We were lucky to catch up with Heather Chee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Heather , appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The mission of Stylized Threads, “Change your look, change your life,” is rooted in my personal and spiritual journey. As a young girl, after undergoing back surgery and spending months in a full body cast, I learned a profound truth about self-image and how the world perceives us. Navigating life in a wheelchair, I discovered that our outward appearance has a deep connection to our inner spirit. During that time, creativity became my refuge, and I realized that clothing holds the power to transform not just how we look, but how we feel and who we become.

This experience inspired me to dedicate myself fully to the mission of empowering others through fashion. Becoming a clothing stylist felt like a calling, a way to help people align their outer appearance with their true inner selves. I’m driven by the belief that the right clothing can speak volumes about who you are, allowing your authentic self to shine through. I strive to guide each person on a journey where their wardrobe becomes a powerful expression of their identity, helping them unlock hidden confidence and embrace the life they are destined to live. Through this transformative process, I am honored to help others use clothing as a tool for self-expression and spiritual empowerment.

Heather , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Heather Chee, a clothing stylist, author, and the founder of Stylized Threads. My journey into the world of fashion and styling is deeply personal and spiritual. It began when I was a young girl recovering from back surgery that left me in a full body cast for six months. During that time, I experienced the impact of looking different and how it affected both my confidence and how others perceived me. Creativity became my sanctuary, and I discovered the power that clothing has to transform not only how we look but how we feel about ourselves. That realization ignited a passion in me to help others feel empowered and confident through what they wear, and it became my calling.

I received my fashion education at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where I earned a degree in Fashion Merchandising with a specialization in Textile Marketing and Development. This strong educational foundation, combined with over a decade of experience in corporate fashion, has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to help clients navigate the often-overwhelming world of personal style.

At Stylized Threads, I offer personalized clothing styling services with a mission that reflects my core belief: “Change your look, change your life.” I focus on helping individuals, especially executives, curate wardrobes that not only enhance their professional image but also reflect their authentic selves. My approach is more than just about choosing clothes—it’s about understanding each client’s unique story, personal needs, and the image they want to project. I provide tailored solutions that align their outward appearance with their inner confidence and aspirations.

One of the things that sets Stylized Threads apart is the personal and transformative aspect of my work. I don’t just style for looks; I style for empowerment. I believe that when your clothing expresses your authentic self, it becomes a powerful tool for self-expression and confidence. I’m also deeply committed to giving back, and a part of my work involves supporting domestic violence survivors with life-changing styling classes that help them regain confidence and rebuild their lives.

I’m most proud of the way I’ve been able to integrate my personal experiences and values into my business, creating a space where my clients feel seen, understood, and empowered. What I want potential clients and followers to know is that Stylized Threads is more than just a styling service. It’s a journey of transformation—helping you look great, feel amazing, and ultimately align your inner confidence with your outward appearance.

Through my work, I aim to help clients unlock their full potential, and I take pride in being able to offer not just style but a true change in the way they see themselves.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

During my time in New York City, I worked in corporate fashion, developing clothing collections that would eventually make their way to the sales floors of large department stores. I was responsible for stylizing these collections and ensuring they were delivered monthly, which involved meticulous planning and creativity. While this experience provided me with a wealth of knowledge about the fashion industry, it also came with a significant downside: I was often removed from the very people who would wear the clothes I helped create. I would design and strategize, but once those garments hit the sales floor, my connection to the end consumer faded. I rarely witnessed the impact my work had on someone’s life or their self-confidence.

As I achieved milestones in my corporate career, I found myself grappling with a sense of discontent. I realized that success in the corporate world, measured by promotions, financial rewards, and recognition, was not fulfilling my deeper desire for meaningful connection and impact. I wanted to see how my work could empower individuals and transform their lives directly—something I could not achieve from behind a desk or in a conference room.

This realization became a pivotal moment for me. I understood that my passion lay not just in creating clothes but in helping people feel good about themselves and express their individuality through fashion. I craved the ability to witness the joy and transformation that comes when someone discovers a style that resonates with who they are. The more I thought about it, the clearer it became: the corporate path I was on, while successful by external standards, was not aligned with my true calling.

This journey of self-discovery ultimately prompted me to leave the corporate world of fashion and start a new chapter as an entrepreneur, forming Stylized Threads. I made the courageous decision to step away from the corporate environment and embark on a path that would allow me to connect with people directly, empowering them through the art of personal styling. I wanted to create a space where I could engage with clients on a personal level, helping them unlock their potential and embrace their authentic selves. This shift from a behind-the-scenes role to one where I could directly impact lives was the transformation I had been seeking, marking the beginning of a fulfilling chapter in my life dedicated to empowering others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience often emerges from the most challenging moments in our lives, shaping us for our greatest achievements and teaching us to embrace risk-taking. For me, one of those defining moments came during my childhood when I underwent back surgery, which required a six-month recovery in a full body cast. This difficult experience forced me to confront pain and limitations, but it also ignited my creativity and determination. I found solace in artistic expression, which helped me navigate the emotional turmoil of my situation.

Reflecting on that time, I realize it instilled in me a profound sense of inner strength. I learned that vulnerability does not define us; rather, it’s how we respond to challenges that shapes our identities. This understanding of resilience became instrumental when I took one of the largest risks of my life—starting Stylized Threads. Leaving the security of the corporate world to pursue my passion for personal styling was daunting, yet the lessons I learned during my recovery inspired me to embrace my authentic self and step into the unknown.

Today, I am committed to empowering individuals to find their voice and confidence through style. The lessons learned early on have shaped my resilience in the quest to share Stylized Threads with the world. I am driven to help as many people as I can, always reminding myself to keep going, even when faced with obstacles. I believe that we often don’t know how the challenges of today will impact the results of tomorrow. With every client I serve, I witness the transformative power of fashion and its ability to uplift and inspire.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stylizedthreads.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylizedthreads/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-chee/

Image Credits

Photography done by Lauren Michael Branding & Photography