A new aura
Since she began taking commissions in 2017, Lai has had many clients who have been distressed that they don’t fit the mainstream aesthetic in Taiwan: light-complexioned, slim, and beautiful. But in Lai’s eyes the things these clients worry about, such as having a long face or small eyes, are in fact part of their individuality, and as long as the right clothing can be found, they can be shown to their best advantage. This is why she has analyzed the hundreds of cases that have passed through her hands, studied the different races of the world and the attire of different regions, and compared face and body shapes, to develop her concept of the “three categories of role-based style.” She divides clients into three categories—caregivers, leaders, and dreamers—based on their facial features, the length of their faces, and their body shapes, thereby revealing the basic principles for the appropriate attire of each individual. For example, a leader will project a sense of power when wearing a Western-style suit and trench coat, whereas these would look out of place on a dreamer, like a child wearing adult attire.
Lai also organizes closets. She starts by taking all the clothes out and having the client separate them into five categories: I like it; it’s OK; I don’t really like it; it’s functional around the house; it has memories attached. As the classification proceeds, the client will gradually be surrounded by clothing, which Lai calls the “magic circle” of organization. Over time, it becomes increasingly clear which category each piece of attire belongs in. For example, if a person thinks of placing a garment that they don’t really like but can’t bring themselves to throw away onto the “I like it” pile, they will ask themselves, “Do I really like it?” Throughout the process, Lai observes the client’s facial expressions. Especially for apparel in the “it’s OK” section, through continual questions she unravels the connection between the client and the garment: perhaps it was a gift from a friend or family member, or perhaps it is associated with some beautiful memory. Some clients even discover that they have lived their entire lives guided by the judgments of others, without ever listening to their own voices.
Everything that is related to a person’s style falls within Lai’s purview, including clothes, shoes, bags, makeup, hairstyles, and eyeglasses. After helping the client organize her closet, Lai will set out several appropriate outfits and give advice on cosmetics and coiffure. Take for example a person who is in the habit of wearing simply a shirt and pants. With Lai’s skilled mixing and matching, she might brighten up her appearance by wearing a plain dress over a camisole with a colorful scarf collar, or improve a long face by turning her blouse back to front. Even without movie-star looks, with the right clothes anyone can project a certain aura.
Since founding the “Closet Visitor” brand, Lai Tinghe has always had an eye toward environmental protection. By discovering the potential for beauty in each person’s closet, and helping clients to know themselves better, she hopes they will no longer buy things blindly, and can escape from the dizzying treadmill of fast fashion. As Sasha Ho says, “The first character in the Chinese word for ‘organize’ is zheng, which means ‘to put into good order,’ and this applies to the space we are working on; while the second character, li, means ‘to rationalize’ or ‘make rational,’ and that refers to the confusion and fatigue in the client’s mind.” Professional organizers guide people to discover problems, see their own real nature, and find more beauty in life.
The concept of seasonal colors divides all colors—red, pink, yellow, blue, green—into spring, summer, autumn, and winter color palettes.
Lai Tinghe (left) takes down all the clothes and asks the client to sort them into categories. During the process of deciding what to keep and what to throw out, the client becomes increasingly clear about their own tastes.
Using color tests, measurements, and questions, Lai Tinghe gradually discovers the colors and styles of clothing best suited to her client.
Using color tests, measurements, and questions, Lai Tinghe gradually discovers the colors and styles of clothing best suited to her client.
Using color tests, measurements, and questions, Lai Tinghe gradually discovers the colors and styles of clothing best suited to her client.
Lai Tinghe learns from a client’s clothing by observing the individual’s relationship with their garments, helping people find the most suitable and beautiful attire for themselves.