Every February and September, the fashion flock from around the world makes their biannual pilgrimage to NYC and the "tents."

The "tents" are set up in Bryant Park and are where hundreds of established, upcoming and those designers in between come to show their collections. In this span of seven days, you see girls that are considered the world's most beautiful (models), men that are considered the world's most powerful, (titans of their industry) and people who are considered the world's most talented (actors, painters, you fill in the blank). But, the thing that really makes fashion week a feast for the eyes are the intrinsic, creative and wonderful ways that the fashion flock dress themselves for the occasion.

By observing the flock in their natural habitat, you can learn a few things that can really help you build a fabulous wardrobe.

1) Stick to what works for you. Fashion editors are the ones to watch to master this task. At every show, the editors are there, looking for the next idea for their "story". As you watch these cool creatures, you begin to notice that they dress in a uniform of sorts. One editor, whose style I tracked for four days, wore black or a very dark denim skinny jean or pant, with some sort of jacket or coat, a blue Hermes Evelyne handbag and some sort of masculine footwear, everyday! She topped it off with deep red lipstick and a haircut to die for! The easiest way to do this is to figure out what pieces work for your body type and then build a wardrobe filled with pieces in this flattering shape.

2) Build a brand. Fashion industry insiders know that if they are dressed in attention getting gear, a photographer may take a picture and it could be the picture that elevates their career. When you are dressed well, you attract people to you and make them WANT to give you a job, a promotion, a date, or whatever it is that you want in life.

3) When in doubt-wear a suit. No matter what trends filter down the runway, the Fashion Directors of major retail stores sit in the front row of the shows in a suit. Taking a cue from this sect, if you are unsure about a piece clothing that you think may be dated, instead of taking the chance put on a suit.

4) Be an independent thinker. The most refreshing aspect of fashion week is that you will see people dressed in all kinds of ensembles. From the pink haired fashion diva in metallic silver over the knee boots, to the fashion sophisticate in her charcoal grey shift dress and YSL bag of the season. Fashion people are unafraid. Unafraid to be themselves, unafraid to take fashion risks, unafraid of other people's judgement of them. Make your interviewer remember you. Wear a sleek suit. Put a ruffled pink blouse under a blazer. Wear that fun broach or pin you love. You never know, it just might be the conversation piece that tells the company "yes, I belong here. You should hire me." In other words, when in doubt, see tip number 1.

Nicole Sinclair is the owner and chief artist for The Style Sanctum, a clothing consultancy focusing on personal style development, personal shopping, and wardrobe editing. You can contact Nicole at nicole@stylesanctum.com or 704.907.1013.

When you begin to focus on the positives the negatives seem to melts away. Enhancement of your strongest qualities will happen automatically when you dress your body type accordingly. No matter what your body frame is the secret to looking and feeling fantastic is finding styles that flatter you!

1. Shirts & Sweaters:

- Shirts should not pull across the bust. If the buttons seem like they are ready to pop off or you have an urge to find a safety pin, put it back on the rack or go a size up.
- Pay attention to where the shoulder lay. If they are around your biceps again put it back on the rack.
- If a t-shirt is exposing the infamous back ripple, opt for a larger size.
- Necklines are such a simple element but the right one can make such a grand statement.
- V-necks are attention-grabbing. The sexy neckline help draw attention upwards.
- In dark colors, they can also make a larger busted woman look less so.
- In contrast a wide scoop neck enhances the bust.
- Boatneck broaden the shoulders, emphasize a swan neck and shows off the collarbones. Who doesn't have fabulous collarbones!!
- Turtlenecks are in a class by themselves! They are face-framing (how could anyone forget the picture of Princess Diana and her two young sons – she was exquisite wearing the black turtleneck). Turtlenecks also add definition to the jaw line and look great on most women.

2. Skirts:

- You can not go wrong with an A-line shirt. A-line shirts are a solution to a multitude of problems and makes your waist appears smaller.
- It floats away from the body and worn with a pair of heels, extend the leg line.
- It does need to fit the hips smoothly and flow gently over the derrière.
- The pencil shirt is an all time favorite. You do not have to be pencil thin to wear it. However, you do have to get the right fit!
- Fabrics: A-line skirts think cotton, suede or velvet. Fuller skirts require more fluidity so look for chiffon, silk or a blend.
- Start with basic solid colors and build from there. Skirts are a great way to infuse pattern and prints into our wardrobe.
- The most elegant hemline lands just below the knee.

3. Pants/Trousers:

- GOODBYE TO PLEATS – they add pounds especially with a tapered leg.
- Flat fronts minimize instantly and make you appear taller and slimmer.
- Every woman needs at least one amazing pair of black pants, the kind that fit to perfection and make you look slim and shapely in all the right places.
- A well-fitted jean is a must. The darker wash is the most classic, versatile & slimming. Be very weary of any type of fading!
- Fuller pant legs can balance out a large torso and conceal an ample derrière and thigh area.
- Slightly flared boot-cut pants trim wider hips.
- Try pants on with the shoes you'll be wearing them with. The hem should graze the top of your instep.

4. Jackets:

- A jacket is an excellent alternative to the sweater but with structure.
- A blazer is a must preferable in a light wool blend that skims the hips. You never want to go past the hips, it will only add bulk.
- For a larger bust: a three button will minimize and hold the bosom in properly.
- For tummy control a 1-2 button blazer that nips at the waist and creates an immediate hourglass figure.
- Jacket with snugger sleeves are slimming.
- If you want to appear thinner and taller avoid big collars and shoulder pads.
- Jackets should not ripple along the shoulders or down the back.

