Real-life Style, Lani & Kyle offer the unique perspective of working in the styling industry. Kyle just got engaged, and is currently navigating the difficult time of having to figure out what to do with her September wedding. Lani got married in 2010 and had two weddings in two cities and three bridal showers in as many cities! These ladies are pros at what they do!

Meet Lani + Kyle

ABOUT THE BUSINESS

Real Life Style, Lani Inlander - Owner and Chief Stylist Kyle Dunphy - Lead Stylist

How long have you been in business?

Lani started Real Life Style in 2006, but has been styling women for over 20 years. Kyle joined the Real Life Style team in 2013.

What areas do you serve?

We are based in the Washington, DC metro area, but also serve clients in the New York tri-state area.

Why did you decide to start your own business?

Lani started her career as a personal stylist in NYC after attending Parsons School of Design. She started as the intern at luxury styling firm Visual Therapy and worked her way up over seven years to run their private client business. At one point she had her quarter life crisis and left to become a marketing manager at a fashion accessories company, only to get laid off after a little more than a year. After nine months of job searching, she finally realized that she was meant to be a personal stylist after all (which she had known since she was 14) and that she had already accidentally started her own business. Having her own business allowed her to support herself as a single woman, expand to the DC market when she got married, travel back to NY to shop and see her longtime clients, and to make Kyle's career dreams come true.

What's the coolest thing about owning your own business?

We get to work with the most amazing women, allowing them to wear their power!

ON TO THE FUN STUFF!

Do you have a favorite story to share?

One of our more involved and detailed weddings centered around a couple for whom we custom designed a tux for the groom and a two piece outfit for the bride. We then coordinated between her 13 nieces and nephews, ages 6 months to 13 years, to have matching floral dresses and navy suits.

Another one of our favorite couples was two women in the New York area who wanted to express themselves with unique outfits. One bride wore a laser-cut silver leather blazer with pants and the other wore a beaded capelet with pants. Both of them wore ivory satin tops.

What challenges have you had to overcome?

Lani had to move her business to DC from New York, a very different market. Also, we have completely pivoted our business to online offerings since the start of quarantine.

What advice could you offer to someone starting a business like yours?

Create an operations manual and always charge more than you think you are worth in the beginning. You are worth it!

ALL ABOUT LANI’S WEDDING

How did you choose your wedding vendors?

My wedding planner had previously planned events with my in-laws. After that I took her recommendations, figuring the people she had relationships with would be best.

What advice could you offer to engaged couples planning their wedding - as both a wedding professional and a married human?

No one ever wishes they had spent more money on their wedding. Think of your longterm goals, like buying a house, when you decide how much to spend on your wedding. But always spring for the videographer and the wedding planner.

What was the most important decision you made about your wedding?

To pay for it ourselves.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram: @lanireallifestyle @kyleanndunphy

Facebook: facebook.com/lanireallifestyle

Is there anything else you'd like us to know?

Our business model has always been centered around seeing our clients in person and shopping in stores. We've had to pivot our business to center online. We've been seeing our clients virtually , and running our Wear Your Power e-course for working women.

Style to Fit Your Real Life