The Style Expert

I am thrilled to announce I will be executing DOVE’S Self-Esteem Workshops in Denver starting in April. These workshops, an essential part of DOVE’S Campaign for Real Beauty, will give teen girls the tools they need to discover their own definition of beauty.  In addition, the workshops will support DOVE’S mission: “To make women feel beautiful every day by widening stereotypical views of beauty.”

The Campaign for Real Beauty was inspired by a major global study – The Real Truth About Beauty: A Global Report. The study validated the hypothesis that the definition of beauty has become limiting and unattainable, as if only thin, young and blond are beautiful.  DOVE found this current, narrow definition of beauty is profoundly affecting the self-esteem of women:

- Only 2% of women around the world describe themselves as beautiful.

- 81% of women in the U.S. strongly agree “the media and advertising set an unrealistic standard of beauty that most women cannot ever achieve.”

Another DOVE study entitled, Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem, also concludes that many young women are in need of tools to help them with self-esteem building.  Below are the Denver key findings:

Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem
Denver Key Findings
Commissioned: June 2008

Executive Summary
Self-esteem has become a crisis in this country. The majority of girls feel they do not measure up in some way including their looks, performance in school and relationships. Most disturbing is that girls with low self-esteem are three times more likely than girls with high self-esteem to engage in harmful and destructive behavior that can leave a lasting imprint on their lives.

In Denver, the self-esteem crisis affecting girls is just as pervasive, if not more so in some respects, as it is nationally.  Denver is the number one location with the highest percentage of teens engaging in negative behavior when feeling badly about themselves.

Key Findings
• Seven in ten girls (75%) in Denver believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members.

• In Denver, the majority of teen girls (69%) reported engaging in negative activities, such as disordered eating, cutting, bullying, smoking, or drinking, when feeling badly about themselves:

• 53% of teen girls in Denver admit to talking badly about themselves.
• 11% of teen girls in Denver resort to injuring themselves on purpose or cutting when feeling badly.

DOVE launched The Campaign for Real Beauty in 2005 with its ads featuring six real women with real bodies and real curves. This campaign is a global effort intended to serve as a starting point for societal change. This on-going effort also hopes to act as a catalyst for widening the definition and discussion of beauty.  Philippe Harousseau, U.S. marketing director for DOVE, states, “It is time to free the next generation from unrealistic and unattainable stereotypes and give girls the tools they need to discover their own definition of beauty.”

This campaign is committed to reaching 5 million young women by the end of 2010.

For more information on The Campaign for Real Beauty please go to:
www.campaignforrealbeauty.com

written by admin \\ tags: definition of beauty, Denver young women, disordered eating, media's unrealistic standard of beauty, self-esteem, self-esteem workshops, stereotypical views of beauty, The Campaign for Real Beauty

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is fighting against eating disorders during its 22nd annual NEDAwareness Week (NEDAW), February 22-28,2009. The theme, “Until Eating Disorders are History .”

NEDAW is the non-profit group’s public campaign, held each year to raise consciousness across the country about the potentially life-threatening seriousness of eating disorders and the societal pressures, attitudes and behaviors, which contribute to them. In addition, it aims  to spread a message of hope: Help is available, recovery is possible and those affected are not alone in their struggle.

Facts about Eating Disorders:

* The peak onset of eating disorders occur during puberty and the late teen/early adult years, but symptoms can occur as young as six years of age.

* As many as 10 million females and 1 million males in the U.S. are battling eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Approximately 25 million more are struggling with binge eating disorder. Millions suffer from eating disorders due to an obsession with dieting.

* Eating disorders affect people from all walks of life, including young children, middle-aged women, men and individuals of all race and ethnicity.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating disorders are serious illnesses with a biological basis modified and influenced by emotional and cultural factors. They are not lifestyle choices.

* Eating disorders are preventable and treatable, yet hundreds of people die from them every year. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

The aim of NEDAwareness Week is to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment. Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses — not choices — and it’s important to recognize the pressures, attitudes and behaviors that shape the disorder.  The goal of this passionate movement is to reach millions of people with the message of prevention, hope and recovery.

