FASHION FLASHES FOR THE 2009 SPRING/SUMMER SEASON

We know that many of you are struggling with economic challenges right now but in the words of one of our favorite movie characters, Auntie Mame, “Knowledge is power!” So, here is the scoop on the new Spring fashions. As always, my advice is to buy the best you can afford. If you have to buy less do so, just buy better.

Hot off the Press:
• Michelle Obama’s inaugural suit designed by Isabel Toledo will be available at Barneys in March. $1500.
• Sofia Coppola’s sober and chic shoes and handbags for Louis Vuitton will be available in stores March 9, 2009.
• Calvin Klein’s latest jean campaign was declared “scandalous” by the American television industry and has been censored. (But that has not stopped it being seen on YouTube by millions of people worldwide.) The campaign will run as is in Europe while a softer version is being reworked for the US market.
• Alexander McQueen is the latest designer to team up with Target. He will design a collection that includes leggings, printed T’s and a leather vest.

The spotlight this spring/summer is on Fluidity and Femininity
You know I’m all for that. However, while sifting through all the Spring/Summer collections, I had difficulty finding wearable outfits for us working women. Serene and beautiful as the collections are, I found very few items appropriate for every day office wear.
“Shouldering on shoulders,” is the new term for this season’s focus on the shoulders. This look emphasizes the shoulders à la the eighties but less dramatically and with more refinement. I noticed embroidery and embellishments around necklines to emphasize the shoulders. The same effect can be attained with chunky bold necklaces. I must admit that at first I didn’t like the structured shoulders but I’ve changed my mind and now find them empowering.

Max Mara hemlines are being accentuated too. Skirts are longer and reminiscent of Christian Dior’s look launched in 1947. My preference is a length that just covers the knee. This skirt length works well with straight skirts in a dark jersey, preferably with an opening in the back to facilitate walking. The little back slit creates a subtle but sexy affect! If your figure permits, choose a fitted pencil skirt that hugs the body. Wearers beware! Footwear with this length is of utmost importance. Ditch the booties! Show your ankles! Wear high heels! And forget about nude pantyhose too; it kills the look! Opt for bare legs. Heels add a sexy element to your wardrobe but only if you can walk in them with ease and grace. Practice your walk before you venture out!

Elegance and sophistication are the key words to remember to maximize the charm and appeal of this new length.

Armani’s love for China and things Chinese can be seen in his spring/summer ‘Privé’ collection. ‘Pagode’ shoulders, high waists and longer skirt lengths were everywhere.

As for colors, blue, rose, orange and sand predominated.

Stella McCartney’s collection is elegant and simple. She used embroidered silk fabrics for tunics that can be worn over narrow pants. As can be seen below, she too emphasizes the shoulders not only in the cut but also with eye-catching detailing.

Chez Chanel, the classic black and white tweed suits are still as chic and feminine as ever. Karl Lagerfeld has designed matching handbags too and even created a leather version of the CC shopping bag! Check out Chanel's hosiery. Karl brought us very sexy hosiery last fall and continues to do so for spring and summer, by using two toned hose.

Jean Paul Gauthier showed a timeless collection. His favorite color for the coming season is sand, an easy color to adopt as long as you pick a light fluid fabric. Colored shoes look especially great with neutral colored clothing.

Isabel Marant is bringing back the denim blouson that can be worn over everything except jeans. Chez Cacharel is all about suppleness and fluidity. Celine is all about blues. She presented all her pieces with VERRRRRY high heels and showed many straight skirts that emphasized the waist. Like Celine, Aquascutum’s world is blue too.

John Galliano loves rose. Flash and dash are the operative words for Agnes B’s collection where lots of rose, green, yellow and turquoise were mixed up in the same element, making for a vibrant and cheerful look.

Accessories are a major category this season. The ‘must have’ shoes are impressive looking with straps. As for jewelry, it’s all about wearing bold pieces.

In the beauty department the best sellers are red lipsticks (my personal favorites) like this one from Dior’s ‘Rouge Dior Satin Collection’.

On Death Row: Harem pants, baby doll look, heavy clunky hardware on handbags and yes, very pointy shoes. Ouch! I still own one pair that I really like.

Shopping in your closet may be the smart way to go at the moment but be sure to keep your look updated. So don’t let the economic climate get you down. Be bold; be beautiful as you can be!

Michele

Michele Benza – Completely Confidential Image Consulting Featuring European Style and Elegance. (415-302-9366 | fax 415-388-6753 | + 210 Post Street, Suite 611 | San Francisco, CA 94108 | : michele@mbenza.com | http://www.michelebenza.com |

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



If you know of someone who could benefit from this article, please pass it on.

BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Love yourself too!

Valentine’s Day is a great reminder for us to lavish love upon those whom we cherish. It is also a very good time to lavish love upon ourselves. Think about it. Being loved and cherished not only intensifies our sense of inner well-being but also radiates outwardly and enhances our beauty.

True beauty comes from within

As that old adage reminds us “Beauty is only skin deep.” We can make ourselves very attractive with clothing and accessories but true beauty comes from within. How many times have you seen someone who is not conventionally attractive but yet is perceived as beautiful because he or she radiates a sense of well-being and an inner knowing of their self-worth and purpose in the world? They are completely at ease with themselves and the world.

Get rid of the negative gremlins

It is vitally important that we take as good care of ourselves within as we do without. It is, of course, much easier to enhance our beauty externally than to really develop aspects of ourselves within that make us feel comfortable in our skin and accept our perceived physical flaws. Many of us have internal gremlins that are hell bent on eroding our confidence and self-esteem. We can counter those critical gremlins by learning to accept ourselves as we are--large hips and all! Of course it is important that we try to modify negative behavior patterns and take action to improve our physical well-being in any way we can. But always be realistic. Some of us simply don’t have a Julia Roberts smile. But a smile is a smile is a smile and can lift your spirits and those of others around you.

