I recently spoke at an International Women’s day event. The theme for my talk was the importance of empowering women and what I believe can make women stronger.

We have incredible freedoms and opportunities in Australia compared to so many women around the world.

Without strong women speaking out and standing up, we wouldn’t have the rights we have today, and we have a duty to use our voice wherever possible to speak up for the women who are still silenced.

• I grew up in Central West NSW, 1 of 4 children, daughter of an Italian immigrant, and my father’s culture and background had a very significant impact on our upbringing. • I owned and managed a retail business for 20 years where a personal styling service developed. • I’m a Mother of four daughters. • I have a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Public Relations. • I’m an Image Consultant with expertise in Visual Expression • I’m a volunteer at Dressed for Success – an organisation that outfits disadvantaged women free of charge, and I also participate in their outreach program – providing clothing for women in prison for court appearances and life beyond.

I am 53 years old and there’ve been 3 recurring themes throughout my life essential to my ability to grow and empower myself.

The 3 C’s

1. Communities – the support
2. Change – the attitude
3. Confidence – the tools Albert Einstein said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving”. To keep moving forward we need confidence, support, and the ability to embrace change.

Communities When women join educational institutions, political parties or any decision-making bodies, it gives them opportunities to see, and to know more of the world, and it puts them in a better position to take control of their lives. Joining organisations and communities promotes personal growth, self-respect, pride, and resilience.

Feeling part of a group where you have shared values and interests can increase levels of happiness. When people feel they have social support, they have faster recovery from trauma, illness, and hardship. Don’t just take my word for it … there’s a Swedish proverb that goes something like, ‘a sorrow shared is a sorrow halved, and a joy shared is a joy doubled’.

It’s not just organisations that will empower you. Friendships are an incredible source of inspiration and support too.

I’m fortunate to have long and close associations with amazing women. They’re strong, intelligent, hardworking, resourceful, courageous, generous, loyal, interesting women who applaud my successes, support me during setbacks, and inspire me to keep growing, learning, and achieving my goals.

Change On average we have five to seven career changes in our life. Being able to adapt to change is one of the most essential skills that a person can have, and it’s one of the most difficult things because most of us are creatures of habit.

It isn’t change itself that we resist, it’s the belief that we will lose something we value – our purpose, and it’s also our fear of failure if we can’t adapt to new challenges.

The transition from employee to mother and then to working mother is a huge change in a woman’s life.

• Managing both work and life • The impact on your career • Caring for a baby, and • Last but not least – working mother guilt!

Navigating the nuances of returning to work while caring for a baby is a heroic feat. Although women are capable of handling the challenge, and the changes, it can be very difficult to adapt.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, returning to work after long sabbaticals caring for children can be daunting too. You may feel …

• your skills are out of date, • you’ve lost touch with the industry you previously worked in, • or you’re too old.

Being a stay at home parent is one of the hardest jobs you will ever have and the skills you gained are incredibly transferrable. Without embellishment they include: chauffer, chef, collaborator, communications expert, leader, listener, multi-tasker, nurse, negotiator, project manager, researcher, and tour guide. And the list doesn’t stop there. A very worthwhile exercise in gaining confidence and self worth is to rewrite your resume – even if you’re not applying for a job.

I read a great book called ‘How Women Rise – Break the 12 habits holding you back. It’s for any woman who wants to identify self-defeating behaviours that get in the way of where you want to go. It’s about getting unstuck, and embracing change.

The book has a happy ending which is ‘how to change’. For me, knowing I wasn’t the only flawed woman who engages in behaviours that are self-sabotaging was reassuring, and it encouraged me to be more confident, more courageous, and more aware of what not to do. It encouraged me to change.

My final topic is confidence – from inside out! While being part of communities and embracing change are incredibly important, these things come more easily when we’re confident in who we are.

Part of my current work is is helping people look their best so they feel their best. It’s simple … Looking good means feeling good. Feeling good about yourself will give you confidence.

I have completed studies in Colour Profiling; Personal Branding; Professional Styling; Make-up; and Men’s Image and Style. I’ve developed Colour & Style Workshops and have recently formed a partnership to work on Corporate Programs.

Visual presentation accounts for more than 60% of the impression we make on others – initially and ongoing – It’s based on what you wear, how you act, and how you walk through the door.

What you wear tells the story of who you are and what you stand for. Clothing is the most powerful, non-verbal communication tool we have. You can appear confident, powerful, approachable, or you can look dated, dishevelled, unapproachable or worse … invisible!

