Sara Rogers

A fashion expert’s journey to her dream job

By Meagan Parrish

If one of the keys to happiness is loving your job, Sara Rogers is a case in point.

Every day Rogers heads to her dream job as a trend specialist and wardrobe therapist at the Mall of America and she couldn’t ask for a better office. With a 4.2-million square-foot shopping mecca at her fingertips, Rogers’ workspace is a dream for any fashion lover.

“I always tell people…[getting to work in the fashion industry] is truly a blessing,” she says, describing her career as a model turned television host turned style guru.

It’s a level of contentment the 55-year-old grandmother of five says is not only the product of hard work, but also a reexamination of life that followed personal tragedy.

In 2001, Roger’s older sister died unexpectedly. On the morning of her sister’s death, Rogers found out she was in the hospital with what Rogers thought was the flu. Although the prognosis was not immediately grim, Rogers decided to fly to Atlanta, Ga., and see her. Rogers’ plane landed at 4:30 p.m., but her sister was already gone.

For Rogers, the event was not only heartbreaking, it was a wakeup call.

“I always thought my sister and I would grow old together,” she explains, “[Her death] opened my eyes to wanting to pursue the things I love.”

At the time, Rogers was juggling her job at the Mall of America with an overnight spot on the Home Shopping Network (HSN)—a position she landed by accident. Already an established house model for Dayton’s—a large department store that was headquartered in the Twin Cities—Rogers was recruited to audition for the HSN after being spotted doing commentary for a fashion show. Rogers couldn’t resist giving it a try. After an improvised audition, the network told Rogers she had a quality they couldn’t teach—she had “it”—and offered her a slot on the overnight show.
For three years, Rogers, a mother of three, slept though the late afternoon and evening to rest for her overnight shifts. As the excitement of her new venture wore off, Rogers realized she wasn’t completely happy.

“As a Home Shopping Network host, you sell a variety of products. But fashion was my passion. Whenever there was a fashion show, I was in heaven,” she recalls. “Then when my sister passed, I realized that life is short. I wasn’t able to spend quality time with friends and family because of the hours I worked. It was at that point I decided that I should … not just accept every opportunity in life.”

Shortly afterwards Rogers left her job with HSN to focus solely on her position with Mall of America. Now able to work exclusively with fashion, Rogers is passionate about the impact her work can make on women’s lives. She often emphasizes the importance of style in building self-esteem and in making a good impression.

“People do still judge a book by its cover. I’m not saying it’s right, but they do,” she says, offering this advice: “The most important thing to know is your body type and [how to] dress to impress.”
As a wardrobe therapist, Rogers works personally with clients, finding items to help them achieve their fashion goals. Both budget-conscience and down-to-earth, Rogers tries to follow her own advice and stock a sensible wardrobe at home.

“A lot of women have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear,” she explains. “My own closet is divided into three areas—social, business and casual.”

Although she admits women are sometimes cautious about working with a stylist, Rogers says she is not judgmental and just wants to spread the lessons she’s learned—not only about fashion but about doing what you love.

“I consider myself a work in progress,” she says. “I’m there to empower women. [I love] to find a way to help others because generally, that really helps me too.”

Meet Sara Rogers and ask her your style questions at the Madison Women’s Expo. Find out more at MadisonWomensExpo.com