, and custom designs. For the past 10 years, Nidiffer has worked as a personal image consultant to help women discover their style, coloring, and how to dress for their body type.
Tell us about your decision to locate StyleFinder in North Hills?
Mary Michele Nidiffer: Our very first choice was to be in North Hills in the exact location where we opened – so we are very excited about that! We wanted to be here to help more women and make a bigger impact.
You have worked as a fashion blogger, and you have run a style coaching business from your home. Why did you think it was valuable to open your business in a bricks-and-mortar location?
MMN: Having a bricks-and-mortar location combines the best of both worlds: shopping with style services. Women can walk into StyleFinder to look at what we have, and they may not have any idea we provide style services. When clients visit our store, they learn they can have their colors done, that we offer personal style assessments, personal shopping, and closet audits.
What is the StyleFinder ID System?
MMN: It is a personal style assessment I created in 2010. It helps our clients understand what their style is, what they should focus on, and what they should stay away from. It helps to bring clarity, and it helps my clients to have an “aha” moment about their personal style. It also helps our staff to be able to better serve our clients.
What are some spring trends to look for?
MMN: We really try to disseminate the trends and know what’s right for everyone. I tell my clients that color is the easiest way to update your look. This spring we are seeing a lot of shades of purples, greys, corals, and pastels.
What are some trends you would like to see end?
MMN: I feel like so many people don’t express their own personal style through what they wear. I would really like to see us go back in time to a point when people put themselves together, and it doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. Find a look that’s put together and doesn’t take an hour to do every day, but you feel good in. This is what we can help clients do.
How has social media changed the fashion industry?
MMN: Trends are now picked up at lightning speed. I think social media has been amazing for showing ideas and trends. It’s helped people keep up more easily with what’s on trend, and it’s made fashion more accessible.
You have a very full life. You are a business owner, style coach, mother of four, wife, speaker, and writer. What do you do to relax?
MMN: Yoga, no question about it. I like to take walks with my dog. I love wine. I love cooking. Really having an opportunity to relax with friends over a glass of wine or coffee.
What is the goal of your work?
MMN: At StyleFinder we are all about educating our clients, and it is my goal to empower women through personal style. At the end of the day, I want to help women feel beautiful.
