Drop Your Drawers!

 

Underwear is just as important as the clothing that covers it. It is a means to explore our personalities and tastes, all the way through. Underwear increases the confidence of the wearer for their own personal satisfaction, and not just to impress others. 

For women especially, many efforts and a considerable amount of money and time are spent on buying, selecting, putting on and wearing the right stuff for the right occasion. Lingerie allows a woman to shift identities from a boring type to a daring and attractive one; to a more vivid and satisfied woman. 

Here are some of my personal favorites from the world of women's underwear:

Natori

Cosabella

Urban Outfitters

Hanky Panky

                                                                   
   ...And boys, don't think I forgot about you! 

Whether you prefer boxers or briefs, there's a pair out there that reflects your personality. Here are some fun brands to check out:

Mosmann  - Briefs/Boxer Briefs

The Gap - If you love a great pattern

Bare Necessities  - Variety of brands and styles

International Jock  - Variety of brands and styles

And we will end on a History Lesson. 

Marge Simpson Rocks Chanel

In season seven of The Simpsons, Marge gets a bargain on a perfectly tailored Chanel suit at a thrift store. She starts wearing it around town to complete regular daily tasks. 

"Wow! You look soo sophisticated! Just like Mary Hart." -Lisa

As a result of Marge’s classy transformation, she starts getting noticed and complimented, and she and her family are welcomed at the most prestigious country club in town.  Marge suddenly feels absolutely great about herself, and she fits in with a social context that she did not fit into before, all because of one amazing outfit.

Take some tips from Marge:

*When we project an image with what we wear (in Marge's case, class and status), we can actually BECOME that person...our emotions change and people start to notice a difference. 

*You don't need to spend a lot of money to look great - I find most of my favorite pieces at thrift stores, just like Marge!

Clothing is Armor

Tom Ford

Oh, Tom Ford. I could talk about this amazing, beautiful man all day. But instead I'll focus on a very important moment in his career. For those of you who don't know, Tom Ford is an extremely important fashion designer and former creative director of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. 

In 2009, after directing and co-writing A Single Man (featuring Julianne Moore and Colin Firth), Ford was interviewed by Terry Gross on National Public Radio. Ford discusses the main character in his movie, George; George is a character who is suffering inside, but uses his pristine clothing appearance as a sort of armor. He feels that if he is able to control everything on the outside, and construct an armor that is his public persona, he will be safe inside, and better able to hold himself together. 

Later in the interview, Gross asked Ford if he personally always wears the same fabulous clothing, or if sometimes when he is having a bad day he feels he is not worthy of such beautiful clothing and must wear something less appealing. To this, Ford responds with a description much like the one he gave for the character in his movie:

"If I'm having a bad day I put on the very best thing I have. I polish my shoes, I shine everything up, because that helps me get though the day. It helps me, you know, it's in a sense armor. It says, okay, I'm a mess inside but you know what? On the outside I'm going to be pulled together, and everything is okay."

Couldn't have said it better myself, Tom.

Firth and Moore in A Single Man (2009).

**To hear the full interview with Terry Gross, Click here!

Wise Words

"Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly."

-Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD)

How It All Began

I had heard about image consulting, but didn't know much about it. I was connected with Margaret Batting, image consultant and founder of Eleve. I told her of my interest in the field, and she then took me under her wing and mentored me. I learned from Margaret that image consulting is about helping people be themselves, both with what they wear and how they present themselves. I wanted to do that!

I wrote about Margaret in my senior dissertation at college, a psychological study on clothing and identity, analyzing college aged males' and females' perceptions and uses of clothing. After working on my paper for the entirety of my senior year, I realized how passionate I was about image consulting, and that I one day hoped to have a business of my own. 

After graduating, I did some freelance work in Boston (my hometown), which mostly consisted of trying out my skills on family and friends. I started getting really great feedback, and realized that I was made for this job. I was good at it, I was helping people, and I was having fun!

After a year of working as a sales associate at Neiman Marcus and living at home, I decided to move to New York city - my dreamland. I started taking classes at FIT within the image consulting certification program. 

Some people ask me, "Do you REALLY need to be certified? Can't you just...do it?"

Well, there is SO much to this profession. Color theory, shape, spacial proportions and more. So yes, I'm learning it all and getting my butt certified!

What is Image Consulting?

Many people think that Image Consulting is just another name for fashion styling. This is NOT the case. Let me start off by clarifying the difference:

An Image Consultant addresses the FOOT, while a Fashion Stylist addresses the SHOE. 

In short, an Image Consultant is a professional who advises individuals, groups and/or corporations on appearance, behavior and communications. 

Examples of services that an I.C. can offer are:

-Color analysis

-Body analysis

-Wardrobe/closet/accessory analysis

-Personal shopping

-Etiquette and protocol

-Presentation skills

-Body language

-Hair and Makeup. 

A stylist focuses more on current trends, where an I.C. focuses on incorporating a person's individual style with what is appropriate for their everyday lives.