Fall back into Suiting

Businesses are getting back to the basics and buckling down to strategically map out the future. These are serious times and in serious times adding structure helps add focus. One of the basic structures in a corporate organization is people and people are influence by image. They want to be lead or work with people that present a professional image. This brings back the basic staple in a corporate closet "The Suit." This explains why one of fall/winter '09 trends is suiting.

The classic suit is a reliable choice for new comers into the corporate world. Now days there is

a wide range of options in colors, but the basics should always be sticked to: black, black or navy white pinstriped, navy and gray. The best way for a women to leverage the look is to buy a suit in three pieces (jacket, skirt & pant) when available.

If your adding to an existing wardrobe of suits, take

advantage of this season's fabric textures, detailing and collars. The collars add focus to the face and best to wear when presenting or at an important meeting where your want what you are saying to be heard. Textures are a nice addition to soften hard lines or enhance a look to go from day to evening.

You will find plenty of options to choose from this fall that will enhance your work image.

Tips:

• Suiting should be fitted, but not so fitted you can see panty lines or look like your about to break the seams.
• Add a scarf or medium size necklace with small earrings for accessories.
• Wear skin tone to dark hosing. Leave the fancy stuff for time away from the office, business associates and co-workers.
• Utilize belts as an accent, but not as a statement.

Deep Thought

As time has evolved, so has the amount of depth society has put into a simple thought. Now days it is not just I want that car it looks good or I will go to this hospital because it is close with great doctors.

Now the thoughts are:

• Cars - Who builds this car and what do they stand for? How is it built and what are the plant emissions (not to mention the car emissions/gas mileage)? Does the build of the vehicle support US jobs?
• Hospitals - What is the waste produced by the hospital? Are they utilizing green build standards for new sites? What do they provide the community? Is their staff personal?

In any industry the list goes on and now the thought process becomes complex for a buyer whom used to rely on trusting the companies to do this for them. So as a response to this void that has been happening over time, companies are going to have to become better marketers and communicators. Social media is a step in the right direction by making it a personal "friend" connection to consumers, but more needs to happen. Getting back to the basics personal face to face interactions will be coming back to instill trust. Public newsletters that not only have personal content connecting consumers with consumers, but also showcasing certifications and new processes that showcase what companies are doing.

Gone is the mentality of resolving issues and not highlighting people what you have done so they don't have to focus energy on what is your job. Now is the time to resolve issues and make it "known."

Embrace Drape

Drape in a item of clothing is the gathered look normally from the sides that allows the fabric to "drape" across the body. Depending on the type of gathering and fabric usage the drape across the garment can be loose or fitted.

The best part about garments with drape is they give the eye movement across the body allowing a slimming illusion. Drape garments that are well done can help mask body flaws and enhance body curves.

This fall you will find a slew of dresses and tops with drape. Find the right type of drape that is the most figure flattering. This style feature comes and goes, but as the general public bodies are becoming more curvy the drape feature in clothing will become a staple as the seasons progress.

If you have a body feature that you would like enhanced or hidden, take a moment and search out draped garments in this falls fashion collections.

Key things to know:

- Drape across the chest can enhance a bust line.

- Drape across the middle can hide bulge.

- Drape across the middle and hips will enhance or create an hour glass shape.

If you look back in time of the top actresses you will see that the sirens embraced drape in clothing. (Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Jayne Mansfield...etc.)

A Brand that is fit for a horse

I sat down the other week at the hair salon and picked up the August 2009 issue of Vogue. I was please to discover that someone added Rachel Alexandra to the ranks of innovators, artists, super models and fashion designers within the pages. It was at the Oaks that I first laid eyes on the beautiful horse named Rachel Alexandra and watched her come from complete last to fly by the pack of horses.

I found it interesting in the article that Rachel was referenced as the "Cadillac" of horses. She does fit the vision of what I think a Cadillac was created to be: beautiful, strong, sculpted, reliable and top of the line. However, she also represents the many women whom have either worked on Cadillac or owned a Cadillac: strategic, smart, beautiful, strong, grounded and a leader in their bodies of work.

The owners of Rachel are smart in making her a image of strength for women by giving donations to breast cancer research and also not retiring her for profit. Allowing Rachel to do what she enjoys and is good at also sends a signal that we will be hearing more about Rachel and the causes that are associated to her. A smart brand would welcome the opportunity to be associated to a true star that embodies the essence that even people can associate with.

Vogue Article Overview: http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/rachel-alexandra-in-vogue-really/

Rachel Website: http://www.nyra.com/rachel/index.html

Event Sponsorships

Who isn't familiar with the typical in your face event sponsorships. The type where there is in your face logo's and sometimes so many it becomes a blur. Are people really paying attention to the brand names or who provides the best trinket?

