Super Style Sunday : My friend TED !

Apologies that there was no Super Style Sunday last week due to my feeling under the weather … And gremlins preventing me from posting here yesterday ! 

This week I’m bringing you my current absolute favourite label TED BAKER , a london label that brand themselves * no ordinary designer label* ! 

My first purchase was my Divine blue shiny bag which you know I bring out on very special Occasions! I then received a matching sister in the form of a glossy blue , crystal encrusted wallet ! 

TED BAKER has a distinctive style and feel to their collections , slightly edgy, always distinctive and yet Classic at the same time! Their clothes can be worn season after season and each year they add to the colour ways  and design so that you can build a co-ordinated collection of clothes over a period of time. 

I’ve included some dresses and coats suitable for #LookTheBiz outfits and some beautiful accessories which make great gift ideas. TED BAKER are using the very clever hashtag #TedToToe on Instagram if you’d like your TED look featured in their site! 

TED BAKER clothing available in Brown Thomas and Bella Sola , Newcastle West, Co. Limerick 

TED BAKER shoes and bags available in Bella Sola 

TED BAKER towelling robes and nightwear available in Debenhams  

 

  
  
  
  
  
 
All items also available on Tedbaker.com  

Super Style Sunday : Family Time

it’s late November and so many of my friends took time today to put up their Christmas decorations and tree with their kids in anticipation of the great family day next month! 

This led me to thinking about the beautiful Italian Label Dolce And Gabanna – who have used * Family* as their advertising theme for their 2015  autumn / Winter collection this year – embracing all age groups from kids to grannies in their stunning photo shoots. 

We all know the Italians are extremely family focused and Dolce And Gabanna have created a stunning range of clothes in striking colourways , textured fabrics and luxurious trim to suit all ages, shapes and sizes. This seasons collection could be considered very prim and proper – to me it is extremely ladylike, stylish and oh so classy-  and very Audrey Heburnish … If there is such a word! 

I’ve selected some images from Dolcegabanna.com and included some children’s styles too – hope you enjoy them.  

  

  

  

 

 
 
   

   

  

       

  

Super Style Sunday : Feel like a million dollars !

Have you ever searched far and wide for that unique piece of clothing that will make you feel a million dollars, fit you perfectly, AND express your individuality ? 

Have you ever given up in despair at EVER finding clothes that you like, that enhance your figure and complexion, and that create the perfect impression for that all important professional meeting or social event? 

*clothes maketh the business woman* and I research independent boutiques nation wide to unearth collections at every budget that #LookTheBiz ! 

One little gem I have discovered is Bella Sola in Newcastlewest , Co Limerick owned by Lovely lady Joan Cahill, for whome I had the pleasure of designing and creating her wedding dress many years ago! 

Joan has created a haven of beautiful individual collections perfect for work or weekend relaxation – one of the #CareerCollections as I like to call them is D.EXTERIOR which is a supremely elegant , tailored individual collection of classic pieces which will last for years. Many of the pieces include added beaded detail and texture and just require the perfect bag or shoes to complete the outfit. Enjoy ! 

  
  
  
  
  
  

Super Style Sunday : #LookTheBiz #Glamorize !

The party season is starting and it’s time to get your most glamorous look together! 

  
This Christmas season it’s all about the classic colours like red and black with lots of TEXTURE in fabrics with beading, ruching , lace overlay, and heavy embellishment decorating beautifully shaped dresses and seperates. 

Ralph And Russo, a British fashion collection are the epitome of style, elegance and feminity with their Autumn/Winter collection – Red Chiffon above and Black Lace Below. 

  
And they even design shoes ! 

  
This collection is stunning – I love the fabrications and timeless classic beauty of their collections. 

Local Fashion Stores are also embracing evening wear collections which feature interesting textured fabrics and excellent pattern cutting and fit and might I say it a little modesty! 

Brown Thomas stock the Needle And Thread collection which features intricate beading in cocktail dresses , evening gowns and glamorous tops – prices from approx €200 

  
 
 

Brown Thomas also stock Self Portrait – which features the highly fashionable lace cutout fabric. 

  
  
Debenhams stock the Quiz label with sequins, beading and chiffon – price approx €100 

 

  
And to WRAP it all up how about a beautiful fur trimmed cape from Lady Penelope in Adare ! 

  
If red is not your colour – black and navy are also in season this year – if you buy a classic shape you can ring the changes every year and change the look completely with wraps, shawls, jewellery, shoes and bags ! 

