METAMORPHOSIS

THIS IS WHAT IMAGE CONSULTING IS ALL ABOUT

To learn more about Image Consulting, contact Michele Benza at 415-302-9366 or email michele@mbenza.com

Are We Image Obsessed?

  The mirror, it seems, has become our worst enemy rather than our best

   friend. Research indicates that at least 80% of women over 18 are

   unhappy with what they see. The main focus of dissatisfaction is the

   size and shape of their bodies, particularly their hips, waists and

   thighs.

   This has led me to think about this matter and air my views in this

   newsletter.

   It does not help that we cannot watch TV, pass billboards, or read

   magazines and newspapers without seeing slender, beautiful people. So

   much so, that we are subconsciously brainwashed into believing this is

   the norm and that we should look like these people too.

   To make matters worse, the majority of celebrities, females in

   particular, almost always look perfect. Not a hair out of place, not a

   wrinkle to be seen and breasts and bottoms fixed where they should be

   rather than heading south, as they tend to do in the rest of us.

   Does this create a negative or positive impact on us ordinary mortals?

   Are we able to differentiate the star from the individual? Are we

   envious?

   It seems so, when you examine the statistics. According to the American

   Society of Plastic Surgeons’ (ASPS), 2011 Statistical Report, there

   were, 307,000 breast augmentations, 182,000 nose reshapings and 182,000

   liposuctions among other cosmetic procedures.

   In 2010, almost 219,000 plastic surgery procedures were performed on

   13-to-19-year-olds. Teens rely on the knife to correct ill-shaped

   noses, protruding ears, too large or too small breasts, too big or too

   flat butts, and so on. Young Asian women go as far as having plastic

   surgery to westernize their appearance.

   Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against plastic surgery. Especially

   for adults who take the time to do in-depth research about their

   surgeon’s history and professionalism and the consequences of their

   proposed surgery.

   To what extent is all this related to our actual physical defects

   rather than the perception of our physical defects? We all have

   imperfections. But the issue is that we believe our defects stand out

   and everybody immediately notices them. Not true. The sad thing is that

   we are our harshest critics.

   How much is the media to blame? In my opinion, a lot. It is the media

   that creates and continues to magnify and exploit the celebrity

   syndrome. Thanks to the media, we have become accustomed to extremely

   rigid and uniform standards of beauty.

   These high standards are simply unrealistic and out of our reach. The

   truth of the matter is that the current median ideal of slenderness for

   women is achievable by less than 5% of the female population.

   Most of us cannot afford to have a personal make-up artist, hair and

   fashion stylist, yoga teacher or Pilates instructor. If we could, we

   too would look fabulous every time we walked out the front door.

   So what to do? Make the mirror your friend! Accept your body for what

   it is, zoom in on what is good and make the most of it.

   A Bientôt,

   Michèle

Shop 'Till You Drop (With Caution!)

I know, I know. We all want to stay on point with our budgets in these tough economic times. But, there are some great bargains out there and, if you are careful, you won’t break the bank! Here are my tip offs and of course, as always, a few words of caution!
 
Tip Offs

• If shoes are your weakness, the best deals are at Glory Chen and Joy Chen. If you like avant-garde shoes, hunt carefully as there are some at 50% off.
•  Bottega Veneta’s spring/summer collection is already 50% off as is TUMI’s and they have great travel bags.
•  MaxMara and Giorgio Armani begin their sales the second week of June.
•  Price tags still a bit high for you? Then, head for the department stores for more affordable price points, as many are liquidating their spring/summer 2012 collections to make room for the next season’s trends.

OK. So you’ve been really disciplined and have been waiting for the sales to make the most of your budget, but buyer be AWARE!

  
Shoe by Glory Chen

Words of caution
 
Shop for now.  Shop for items that fit you now and do not buy too-tight jeans thinking you’ll lose a little and it’ll fit!
 
Think like me.  Buy fewer pieces but all high quality. In Europe almost everyone looks good even when they wear the same clothes repeatedly. The reason? Because they are of good quality. I was brought up this way too, so it doesn’t bother me at all to wear the same clothes year after year. However, I do take the opportunity to freshen up my wardrobe during the sale seasons and suggest you do the same.
 
Remember that size does matter. Don’t pay attention to the number on the label, just buy what fits and looks good on you.
 
Don’t rush. Give yourself enough time. Window-shop and ask the sales person to hold the items you like. Then return for a second look AND try them on again.
 
Test. Whether you are shopping for dresses, trousers or T-shirts, comfort is supreme. Take a test drive. Walk around, swing your arms back and forth and make sure the garment falls back into place. I suggest that if you can, sit on a chair in front of a mirror to see what other people see! (I’m thinking mini skirts…!)
 
Trust your inner voice-1. You may come across the ‘It” piece that everyone else has, but if it doesn’t meet your needs just walk on by.
If you have to try too hard to make it work, forget it. You’ll never wear the piece.
 
