Jen Principe describes herself as a soul stylist with a sole purpose and hopes to help transform lives from the outside in. Jen is a personal and celebrity stylist whose empowering work in fashion has been featured on television and in magazines.
As a seasoned stylist of 10+ years, Jen leads strategic seminars in Southern California on the power of personal presentation through clothing, where she teaches the simple and powerful tools about tailoring, colors, body types, and trends that can be easily implemented into anyone’s wardrobe.
Jen’s debut book, “A Common Thread,” is filled with inspirational stories about the two constants in her life which are faith and fashion. In it, she uses the latest QR technology that leads readers to companion tutorials on how to build the ideal wardrobe from the ground up, ultimately providing an affordable styling platform that fit within anyone’s budget.
Her nonprofit, The Phoenix Effect, provides personalized photo shoots for those affected by trauma, cancer, and life-threatening diseases. She helps survivors reignite parts of themselves that have become dormant during the healing process. By providing a day of respite from illness to feel pampered through fashion, each survivor embraces their inner and outer beauty. The photos can then be memorialized as coffee table books.
1. How do you define kindness?
Kindness is a generosity of spirit. It’s shining your light on others to help, inspire, bring more joy and love to humanity.
2. How do you lead with kindness in your personal life?
I lead with kindness in my personal life by being of service to others whenever the opportunity presents itself. As a personal wardrobe stylist, I know the powerful impact that clothing, hair and make-up can have on our psychological and mental well-being. Which led me to birth my non-profit “The Phoenix Effect” where my team curates personalized photoshoot experiences for those suffering from life debilitating diseases and/or trauma. Each person chosen to be a “Phoenix” is given a day to feel empowered and reignite parts of their identity lost during the process of healing. At the end of each photoshoot, they are given a memorialized coffee table book and a special gift to commemorate their special day. For me, It’s a hard role to be assigned because I have lost some Phoenix’s along the way. However, I am grateful to give back the gift that I have been given and provide their families with pictures of their loved ones feeling beautiful and spreading their wings.
3. What does it mean to you to support other women and to be supported by other women?
When we lift others up, we uplift ourselves. We are all connected. I support other women by sharing my own successes, failures, and fears. By opening my heart and my rolodex. Sometimes, it’s just who you know and taking the time to connect someone to help them succeed. Just doing this can make all difference in someone life. I feel supported when people do the same for me and see the value In my work.
4. Who or what inspires you to be kinder to yourself and others? How and why?
People like you Lu, inspire me. Thank you for paving the way and shining light on others. I can be hard on myself, and I must remember to stop and recognize how far I’ve come. God and prayer help me to remember that I’m being guided. I also must take the time to be in nature. This is where my soul speaks, and I’m reminded that all is well. If that doesn’t work, I call my husband.
5. What is your superpower?
My pain and my story are my superpowers. I know that sounds strange, but it’s given me the tools to grow and live a life of purpose and meaning. My unique upbringing and challenges propelled me forward to writing my debut book “A Common Thread” where I hope to inspire readers to look at their life and their wardrobe from an entirely new perspective. Through my own journey, I’ve learned that trauma is not a destination, we can overcome hard things and keep our hearts open.
Jen’s book “A Common Thread” is available in hardcopy, Kindle, and audiobook formats. She offers private personal styling virtually and in person. Visit jpstyles.com to learn more about her services.