#LookTheBiz #Glamorize ! 
 

  

Super Style Sunday – seeing RED!

  
I know when most of you see the title *Seeing RED* you will assume that I’m going to be talking about clothing in the colour of the upcoming festive season- the season of good will among men and women- however that is not the case … 

I have attended several conferences , networking events, seminars and workshops in the past 2 months and *seeing red* refers to my reaction to the dress code of the speakers, lecturers and attendees at these events! 

I have witnessed the female CEO of a 7 figure income company stand on stage in front of an audience of 300 people in an ill fitting , clingy , skin coloured dress that showed off every line of her under wear. Normally this lady is impeccably dressed … However not on this day and it made me question her authority in her sphere of influence. 

I have also witnessed another CEO on  stage in a white stretch clingy jersey dress more suited to a Californian beach than a business environment! 

All business communication experts will tell you that potential clients, colleagues, and customers will make their initial judgements on you based on your appearance – your appearance is the first touch point that is viewed by others and this PERSONAL BRANDING is key in having individuals know, like and trust you and eventually do business with you. 

You may think #LookTheBiz is a cool catchy phrase , yet its importance cannot be underestimated in the world of entrepreneurship and business. #LookTheBiz is personal branding at its best! I know that this time of year is important for sales with a lot of trade fairs and networking events so it is crucial that you are being visible in a professional manner. 

Plan your working wardrobe in advance 

Buy 2 or 3 outfits that are exclusively for work and complete the look with coordinating accessories. Keep these outfits together on one rail with the matching jewellery / bags/ shoes so that when you are  heading out to a conference/ sakes meeting on a busy morning you are also trying to get the kids to school, you know exactly where everything is and what top goes with what trousers or skirt. 

Create a capsule wardrobe 

A capsule wardrobe is creating the maximum range of outfits from a selection of mix and match pieces that all coordinate together – this is a great way of keeping expense to the minimum for your working clothes and I will show you how to do this in the next blog post. 

#LookTheBiz is all about personality 

What is the personality of your business? Those of you who recently completed my Potentialise Your Brand online coaching experience will now know the personality of your business – crafty, sophisticated, trendy, organic, holistic, etc. #LookTheBiz is about being professional and appropriate for your role within the personality of your business! 

The little details matter 

Please don’t forget the little details like grooming – clean hair , personal hygiene, correctly fitting clothes with no rips or tears and polished shoes! 

Ask for help

If this all seems to much for you to organise and you have a major event coming up where you need to feel confident, and make an impression – do consider enlisting the help of a stylist who can guide you to create a professional #LooktheBiz image of success.

I’d love to help you and am including a recent testimonial here 

Client Testimonial #LookTheBiz 

*I really felt so empowered by my #LookTheBiz experience. The wardrobe audit really helped me to understand better what would suit my shape and my colouring. It also helped me to declutter and get rid of old clothes that no longer suited my lifestyle. 

I had really dreaded shopping for clothes for the past few years. I felt totally isolated by the retail and fashion industry as I was not a size 10 or even a 20 something anymore. 
#LookTheBiz was a really gentle way of taking me out of my comfort zone but showing me that there were beautiful clothes that suited me now I’m in my mid thirties.
I feel really empowered to go shopping that there are clothes in my size and in a classic, tailored style that suit me now. I was afraid and depressed by trying clothes that did not fit me or look well on me. Now I can choose clothes in any store that will look elegant thanks to working with Gaye. I feel ready to out and take on the world* 
You can contact me lookthebizstylist@gmail.com or 0872766012 

 Enjoy your day 

  

Super Style Saturday – are you ready to travel ? #LookTheBiz

  

Are you ready to travel ? Not travelling of the holiday kind , but traveling of the craft fair , wedding fair and conference kind? 

This is the time of year when many many entrepreneurs gear up for the lead up to Christmas – the most important selling time of the year for them whether it’s attending trade fairs, craft fairs, wedding fairs, conferences or taking stands at fashion shows and other fundraisers or simply taking on extra staff in their retail enterprise,  It’s a busy time for entrepreneurs amid the hustle and bustle of setting up stands, creating products and marketing materials, being on the road early in the morning and late at night . 

However please can I ask you to #LookTheBiz! 

