Ruth and Sara Levy, photo by Kristy Ann Mann

Double Take
Ruth and Sara Levy are identical twins, sisters so close that they finish each other’s sentences. They also share a passion for fashion and the goal of empowering women, no matter their shape or size, to find their personal style.

The twins are partners in Double Take Fashion Styling, working with clients in the U.S. and Europe, to figure out their own look and create outfits for any occasion. But their biggest collaboration could soon be in bookstores: a foolproof way to dress based on an ancient formula that, they insist, works with any body type. "In fashion, there’s no real instruction manual," says Sara. "There are tips and tricks, but there’s nothing based on a formula."

The Levy twins believe they have figured out that formula to fashion. And while details remain under wraps until their book is published, the Levys say the formula has been used in art, architecture, and nature for centuries. Ruth calls it "nature’s yardstick for beauty." It was Ruth who first took note of the formula while working as a fashion designer in Paris. Back in the U.S., something strange happened to Sara. "I had a dream that we wrote this book and we were on Oprah," she recalls. Just a few hours later, Ruth phoned from Paris to say: "I think we should write this book." Sara got chills. Within a month, she was on her way to Paris where the sisters researched style in books, magazines, and even sidewalk cafes, trying to discern why iconic designs resonate, from the Birkin bag to the Burberry trench coat (and don’t forget the little black dress that Audrey Hepburn wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.) The twins tested their formula on clients and found it worked on everyone.

From then on, their project took on a life of its own. Michael Brown, a retired photographer and friend, was so enthusiastic that he volunteered to shoot the photos. And soon, friends and clients were posing for "before" and "after" shots, including Brown’s wife, Jori. Due out next year, the book will include a mathematical chart. Plug in your height, the twins say, and it will show the ten best clothing proportions for your body, from necklines to hemlines. "It’s really about the most flattering way to wear every article of clothing in your closet," says Sara. "And, again, it’s based on a formula, not something subjective... It can save you so much money and so much time."

The twins work with private clients to determine their personal style, the right proportions, and colors. They then "red tag" clothes that just have to go. From there, they "shop the closet," putting together outfits that will work for everything from business luncheons to nights on the town. The Levys provide personal shopping to fill in the "holes" in a client’s wardrobe, but often only a few key accessories are needed. Clients end up with photos of each outfit and a binder filled with ideas.

From their backgrounds in design, the Levy twins have learned the common fashion mistakes that women make. Number one is wearing clothing that’s too big. "Is that air?" asks Ruth. "Or is that fat?" They recommend nicely fitted (although not clingy) clothes rather than oversized. "You think you’re hiding," adds Sara, "but the converse is true. You’re just making yourself look larger. We always say ‘extra fabric equals extra girth.’ It’s like a golden rule."

The wrong neckline is another big no-no. V-necks, the twins say, are more flattering on most women because they help to create an hourglass shape. Crewnecks, on the other hand, look better on women who are tall and less well-endowed, because the line creates width. Even the vamp on your shoe can make a big difference. "The longer the vamp, the longer your leg looks," says Ruth. And if you’re debating just which style of jeans to buy this fall, consider this: "They’re called skinny jeans because they’re for skinny people," Sara says. "Otherwise," adds Ruth, "you look like a popsicle." (858/342-6114) — Andrea Naversen

From frumpy to fabulous — Jori Potiker-Brown demonstrates the formula for fashion
photos by Michael Brown