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Most women are guided by a simple shopping rule: If the shoe fits, buy it. Even when they know the tortuous work called “breaking them in” lies ahead, they’re on shoe-purchase-auto-pilot. I know. As the saying goes – been there, done that. Recently something happened to make me toss out the old adage about simply settling for a shoe that fits.

I discovered shoes so alluring, so glamorous, stylish and comfortable, my first reaction was shock. Did I mention High-Heels with a capital H? I’m talking about Ron White All Day Heels®. I know; I probably sound like an infomercial but these amazing shoes are now more than just a personal favourite. They’ve become an important part of the wardrobe mix when I’m working with private image enhancement clients. In fact, Stage Six of the process focuses on finding the right footwear for a client’s newly finessed outfits.

Earlier in the month, on exactly this kind of mission, a client and I were in Ron White’s Manulife store when I spotted the designer-magician, himself. Ron was busy. Nice to see he’s really in touch with his customers, I thought. And then I looked again – Ron was personally assisting Canada’s First Lady, Laureen Harper. The interesting part of the incident is that Mrs. Harper had gone on record saying she now only wears Ron White All Day Heels®.  These shoes are essential for anyone who must stand and stand and stand – for hours at a time – while looking smartly turned out. Incredibly, the collection covers all the bases from understated pumps to edge-y, glam stilettos.

National Post dubbed Ron a “sole man” in a recent article about his ascendency to shoe royalty. Ron didn’t actually aspire to become a shoe designer. As an established shoe-retailer, he thought the so-called comfort brands he purchased for his stores underestimated the importance of the style component. He tried repeatedly to convince world-renowned footwear companies to consider the innovations he suggested. No takers. But Ron steadfastly refused to believe that “glamorous comfort” and “all-day high-heels” were oxymorons.

Finally, in frustration he started to work independently with Italian factories and experiment using cutting-edge, high-performance materials to create ultra-feminine, flattering shoes that never reveal the comfort aspect to the observer, only the wearer. The secret is in the shoe itself – to understand the mysterious, undetectable comfort factor, you must try them on. Et voilà, like stepping on a magic carpet.

Over the last three years, Canadian women have embraced these miracle shoes, until now sold exclusively at Ron White stores. What many of these followers may not know is that earlier this year, Ron successfully launched his eponymous brand at San Francisco’s preeminent shoe store, Arthur Berens. Actually, successful is an understatement. While in the company of major world-class designer brands, within one week of arrival, All Day Heels® almost sold out!

Another little known fact about Canada’s youthful, world-class shoe designer? His All Day Heels® are the new gold standard for red carpet walks everywhere. I guess we could call Ron Shoe-Whisperer to starlets! Bravo et merci beaucoup.

See the entire Ron White All Day Heel ® collection and read more about Ron:

http://lastheplace.com/2011/03/28/be-stylish-comfortable-with-ron-white-all-day-heels/

Footnotes:

• The less the dress, the less the shoe – A pump with a suit and a sandal with a sundress.
• A shoe should be either darker than the hemline, same colour, or tone on tone.
• If you want to have your shoe as your main accessory, there’s nothing wrong with a little black dress, a purple shoe and matching handbag.
• A low heel with a very short skirt is more appropriate than a high heel.
• The mood of the outfit should be reflected in the shoe.

The Kitten heels may not appear as sexy as the stilettos but they are just as flattering and versatile.  They work well with both office attire and cocktail clothes whether it is a suit, a sheath dress or straight, pleated and  A-line skirts.  Depending on the shoe, kitten heels may be paired with cropped pants.

The stacked heels are the most comfortable of thigh-heel styles and is also the most businesslike in look, making it the perfect complement to suits and trousers.

The stilettos is best when paired with slim skirts.  If you wear stilettos with trousers, you’ll get the leggiest look by wearing the hem of your pants across the top of the shoe allowing only the toe to peek out.

Loafer or oxford have high-vamped — they slip-on or lace-up and look perfect with pants – think Katharine Hepburn.  Only the very tall and thin should pair them wit skirts.

Flats look best with narrow and cropped pants.  They also look great with long or short skirts, with a knee-length skirt, however, flats can look dowdy.  When you wear them take a look at yourself in a full length mirror.

