J Lee Rabiner

Bio of J. Lee Rabiner, Wardrobe/Fashion Consultant

[Doncaster Fashionistas Founder]

Although interested in fashion at a young age, devouring fashion magazines, attending modeling school and professionally modeling from 16 to 19, I did not necessarily foresee a career in the fashion merchandising field. Once I entered college, I heavily debated between whether to major in fashion merchandising or interior design, and settled on interior design. In 1997 I graduated from Marymount University, a private school in Arlington, VA with a BA in Interior Design. I took all of my available electives in graphic design. I later continued on to become a licensed interior designer and worked at a number of firms in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA, Nashville, TN, and Cincinnati, OH. My expertise was in corporate design, with a strong knowledge in corporate organization. I worked with companies such as Toyota, Caterpiller, HCA, and the state of TN, to help them improve their employee efficiency through their use of space and the office organizational structure. I had a secondary focus on hospitality and retail design, where my expertise was in creating inviting environments that set the company apart from their competition, and furthered the branding of their product offerings. I developed a deep understanding of company branding and the power of first impressions, and an appreciation of design in all facets – interior, graphic, industrial, fashion, etc.

In 2005, I began to help my fiancee’ (now husband) Dale with his business, DHR Music (http://www.dhrmusic.com)  on a part-time limited basis, lending my skills in graphic design and photography. As the business continued to grow quickly, it became evident that more assistance was needed and by 2007, I decided to leave the interior design industry to work with DHR Music full time. This enabled me to still utilize my passion for art, design, and business while also spend more time with him. I also desired to use my creative, artistic skills in another avocation.

So, at the start of 2007, after much research and analysis, I decided to sign up with Doncaster Clothing as a Wardrobe Consultant…. returning to my earlier passion for fashion. I created Doncaster Fashionistas as my own venture within Doncaster to distinguish myself from other wardrobe associates and create my own personal brand. I dedicate at least one full day a week strictly to Doncaster but also have the flexibility in my weekly schedule to work with my Doncaster Fashionistas business, even though it is a part-time venture for me. I am able to work around the schedule of my clients for studio appointments, deliveries, follow-up phone calls, etc. So although this is a part-time business, I treat each client with my full attention!

I approach this business with passion, it is a labor of love and doesn’t feel like work. I form relationships with my clients and find pleasure in transforming their lives as they increase their confidence level with their improved image and as they effectively build wardrobes cost effectively.  It is rewarding on my part to be a part of this!