CASUAL CASUALTIES

"More than one-third (35 percent) of employers have sent someone home to change clothes because they were dressed inappropriately" (CareerBuilder.com, 17 June 2008). What in the world! And just last winter, a CareerBuilder.com survey found that 41% of 2,765 employers surveyed stated that people with more professional attire tend to be promoted more often than others in their companies! Numerous studies show that the downturn in corporate productivity does parallel the introduction of "casual Fridays." I'm just saying! It really is an easy fix: The addition or absence of simple key elements, like a collared shirt and jacket, can make or break a professional image. Looks like its time to get dressed and get back to business!

POSTURE POWER

Now, Kerri Russell nearly always looks great. But what a disservice her poor posture was to that stunning white gown! Take a lesson.

Would you like to look 10 years younger instantly?

Would you like to look 10 pounds lighter instantly?

Then check out your posture! Here's a very telling experiment. Get a tape measure and stand like you usually do--no cheating for the experiment! Even slouch a little if you want, and then measure your waist around your belly button. Then, stand up tall, as though a string were pulling the top of your head to the ceiling, and --here's the key--roll your shoulder blades forward, up, around and back down, as though you were able to tuck them into your back pockets. Then remeasure. You should see as much as an inch or more reduction! And an inch off of your waist can make you look 10 pounds lighter or more!

As for your age, I read about a study that was done with two same-aged women, both 5'4", both dressed in black leotards with heads camouflaged. One woman weighed 105 pounds and stood in a very slouched position. The other woman, weighing 125 pounds, stood with straight, correct posture. All reviewers chose the 125-pound woman as the younger and lighter woman!

Yes, once again, your mother was right--just stand up straight!

YOUR IMAGE WORKS in The News

55th ANNUAL BUSINESS & INDUSTRY REVIEW

Day 3 - Family-Owned Business

Special Supplement to the WEST CHESTER DAILY LOCAL NEWS

www.dailylocal.com

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Image Consultant Helps Bring Out the Real You
By Ted Trevorrow
Special to the Local News

Over 20 years ago, Beth Strange received image training as a college student. Since then people have been asking her about ways to improve their look and better their image. After raising seven children and teaching at a girl’s boarding school, she decided she wanted to make a career out of helping people improve their image. So she set out to working on her certification in image consulting from the Association of Image Consultants International, and attended the Conselle Institute, to learn all she could about being an image consultant. In 2007 she opened Your Image Works in Oxford and became a full-time image consultant. Strange thinks many people have the wrong impression of what an image consultant does and who image consulting is for. “There’s this stigma or misconception that working with an image consultant is only for high profile people,” she says. “People in the public eye higher image consultants because it works. Why shouldn't everyone else have that?” The process of image consulting starts with an initial interview designed to find out “how do you want to be perceived at home and at the workplace.” Even more, the interviews are designed to help people find out “why is the inside not showing on the outside,” Strange says. She believes many people are not in touch with themselves and their current image is “hiding who they really are inside.” Once the interview process is done and the client has figured out the image they want, then she begins helping them change. She uses four areas to focus her efforts. Clients can address their wardrobe, grooming, etiquette, and speech and body language to help improve their image. “We don’t change who you are,” Strange says. “Image consulting is about fine-tuning, enhancing, and improving your image.” Strange’s biggest groups of clients are professional business women, corporate clients, and women in transition. “Many mothers going back to work need help putting their best foot forward,” she says. Strange helps women with image evaluation , color analysis, and personal shopping in order to make sure they are prepared to re-enter the workplace. For her corporate clients, Strange emphasizes the importance image can have in the workplace. She says, “Image can absolutely increase productivity.” She conducts image seminars for businesses and using the trademarked Style Scale can help businesses select the appropriate image for their workers to maximize productivity and sales for their specific business situation. She also stresses that image consulting can affect almost every aspect of a person’s day, even people’s home lives. “I had one client who told me that once she improved her image, she got a huge increase in respect from her child,” Strange says. Strange’s motto is “Improve your image, improve your life.” She is even working on helping people entering the dating scene to improve their results. She uses what she calls the four A's to make sure people are getting the right image for them, Authentic, Appropriate, Attractive, and Affordable. By using these principals and teaching her clients how to use these tools, Strange feels she teaches them how to control their image, not just now, but in the future. “If I just help them buy new clothes, what happens in the future when styles change? I have some clients who lose 30 pounds. By giving them these tools they can adjust their image in the future as needed.” To make sure the average person has access to image consulting, Strange has worked hard to make sure her fees are accessible. For Strange, the best part of the job is when her service helps people. “Their life changes and that’s the part I love.” She especially enjoys when people say, “I know who I am.” When people know who they are, Strange says, “That puts them in control of their lives.” To learn more about image consulting, visit www.yourimageworksconsultant.com.

FIRST LADY FASHION

Well, have you had enough?! What did you think of Michelle Obama's inaugural ensemble? I was going to throw in my two, educated-image-consultant cents and analyze the color, cut, style, texture, fabric, etc., of Isabel Toledo's design, which Mrs. Obama chose and accented with her own glove and shoe picks. However, it's more interesting to note that anyone who is anyone in the fashion critics circles has spoken--with opinions on each extreme:

Kristi Brooks, celebrity stylist -- dresses Sharon Stone
"I absolutely loved Mrs. Obama's dress today. I think the fact that she chose such a bold and unusual choice is right on par with her wardrobe choices throughout the campaign. . . .I thought the color choice was lovely for her complexion, it really popped on her. I love that she chose to wear lace which is such a huge trend this fall; but interpreted it her own way.