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Since 2007, when their Colour of the Year concept was introduced, Pantone Colour Institute has gathered information from various influential sources, including the Milan furniture fair and international clothing designers, to get an indication of pivotal, new colour directions. The Pantone team interprets the various results before the final announcement is made:
“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues.” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute

I couldn’t agree more. Psychologically, pink is such a positive colour. Take la vie en rose. We’re tickled pink and in the pink of health; we look at the world through rose coloured glasses. Part of the fun and magic of following colour trends is the curious coincidences that occur. I’m thinking of iconic fashion legend Diana Vreeland and her famous proclamation in the 1960s; “Pink is the navy blue of India.” Vreeland was famously known for her championing of pink. In the film musical, Funny Face, with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson plays an autocratic fashion director who adores pink. And now, Allure, Vreeland’s book compiled with encouragement from her friend, editor Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and published 30 years ago has just been reprinted. Quelle coincidence!

I’m not suggesting that “pink is the new black” but I’m always intrigued to see a colour show up on numerous runways in the same season — and Honeysuckle certainly does.

I am delighted with the announcement. I love the colour; it’s fresh, new and sexy. Unlike many shades of pink, it works for both warm and cool skin tones. The absence of blue notes makes Honeysuckle ideal for warm skin — often characterized by freckles while the underlying vibrancy helps to brighten cool skin.

It’s important to understand that cool skin is as likely to be found on brunettes as blondes. Think Catherine Zeta Jones. Same story for warm skin — blonde or brunette is not really the determining factor. There’s no question that analyzing your skin tone can be a bit of a challenge. So in celebration of the (almost) universally wearable Honeysuckle, I’m offering a special invitation to my Colour Analysis Tip Sheet.

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When CEO Trudy Sullivan arrived at Talbots, from her previous position at casual apparel giant Liz Claiborne, she was startled by the absence of in-house design and product development departments. Ms Sullivan quickly addressed this through new hires to build a design team. An obvious place to start, right? But what set Ms Sullivan’s direction apart was her approach. She resisted the urge to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Instead of a total overhaul and an immediate call to arms to create new products, she organized a systematic review of best, and worst, sellers from the past sixty years! This re-examination of the foundations — the pearls, twin-sets, flats, trench coats — was not an exercise in finding old favourites to re-issue but to understand the core of Talbots’ business and the cachet of true American style.

Surely there can be no more enduring examples of American style than Katherine Hepburn, Jacqueline Onassis and Princess Grace of Monaco. Cleverly, Talbots has created three separate fits for jackets, each named after one of these iconic women. In total, there are 23 styles available on-line, each grouped according to fit, and with an accompanying video called — Meet the Ladies:

• Kate: Sexy, hourglass, fitted-at-the waist jackets for dressing up or down.
• Jackie: Cool, sophisticated and playful jackets. Great with jeans and skirts.
• Grace: Classic, slightly fitted jackets — feminine and ladylike.

Jackets are a big-ticket item, rarely an impulse purchase. This technique of “romancing the merchandise” carries with it the promise of boosted sales. Who could resist exploring these enticingly different looks? I don’t want to second-guess Ms Sullivan or the design group but the implications for this brand within a brand are intriguing and filled with possibility.

Equally as audacious was Ms Sullivan’s willingness to take on denim. From its modest, missy-fitting past, Talbots has emerged as a leader in the denim category. Again, there’s the new signature emphasis on multiple fits, plus, an assortment of silhouettes and finishes or “washes” to ensure every woman finds her dream jean.

It’s clear to me that Talbots is a work in progress. The holiday collection proposes “re-imagined offerings” and from what I’ve seen so far, only the edgiest vintage details will be reinvented or the source of inspiration. Simple, traditional pearl necklaces have evolved into dramatic, glamorous multi-strand showpieces. It wouldn’t surprise me if Michelle Obama shows up for a Christmas party in one of these beauties.

But the real measure of Ms Sullivan’s Executive Presence is surely her grace under fire. The rebranding took place during extraordinarily challenging financial pressure: plummeting stock prices, selling off the men’s and kid’s divisions; criticism for overpaying for recently purchased casual retailer J. Jill. Throughout all this public scrutiny, Ms Sullivan and her team rolled out the rebranding and never lost their poise or their vision. What a coup! Félicitations for creating the cachet that is Talbots today.

Executive Presence is, indeed, complex. Do you have executive presence? What about your team? Download your Executive Presence Scorecard

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I often speak about the importance of developing Executive Presence and Talbots certainly has it — now. I’m not suggesting, on any level, that Talbots’ metamorphosis was instant, easy or a magic bullet for immediate sales. Au contraire. It was meticulously researched, artfully orchestrated and ultimately, is a work-in-progress. What obviously intrigues me about the campaign is how it reinforces my philosophy: your image directly affects your ability to achieve success.

