how fashion TRANSFORMS LIVES

Berg works as a personal stylist with women in L.A. as well as Fargo. Two such clients are Kathy Hornbacher and her daughter Kristie Skunberg of Fargo. Hornbacher, a longtime fan of TLC’s “What Not To Wear,” dreamed of having her own makeover. She booked consults for herself and her daughter after learning of Berg’s services. Hornbacher lists her makeover with Berg as one of the best blessings in her life, and her transformation was later aired in one of Berg’s fashion segments.

Interviewing her clients distinguishes Berg in her work. “My magic is not in changing somebody but in enhancing who they are,” Berg says. She helps the client to eliminate poorly fitting and out-ofdate items, shops for new items and then creates head-to-toe outfits complete with accessories and shoes. She photographs the client modeling the ensembles and provides a photo book to make getting dressed a cinch.

Like many women, Hornbacher says she didn’t know what size, color and style looked best on her. Her dread of shopping led to many unfortunate last-minute purchases. “Ajit found things that fit my personality, not a fad or trend,” Hornbacher says. “Ajit has the ability to shop low-end and high-end, whatever your budget is.”

The makeover affected more than Hornbacher’s closet. She no longer makes up excuses to avoid going out because she doesn’t feel good in her clothes. “It’s nothing about vanity. When you look good, you feel much better in your own eyes and in others’ eyes. It gives you confidence,” Hornbacher says.

Hornbacher’s daughter Skunberg also gained new insights from her consult. Berg and Skunberg purged Skunberg’s closet and filled six garbage bags with clothing, including 15 pairs of unflattering jeans, to be donated to charity. Skunberg gained the courage to try skinny jeans, which she now wears exclusively. Through the experience, Skunberg says she discovered it is better to have fewer items of higher quality that last longer. And Berg’s knowledge of body shape, silhouette and fabric cut enabled them to make the best choices.

Skunberg appreciates how everything in her closet now works together and how Berg made her feel good about her body type and how to dress for it. “You can tell she loves what she does and is super talented and gets super excited about helping people. Ajit is a gem,” Skunberg says.

Fashion can have the power to transform people so that they feel good on the outside and inside. That’s an avenue of styling that is often missed when you focus only on the trends, according to Berg. Wearing the wrong clothes is an obstacle to letting your true personality shine.

Berg is often asked to define her personal style. “I love French style. My favorite designers are Isabel Marant and Lanvin. I like clothes that show femininity and strength, that make a woman feel light and feminine and strong at the same time. I like the easiness of California style. My uniform is a great pair of jeans, flowy top and fabulous shoes,” Berg says.

The styles strutted on the runway may seem to some lightyears away from what is purchased locally. However, Berg says runway looks do apply to what people are buying around town. “All the looks from runway trickle down. Like art, the designers put it together in ways you may not be able to wear every day, but runway can be inspiring,” Berg says.

FINDING the SHINE

Sometimes in life it’s when you let go of what you hold dear that you find something greater.

“The trials I experienced strengthened my faith and helped me to see all things work for good. By letting go of my career because it was the right thing to do at that time for my family, I formed an amazing bond with Isabella and supported Chris for what was in his heart to do. I am now doing things in my career that I would never have imagined. And most of all, I am able to do what I love again, which is to help people feel good on the inside and out,” Berg says.

This growth would not have happened if she had not moved to Fargo, which Berg describes as a kind, family-oriented community. “Fargo is where we have grown as a family. Chris and I have learned that love never fails, that sacrificial love for each other keeps our marriage and family strong,” she says.

Berg hopes to instill in her 7-year-old fashionista daughter the source of true beauty. “It's great to have nice clothes and to be put together in a way that shows we care, but it is most important how we treat ourselves and others. Then all the fun clothes and accessories will just be icing on the cake and you will shine from the inside out.”