Kelli Delaney, designer Members Only
"As much as I appreciate taking fashion risks, I did not like Michelle Obama's outfit. It looked like heavy curtain fabric and reminded me of the Sound of Music when Julie Andrews cut down the brocade drapes and made them into dresses. I think she looks best in bright stretch knits and cashmeres, and I love how she adds personal touches of jewelry to her clothes...those sparkly pins and broaches will definitely become the trend, not her inaugural outfit."

Philip Bloch, celebrity stylist and designer
I was blown away by how elegant and chic Michelle Obama looked. Her dress was exquisite. I thought right down to the avocado toned gloves, ribbon, and scarf, she often chooses the slightest embellishment and touch of femininity to complete her outfits.

Ramy, celebrity makeup artist
"I didn't love Michelle Obama's look at the swearing-in ceremony. . . It looks as though she didn't even think about it. . .The shoes were dreadful and the color of her outfit didn't translate well in pictures. . . The color she wore did not flatter her beautiful complexion.

On and on! So all I'm going to say is "There's much accounting for taste." Okay, okay, here you go: Loved the color for her complexion--a welcome surprise in an earth-toned Lemongrass, perfectly complimenting the warmth in her skin tone. The fabric was a little stiff for her frame--she needs to stay with fabric that drape and skim so she doesn't look "bigger" than she is. The coordinated coat/dress ensemble is very flattering on her statuesque figure, and the cashmere under pieces were nicely functional. However, the bow that secured her pashmina sweater sleeves broke up a nice line she could have shown in front and was distracting, flapping around in the wind and when she walked. How can you argue with the terrific Jimmy Choo pumps and leather gloves in avocado, which perfectly picked up the hue of green in the Lemongrass fabric? The daughters--that's another blog. But, did you see that J. Crew shares jumped more than 10% in trading Wednesday after the whole Obama family donned many of the companies pieces throughout the inaugural festivities. Looks like J. Crew won't be needing a bail out any time soon!

WASH YOUR FACE!

Want the look of flawless, glowing skin that seems to come naturally to stars like Heidi Klum? Just listen to your mother and wash your face before you go to bed! Karen Sinclair Drake, skincare expert and founder of Sophyto organics says, "For every day you don't remove all your makeup, you age seven days." WOW! Who wants that. Follow a strict nightly routine of removing all makeup, followed by cleansing, exfoliating, toning (to remove all last traces of makeup and soap), and moisturizing. Your Image Works offers a MakeUp and SkinCare Clinic that can teach you all you need to know to have that "Klum clean" face!

Shop Therapy

"Don't Buy That,

Buy This!"

The January sales! Is there anything that gets your heart racing faster than the "TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 50% OFF CLEARANCE ITEMS" sign! And that may be EXACTLY how you accumulated a closet full of clothing items that:

#1 Don't fit you.
#2 Don't flatter you.
#3 Don't thrill you.

Here are some "rules" to take shopping if you're a clearance craver:

BUY ONLY IF:

1. You love it and would try it on and buy it even if it were FULL PRICE. I'm not saying you could pay full price, I'm saying you would if you could. This is the greatest barometer to follow. If the price is more attractive to you than the fashion item, you're buying for the wrong reason.

2. You are willing--and it is still a good bargain--to alter any fit problems (gaping waist, pant or sleeve length, etc.). Chances are huge that if it doesn't fit perfectly, you'll never wear it, let alone love it.

3. You know that the item is in keeping with your personal style and best color palette. It can't be said enough that an ounce of understanding your personal style and personal coloring will prevent a pound of buyer's remorse.

4. You actually need the item--come on, show some self-discipline! How many black tee-shirts does one woman need?!! Or what are you going to do with a 100% cashmere snood. Okay, maybe those are bad examples, but you get the idea.

5. It's on your "TO BUY" list. Yes, make and keep a list of items that you actually are looking for to round out your wardrobe needs. And then stick to it!

Contact Your Image Works and speak with Beth, a qualified, trained image consultant, for help with cleaning out your closet and affordably and intelligently building up a wardrobe that you actually love and that helps you in your roles and goals!

Who Hires an Image Consultant!

A commentator in the news recently said, "Someone who is not a celebrity or politician and hires an image consultant is not playing with a full deck." I'd like a moment for rebuttal! That notion expresses the outdated mindset that image management is simply vain, superficial gloss. On the contrary, those of us in the image business, and in the "know," know that improving your personal presentation--through the tools of dress, grooming, body language, and etiquette--can drastically improve your personal and professional life. Statistic #1: In a brief, initial encounter, only 7% of what is remembered about you is what you said. That's right, 93% of what is remembered about you is centered on visual cues, dress, grooming, body language and etiquette. More statistics to come! In the meanwhile, take a look at yourself. How's your image working for you? Go to http://www.bethstrange.com/ for answers to your image questions.