There are some extremely clever features in the re-brand but surely the most controversial is the choice of 1980’s supermodel, Canadian Linda Evangelista, as the 45-year old face of Talbots. Chances are you don’t remember her in the Miss Teen Niagara contest — the beginning of her illustrious career — but do remember her famous quote about her salary expectations at the height of her fame, “I don’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day.” Chameleon Linda, once known for her constantly changing appearance, has now stepped out for Talbots in a series of super-glam shots.  Some nay-sayers argue that Linda doesn’t look 45, that she is unfamiliar as a style icon to the new, targeted thirty-something customer, that her “fast” look will scare away existing customers and on and on …

To all those objections, I have the obvious response. The campaign just launched, the results aren’t in, but and it’s a big but, remember those pant sales. And besides, there are many other components than just Linda. What Ms. Evangelista did was create buzz and a ton of free publicity. Linda made me sit up and take notice, to actually visit the website and, I should add, a store. And what I found was impressive. This frumpy old store has a new Executive Presence!

To be continued (Part 1 of 2)

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It’s one thing to over pack and cram the car for a cottage weekend but come fall, both business trips and holiday getaways require a new, minimalist mindset. As a professional wardrobe problem-solver, I’m on constant alert for what seems to be the unfindable: great, packable clothes. Simple to maintain, uncreasable fabrics are usually contrary to quality, fashion and style. When I learned that Ottawa retailer Marlene Shepherd had developed a “Packably Perfect” concept, a week’s wardrobe (or even two!) all packed in a carry-on, I knew help was at hand.

So last month, during my Ottawa trip, I arranged to meet with Marlene, my friend, colleague and collaborator, for a hands-on session. My mission? Problem solving for a very diverse group of clients — many shapes, sizes and careers but having in common hectic travel schedules. Marlene knows her way around the international fashion marketplace and she has a special skill when it comes to discovering hidden gems within our own borders. True to form, she pulled out all the stops and shared her latest treasures, with travel in mind. We spent the morning fine-tuning; here’s our short list.

1. Trousers, the core component of every travel wardrobe, for work and play. Start with black, charcoal or dark brown and build from this base.

Tailored boot-cut trousers with an impeccable pedigree: a hip-gliding fit in a modern stretch fabric. Cambio, $210.00
Trim, slim-leg pants in dressed-up microfibre. Perfect for arriving crease-free. Margaret M, $98.00

2.  A knit cardigan or vest instead of a traditional jacket. The point I want to make here is that professional dressing doesn’t need to be structured. As Marlene says, “Once a woman discovers comfort, there’s no turning back.”

We focused on three very different collections: Nic + Zoe, Pure & Co., Curio. I was truly intrigued to see some of Marlene’s picks could be worn back-to-front or even upside down! No kidding. Slip into a sweater-vest  “bottoms-up” and suddenly it’s a cropped version with a generous collar. Obviously, these are specially designed pieces, so please don’t try this at home!

3. Crisp 100 percent cotton shirts and NO ironing, ever. A dream come true. White and colours. Foxcroft, $95.00

4. Simpli — sensational! This collection of seasonless jersey knitwear by Vancouver’s Simpli, has more components than a jigsaw puzzle, a zillion colours and endless combinations. Enough variations to go from boardroom to cruise ship. There’s only one fabrication so it’s easy to add components from year to year. Everything is sized but there are also two different fits, snug or relaxed. A perfect 3-piece career look, we agreed, is a pant and matching vest with a contrast underpiece. Some of the combos we came up with:
Base colour         Contrast
Navy                     Peacock
Charcoal              Aubergine
Black                    Wine

5. Clean lines, simple shapes and sensual fabrics form the Eileen Fisher philosophy. Every piece is perfectly designed to skim the body with flattering shape-enhancing style. Although Marlene, a self-avowed Size 16 loves this collection, my friend Kim, a yogini and perfect Size 8, is just as enthusiastic.

6. The icing on the cake — accessories. Marlene’s start in business was with jewellery so it’s not surprising she continues to have innovative ideas. “Wardrobe pieces,” as Marlene calls them, are semi-precious, multi-strand necklaces that detach into single or double strands, often with an optional pendant, providing real versatility — every traveler’s dream. She’s proud of the group of young Canadian jewellery designers providing Shepherd’s with these one-of-a-kind bijoux.

What a morning! Client checklist completed and with time to spare for personal shopping. My own “wheelie” is now perfectly packed and ready to go. I can’t wait.