What you can do!

There are so many simple things you can do to improve your inner well-being. There are myriads of books and articles with great advice on how to achieve this but here are some of my quick and easy pointers:

• Breathe! Learn some simple breathing techniques that are calming and centering.
• Avoid negative thinking and people!
• Take time out to truly relax whether it is just being quiet listening to music or taking a stroll alone or with someone you love.
• Turn the lights low or light candles when you eat, take a long bath or shower.
• Choose a physical activity that resonates with your body whether it be Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, hip-hop, pole, swing or ballroom dancing, roller blading or simply walking. Make time for whatever it is regularly. Once you develop the habit, you’ll find your body demands that you keep it!
• Meditate. If sitting still for any length of time is challenging, try an activity like Tai Chi that incorporates meditation with movement.
• Find ways to create harmony in your mind and in your life through a mind-body practice.
• Be grateful each day for whatever it is that is good in your life whether it be health, loving family and friends, a roof over your head, a comfy bed, a delicious meal, a beautiful sunny day.
• Be optimistic against all odds.
• Live in the moment.

Remember we all have the capacity to be beautiful, no matter our physical appearance.

A Happy and Loving Valentine’s Day to you all.

Michele

Press Release: "Appearances Matter" Consultations Now Available

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate Release

Contact
Michèle Benza
Michèle Benza, Image Consulting & Posture
415-956-3025
Michele@mbenza.com
www.michelebenza.com

Michèle Benza, Image Consulting & Posture announces a new service, APPEARANCES MATTER, particularly suited for job seekers.

San Francisco, CA. Michèle Benza, founder of Michèle Benza, Image Consulting & Posture, has created “APPEARANCES MATTER.”

“Image consulting is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Our image is our first non-verbal way of communicating to others and it speaks louder than words,” she says.

Benza’s new service is designed to evaluate her client’s first impression. This is followed by a personality test that helps Benza and the client define a style that complements his or her appearance and that creates an effective impression. Then, step-by-step, Benza takes her clients through a process that helps them prepare their psyche and image for a successful job interview.

Her program ensures that clients leave their session equipped with tools to present themselves with confidence, excellent posture and elegant style.

APPREANCES MATTER

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate Release

Contact
Michèle Benza
Michèle Benza, Image Consulting & Posture
415-956-3025
Michele@mbenza.com
www.michelebenza.com

Michèle Benza, Image Consulting & Posture announces a new service, APPEARANCES MATTER, particularly suited for job seekers.

San Francisco, CA. Michèle Benza, founder of Michèle Benza, Image Consulting & Posture, has created “APPEARANCES MATTER.”

“Image consulting is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Our image is our first non-verbal way of communicating to others and it speaks louder than words,” she says.

Benza’s new service is designed to evaluate her client’s first impression. This is followed by a personality test that helps Benza and the client define a style that complements his or her appearance and that creates an effective impression. Then, step-by-step, Benza takes her clients through a process that helps them prepare their psyche and image for a successful job interview.

Her program ensures that clients leave their session equipped with tools to present themselves with confidence, excellent posture and elegant style.

From Day To Night: Festive Holiday Attire

The festive season is fast approaching and most of us will face the dilemma of how to transform our professional look to a glamorous evening look when we have no time to rush home in between to change.

But never fear, with a little bit of time, the right accessories and fresh makeup, you can be out the door on your way to dinner and drinks in just about 20 minutes.

A good way to start is to choose a simple but elegant day dress, one that is feminine but not too revealing. For instance, a pretty summer day dress with spaghetti straps can be worn with a carefully selected T-shirt underneath that can be removed before leaving the office. Of course a great choice would be the indispensable LBD--the little black dress. If it is sleeveless, wear it with a cardigan and flats and come dinnertime, remove the cardigan and swap the flats for heels.

Absolutely essential is a complete redo of your makeup. Remove it all, tone and moisturize your skin (see Clarins’ Instant Beauty Perfectors Essentials Kit) and then apply your makeup. Since evening indoor lighting is subdued, accentuate your makeup a little bit more.

Next step is your hair. With your head down, brush it thoroughly to add volume. Personally, I prefer my hair to move freely. However, of you prefer to be ‘bien coiffé’ use a light hair spray.

And then it’s time for earrings. Yes! Earrings will be your best friends for the night. They work like magic as they can impact your outfit and your face greatly. And since it is usually your face that one sees first, especially in a crowd or sitting around a dinner table, be sure to make a great impression with a stunning pair of earrings that suit the shape of your face and complement your look. Should you choose to wear ‘chandelier’ earrings, keep your other accessories limited. No necklace. No cocktail ring. No big bangles. If you opt for the cocktail ring, wear no other jewelry except discreet earrings.

Of course I am taking it for granted that you had placed a clutch handbag in your big hobo before leaving home. Ensure that it contains one credit card, your driver’s license, a $20 bill, red lipstick, a hand mirror and a handkerchief or tissues and that’s it. Sleek and chic!

As for shoes, high heels but ONLY if you are able to walk straight and tall. Otherwise a pair of elegant low-heels or flats. No stockings if your legs are in great shape or wear black sexy ultra sheers. They are always flattering to one’s legs. I highly recommend that you check out Chloe, Chanel and the latest Wolford Catalogue because leg wears are everywhere and hot, hot, hot for this winter.

Think carefully about the coat you wear that day. You may think that nobody will see you in your old cover up. Mistake! What if a gentleman wants to accompany you to your car or hail you a taxi?

Finally, there is nothing like beautiful red lips, high heels, a clutch and an attitude to make a great entrance. So, own your space, walk tall and erect. Heads will be sure to turn!

Enjoy the party!

Michele