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Life is filled with meeting and greeting new people. Even though we’re reminded repeatedly; “Never judge a book by its cover,” we do. We’re constantly making snap judgments about the people we meet and greet. Curiously, it turns out, our first impressions tend to be quite accurate:

“We have long known that people jump to conclusions about others on the basis of very little information but what’s striking about these findings is how many of the impressions have a kernel of truth to them.”
– Psychologist Sam Gosling, The University of Texas at Austin.

In other words, we make assumptions, or jump to conclusions, with very little information and generally, we’re right!

Appearance, body language, intonation and interaction all work together to create a first impression. When they work in harmony, the result is positive. Let’s examine the four keys:

Appearance: What people see first
You may have seen the Tide® laundry detergent commercial with its clever tag-line; “Style is an option. Clean is not.” Although clearly, I do not agree with the first statement, I most definitely do, with the second. Fresh, clean clothes and impeccable grooming underscore a person’s social awareness; anything less implies a sense of carelessness. Sometimes referred to as “the unmentionables” —poor dental care, untrimmed eyebrows, nose or ear hair — send signals of negligence that sabotage even the world’s best haircut.

But back to style. It reflects our awareness of the world around us. I’m frequently asked to explain the difference between fashion and style. I guess my short answer is: Fashion could be defined as head-to-toe dressing in Banana Republic’s new Mad Men collection; (link http://bananarepublic.gap.com/). Style is incorporating elements—perhaps a narrow tie or pencil skirt —from that collection. In September’s Vanity Fair, American fashion icon Ralph Rucci answers the same question by explaining that Fashion is constant change, while: “Style is a continuum. It’s a refinement of the same vocabulary. Style takes you from day to evening, season to season.” Exactly!

Body Language and Intonation
A head held high is one of the magic keys to the Kingdom of Powerful First Impressions. It conveys an obvious sense of ease and a positive message. Who wants to be bothered with the round-shouldered guy in the corner whose chin rests on his chest? Pro-active is the way to go.

“We can pick up a smile from 30 meters away,” says Paul Ekman, professor of psychology at the University of California Medical School in San Francisco, and a pioneer of research on facial expressions. “A smile lets us know that we’re likely to get a positive reception, and it’s hard not to reciprocate.” When you consider that experts say we draw conclusions about a person in less than five seconds, a smile fosters a fine first impression.
During body language training, I help students learn very specific skills for mastering the art of conversation – fixed eye contact and the nuances of turning your body toward the person speaking; matching intonation and speech rate; unspoken responses that confirm the speaker’s message is clear. No question, there are subtleties about this training: the jokester learns to harness his stand-up routine; the passionate storyteller to edit her monologue and the inveterate interrupter to let the speaker finish his sentence.

Interaction
The ticket here is to make people feel welcome. It’s about “time-sharing” with a new acquaintance. Neither hogging the conversation nor expecting the other person to hold the fort.

Damage control
I’ve often heard so-called experts say; “When it comes to first impressions there are no second chances.” I strongly disagree. My experience as an image consultant has taught me that when interpersonal infractions occur, they’re often not intentional. However, when an infraction involves integrity, it’s very difficult for the offender to recover – getting caught in a lie, comes to mind. If on the other hand, the infraction is at a capability level, let’s say a person is on unfamiliar turf and clearly can’t follow the conversation, people tend to be more forgiving.

Misinterpretations: A few examples from real life
Meet Lucy – she thinks she’s listening to you attentively, showing tremendous interest. You keep talking and waiting for her to smile. And then you wait some more. Still no smile. Uh-oh. You’re starting to get a negative vibe. She’s just not there!

Point # 1: Smile to show engagement.
Meet Michael — he thinks, as he tells one joke after another, that he’s a funny, confident and positive person to be around. You feel he’s an obnoxious goof in desperate search of an audience.

Point # 2: Don’t be a road-hog. Share air time.
Meet Brenda – she thinks she’s informative and enlightening as she discourses with intense, detailed information about an endangered species she’s researching throughout the world. No detail is too minuscule. She even name drops in Latin! You can’t wait to escape her boring monologue and total self-absorption.