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Although the FAT question is all too familiar, when it comes to image and creating an individual sense of style, my guiding principle is body proportion. What most people don’t realize is that while ten pounds makes the difference between one size and the next, those same ten pounds don’t alter the basic proportions of a body. Short neck or short legs? The right necklines and skirt silhouettes will play magical tricks. Same story for sloping shoulders or thick thighs. My strategy is to enhance the body’s framework with confidence-building clothing.

I know size doesn’t really matter because ten pounds here or there won’t make a difference to the body’s intrinsic shape, but sometimes it’s a challenge to make a perfectly proportioned client accept the fact that her Size 10 or 12 frame is not overweight. There is something wrong when educated, successful women have Size 0 as a goal. Last fall I mentioned Countess Filippa, the Ralph Lauren model fired for weighing in at 120 pounds. To add insult to injury, scary Photoshopping for a Japanese advertisement turned her body into a Barbie doll.

There’s no question that the fashion industry is the source of this Size 0 fixation and now, with the annual release of the mega-sized fashion magazines and their fall coverage, I’m inclined to think there’s extra pressure brought to bear. I was intrigued to read in a recent New York Times article, that German magazine Brigitte has decided, instead of rail thin models, to photograph real women, despite hostile criticism from designer Karl Lagerfeld. Incidentally, when Herr Lagerfeld designed a condensed collection for retailer H&M a few years ago, he insisted that production be restricted to small sizes.

Closer to home, Glamour magazine has made headlines for featuring so-called plus-size models on several occasions. (Most would argue that these women are healthy and normal, not overweight.) Although the intent is noble — to discourage women from aspiring to wafer thinness — the overwhelming trend for fashion shows and photography continues to be Size 0 models.

But there is progress, of a different sort. Typically fashion magazines worship youth but three of this fall’s gigantic issues feature 40-plus cover girls. Something of a milestone, although admittedly, all three are movie stars: Julia Roberts (Elle), Halle Berry (Vogue), Jennifer Aniston (Harper’s Bazaar).

Read more from Glamour, “Who says supermodels have to be thin?”

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Although some experts credit Marshall Field as the brains behind the saying, the likelihood is that it was Mr. Selfridge who put a spin on the maxim originally coined by hotelier César Ritz; “The customer is never wrong.” Bottom line, it probably doesn’t matter because the expression took root a very long time ago and I’m not so sure it has —or should have — the same power, today. Strong words.

The problem is unrealistic expectations when it comes to customer service. And it’s pervasive. One industry particularly prone to excess, or some would say abuse, is the hospitality industry where a typical cliché involves a disgruntled wine snob demanding replacement of a half-empty bottle. This is not to suggest that the motivation of every complaining “connoisseur” is deception but to point out that the responsibility for absolute and total perfection falls on restaurant owners.

A constant refrain, some would say mantra, during my courses on dining is: show respect to people in hospitality. The importance of this respect was reinforced just last month, during a stay at my son’s Ottawa home. The kitchen was under renovation and every morning the contractors arrived with hot coffee for all. We would stand around and chat until the work got underway. Towards the end of my visit and after several days of watching the kitchen take shape, I was intrigued to learn that before his renovation business, one of the senior partners had owned a banquet hall in Quebec. He was a professional chef and graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, Paris. Wow!

Here was a man with extraordinary attention to detail, a fine sense of craftsmanship, conscientious to a fault, and obviously the skills to manage and organize his construction team — I had to ask — why did he throw in the towel?
“No actually,” he said, “it was my apron. I threw it out the window!” He simply got tired of all the rude customers, their imperiousness and the endless demands on his staff. (Privately, I couldn’t help but think that impassioned homeowners are probably more inclined to make unreasonable demands than people dining out!)

Unquestionably, the customer has a right to certain expectations. Take for example, the experiences of a forty-something woman we’ll call Cindy. New to the slightest touch of grey, she was encouraged to stretch her hair-care budget and book an appointment for colour and a cut at the salon favoured by younger colleagues. Things did not go well. Cindy paid her bill and silently cursed herself for overspending — poor coverage of her grey. And then things got worse. As she tried to blow her hair dry the next morning, it was pretty obvious she’d had a bad cut. Cindy was furious.

Apparently, the referring colleagues convinced her to call the salon. The owner immediately offered to provide a refund — or correct both the colour and cut.
So back Cindy went, to give them another chance. No charge, of course. As luck would have it, disaster struck again. This time, the colour coverage was fine but the result was abysmally dark. Oh no! Cindy left in tears and by the time she got home, could barely contain herself.  I guess she had worked herself up into such a rage that she called the salon back demanding they see her immediately. And again she went back.

