Biden versus Bono

Both Vice President Joe Biden and Bono wear navy blue “power” suits. Dark colors bestow authority, so they are quite powerful as well as elegant. In addition, blue is the color of trust, so both trust and power are conveyed.

The Vice President wears a crisp white shirt and red tie, while Bono has opted for a coordinated navy blue shirt with stripes, accompanied by an elegant purple tie. The Vice President would look equally powerful with the beautiful purple tie worn by Bono. However, Bono has teamed his navy blue suit with a dark shirt, so it is a “fashion” look and never acceptable for a serious business occasion. It would be a great sport shirt, and it would also look fine with a jacket and no tie, but it is not a business shirt. Worn with a tie in the right color, it makes for an interesting fashion look. However, if Bono replaced his deep-toned tie with Biden’s bright red tie, it would look loud and flashy. Instead of a fashion look, it would become a “going to Vegas” look.

Lastly, when a gentleman stands, he must immediately button his jacket. He unbuttons it when he is seated.

There’s been a lot of controversy and discussion about the ensemble First Lady Michelle Obama wore to the Inaugural Balls. Some say it’s yellow, some say gold, while othrs call it lemon grass. It looked like a warm yellow with subtle warm green undertones  to me . Experts noted that  the fabric’s shimmery surface made it appear to change color.  Even Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, would not commit herself to classify the color with a name. She noted the coat had “somewhat of a shimmery surface, which can pick up the light and throw the camera off.”

Most of the so-called color experts missed the whole point. Was the color warm or cool? Was it a pastel or  a primary-type color? Was it muted or clear? These are the questions that should be asked when it comes to  choosing colors for people, if looking better is the ultimate goal. Because she nearly blended into her garments, this coat-suit wore Mrs. Obama instead of her wearing it. Thus, the impact she generated was decreased.

Michelle Obama has cool skin, so the warm yellow-green fabric wasn’t as flattering to her as other shades of yellow. For example, a clear bright yellow that is one step down from the color wheel Yellow in terms or intensity and warmth. Her suit was also a pastel, and she looks better in clear, saturated,  primary-type colors such as royal blue, emerald green, purple, violet, fuchsia and magenta, to name a few.

Women are “instinctively” drawn to pastels, even though they do not necessarily make us look better. Nor do they increase our presence.  The darker the color, the higher the authority, so pastels convey low authority. There is a time and a place for pastels, but I think that it’s not Inauguration Day. Pastels are great for meeting your future in-laws. I would suggest wearing a pastel suit to traffic court when you get caught for speeding. You will look much more innocent than in a “power” color. It worked for me!

First Lady, Michelle Obama, looked absolutely divine in white at the Inaugural Ball last night.  A good color choice for her. However, since I do “thin slicing” I can’t help but comment on some of the little distractions I saw. First, the earrings were too long and thin, so they seem a little wimpy for the gown. Dangly earrings are distracting in general.

In terms of “line” my sharp eye couldn’t help but notice that the shoulder strap was a little out of kilter. It would have looked better had it not been so angular in appearance. Tapering it so that it was narrow at the top and broader where it attached to the gown would have created a more harmonious and flowing line. I’m no pro, but I tweaked the First Lady’s gown in my Photo Shop program, as you can see (middle photo.) On a whim, I decided to put a “beaded” flower (use your imagination)  on the shoulder of the gown (photo on right) to make certain the attention goes to the face. Tell me which “line” (gown) you like better, the first, second or third one. As it is now, the line of the first and original gown seems hard and square; it’s not as feminine as it could be. In fact, I consider it to be so out of sync that it takes the attention from the face of our beautiful First Lady.

The first rule in terms of “line” is to stand back and determine if the face is the first thing to gain attention – and hold the attention  – or something else. Which gown makes First Lady Michelle Obama the star?

Michelle, I adore you and your natural sense of style; but I think someone is advising you who doesn’t have an eye for color. You look absolutely fabulous in jewel tones as well as basic black. This yellow outfit has a  lime undertone, and very few people wear this color without looking a bit green at the gills – in other words it makes the skin look sallow.   Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not putting you down, I’m hoping you will pay attention to color in the future. Please go back to jewel tones!

Also, this coat closure falls at the wrong place – it’s too high. It would be more flattering if it closed at the natural waistline – giving you more of an hourglass shape as well. Can’t wait to see your gown for tonight’s Inaugural Ball!

President Barack Obama was sworn in minutes ago and gave his inspiring Inauguration speech. It was truly a momentous and inspiring occasion. We, as Americans, are definitely ready to lead once more! I will leave it to the political pundits and historians to comment further on his speech. For me, it was perfect in every way, just as our new President is.

As an image consultant, it is my duty to report that President Obama looked absolutely “presidential” in his black top coat and red tie. In fact, there was a hint of raspberry to the tie, setting it apart from the classic red tie.  Obama is a class act, without a doubt.

