SPOTLIGHT ON... Maggie McMillan

We peek into the colourful world - and wardrobe - of personal stylist Maggie McMillan, who has found success via her fabulous Instagram feed.

Tell us a little about what you do and your background

My company is MM STYLE, a Personal Branding, Impact & Wardrobe Consultancy. I trained originally in Paris, then in the UK as my first training was entirely in French! I work with both men and women, from pop stars to politicians, CEOs to sixth-formers, grannies to godchildren and everyone in between.

One specific area of expertise is the corporate sector where I work with everyone from senior executives to graduates. I also love working with small business owners and have a non-corporate client base - mostly women who simply have a “wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear” for a whole variety of reasons! 

My mantra is “looking good, feeling good.” I firmly believe that if you feel good about the way you look, you are more positive, and those around you respond accordingly. 

I help clients find their unique style and achieve a wardrobe that really flatters their colouring and shape; reflects their personality, fits their lifestyle and importantly, their budget. We often create loads of new looks from existing pieces that clients hadn’t thought of, as well as identifying gaps and helping fill them if required. No more expensive mistakes! 

We love your Instagram feed - what’s your secret to finding Social success?

I’m not sure there is a secret except “keep the faith,” turn up regularly and BE YOURSELF while following all the free hints and tips you find from social media experts. Easier said than done, I know! Accept that you can’t be all things to all people and know what makes you different. 

Maggie's Instagram feed

Tell us about your collaboration with boutiques. How does it work?

My collaboration with boutiques is different from many stylists. I don’t take commission from boutiques for taking clients there on shopping trips. I tend to do joint collaborative reels with the boutiques that I love. This works for both the boutique and me to introduce new clients and followers. I like to feature locally where possible alongside my own personal favourites around the country.

Where do you find inspiration - from trends or your own intuition? 

I find inspiration everywhere. I seek out small boutiques wherever I go. I find different and interesting pieces this way. I spend lots of time shopping with clients from budget to designer, so I often take photos of pieces I love, which I file in my phone. I follow international influencers on Instagram and save their best looks. 

I hope by now some of my choices are based on instinct! Whether I’m looking on social media or IRL, I’m constantly thinking about looks both for clients and myself.

I have however always been obsessed with clothes, since I was a 5-year-old in a smocked dress in pink bubble nylon! 

Maggie's Instagram feed

Describe your typical working day

Every day is different. I’m a terrible sleeper so I wake early and make my To Do list for the day, then spend half an hour interacting on Instagram and brainstorming new ideas, which I scribble down before I forget them. I try to fit in a walk by the river with a matcha tea to clear my head.

If I have a client appointment, I look over any pre-information I have about them before I set off. If it’s a shopping trip, I reread their consultation notes and arrive well ahead of time so I can scour the shops and pick out “possibles”.

If I’m shopping in town, I will often stay on to research and may meet with a small brand owner to discuss a collaboration. I might even sneak in a bit of shopping for myself! I love Zara in Duke of York Square (the best one in my opinion) and the new Massimo Dutti flagship store.

Monday is my catch-up and paperwork day. There are always reports to write, workshops to plan, accounts to file and new clients to attract. I then try to fit in filming posts and reels around the rest of my schedule. 

Every Friday afternoon, I try to take half an hour to review my week and plan the next. That avoids the dreaded Sunday evening planning sessions which I used to hate.

What has been the biggest highlight and challenge to date?

My first Paris Fashion Week can only be described as awesome, inspiring and one of the toughest I’ve ever worked. My feet hurt as if I’d run the marathon (without any training!) I was permanently lost and late (thank goodness the shows were never on time either!) I was so excited and anxious, I hardly ate for a week. And in retrospect loved every minute.

My biggest challenge is ongoing. It’s keeping up the momentum on social media and acquiring the skills to do so (which I still haven’t done by the way!) 

Best nugget of wisdom you can share with your fellow Creative Ducks?

My best nugget of wisdom is to value yourself and your unique skills. Continually reevaluate what you are doing in terms of your ever-changing goals and outcomes. As an older woman in the world of fashion, I know this only too well.

Where can we find out more? 

My Instagram is @maggie_r_mcmillan. I post most days with practical advice and ideas. Email me at Maggiemcmillan@hotmail.com for more info on 1:1 consultations IRL & virtual, accompanied shopping, events, workshops and more. Look out for my website, coming soon:

www.MMStyle.co.uk.