Style is in Michelle Moquin’s blood. She’s been in fashion her entire working career, designing for anyone who’s anyone in the Bay Area. Thanks to Bonnie Powers (who happens to have been my first profile in March 2023), we connected after a quick introduction at this year’s Marin Fashion Night in Sausalito.
What do you do?
I’m a personal wardrobe stylist. I empower women and men by helping them discover their true style. It’s not uncommon for someone to tell me I’ve changed their life. There is nothing better than hearing that.
Where do you live? Kentfield.
How long have you lived in Marin? Ever since I was seven years old.
Where can we find you when you’re not at work?
Scouring consignment stores for hidden gems, visiting museums and neighborhoods for inspiration and pampering myself at my club with a good morning workout, sauna and massage.
If you had to convince someone how awesome Marin is, where would you take them? Sunset on Mt. Tam, Stinson Beach, Muir Beach overlook, Tennessee Valley.
What’s one thing Marin is missing? A really good supper club/cocktail lounge/dance hall with wonderful R&B, funk, soul disco music. A place where people get dressed up to come together and celebrate life.
What’s one bit of advice you’d share with your fellow Marinites? Get out of the rut of your habits. Marin is filled with interesting places and things to do. Think, “Never been there, never done that.” Then go explore.
If you could ask anyone to join you at dinner, whom would you invite? Michelle and Barack Obama, Cleopatra, Stephen Hawking or an alien from another planet.
What’s some advice you wish you knew 20 years ago? To trust my intuition, and know that I can’t do it all alone. Spend my time doing what I love, and hire others to do the rest.
What’s something that 20 years from now will seem cringeworthy? Spending hours upon hours losing ourselves in the rabbit hole of social media when the juice and the joy are in true face-to-face connection.
Big question. What’s one thing you’d do to change the world? Develop a matriarchal society with equality for all. It’s time for women to be at the helm.
Keep up with Moquin at @moquinmichelle and @silverbeauty.michelle or at michellemoquin.com.
Nish Nadaraja was on the founding team at Yelp. See what he’s up to at @IveGotNissues.
