Q&A with Louise Bisby, Levi’s Women’s Fit Specialist
One of the best things about our new women’s denim collection? We truly have a jean for everybody. We took all of our consumer insights (including more than 60,000 body scans) and 80-plus years of expertise and paired that with the latest in fabric technology. The result is an incredible range offering the most stylish and flattering jeans for every woman — no matter her shape or size.
To help women find the right pair for them, we’re using our classic three-digit numbering system, which corresponds to the fit through the top block, rise and leg opening. And while the system is designed to make it easy for women to find (and remember) their go-to jean, sometimes there’s nothing like a little personal attention.
That’s where our stylists come in. All of our store employees have gone through extensive training on our new women’s denim collection so they can help every woman find the perfect jeans for her.
One stylist with a particular passion for the line is Louise Bisby, our newly appointed women’s fit specialist at the Levi’s Market Street store in San Francisco. We talked to Louise to find out what she loves about being a stylist and why she’s such a fan of the new collection.
How long have you worked at LS&Co.?
I’ve been with LS&Co. since 2007. I started as a tailor at the Levi’s® Tailor Shop when the store was at Union Square. A little more than a year later, I began helping out with the visual merchandising department, eventually moving to that team full-time and working my way up to visual merchandising supervisor. These experiences have served me well in my current positions of brand environment assistant store manager and personal stylist.
Where does your passion for fashion come from?
For as long as I can remember, I have always had an interest in experimenting with style and manipulating my appearance based on my mood. I see clothing as the primary instrument in creating a positive first impression and also as a reflection of who we are or how we want to feel. The way we present ourselves not only affects other people’s impression of us, but more importantly it can affect how we feel about ourselves each day.
What excites you the most about being a personal stylist?
I am thrilled when I am able to make people feel good about themselves and help them find their inner confidence. I love helping people in a variety of ways, and supporting them in looking and feeling their best is just one of them.
What makes the new women’s collection so special? Do you have a favorite fit?
The fabric, the attention to detail and the way it can fit multiple body shapes is why I love the collection so much. My two favorites are the 711 Skinny and the 721 High Rise Skinny.
What is the benefit of getting your styling advice?
I won’t lie to you or tell you to buy something that you will regret. My job is to make you look good, discover your favorite pair of jeans, and have you walk away looking and feeling like the best version of yourself. I understand how important it is to feel great about how you look, and I am here to help you with just that.
Why do you like being a stylist for the Levi’s® brand?
I know you’ve heard this one before, but it’s the absolute truth: Levi’s® jeans are classic and timeless. You can buy a pair of Levi’s® today, and if you wear them 10 years from now, you will still look relevant. Oftentimes other denim brands try too hard. We have all seen it — I’m talking rhinestones, embroidery, kooky stitching and extreme whiskering. There is nothing more unsettling than jeans with all the bells and whistles.
I also really like working for Levi Strauss & Co. because I believe in the company and its support of equality for everyone, community involvement and education of employees about important issues such as HIV/AIDS.
What’s your go-to outfit?
Black skinny jeans, black booties or heels, white V-neck tee, red lips and nails, and sometimes a unique or vintage piece of jewelry.
If there is one piece of advice you would give to women shopping for jeans, what would it be?
Don’t buy jeans based on the size on the tag but rather how they fit your body and complement your figure.
