“When people ask me what I do for a living and I reply, ‘I’m a personal shopper’, the response is usually, ‘I want your job,!’” said Karen. “Shopping for other people is undoubtedly glamorous," she says. According to her, it’s a wonderfully liberating feeling being able to shop with someone else’s money.

Having recently returned to South Africa after spending four years in Miami, Florida, as a personal shopper, Karen’s intentions were to establish herself as Miami’s foremost shopping sensei. With her own dedicated shopping network and hundreds of retailers to choose from, Karen led masses of female shoppers into retail and reintroduced them to the forgotten joys of shopping.

Hundreds of holidaymakers who simply did not possess the necessary time to indulge in the art of shopping queued up for Karen’s services. Arranging meetings with retailers as well as doing the actual footwork were some of the services provided by Karen.

Karen educated her clients on various shopping tactics. She taught them how to shop, what to buy and which shops and items to avoid. She made it her mission to develop her clients into the ultimate super shoppers, sort of like an ‘extreme shopping makeover.’

Now, back in South Africa, Karen aims to establish the same kind of success that she enjoyed in Miami. With the launch of her new company, Famous Fox, a personal shopping agency, Karen wants to evolve the personal shopping industry in South Africa to the same level as exists in America. Currently, South Africa’s personal shopping industry is virtually non-existent. But all that ought to change with Karen back on the scene.

Because of Karen’s passion for fashion, she spends a lot of time researching on the Internet and looking at the latest styles and trends from around the world. Karen says that the amount of time she spends on research allows her to have her finger on the pulse of what’s hot and happening. “It’s important to know what’s happening globally in fashion, so daily research is vital. You need to have a positive personal image at all times as well as high energy, diplomacy and a passion for networking,” said Karen.

Her job has taken her to jetsetter’s paradise. Places like Paris, the Caribbean and Dubai are among her favourite places to shop. When asked about the highs and lows of her interesting career choice, Karen said: ‘It’s hard work, but I love being able to take someone who’s feeling negative and make them feel fabulous without changing them. Most people have a basic sense of style, but some people just need help expressing it.” For more information, visit www.shoppingsensei.com

Why did you decide to come back to South Africa?
I was a personal shopper in the States for four years. Coming home to South Africa, I realised there was a need for a similar service here.

You mentioned that while working overboard, ‘the personal shopper enjoys a fruitful market’. How do you compare it with the SA markets?
The SA Market is taking some time to get used to and understand the idea. Most people, when I tell them I’m a personal shopper, ask, “What’s that?” My clients respond extremely well to the service. Retailers are a bit trickier. It’s a challenge to help them understand the value of my business to them in terms of sales.

What kind of satisfaction do you get out of shopping with other people’s money?
I enjoy watching someone’s confidence grow as they shop, and start to find out all sorts of new things about themselves. When shopping alone for clients, I enjoy the fact that I can do it in my own time and browse new collections while doing so.

You claim you’ve got your finger on the pulse of the latest fashion trends. What’s hot right now for the upcoming summer?
Women’s colours for this summer are bold and Emilio Pucci-inspired, with citrus shades and cobalt blues accented with metallics. Note, I say, “accented”. It’s extremely important not to overdo this trend. For men, light cotton blend suits, flat-front trousers, shoes and matching belts in shades of brown with natural beige and khaki basics. These can be finished off with some bold colour in the shirt or tie.

Have you shopped for any ‘high-profile’ people lately?
I have a couple of clients who are well known media personalities in South Africa. Their names? My lips are sealed: my clients’ privacy is of the utmost importance to me

Do you apply any kind of analysis of your clients before you go shop for them? Such as what style will suite them, etc?
Yes, we do a consultation where I find out who my client is, style-wise. I usually recommend a wardrobe analysis at the same time so I can really get to the bottom of what my clients need.

You mostly shop for fashion items like clothes, accessories, etc. But do you ever put on a fake beard, red jump suite and maybe do some Christmas shopping for your clients?
I am already Christmas shopping for some of my busier clients. I help with kid’s gifts, gifts for men, and fortunately I have extensive experience buying jewellery, which a lot of my male clients find useful.

What’s the best place to shop, nationally and internationally?
Locally I find we are getting more and more international brands so it’s becoming a much more exciting shopping environment than ever before. Our major shopping malls are conducive to my business because of their ease of access. Internationally, I would say my favourite shops are the Galleries Lafayette in Paris. They have everything! For jewellery and watches, definitely the Caribbean.

You mentioned you provide some ‘retail therapy’ to your clients. Explain.
People who hate to shop usually feel that way because of how shopping affects their self-confidence. They either start to feel unattractive, too heavy, too skinny, too overwhelmed, annoyed by sales staff or harassed. My job is to step in and make sure it’s a positive experience for them. Instead of having to sift through the masses of factors that make them hate shopping, my clients can breeze into a store which I’ve already scoured for them, head straight for the change room and come out looking and feeling fabulous. After a day shopping they feel relaxed, happy and excited about their new purchases.

In 2003, you started your career as a Discover Shopping Guide for Onboard Media in Florida. What was that experience like?
It was the most fabulous, fun and glamorous job I have ever had. I met the most amazing people, worked with international brands and travelled all over the world. It was incredibly hard work though. There were so many people to please: the shoppers, the stores, the brands, all very important and very demanding. I enjoyed having my own 24-hour shopping network, although often people would recognise me on my off time and start asking me questions about shopping. I didn’t really mind, but it meant I was never allowed to walk around looking grumpy or frumpy.

You also specialize in designer jewellery. What are your favourite designer jewels?
I absolutely adore silver jewellery from John Hardy (Indonesia) and David Yurman. We have yet to receive these designers in South Africa though. For watches, I love Cartier’s Roadster for a feminine yet chunky look, Tag Heuer’s Aquaracer with diamonds for a bit of sparkle and Maurice Lacroix is possibly my favourite brand in terms of the time-keeping mechanism. Michele watches are great because you can easily change the straps to match whatever you wear and my Philip Stein is my favourite because of the way it helps me sleep so well at night.

Your business, Famous Fox was launched earlier this year. So you’ve been quite the busy bee. Any future plans in the pipeline for Famous Fox?
So many plans, I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed! I have a book in progress, which focuses on style in South Africa, and I’m working on a charity initiative, which will help unemployed women make a good impression when they go for job interviews.

SPICE is dedicated to connecting women with purpose, which is about embracing their selfworth, passion, inspiration, commitment and edutainment. What would be your message to the women of SA in embracing their full potential?
South African women of all races have such a rich history. We have so much to be proud of and we have to remind ourselves of it sometimes. It’s painful to look back on the past sometimes, but when you do, you will be amazed by how strong you’ve been. Realising your own strengths from the past will inspire you for the future.

5min with Karen
Age: 27
Residence: Sandton
Favourite book: The Colour Purple
Favourite movie: The Last Supper
Favourite music: 80’s
Favourite clothing item: My Emilio Pucci scarf
Pet peeves: Disinterested sales staff
Crocs. Love em’ or hate em’: HATE HATE HATE
Motto: whoever said money couldn’t buy happiness didn’t know where to shop!