Cost per wear. Buy high-end items that you will wear more often. The more you wear them, the less expensive they’ll turn out to be.
Don’t buy an item just because it’s on sale! Don’t panic or be afraid to lose a good deal.
 
Trust your inner voice-2. Dare to be a little adventurous. Shake up your wardrobe by adding a few elements that you would not otherwise acquire.
 
Finally, remember to always check the store’s return policy!
 
A bientôt,
 
Michele

An Unusual Gift that Will Match Your Holiday Budget

  

Michele Benza, Image Consulting & Posture

Looking for an Unusual Holiday Gift?

A Gift that Will Match Your Holiday Budget.

       Don’t Panic. Don’t Think. Do.      

BUY

Michele Benza’s Gift Certificates.

Image Consulting

Wardrobe Consulting

Personal Shopping

Guys like gifts too!

www.michelebenza.com

email: Michele@mbenza.com

415.956.3025

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Looking Back and Looking Forward

By
Michele Benza

Wishing You All You Wish For Yourself

And Those You Love

in

2010!

2009 was a great year! Thanks to so many of you. I am so grateful that I had the privilege to meet with some of you online and even face-to-face.

If 2009 had some bumps in the road I saw those as positive experiences as they made me wiser and stronger and brought me back to reality. As my younger son, Greg, said to me one day: “Mom, when I have obstacles I think of a river full of boulders. The river flows around the rocks and just keeps going.”

During 2009, I addressed quite a few subjects in my columns – from “Style on a budget” to high heels and hats! And very importantly, “Beauty From The Inside Out”. I had a lot of fun writing these newsletters for you. The most fun was “Hats are Back, Hats are Hot!” The day I wrote that was very busy and I was late with my column. Between two clients, I ran to “Hats on Post” in San Francisco and told Peg Purcell, the owner, about the column. In fifteen minutes, with my cell phone as our only camera, we documented the article. It was fast and it was fun!

“Style on a Budget,” the newsletter published early 2009, especially received many positive comments. I was still in shock about the financial collapse and was wondering what would happen next. Naturally, I wondered if my small enterprise could survive. I’m happy to report, not only did it survive; it thrived! I’m especially happy to have helped so many men and women who came to see me because they did not know what to wear for a job interview, or because they were feeling lost or in a rut. With a little tweaking of their image, a reevaluation of their wardrobe, they felt refreshed, inspired and managed to regain their self-confidence. And thanks to technology I’ve been able to help many people in small towns across the USA and across the oceans east and west.

So what’s up for 2010? I’ll keep contributing to 50fabulous.com and Bay Area Women’s Journal. I’ll work hard to bring you relevant and interesting topics.

As I’ve said many times before, fashion happens on the sidewalks–no longer on the runways–for everyday people like you and me. As for the magazines, they’re fun to read but remember all those beautiful men and women perfectly coiffed and dressed, are there to seduce you into spending money. Those beautiful people on paper do not exist in our everyday workplaces and communities. Don’t let them bring down your self-esteem! These days’ photographs are altered so rapidly and so dramatically that the models always appear to be ‘perfect.’

Since January is a time when we often make New Year’s resolutions, I have a good suggestion for you: start your own style notebook. Be your own model and your own fashion reporter.

My wish for 2010 is that natural beauty prevails and becomes the new standard.

Bonne Année à tous,
Michèle

P.S. If there are any topics you’d like me to write about, please let me know.



*Work with Michele*
You can work with Michele on-line or face-to-face.
Call or email for a private appointment with Michele
You’ll be thrilled with the results.
415.956.3025 michele@mbenza.com

Hats are Hot! Hats are Back!

I had such a fun time!

Hats are Back and Hats are Hot!

By
Michele Benza

Hats are transformative

Winter beware! I am prepared. I have warm overcoats, water resistant raincoats and a toasty puffer to fend off cold, rain and icy winds. Well almost prepared. All I lack now are a couple of great hats to keep my head warm and dry and add glamour to my look.

I love hats but must admit that I don’t wear them often enough. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to see that this accessory no longer belongs to the exclusive domain of haute couture. Hats are Hot! Hats are back! And fashion magazines are splashing the message across their pages.

Hats are the perfect way to add a touch of class and style to your outfit day or night. Hats can be utilitarian too. In the summer, they protect our skin from damaging sunrays. And when you’re having a bad hair day, the best thing to do is hide your hair under a hat! The French call a hat for this occasion, a ‘Cache-misère’- loosely translated, a cover-up or camouflage.

