Image and Etiquette

Academy Awards 2010

Every year, I look forward to the Oscars. Lights, cameras and evening wear — it’s the original red carpet event and birthplace of Joan River’s famous quip-question. “Who are you wearing?” has become part of the lexicon of celebrity interviews, thanks to her and daughter Melissa.

Of course, the whole point of the evening is the award ceremony itself, but the red carpet parade helps to build the excitement and I was right there, covering the red carpet from my living room.

Introducing the 9to5 Bra

That said — cleavage has absolutely no business in the boardroom. Yet, it’s a recurring theme whenever I’m asked to address the topic of appropriate business attire. Doesn’t matter whether I’m presenting to financial institutions, law firms, government agencies or large corporations — invariably, my clients will reinforce the importance of discouraging ‘distracting décolleté.’ Deeply cut necklines create a discomfort-zone for everyone in the office

The Look of Success™ A Personal Journey: The Shopping Spree

Although I’m far more confident about shopping, I’ll take along the Personal Style Guide Diane prepared. In the meantime, I can’t wait to show off the new me.”

The Look of Success (TM) – A Personal Journey: Stage 4 – Working the Lingerie Drawer

The real foundation of a wardrobe plan is just that — foundations. Today, most women’s lingerie drawers hold a diverse mix, from luxurious lacey confections to functional, full-support sport bras. There are special undergarments for wearing with knits and tees, bras with artfully engineered straps designed for halters or backless dresses, seamless bras, strapless bras, [...]

The Look of Success ™ – A Personal Journey – Stage 3: Wardrobe Planning

They wouldn’t build a house without a blueprint, hit the road to a new ski resort without a map, make their first visit to Barcelona without a guidebook or even, in these days of H&G TV, move furniture without a floor plan. And yet, again and again, the number of people, both men and women, [...]

The Look of Success ™ A Personal Journey – Stage 2: Colour Analysis

Before we catch up with Liz, I’m going to review some of the reasons the colour analysis process is so critical. Last week I was asked to explain the difference between a “fashion victim” and a “fashionista.” Bottom line, the former aspires to be the latter — but has taken things too far! The fashionista [...]

The Look of Success™: A Personal Journey

Today marks the beginning of our 10-part series where we’ll join Liz, a new, young client, on her personal journey through our image enhancement programme to her ultimate destination — developing her own look of success. After graduating with a Bachelor of Computing Science, Liz began her career as a Business Analyst in the tele-communications [...]

Wardrobe Makeover Part Two

Missed Part One?  Read it here. We’re moving to the really challenging part of the project.  What you’ve done so far is comparable to rearranging your computer desktop. You’ve: Reorganized working files — divided clothing into categories, career, sportswear, etc. Created a folder for work in progress — alterations and repairs department Eliminated obsolete material [...]

Inappropriate Office Footwear

The A-list of professional footwear could start with the steel-toed boots construction workers routinely lace-up. Clogs or Crocs™ are the footwear of choice for both restaurant brigades and hospital staff. Grand Canyon river guides sport fellow guide Mark Thatcher’s “invention” — the Teva® sandal. Ballerinas wear toe-shoes and firemen, boots.

An Amazing Fashion Exhibition in NYC – A Disappointing First Lady’s Inaugural Ensemble

Often called “ the designer’s designer,” Cuban-born Isabel Toledo was little known outside fashion’s inner sanctum until First Lady Michelle Obama selected her shift dress and coat for the January Inauguration Ceremony. Last week in NYC, I visited The Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) for an exhibition of Isabel’s work.