5. Shoes:

- Everyone should start out with five basic pairs:
- Comfortable flats – my favorite is the ballet flat;
- Pump or sling backs with a 2-inch princess heel;
- Pump or higher heel;
- A pair of boots;
- An evening shoe or sandal in black or metallic.
- Metallic shoes may be worn for evening or day.
- Shoes go on last to complete the outfit not compete with it.
- A colored shoe will engage the eye and accent the fabulous, while drawing attention to your legs and hemline.
- A lower cut shoe will lengthen the leg and a shoe similar to your skin tone does the exact same thing.
- Do buy the most comfortable and the best you can afford because the feet are not very forgiving.

6. The kimono dress for a basis piece is brilliant. It accentuates all the right areas:

- Example empire waist highlights the smallest part of your torso.
- Loose sleeves provide coverage if that is a concern.
- V-neck brings the focus upward.
- You can wear it as a dress in the evening or over jeans during the day.

#1 Rule: Life is not a dress rehearsal so take center stage!

KD CONSULTING
Catherine T. Delnero
Wardrobe Consultant
Contact: 917-951-6246

www.kdcstyle.com

A new year brings new life, an opportunity for rebirth and the anticipation of spring. Let us begin this revitalization with our closets. Love what you already have with refreshing new color combinations, eliminating convention and intermixing old and new. Change your signature style to reveal your wardrobe's brilliance.

Here are the steps you need to pump new life into work attire.

1. Keep separates separate! Immediately break up every sweater, suit, dress and jacket or other multiple item sets. Each piece should be hung up individually and worn at different times. Take the sweater vest from the sweater set and place a crisp button down shirt underneath, pair with metallic necklace – the transformation is simple to sleek. From there use the cardigan portion of the set and place it over a shift dress add a belt - a modernized professional look. Remember pieces do not have to match, they have to harmonize.

2. Just add a blazer! Think men's wear for a strong structured tailored look. There is nothing more powerful or sexy than a confident woman in a board room. Fitted blazers, wide leg trousers, white button down shirts, pencil skirts and vests are all keys elements. For a bit more edge, wear your favorite printed T under a fitted jacket along with double strand pearls, a pencil skirt and black pumps – contemporary glam!

3. Dresses, dresses, dresses! Shift, shirt, jersey or ruffled dresses are an effortless option to the age old question "What should I wear?" A classic solution you don't have to think too hard about, just grab and go. Throw on a pair of opaque tights, slip into your knee high boots with a shift, shirt or jersey dress for an instant contemporary look. A cocktail dress worn with a sweater or blazer and accessorized with a bold necklace or a cuff bracelet can easily result in a chic office appearance. Another alternative; slide on a thin blouse under a dress for a rich and seamless look.

4. Visit the hemline! We often forget about the importance of a hemline. One that is too long can make us look matronly and one that is too short may not be so "age appropriate". For a petite frame it is extremely important to keep the hem from falling beyond the knee. While a taller person will need the length. Review your hemlines. An inch or two can immediately change a style from slouchy to sophisticated.

5. Use your jewelry! Do not wait for a special occasion. Place a brooch on a lapel or on the knot of a wrap dress or shirt. Statements are just not made with clothing it is the entire package, so remember the add-on.

6. Spin the color wheel! Glorious vibrant hues bring a beautiful sense of renewal. The added dimension of color is a fantastic way to give a hint of the unexpected, a little mystery to your personality. Accent with:

a. Canary yellow, delicious orange, reds, blues
b. Perfect pastels and shine in sorbets.
c. Forever metallic! (don't be afraid to mix your metallics)
d. Combine: canary & navy; white & champagne; black & silver; cream & gold

Last but not least, take out all of your shoes and wear them. An all black outfit with a pair of red patent leather pumps projects power. Caramel brown trousers and a pair of pointy orange flat exude educated style. Project confidence this year and use your closet has a tool to express yourself!

KD CONSULTING
Catherine T. Delnero
Wardrobe Consultant
Contact: 917-951-6246

www.kdcstyle.com

In the wake of An Inconvenient Truth, the eyes of the business world have opened wide to the consumer demand for doing greener business. As a business advisor, I have noticed that my clients are always looking for ways to set apart their business in order to increase their company's bottom line. For many companies using environmentalism can be a very effective way of differentiating their business from their competitors.

One example of a company that uses its green thumb to stand apart from the crowd is Greenkarat.com. They sell jewelry that is made of recycled metal taken from old jewelry and other items. The company emerged with the goal of starting a trend to limit industrial methods of extracting jewelry's precious metals and gems from the earth that damage the land and endanger ecosystems. They knew that there would always be a demand for jewelry yet they saw an opportunity to do things differently. Their mission is to "...provide an ecologically and socially responsible jewelry alternative to those who seek change." Greenkarat rings have been featured in top magazines like InStyle Weddings and are enjoying much international success. While your company may not be able to be as green as Greenkarat, it is wise to observe how the trend of environmental awareness will affect the behaviors of your customer base and, in turn, do what you can to use this trend to your business' advantage while also taking part in helping this noble cause.

There are many ways you can go green. One thing all companies can do is recycle their garbage. Other potential recyclables include computer hardware and office equipment. You can also join one or more green organizations that can easily be found through the internet. Those with more money to invest in the cause can use solar panels to reduce their energy needs. Everyone can find ways of becoming a more paperless office. As a working mom, what are you doing to go green?

Of all the business trends in the market today, the recognition of the value of being environmentally conscious and eco-friendly is one that excites me the most. You have the power to not only add value to customers but also to make the world a better place. What better way to differentiate your business than by joining the fight against waste and pollution and actively working to preserve our natural resources?

Elizabeth Gordon is the author of "The Chic Entrepreneur: Put Your Business in Higher Heels".