Point # 3: Curb your enthusiasm – when it comes to your own personal passion.
Meet Raymond – he thinks he’s showing interest in your recent holiday re-cap as he rudely butts in and interrupts. You can’t even finish a sentence and ask yourself; “Who is this self-centred twerp and why is he so disconnected?”

Point # 4: Don’t even consider interrupting. Ever.

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And many of these resolutionists are so unschooled at working out it’s scary. Excessive weights, pathetic posture on the Stairmaster and high-speed reps are all common infractions. But with a mindset of overcoming holiday splurging, poorly executed sit-ups and crunches are positively epidemic.

I have always known that form is all when it comes to these core workouts but never realized that sit-ups are absolutely off-limits for some people, until I read Unbreakable: A woman’s triumph over osteoporosis, by Christine Thomas. I met Christine five years ago when she booked an image consultation. But she had embarked on her journey in 2001 as a 42-year old new mom who had just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. After fracturing her spine in five places, even the simple act of lifting her newborn daughter was too much for her fragile and compromised skeletal system.

I guess before I met Christine, like most people I thought of osteoporosis (if I thought of it, at all) as a disease of very old people. Not so. This year, an estimated 1.5 million Canadians over 40 years of age and older will be diagnosed with osteoporosis. Startling. And this is what makes Christine’s book so important. Far more than the story of her personal evolution as she unraveled the challenges of osteoporosis, Unbreakable is a guide for anyone concerned about brittle bones — from pain management to calcium supplements and their much needed additive, Vitamin D, to bone density tests and stretching techniques. It’s all here, exercises to avoid — the infamous sit-up — and exercises to embrace: get in the pool! This is the ultimate resource on living with osteoporosis.

Here’s an excerpt from Unbreakable that traces Christine’s reasons for contacting me —and the happy outcome:

“Fractures affect the figure! The loss of height and curvature of my spine made me more compact and thickened my waist because the distance between my underarms and waist, and my waist to my hips was less than it used to be. Clothes that used to look lovely no longer fit very well and shopping was frustrating.

Diane Craig was kind and confident as she helped me build a wardrobe. We chose current fashions that fit my personal taste and flattered my new physique. Picking the right wardrobe helped me to accept what I cannot change about my body. It helped rebuild a positive self-image despite the consequences of my fractures. Through a figure and style analysis, I became more aware and more accepting of my body’s proportions and learned secrets to enhance my overall appearance by selecting correct lines and designs. This was and continues to be one of my greatest investments in healing my emotional wounds and lifting my spirits.”

Merci Christine. Bonne année et bonne santé!

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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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 Naturally, I’d followed the press on Allure of the Seas — world’s largest cruise ship, a first of its kind collaboration with DreamWorks for onboard entertainment, a 3-D theatre, a skating rink, an Aqua Theater, a carousel, a garden, fabulous restaurants — in short, a magical playground on a cutting-edge cruise ship.

 I mentally started packing my cruise-wear.

Understandably, I was excited about this unexpected invitation but I must say, nothing could have prepared me for the extraordinary two days that lay ahead. The Allure of the Seas is truly majestic. There was a sense of glamour and excitement from the moment we boarded — “we” being my 28-year old son and myself. But what struck me immediately was the profound feeling of fun in the air.

Everyone was there to celebrate the launch of this amazing ship. And when Richard Fain, CEO of RCCL, demonstrated his surfing skills on the FlowRider®, he sent a very clear message. 

To understand how this wave riding technology works, think of a thin sheet of water flowing over a static form to simulate ocean waves. It combines the thrill of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding in the safety of a pool. And speaking of thrills, I had my very first zip-line experience — thanks to encouraging words from my son!

The entertainment was sensational with DreamWorks characters, up close and personal. This was a truly star-studded cruise. And along with all this excitement, the cast and crew of the movie, Jack and Jill, were onboard filming. I had heard about the location shoot but really didn’t think much about it till I stepped into the elevator and saw a man wearing tights, a crinoline and full make-up. Not just any man, but Adam Sandler! Cool guy that he is, he looked at me and said, “Sorry about the dress.”

Hindsight is a wonderful thing because after the fact I thought of all kinds of things I could have said. “I’m an image consultant and this is not your best look.” Or “OMGosh!  You’re Adam Sandler — I am so thrilled to meet you.” Fact is, I said and did nothing. A missed moment. But it got me thinking about the protocols of meeting celebrities.  Meanwhile, I was having a perfectly marvelous time — the proverbial kid in the candy store. Thank you Royal Carribean!

