The Bend Like Bamboo Resilience Show: Jane Vandermeer, Luxury Style & Image Strategist, Ep 52

Written By Amanda Campbell

Welcome to The Bend Like Bamboo Resilience Show. Each week, I interview amazing people, who share their inspiring stories of resilience. Enjoy our dive deep into educational and amazing insights as I explore the stories of my special guests, learning how they have overcome adversity in their lives.

In each session, together we can learn actionable tools that can help us elevate our mindset, seeing our setbacks as an opportunity to grow. To Bend Like Bamboo is to adapt with the power of flexibility. When we can transform our ‘story’ we can also change our minds about what can be possible in our minds, bodies, and lives.

Jane Vandermeer features on the Bend Like Bamboo Resilience Podcast for her second time!

The Power of Style: Building Resilience Through Authentic Self-Expression with Jane Vandermeer.

Jane Vandermeer


Luxury Style & Image Strategist.

Discovering the Connection Between Style and Inner Strength.

In this month’s episode, I enjoyed speaking with Jane Vandermeer, a Luxury Style and image Strategist with over 30 years of experience in the fashion and styling industry. As the founder of Finesse Your Style, Jane brings a unique perspective that blends her design background with aristocratic elegance to help women stand out confidently in any setting.

What makes Jane's approach special is her belief that styling is "an immediate way to implement meaningful change in one's life, fostering self-worth and embodying confidence on your path forward." Throughout our conversation, she shared how her journey through fashion capitals like New York, Paris, and Milan has shaped this innovative approach to styling.

Learn more about Jane and her fabulous business, Finesse Your Style, in the podcast and live video on YouTube below.

Style as a Tool for Resilience

When we discussed resilience, Jane offered a fresh perspective that challenges the common "bounce back" mentality. She views resilience as something we can cultivate proactively through intentional choices, including how we present ourselves.

"Your external presentation isn't separate from your internal state—they're in constant conversation with each other," Jane explained. "When you dress in alignment with your authentic self, you reinforce your inner strength and create a positive feedback loop."

This resonated deeply with me, as I've seen in my work how physical changes can catalyse emotional transformation. Jane shared several practical approaches she uses with clients to build resilience through style:

  • Identifying clothing that physically feels empowering and comfortable

  • Selecting colors that energise rather than drain

  • Creating "anchor pieces" that serve as emotional support during challenging times

  • Building versatile wardrobes that can adapt to changing circumstances

The Mind-Body-Style Connection

Jane has observed firsthand how women's self-talk about their bodies impacts their confidence. "The first thing that came out of their mouths was apologising for their bodies," she noted about many of her clients. "How they see themselves and how I see them is often very different."

Her approach goes beyond traditional styling: "Traditional styling is about the external... but I knew part of my superpower was bringing the two together for women." Through her work, Jane helps women "unwind that self-talk" and negative beliefs that may have started decades ago.

"It's more than just the external. It's marrying the internal and the external," she explained. The results extend far beyond appearance: "When we see women feel better about themselves, we walk differently, we own space differently... there's this lovely ripple effect where it affects our relationships with our special people, our family, our friends, our partners, our communities."

Embracing Authenticity in Professional Settings

For entrepreneurs and professionals, Jane emphasises that "you are a walking advertisement of yourself and your brand." Through her Style for Impact service, she helps clients create a wardrobe that communicates their values while maintaining authenticity.

"Your style should amplify your message, not distract from it," Jane explained. She helps clients find "that beautiful balance between professionalism and approachability" that makes a lasting impression during speaking engagements and media appearances.

One fascinating approach Jane uses with her clients is to "tip it on its head" after teaching foundational concepts: "Often women are in quite serious jobs, roles... and that's challenge that and inject fun and personality and quirk." She encourages bringing elements of your weekend self—whether that's "a bit of a rock chick" or another aspect of your personality—into your work style in appropriate ways.