“Eating disorders are serious illnesses, not lifestyle choices,” says Lynn Grefe, CEO of NEDA. “Like eye color and skin color, our body size is largely determined by genetics. Environmental factors – societal pressures and the unrealistic images of women we are bombarded with in the media – may pull the trigger, but genetics loads the gun. While you can adopt a healthy lifestyle and aim to be fit for your particular body type, you cannot change your genes.”

“Until eating disorders become a thing of the past,” Grefe continues, “the National Eating Disorders Association’s goals are to ensure that insurance covers appropriate treatment; efforts are made to educate the medical, educational and work communities to support education and prevention; and that funding is increased for research essential to finding better treatments and cures.”

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) headquartered in Seattle, Wash., is a not-for-profit organization which supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and advocates for prevention, treatment and research funding for eating disorders. Since the inception of its Helpline in 1999, NEDA has referred more than 50,000 people to treatment and tallies more than 40 million hits annually on its Web site.

For more information on eating disorders, visit www.NationalEatingDisorders.org.

written by admin \\ tags: anorexia, Body images, bulimia, diet obsession, dieting, National Eating Disorder Week

“Shopping Your Closet,” is a phrase that is becoming increasingly popular as the recession dampens many individuals’ enthusiasm for shopping. The expression refers to the practice of submerging deep into the abyss of your closet to uncover your own amazing clothing from seasons past. This trend, shopping your closet and making the most of what you own, has been a hot topic in newspapers and magazines of late. It was the subject of Bill Cunningham’s, a New York Times photographer, “On the Street” audio slide-show this week titled “The Keepers.”
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/01/04/fashion/20090104-street-feature/index.html

Bill believes, “Good fashion design is like antique furniture, you keep it and wear it.” In his audio slide-show, Bill projects the spirit of women who have treasured beautiful clothes. He follows one woman, a world-class shopper, who dives into her elaborate armoire and renews a collection of magnificent coats. Hopefully, we all have a few of these gem-like pieces that will withstand the test of time. Reach back into your closet, pull out these timeless pieces and create your own signature style.
In addition, explore the Spring Trends and gather these looks from your existing wardrobe. Six major trends for Spring include:

1. The COLORS: Pantone defines the ten key colors for the new year to include: fushia red, super lemon, salmon rose, rose dust, palace blue, lucite green, dark citron, slate gray, vibrant green, and lavender. These colors have been used to evoke a sense of optimism. Let’s hope they work. By pulling these hues to the  front of your closet, you will be demonstrating a fun and lively look for Spring.
2. The Shoes: BEJEWELED. High-end stilettos decorated with rhinestones, colored beads, and crystals give the statement shoe a look of object d’art. Try refurbishing an old pair of sandals with your own beads, buttons or jewels. Enlist the help of a cobbler if needed.
3. The Bag: CLUTCH. This stylish handbag never went away; it is back stronger than ever for Spring. It is featured in sequined satin versions or crocodile ones if you prefer. Many statement bags can be turned into stylish clutches with the help of a seamstress or shoemaker.
4. The Detail: FRINGE. Hundreds of shimmering strings bring an element of fluidity to the season. Think fringe scarfs, fringe belts, fringe on dresses, skirts etc.. Is the “hippie-chick” back?
5. The Length: SHORT. Minis are back and so are the short shorts. Who wears short shorts? You can with the assistance of a good tailor. Take those cargos from last season up a notch and you will be a thrifty trendsetter.
6. The Jewelery: OVERSIZE HOOPS. The statement accessory for the Spring. This is a great way to stay “Chic on the Cheap.” This stylish look can be achieved very inexpensively by shopping at retailers such as: H&M, TJ Maxx, Neiman’s Last Call Clearance Center, www.newport-news.com, and www.shopstyle.com.