On the flight home, I collected my thoughts about meeting celebrities. Here are a few guidelines for every celebrity category: top chefs, actors, dancers, opera singers, rock stars, master architects, best-selling authors …

1. Famous men and women should always be addressed as Mr., Miss or first and last name, as in Adam Sandler. A first name only suggests familiarity and even though you may be more than familiar with the person, he or she has never set eyes on you before.

 2. These same men and women are absolutely off-limits when surrounded by family members. Stay your distance.

 3. If the famous person doesn’t appear to acknowledge you, same story. Keep moving.

 4. When your smile is returned following a brief introduction, it’s probably best to make tracks. Autograph and photo requests could turn a memorable moment into a forgettable one.

 5. Think before you make your move. If the celebrity is known for edgy, high-strung or nervous behaviour, don’t intrude. Respect a sense of privacy.

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I will admit to a soft spot for black tie, a fondness for three-piece suits and a liking for tweed jackets with cashmere sweaters and cords, when the occasions arise. But this leaning towards tailored clothing doesn’t rule out hoodies and sweat pants — as long as they’re confined to the gym! Because when it comes to dressing down, I’m with Jerry Seinfeld. In the episode called The Pilot, where Jerry and George are pitching a TV network with their idea for a new show, Jerry wants George to shape up and dress the part:

“You know the message you’re sending out to the world with these sweatpants? You’re telling the world, ‘I give up. I can’t compete in normal society. I’m miserable, so I might as well be comfortable.’” Jerry in The Pilot

Jerry really got it right. Clothing does send a message. But there’s an enormous side benefit to a well-groomed appearance and general sense of “dressing up” — it gives you a lift. Big time. One of the greatest advocates of this philosophy is my friend Bill Shaddy. As former Senior Director of International Personnel Operations at Pepsi, Bill knows “the right stuff” when it comes to stocking his closet. These days, however, things are a little more complicated. For starters, he has all the buttons on his shirts replaced with snaps. Bill, I should explain, has been living with MS for the last 18 years and snaps are just easier than wrangling with a button and bitty hole. Rain or shine, Bill dresses up. His only concession is a stylish cane by his side.

After life in the fast lane — including overseas postings in London, India, Cyrus and eventually Corporate HQ, just outside New York City — Bill now lives in Sarasota, Florida. Naturally, the local “dress code” is far more casual than his habitual boardroom haunts. He accepts that a relaxed dress code makes sense in Sarasota’s climate and that it’s a lifestyle thing, too. It’s only natural that clothes reflect the laid-back culture of Florida but I can picture Bill saying; “Dressing up just makes one feel so much better!” His sense of well being reflects a keen level of attention to detail. Trousers need a little extra knee-room to accommodate his new, life-changing walk-aid (link) and there are the snap alterations on shirts. Actually, Bill has become adept at making adjustments:

“My left side is sort of ‘going for the tide’ so I need to request restaurant servers to be certain my food is cut into bite-size pieces.”

Certainly the greatest adjustment was his decision to leave Pepsi. It was an intense and dynamic environment. The focus of his work was building local business teams in critical, emerging markets while helping to drive Pepsi operating systems. An essential component of his mandate was fostering the company’s global, cultural values at a local level. There were some challenges during the earliest stages of his diagnosis, when colleagues noticed something was not quite right. Ultimately, despite encouragement to remain on the job, Bill made his move to medically retire and relocate to Florida, so he could better manage his health agenda. Today, his mandate, depending on how he feels, is to deliver Junior Achievement basic business programs to students at local middle schools.

When it comes to dressing up, Bill Shaddy and I are on the same wavelength. Merci Bill for sharing your point of view!

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Life in downtown Toronto is fast-paced. Perhaps not by New York City standards, but more oil and gas companies are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange than any other exchange in the world. Just stand in the underground walkway beneath the financial district at lunchtime to get a taste of the energy that defines this city. My work is very much a part of this intense and exciting atmosphere. Every day I meet new people. New connections are made, new alliances formed. And although corporate associations last for years — my private consultations are usually one-offs. I work with these clients on a very intense basis for a short period of time and then poof — mission accomplished and time to move on.