Take a look at the article about Michelle Obama’s eyebrows that appeared in The Chigago Tribune. (Click here). Yes, Michelle Obama’s eyebrows need tweaking – just as with the woman in the photo below on the right.  [Note: these are from my Belgian days, and I actually did the cover on the left.] The two photos (below) are of a woman from Belgium. People guess her age to be 40. She is 23.  Here is why: Her eyebrows are too rounded at the outer edges, and the round line suggests the brow area protrudes. This suggests puffy eyes, and you only get puffy eyes at about age 40. Michelle Obama’s brows (in both examples) also create the illusion that her brow area is somewhat puffy; although it is not as rounded as the woman’s brows below, right. Nevertheless, the overall shape is not as friendly as it could be, so it still needs some tweaking. Contact me , Michelle, and I’ll send you some examples! For more feedback about the other tweaks that are needed in the  “before” magazine photo, see below.

Bad eyebrows are not the only problem with the “before” photo on the right. Her lips are rounded at the outside corners, a la Joan Crawford, and in body language “curled lips” signify cynicism or distaste. Young people are not normally cynical, so these lips are aging. In addition, she is in the wrong makeup colors, and they cause the furrows alongside her mouth and nose to be accentuated, another sign of age. Lastly, red lipstick looks “hard” unless you have a very high-fashion look with state-of-the-art hair and accessories. In addition, with red lipstick, it is necessary to have lips that are made full in the center (not at the outer corners) for a softer, more attractive look.

We have a new President as of today at noon!

Has anyone noticed that sometimes President Obama has the same intonation as David Brinkley, the late and great anchor of  the NBC Nightly News?  The next time you hear President Obama speak, you may also hear a hint of David Brinkley, just as I do. Tell me what you think.

US Airways pilot, Captain Chesley B. Sullenberger, known as “the pilot’s pilot” has been called a super hero for saving the lives of more than 150 people who were on board the plane he piloted January 15. As the entire world knows by now, his monumental skills and leadership capabilities were instrumental in his successful “crash landing” on the icy Hudson River. Landing on water is like landing on cement, and pilots throughout the world are in awe.

As the story unfolded, I couldn’t help but think of another “pilot” to whom the world be looking for momumental skills and leadership capabilities to steer the United States into safe waters.  Captain Sully proved that one skilled expert can be a source of inspiration and save the day.

Tomorrow, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.  I am counting on his innate and masterful leadership skills to guide and steer the country to safety.

As an image consultant, I can’t help but add that I am also counting on him and the First Lady to set the pace for image, per se. Both the Obamas have proven that you don’t have to spend a fortune to look plished and professional.

President-Elect Obama paid a surprise visit to a famous “hot smokes” (deluxe sausage sandwich) restaurant in Washington, DC.  The visit came as a complete surprise to co-owner Sonya Ali, who remarked, “Do you think I’d look like this if I knew?” she said, referencing her attire. For the complete article, click here

This sort of thing may have happened to you, although not with the President-Elect of the United States. It happened to me in 1980 when I moved to Belgium and took the train to Brussels to get some documents stamped at the US Embassy, since I had just moved there. As my Belgian financee was the  only person I knew in the entire country,  I didn’t bother much with my image. No makeup, old jeans, grungy boots, my hair stuffed in an old beret to keep it from getting wet.

As I stepped off the train and ascended the escalator to the ground floor, a model was handing out free samples of perfume at the top of the stairs. As I approached her, she turned her back on me and gave the perfume sample to another woman. I was flabbergasted. Didn’t she know I was one of the top models in Washington, DC? At least I was two weeks earlier before moving to Belgium! It was crushing and hurtful to be completely dismissed, and I thought about it all day long. I recognized it was because I looked like a slouch, since as a young model, I had also done “makeup promotions” in department stores. You give samples to everyone – except those that look like they wouldn’t buy anything anyway – because they look like a slouch. Rather than keep replaying the incident in my mind, I vowed I wouldn’t let this happen to me again.

Ultimately, the way you look and dress announces how you feel about yourself, and you’ll be treated accordingly. I didn’t like the way I was treated, so I made the decision to not ever let my brand down again. If you’re proud of who you are and what you do, shout it to the world by looking like a mover and a shaker – not a slouch.

Governor Blagojevich has made a few mistakes recently. One of them is his choice of ties. He continues to wear ties that are too shiny and too washed out. A man’s tie is the only way he can make a statement. I guess maybe it’s indicative of not wanting to say anything at this time in his life.

 Blagojevich also needs to change barbers. That floppy schoolboy haircut looks silly at times. And it seems pretty obvious that he’s dipping into the black dye a little too much at times.  QUESTION:  Who has the worst hairstyle:  Donald Trump or Rod Blagojevich?