This time, miraculously, all went well. Perfect. Gorgeous, in fact. But the tale doesn’t end here because about six weeks later, it was time for a touch-up. Cindy called the salon and was declined an appointment. “Too much stress,” said the owner. “Thank you and good-bye.” Not my business but personally, if I had an unhappy client, right or wrong, I’d do everything in my power to regain the highest level of customer confidence. Imagine the benefits of a satisfied Cindy happily broadcasting her enthusiasm. Chacun à son gout.

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A case in point is customized corporate apparel, or so-called logo wear. Corporate golf tournaments, for example, may include polo shirts with the company’s logo, as part of the day’s package. But there’s another category of T-shirts — a far cry from Clubhouse-appropriate attire — and that’s the Promotional T-shirt. Known in the trade as “blanks,” these wholesale blank t-shirts provide an ideal canvas for presenting company logos, slogans or messages in an informal way.

Jody Steinhauer of The Bargains Group Ltd is an expert when it comes to promo T-shirts. Her firm sells literally thousands to companies in search of high quality, pristine white T’s with a full size range and I might add, a magic price of $2.00 each, before printing.   Custom T-shirts Canada

Conventions, picnics, product launches and fund-raisers, all these events are perfect for what Jody describes as her “walking billboards” and to ensure company employees stand out in a crowd. As Founding President of The Bargains Group and CBO (Chief Bargain Officer), Jody is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to printing her product. The Bargains Group will arrange for eco-friendly, water based printing at one of Canada’s largest print facilities.

The Bargains Group stocks a massive range of apparel from the $2.00 T-shirt blanks to ubiquitous golf shirts, team wear and athletic wear, all at discounted prices. Then there are the seemingly endless other categories: canvas totes, duffel bags, sport bags, water bottles, corporate gifts  — and many products can be customized.    Personalized promotional products

Jody is an interesting anomaly in the realm of discount wholesaling. For starters, she’s a fashion graduate with a keen sense of style and a high taste level. She started her business on a shoestring — with only a phone, fax machine and $1,000 — at her dining room table HQ. From these humble beginnings, Jody has grown her business dramatically and in 2001 she was selected from over 1,200 nominees in the Report On Business nationwide search for the Top 40 Under 40 Award. The same year, she received the Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award, in the Innovation Category.

Jody is adept at balancing her high-powered career with her marriage, children and family but there’s another chapter in this remarkable woman’s life that deserves recognition — her commitment to community and focus on “giving back.” Jody has received numerous awards for her humanitarian achievements and her innovative approach to social concerns. She is the driving force behind two very special charities, Project Water and Project Winter Survival.

In the ten years since Jody originated Project Water, her team of volunteers has distributed over 1 million bottles of water to homeless people over the course of Toronto’s extremely hot summers. Project Winter Survival offers essential items including scarves, hats and even sleeping bags to people living on the street.

Learn more about Jody’s charitable missions:
http://projectwater.ca/
http://projectwintersurvival.org/

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And although it may take some readers by surprise, I know my way around the aisles of the local thrift store called Double Take which offers good, clean, used clothing and household items and training and employment opportunities for street youths.

Last year, I was asked to be keynote speaker for the Yonge Street Mission breakfast held at Toronto’s Design Exchange, in the heart of the financial district.

The “Mission,” a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring all people to achieve their full potential, asked me to do a makeover on two street youths.  The goal was makeovers of a sufficiently high standard that one young woman and one young man could apply for positions at clothing stores in Toronto’s prestigious office towers.   My budget? Less than $40.00 for both candidates.

All my shopping was done at Double Take, where the emphasis is on affordable clothing for people, like my makeover candidates, working towards a new career.  Fitting indeed, considering Goodwill’s founding philosophy was “a hand-up, not a hand-out.”  I regularly drop off parcels at Double Take and encourage everyone to support local thrift stores.  When you go, take a peak.  Maybe you’ll find a hidden gem in your size, see a celebrity, or spot a trend on the cusp of discovery.

Watch:  Video of the makeover

Read: New York Times style columnist Ruth La Ferla’s article:
“Look Who’s Shopping Goodwill”

Learn more about Yonge Street Mission:
http://www.ysm.ca/

Find a Goodwill Store near you:
http://locator.goodwill.org/

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Sign up for my FREE teleseminar- How to Create a Professional and Personal Image Plan on Tuesday July 28th 12-1pm Eastern Standard Time- Check your time zone! * You will learn how to create a plan that includes- all of the topics you should be familiar with to get the professional and personal image you want to project.  Register Now

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