Such is the case with Pamelia. I will never forget the day she walked into my office. Tall. Blonde. Great presence, tons of positive energy and a radiant smile. She was about to turn fifty and wanted to update her look. It was obvious from the first few minutes that we were going to work well together. We made a date to meet at her place for a thorough closet run-through.

The big day arrived and before we tackled the tough editing process — there are always more discards than “keepers” — Pamelia showed me her beautifully appointed home. She had high praise for her neighbour, Mel, a deft hand at constructing numerous enhancements throughout the house and explained that since retiring, his accomplished skill-set had worked many small miracles.

Then, it was time to get to work. We started with the bedroom closet and were making great progress when Pamelia opened her armoire. I stopped in my tracks. There, in front of me, on the inside door panels, all Pamelia’s jewellery was beautifully arranged and hanging from a series of hooks mounted on large boards. This was simply the most brilliant jewellery storage system I had ever seen. Courtesy, once again, of gifted Mel. Forget the usual tangle of necklaces and jumble sale of earrings. I nicknamed it “accessories central” and immediately filed away the concept for my own armoire.

But Pamelia was a step ahead of me. While I organized and sorted her clothes into groups, she quietly slipped away. Of course, at the time, I wasn’t really paying attention but about a week later the whole picture became clear. The day of our final official meeting arrived and as Pamelia welcomed me at the front door, her radiant smile was replaced with a mild-wide grin. “For you,” she said, “from Mel,” as she presented two beautiful Tiffany-blue jewellery boards. My very own accessories central!

I knew offering payment was off-limits — Pamelia had told me Mel’s projects were his pleasure — so a few days later I delivered a bottle of bubbly. Their generous gesture still has me smiling. Working with positive people is, indeed,
a blessing; they bring joy and brighten the day. It’s like a gift of sunshine. I’ve thought long and hard about how to share this sentiment with Pamelia and Mel and finally decided. I’ll send them this blog to simply say it was wonderful to meet you … Mes chers amis, merci bien pour tout.

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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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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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Cleavage, or décolleté, has its place. Bikinis, bathing suits, strapless gowns and party dresses are all cleavage-compatible. And with the Academy Award nominees just announced, thoughts turn to the annual revealing review of starlets and celebrities as they stroll the red carpet.

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.

When women in the public eye violate a sense of decorum with ‘indecent exposure,’ the media moves quickly. I remember when Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister, The Honourable Maxime Bernier attended the Cabinet Swearing-in Ceremony, with his scantily clad girlfriend. I was inundated with media calls.
When a blazer didn’t add dignity
And my observations

During this controversy, designer Andrea Clair, the creator of Wink Intimates Inc., contacted me. She had read my remarks in the Toronto Star and wanted me to see her so-called 9to5 Bra, specifically designed to cover cleavage, or in Andrea’s words, “a business bra”. Initially, I was skeptical but Andrea was well spoken and convincing. I became intrigued and agreed to meet.

Andrea brought her 9to5 Bra and I immediately realized she had truly designed a problem solver to address business attire, plus, the ideal solution for well-endowed clients. With my penchant for multi-tasking, it swiftly occurred to me that here was the ideal underpinning for Diane von Furstenberg’s ubiquitous wrapped dresses — regardless of body type. And I’m not alone. Monika Schnarre, former supermodel and actor calls her 9to5 Bra a ‘must-have’ and recording artist Jann Arden praises the comfort factor.   Take a look

Last year, Andrea confided that in search of investment capital, she had taken her 9to5 Bra to the prominent TV show, Dragons’ Den. She was sworn to secrecy until the episode aired.
Intriguingly, the male Dragons — and captains within the corporate world’s boardrooms, I might add — didn’t get it. They vocally embraced the concept of cleavage and flatly turned Andrea down. Conversely, Arlene Dickenson, CEO of Venture Communications and the only female Dragon, was ready to jump in and invest $150,000 — providing she assumed 55% ownership of the company. Andrea declined.   Watch the episode.

Maybe you’ve witnessed a fashion faux pas or misstep —in the boardroom and beyond. Please let us know your thoughts.

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