What inspired you to share your fashion knowledge through writing?

I work with one-on-one clients helping them create wardrobes that they love. I wanted a way to reach more people.  I wanted to inspire women to enjoy fashion by entertaining them, sort of tricking them into taking better care of themselves. If I wrote an article called How to Organize Your Closet So You Have More Time for Sex I thought I could get people’s attention and still get them to clean their closet!

What and where was your first published article? How did it feel to see your work published?

My first published article was called Bathing Suit Hell. I think it came out in 1995. I had been approached by a manager of a small regional magazine who basically was trying to get me to write an article and pay them to have it published in exchange for the piece being an advertising tool for me. Because my business is generated more by referrals than anything, I declined the opportunity but told them that if they were interested in having a fun piece in their magazine, I’d write the article and give it to them in exchange for getting a clip. They said yes. I can’t tell you the thrill it was to watch the copy of my printed article come over the fax machine. They put great artwork with it. It was a full page and it had my byline: by Brenda Kinsel. I don’t know if having 5 books published has been as thrilling to me as that very first piece was in a throwaway magazine that hardly anybody saw.

You have so many talents within fashion: writer, columnist, wardrobe consultant, public speaker, and trend forecaster. How do you do it all?

I have the perfect job for me. I love working with my one-on-one clients and the experiences and stories that come out of that feed my writing – in my columns, my online newsletter and eBooks and my regular books. Books take 2 years to come out and hit the bookstores. If something grabs my attention this week, I can write about it immediately in my newspaper column or in my monthly online newsletter. I love having that very short lead time to express the things that are on my mind right now. Some of these ideas I will also put into my books but I have to wait a lot longer to see that in print. I feel like my work in fashion is my laboratory. I see real women every work week. I get to see what works, what doesn’t. Real life is so different than magazine life and what magazine editors talk about. I can’t imagine not having my work with clients. It keeps it real and that’s what my readers expect from me. When Tim Gunn says don’t wear horizontal stripes if you’re over 40, my readers write to me and say, “What was he thinking?????” And I will talk about that on my web site and have the voice of authority that comes from putting many women over 40 in horizontal stripes and it’s fabulous. So there!

What is your biggest fashion trend for Spring 08?

It’s hard to pick just one. I love some of the bright colors and although I will probably still wear lots of black and white, I’ll bring in some color to pop an outfit. I love the safari look, it’s so classic. I love belts and chunky necklaces. I’ll add them to everything. Otherwise, I’ll keep it simple. I tend to wear fewer items in the summer but wear them to death.

What "IT" item in your closet can't you live without?

I can never live without a great fitting pair of jeans. Nothing feels sexier to me than jeans that make your legs look like they go on for miles.