The Spiritual Component of Style

What makes Jane's approach truly unique is her integration of intuition and higher guidance with practical styling expertise. When I asked about connecting to higher guidance in her work, she shared how this connection "drives everything... it's an embodied state of being" that influences all her decisions.

"I used to rely solely on intellectual thinking," Jane shared about her business approach. "But I've come to understand that we need both analytical and intuitive decision-making—a true balance of yin and yang. Business isn't just about spreadsheets and strategies; it requires that deeper connection to our intuition."

To maintain this balance, Jane practices daily rituals that ground her, with walking in nature being her favorite: "I make myself do it every day, even when I don't feel like it. With our busy minds and constant demands, we need these practices to reconnect with ourselves. It's about getting out of our heads, back into our bodies, and operating from the heart.



Among the practical advice Jane offered, these key takeaways stood out:

  • Reframe your words and choose them wisely - How we talk about ourselves and our appearance shapes our experience

  • Speak with compassion - The internal dialogue about our style and presence should be kind and supportive

  • Lead by example - Authentic style inspires others more than following trends ever could

  • Dream big and believe in yourself - Style can be a visual affirmation of your aspirations and potential

Manifesting through visualisation

One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Jane shared how visualisation became reality in her career:

"My sister said to me, 'Imagine if you are awarded the best stylist in the world', and I laughed at her. I said, 'That is a very egotistical and ridiculous statement.' Well, the next year, I got awarded International Best Stylist of the Year."

This remarkable story illustrates Jane's advice to "trust the whispers" of intuition and to believe wholeheartedly in your vision without worrying about how it will happen.

Practical Wisdom for Your Style Journey

For those feeling disconnected from their authentic style or struggling with confidence, Jane offered these practical tips:

  • Start a style-feeling journal: "Keep a little diary... when you put on today's outfit, how do you feel? Do you feel empowered? Clear? Do you feel unseen? Do you feel like you're hiding? Just write three words and watch... become conscious of what you're wearing and how you're feeling."

  • Reframe negative self-talk: "If you're saying 'I've put on too much weight, I'm feeling heavy'... what about if you said, 'I love that I've got more curves now? I've always wanted to have it fills in like it gives me beautiful skin here.'"

  • Reconnect with yourself: "For days where I'm back-to-back-to-back... I would then try and allow... time in my diary the next day somehow... even if it's 5 minutes."

  • Lead by example: Jane encourages women to embody their confidence, noting that as you start to really embody that, "inadvertently, you lead by example, which is what we're here to do."

Connect with Jane

If you found Jane's insights as valuable as I did, you can connect with her through the following platforms:

To learn more about her "Style for Impact" service specifically, visit https://finesseyourstyle.com/style-for-impact



Style for Impact

During our conversation, Jane highlighted her signature service, "Style for Impact," which specifically addresses the needs of entrepreneurs, speakers, and professionals who want to make a powerful impression.

This comprehensive approach helps clients create a wardrobe that communicates their values and expertise while maintaining authenticity. "Your style should amplify your message, not distract from it," Jane explained.

For those interested in exploring how style can enhance their professional presence, Jane's "Style for Impact" service offers a tailored pathway to developing a personal brand that resonates with target audiences while feeling genuine and comfortable.

If you found Jane's insights as valuable as I did, you can connect with her through the links below.

 
 

You can also listen to the interview on the Bend Like Bamboo Resilience podcast

Connect with Jane

If you found Jane's insights as valuable as I did, you can connect with her through the following platforms:

To learn more about her "Style for Impact" service specifically, visit https://finesseyourstyle.com/style-for-impact


Work with Amanda

Connect with Amanda

Kinesiology Heal & Coaching THRIVE  Sessions:

 

Speaking & Events: Amanda delivers wellness workshops and keynotes both in-person and virtually. To book: hello@amandacampbell.com.au | www.amandacampbell.com.au

Resources:

Social Media:

Amanda Campbell
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