In these tough economic times, cash-strapped consumers are finding alternatives to shopping the way they used to shop. Do not let the recession get in your way, be creative, shop your closet and make the most of your existing wardrobe.

written by admin \\ tags: chic on the cheap, shopping your closet, spring trends

I recently read the book “Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct,” by P.M. Forni, Cofounder of the John Hopkins Civility Project. Dr. Forni, an award-winning professor at John Hopkins University, where he has taught for the past twenty years, is “a self-appointed manners maven” who teaches the rules of considerate conduct. In 2000, he founded The Civility Initiative at John Hopkins and over the years, has continued to teach courses on the theory and history of manners. His book, Choosing Civility, has sold more than 100,000 copies. P.M. Forni believes, “Civility is a form of goodness, it’s the basis of all ethics.” National and foreign publications that have mentioned his work include The New York Times, The Times of London, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times and Forbes Magazine. In addition, Dr. Forni has appeared on a number of radio and television shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC’s World News Tonight, CBS Sunday Morning and BBC’s Outlook.

Lat week, I was fortunate to listen to Dr. Forni, as he was the guest speaker at an Etiquette Consultant’s meeting I attended. He spoke on the mitigating power of politeness. Dr. Forni, an eloquent speaker, sets out to imbue America with “gracious goodness.” In his book, Choosing Civility, he proclaims, “To live a long healthy and serene life, we need the crucial help of a network of caring people – we need social support.” He goes on to say, “In order to gain and keep social support, we need social skills.” Choosing Civility rediscovers and expounds the essential skills that allow us to live well among others. Dr. Forni believes being considerate to one another is the foundation for everything from the environment movement to women’s rights.

P.M. Forni is on a mission to promote gracious behavior. With Thanksgiving three days away, what a perfect time to join his mission. Read Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct, you will be “thankful” you did.

P. M. Forni’s book on civility is available for purchase online at these vendor web sites:
Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, and WalMart.

written by admin \\ tags: civility, etiquette, manners, P.M. Forni

Great Style Begins With Ten Timeless and Effortless Pieces Every Woman’s Wardrobe Should Include.

Fall-cleaning, or was that Spring-cleaning, the time to clear out the closet clutter, go back to the basics and make room for a few of the season’s latest trends?  With all this talk of “Change,” I think my closet needs a “Change,” an update, and certainly a cleaning. As an image consultant, I clean, organize and prioritize women’s wardrobes.  With emotions put on the back-burner, I efficiently edit my client’s closets so they can effortlessly dress themselves with style.  Why is this procedure more difficult when I try to edit my own closet?  ”It is simple,” I say over and over, “back to the basics.”  What I have learned is investment dressing, investing in quality and timeless pieces that you will continually wear, saves both time and money in the long run.  Regardless of the fads in fashion, true style is enduring.  With that in mind, I go back to the staples and the ten timeless pieces every woman should own:

1.  The Little Black Dress

2.  The White Shirt

3.  The Cashmere Sweater

4.  The Suit

5.  The Trench Coat 

6.  Black Pumps

7.  The Clutch

8.  A Tote Bag

9.  Diamond Stud Earrings

10. The Pearl Choker

Simplify your wardrobe as you change for the season, but keep the classics.  You will be happy you did.

written by admin \\ tags: classics, style, timeless clothing

Bank of America’s CEO, Ken Lewis stated today, “These are the most difficult times for financial institutions that I have experienced in my thirty-nine years of banking.”

The state of our economy is bleak; your professional image does not have to reflect this trend.  In fact, never has it been more imperative to dress for success.  In uncertain times, conservative dressing and spending go hand-in-hand.  As executives become more concerned about keeping their jobs, they tend to concentrate on “looking the part,” and dressing more traditionally.  Business Casual is becoming less popular, especially in the financial industry.  By dressing professionally, you not only make  a favorable impression, you also communicate that you are serious about how you represent yourself and your company.  Amid angst today, dressing flashy or in the current runway fashions, is not advised.  How you dress at work sends a message.  Many men and women’s retail stores are experiencing an increase in suit sales during this recessionary time.  As the unemployment rate rises,  more individuals are looking for jobs and are needing professional looking suits for their interviews.  A recent Wall Street Journal article mentioned  menswear retailer, The Moss Bros Group,  is considering advertising their “recession-proof suit.”  This suit should be a hit on Wall Street;  I wonder how many colors and various fabrics are available?

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