Personal shopper at your service

Dubai : Have you just relocated to the UAE and don't know where to buy what? Have you changed jobs and do not have the appropriate clothes? Do you hate shopping? Or are you just pressed for time? If the answer to any of these questions is a ‘yes', personal shopper Katrina Yakusheva will do the needful for you. And her service comes with sage advice too.

An image and fashion consultant from Kazakhstan who came to Dubai over eight years ago, Yakusheva said the idea of offering personal shopping services dawned on her in 2007 when family and friends began to ask her to shop for them as she had an eye for something different.

"They started offering money for my effort, so that was how it started. I considered doing it for a living," she said.

As a styling expert, Yakusheva said her personal shopping services cover anything to do with wardrobes, make-up or lifestyle changes. "I don't do grocery shopping," she said, but added that a personal nutritionist has been roped in to help people identify and buy food items that are good for them.

Regular stream

Having a regular stream of clients, Yakusheva said 70 women have sought her services so far this year, of whom 38 are regulars. Aged between 20 and 40, they comprised both professionals and housewives. Twelve of them were from the middle class while the rest were VIPs, she said, noting that her clients were from different nationalities such as British, Emiratis, Americans and Indians.

Typically, Yakusheva has an initial meeting with her clients and understands their needs and budget for shopping. A draft copy of shopping destinations and items to be purchased is drawn up which is finalised after discussions with the client.

Besides physical shopping trips, Yakusheva also works with designers, placing catalogue orders with them. She also travels outside the UAE to destinations such as London to pick up clothes or accessories for her clients.

Database of designers

"I have a database of over 3,000 designers, 30 per cent of whom send me their designs in advance," she said, adding that she often advises her clients on the options available to them.

As for her fee, Yakusheva said it depends on the needs of the client. "During the shopping festival time, I have packages that start from Dh1,000 that entails preparing a list of must-haves, four hours of shopping time and lunch," she said.

While 50 per cent of the fee is taken in advance, the rest is to be paid after the job has been done. The payment for the product is usually made directly by the client to the seller.

Yakusheva said business has remained brisk even after the economic downturn. "That's because women never stop spending. They always want to look good and different," she noted.

Katrina Yakusheva can be reached at info@imageme.org