I don’t know how many times I’ve visited trade/craft fairs and the stand holders are sitting behind their table, their back turned to the display area of their goods , huddled over a cup of coffee and wrapped in a cardigan or even a parka jacket! 

This is your time to take on the role of sales person extraordinaire in your business , to be in top form , look good and be enthusiastic about your product!  Your role now should you decide to accept is , is as sales executive for your product or service! 

So ditch the cardi – if the venue will be cold add thermals 

Wear a dress ( see previous post – super style Thursday ) – or think of it as your *sunday best* ! 

Wear correctly fitting clothes 

Add a vibrant colour or a statement piece in accessories to help you to be memorable

Co- ordinate your outfit in advance with shoes, jewellery, hosiery, bags so that you have an outfit that you feel confident in

Choose colour you love

Be perfectly groomed – clean tidy hair style, no chipped nail polish, make up if you wear it, no rips,  or missing buttons or fallen hems. 

Select comfortable shoes if you will be standing all day – or bring a few pairs of shoes with you – notice I said comfortable … Not dowdy ! Comfortable shoes can still look beautiful and coordinate with your outfit . 

Bring healthy snacks to keep your energy levels up during the day

And the best accessory of all ? Put on some lipstick and SMILE !! 

#LookTheBiz and makes those sales ! 

Would you like some little pearls of wisdom on WOWING your working wardrobe? Based on 30 years of experience in the fashion, retail and entrepreneurial sector – full report here http://bit.ly/1UueZvu
 

Super Style Thursday : The Power of a Dress

Super style Thursday ? But it’s a Friday you say …. Yes I’m a day late , I was home late from a conference last night ( which has relevance for this post) so am writing 2 posts today ! 

Yesterday I attended the annual Women and Agriculture conference organised by Irish Country Living and Farmers Journal – this was my second time at attending this conference – it is a always an inspiring uplifting  event and even though I’m not from a farming/ agriculture background there is always something to learn and people to meet. 

Approx 600 women attended yesterday and from a #LookTheBiz perspective the 3 ladies who made an impression were 

Mairead Lavery – Facilitator and MC , Editor Irish Country Living who wore a beautiful blue DRESS 

  

Maura Canning – National Chairperson of IFA Family and Social Affairs Committee , who has a signature red streak in her hair, danced a mighty jive onstage to Mike Denver and who also wore a lovely tailored DRESS in shades of blue 

 
Evelyn O’Rourke – RTE broadcaster and Author who spoke so inspiringly about her life experiences wore a beautiful Pink DRESS in keeping with October Breast Cancer Pink . 

   

The best collection of dresses can always be found at Diane Von Furstenburg , a lady who created the wrap dress which looks amazing on all sizes and shapes and creates a complete, sleek, chic look for anyone who wants to #LookTHeBiz – just add bag and shoes! 

I’ve included some photographs from her website as the dresses are available on line and also in Brown Thomas .

   

  

  

  

 Be chic ! #LookTheBiz in a DRESS! . 

Super Style Monday : Why it is so important to #LookTheBiz

As its mid-term I’ve decided to create a Super Style week where I will post a blog post daily this week to help you start creating a WOW working Wardrobe !
*Clothes maketh the business woman*
Welcome to #LookTheBiz – style tips and strategies for looking your best in the business and entrepreneurial world!
In this age of ever more relaxed dressing , it is sometimes very difficult to strike the right balance between looking professional and looking sloppy.
When meeting clients or making a presentation it is interesting to note that
Approximately 90 percent of all data that the brain processes is visual – a person will form their first impression of us literally within seconds of meeting us – based on the visual image we are portraying.
Knowing this and working it to our advantage can improve our communication, presentation and selling skills dramatically so that we
• Create a good impression immediately – 1st impressions are made in seconds
• Set ourselves apart as the leaders in our field
• Create an impact as the Personal Marketing, Branding, and Public Face of our business
• tells our story with conviction – *bring our brand to life with flair, style and debonair* – whether self employed or representing a company
• Improve the rating of our presentations by 20% – simply by looking professional
• Increase our confidence dramatically

If you would like some little pearls of wisdom on WOWING your working wardrobe you can access the full report here http://bit.ly/1UueZvu

I am currently presenting to various national and international women’s groups on how best to *WOW your wardrobe* this season – some dates still available – if you think this is something your group would like, including a FREE styling consult [value €500] as part of a raffle prize please contact me at
lookthebizstylist@gmail.com or 0872766012