To stand out in the crowd in the future it will be: How well did you blend in and get your brand message integrated without looking like a commercial. For years movies, TV shows and specialized media have integrated brands into their products strategically enough to not look like a blatant commercials. Events will start taking up this same pattern in the changing economy.

Showing customers that I'm spending big money to get your attention makes the consumer wonder if they are paying for the marketing or the end product. Consumers are becoming smart shoppers and know if they are paying for a brand or a product. What the brand needs to do is develop a brand worth their attention and spend.

Best example of supporting an event was during a speech with a joke that incorporated a brand sponsor that made people remember the brand. It wasn't posted everywhere, but in the fine print of supporting sponsors on the event list. I think as brands rethink their integration into events they should take tips from watching new medias.

Think big, big necklaces that is!

Leave room around the neck line for this Fall/Winter ornate necklaces. These necklaces are great for both work and a night out on the town. If you were looking for an item that could help bring more attention to your face vs. other attributes, than scoop up as many of the beautiful detailed pieces as possible.

Make sure to vary the type that you purchase. Gathered beaded strands in mono-tone or color accents for work. Pair with a suit, white dress shirt or over a simple turtle neck. Detailed mixed beads, crystals and ribbons for after work events or black tie. They look good with a simple female style tuxedo as the center piece or with an evening gown as an accent.

Keep any complementing jewelry to a simple design not to over power or clash with the necklace.

If your really feeling creative, take a trip to Michael's, a bead shop or JoAnn's to make your own walking art piece.

Vehicle Licensing & Merchandising

Smart brands are sticking with what works: Identifiable Brand Logos and Color Schemes. Vehicle licensing and merchandising is an extension of a brand that completes a lifestyle image and gives a person an opportunity to be part of a brand even if they can't afford the main product line (cars in this case) or want to show support for a team owned/sponsored by the brand.

Over the years, many brands have been experimenting with changing colors, logo design and style of items to represent the brand ending up in failure of sales. Why? They confuse the customer on who their brand is and how to identify the brand. If I remember right, it is hard to hit a moving target and much easier to shoot one that stays consistent. It is no surprise when you do research on vehicle brand licensing the most identifiable brands are BMW (shown above), Ferrari (shown below), Mini, Mercedes and Porsche. Not only do they keep the design cues that make their vehicles recognizable consistent, they also don't play with the logos, font or main color schemes. Even the items they select or design for licensed merchandise hold the same design cues as the vehicles. It is not a coincidence that the exterior style lines are mimicked in a Ferrari Jacket or the seat piping is similar to the piping of the BMW hat. Smart brands are even leveraging the teams they are involved with by making lifestyle products so that you can be part of their team. Wear the jacket, shirt or hat like the F1 driver or use the same luggage.

Smart brands know how to use licensed merchandise to enhance a brand experience and make it a great marketing tool to potential consumers to become part of their brand prior to ownership.

The trend I see that will be happening, in the current economy, is brands that wandered off from the core attributes of their brands are going to have to get back to who they are, become recognizable again and stay there. That doesn't mean not staying in tune with trends. It means using your brand attributes injected into trends.

Video Interviews

At the beginning of 2009 on "How I met Your Mother" Barney created a resume video interview collage for Robin to help get her a broadcasting job. Even though it was done to be out of the box and fun, it wasn't that far fetched from a new trend coming, "Online Video Interviews."

Today there are so many people on the job market, there is a need make you personally stand out to an employer. Luckily, new computer software and embedded cameras help in giving the tools for job seekers to utilize and showcase their talents in this new medium. Plus, job sites and social networking have added the ability to up load videos as part of your personal profile.

So what does your "Video Interview" say about you?

Websites with tips:

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobinterviewtypes/a/videointerv.htm

http://online.wsj.com/video/how-to-stand-out-in-a-crowded-job-market/E13BFEEF-799E-4F1F-993F-BEC25CB2C991.html

Ruffle Things Up

In Spring 09 collection we saw the start of ruffles creeping into key staple items for work and play. In Fall 09 ruffles are mainstream for work and casual looks. Ruffles help highlight fun colors and patterns with adding a touch of sophistication.

Try on different necklines and types of ruffles to find out which are the most flattering for your body type. Experiment with full ruffle tops, exaggerated tuxedo style ruffles or ruffle collar lines.

The nice thing is ruffles are a timeless classic that keeps showing up in innovative new fashion forward designs. The key is to wear the ruffles and not to let the ruffles wear you!