Since hats are all over the place this season, I thought it would be helpful to introduce you to professional milliner, Peg Purcell, owner of Hats on Post in San Francisco, www.hatsonpost.com.
Peg has had a lifelong passion for hats and has been wearing them since age three when her father bought her a Wee Scottish Hat! She is trained in millinery design and has expertise to share. If you want to make a hat smaller or larger or you wish to revamp an oldie into an elegant goodie, Peg has the answer.
How you care for your hat depends on the fabric used, whether to clean, reshape or store it. If in doubt, bring your hat to Peg and she will tell you specifically what you need to do.
When it comes to buying a hat, keep in mind what Peg said to me. “Your face is ‘the picture’ so consider the hat as the ‘frame.’ Don’t you love that concept? Peg added that a hat should not only frame your face but also reflect your personality and complement your physical proportions. The general rule is to choose a hat that counterbalances the shape of your face. But you know me, I tend to bend the rules and even break them on occasion. And I am not inclined to put anyone in a box.
Here are some guidelines to be considered when buying a hat:
• The shape and size of your face and head.
• The height of your forehead.
• How your eyes are set.
• How your eyebrows are set in relation to your nose.
• Is your nose short or a bit long?
• Demeanor and even height are important factors as well.
Come to think of it, choosing a hat is similar to picking out the right pair of eyeglasses.
Equally important is the reason for the purchase: What function does your hat serve? Is it for sun protection, for everyday use or for a special event? Is it for a gala, a wedding, a wine tasting or are you buying it to uplift your spirits and help you feel playful and lighthearted?
If you feel shy about experimenting with hats in large stores, find a really good hat store in your area like Peg’s, where you can receive one-to-one guidance in finding the perfect hat in comfort and privacy.

Before hitting the streets with your brand new chapeau, I recommend you try it on at home to get used to it. You may even want to personalize it by adding a brooch, a feather, a veil…and transform your basic hat into today’s hottest trend, the “Fascinator.”


Now, let me take off my hat and thank you all for the wonderful support you have given me since I opened my image-consulting studio in 2004. My grateful thanks for making my progress possible.

BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Michele

Feel free to forward to anyone who could benefit from this newsletter

HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
*Work with Michele*
You can work with Michele on-line or face-to-face.
Call or email for a private appointment with Michele
You’ll be thrilled with the results.
415.956.3025 michele@mbenza.com

THE DOWN COAT

I love the “puffer.” It is soft, warm and lightweight and can be worn in town as well as in the mountains. The “puffer” is also a good way to resist colds and flu as it will keep you toasty warm and protect your from freezing winds. By the way, the French translation for “puffer” is “doudoune.” I like this better as it makes me feel as if I’m nestled in down and feathers.

Designers, it seems, are enamored with the “puffer” this season, so I decided to head to the department stores in search of the perfect way to combine fashion with function this winter.

The first puffer I found looked perfect but it was bright gold. Pfff. I don’t think so. Gold? Honestly, who wears a gold puffer?

Lots of puffers got my attention but there was always something that did not work for me: a fake fur on a hood that made it look cheap, or the material looked like it should be used for garbage bags, or the puffers were either too short or too bulky…

I was on the brink of losing heart but decided to go back to my first find: the gold puffer. I looked at it closely, considered it again and again, but no—I really couldn’t wear it. It looked like something to be worn on stage at a rock concert. Not my style, and, simply put, too flashy.

As a professional shopper I am very persistent and when I am looking for something, I make sure I find it. I found a sales associate, and asked her if the gold puffer was available in black or brown.

She came back from the stockroom with every color of the rainbow, except black or brown! “Did you look in the fitting rooms?” I inquired. “There may be one there.” She had not. Luck was on my side! There was one in a fitting room, in black!

Upon closer inspection, the fabric was acceptable and it was made of down and feathers. Enough feathers to provide structure and enough down to provide warmth.

Let me just say, it is a real penance to try on a puffer in a department store in the middle of summer. The things we do for fashion! But at least, I know I won’t be cold this winter.

The size small was a bit snug in the hips but back on the rack, tucked in behind the original gold puffer was, if you can believe it, a size medium in black! Quelle chance!

The medium fit me very well and has a totally acceptable “look.” However, items like these always seem to be priced accordingly. One must pay dearly for a perfect fit. The brand is “Dries Van Noten” not a brand known for its “petits prix” (small prices). Courageously, I looked at the price tag: $1200, but it was on sale: 50% OFF!

I jumped in excitement. And, in addition, this particular day the store was offering an additional discount of 30%!

This was in my budget, so I paid up immediately knowing that I would wear my puffer often. I happen to take the ferry to work and back and usually walk about 20 minutes each way. With my fabulous new puffer, I am now eager for the weather to cool off enough to warrant wearing it. I just wish that my new purchase had a hood, but no big deal. I will find a great hat. But what the hey…this will be the subject of my next column. Stay tuned.

But meanwhile, check the new puffers out. They’re fun, functional and fashionable!

Michele

Feel free to forward to anyone who could benefit from this newsletter

A HOLIDAY GIFT THAT WILL LAST A LIFE TIME!

*Work with Michele*
You can work with Michele on-line or face-to-face.
Call or email for an appointment.
You’ll be thrilled with the results.

415.956.3025 michele@mbenza.com