Rising Stars: Meet Cara Dillard of Downtown

Hi Cara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to introduce yourself.
I am a Personal stylist based out of St Louis, MO and Fashion has always been a passion of mine. My grandmother, who was a Southeast Missouri native, had a stylist who would send her clothing monthly, and I always thought that was so fascinating. I worked for a fortune 500 company that took up much of my time and I was too exhausted to give fashion my all.  I was let go after working for the company for 10yrs and at that I was able to really do what I love. I began styling full time and started my own business PhanC Consulting.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?

Building clientele and my social media following was a struggle at first. I taught myself through a lot of research and trial & error. I honestly thought my business would fail during the pandemic, but I was wrong. I built my clientele during that time. That was a trying time for everyone but it also gave people the drive to develop their brands, and I assisted being the stylist for several branding photo shoots for new entrepreneurs. The support and following that I now receive is mind-blowing. I have to pinch myself sometimes.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I curate fashion looks and post them daily to provide outfit/image inspiration. I’m known for My Virtual Style Service and for adding a PhanC touch to each look I build. I’m most proud of my social media following, which is over 100k and my clientele that reaches outside of the United States. What sets me apart from any other stylist is that I make sure that my clients feel like a celebrity and ensure they channel their inner PhanC. PhanC is more than Razzle dazzle. It’s a vibe. It’s a state of mind —it’s being confident in the skin you’re in and owning it.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is always playing in my Grandmother’s makeup and handbags. After Sunday dinner, I would disappear into her room, playing dress up with all of her accessories and applying her Fashion-Fair blush. She passed away two 2 years ago and left me all of her accessories. I truly hope that I am making her proud. My Grandmother -my Angel is my forever fashion inspiration.