What’s your personal brand? How do you see yourself? How do you think others see you? How do you want to be seen? What-ever image you want to project, dress for it.

We’re always hearing, “dress for the job you want; not the job you have” and “look good, feel good”, but most people underestimate the power of dress. Studies confirm that the clothes we wear affect our behaviour, attitudes, mood, and confidence.

We all have days when we feel uninspired, flat, directionless and missing that spring in our step. Put on something dowdy, dirty and dishevelled and you’ll feel the part. However, if you wear your favourite outfit, the results will be amazing.

At 53, I’m still learning from so many amazing women. Notwithstanding this, I think the 3 C’s will always ring true.0 Likes

Tagged: Inspiration

The competitive edge

The power of clothing to change our emotions is … well … powerful! It impacts how we think and feel, the way we perform and act, and what other people think of us

Clothes are an expression of who we are and how we project our character to the people we meet. Few people understand its importance, use this powerful resource, and dress to impress.

We all make an extra effort and take time to look nice for special occasions, and then the thought, energy and trouble often drops off in everyday life.

Scientific studies suggest that how we dress has a powerful impact on how we’re perceived and may give us the competitive edge needed to succeed in our professional and personal lives.

Enclothed cognition

We’re always hearing, “dress for the job you want; not the job you have” and “look good, feel good”, but most people underestimate the power of dress. Studies confirm that the clothes we wear affect our behaviour, attitudes, personality, mood, confidence, and the way we connect with others. This is called ‘Enclothed Cognition’.

Enclothed Cognition is used to describe the effect what we wear has on psychological processes such as emotions, self evaluation, attitude, and interaction with others. Also, as a society, we place symbolic meaning on clothing and we assess people based on how they present. Through years of social conditioning our unconscious decision making process goes into autopilot.

The subconscious connection

The clothes you wear and the way you present will change the way other people hear what you say. It will subconsciously tell them if you’re like them or different. It will determine the way they see you, whether they’ll listen to you, and whether they trust you.

When President Barack Obama spoke to an audience of working class people, he ditched the suit and wore his shirt sleeves rolled up. This sent a powerful message that he was hard working, relatable, trustworthy, understanding – and above all else, one of them.

We judge people during first contact based on what they wear according to the occasion, and we judge ourselves on how we present because of the way it makes us feel.

Looking good results in results

In 1998, research of a well known psychologist who surveyed over 500 firms showed that habitually informal dress codes ultimately resulted in relaxed manners, relaxed morals, and lower productivity, and this is still true today.

We all have days when we feel uninspired, flat, directionless and missing that spring in our step. Put on something dowdy, dirty and dishevelled and you’ll feel the part. However, if you wear your favourite outfit, the results will be amazing. You have more energy, inspiration, and the day looks more positive.

It’s simple. How you dress affects the way you feel and how you perform. Gym clothes put you in the mood to exercise. High heels make you feel glamorous, and confident. A suit puts you in business mode, and you’ll think smarter, faster, and command more respect.

Dress for the job you want

Extensive studies confirm clothing that is associated with certain roles encourage us to act accordingly. Dress like a judge, you’ll have authority, wisdom, power; dress like a fireman or policeman, you’ll be more heroic and run towards danger to save people.

Your appearance matters to others too. Being in the workplace often involves interacting with new people, co workers, and communicating with managers. Your reputation is a priceless commodity and visual presentation accounts for more than 60% of the impression we make on others – both initially and ongoing.

Research has established a link to suggest people unconsciously behave in a way that is matched to their dress. Ipso facto, dress for the role, have the role!

Clarke Kent mild mannered reporter, invisible and insipid. Changes into his cape and suddenly he’s a superhero. Cinderella, a housemaid who wears rags, puts on a ball gown and suddenly she’s a Princess! Same guy, same girl, just different clothes.

Think it into existence, speak it into existence, dress it into existence – and it will exist!

For more information, or an initial consultation, please email me directly at louise@louise.net.au

Tagged: Inspiration

Article by Wall Street Journal

As athletic shoes morph and multiply—emerging as a pivotal business for both men’s and women’s fashion—we offer an extensive primer, including the threats to Nike’s dominance and 5 game-changing technological innovations

By Jacob Gallagher

Updated Sept. 6, 2019 4:25 pm ET

What’s the last pair of shoes you bought? Let me guess: sneakers. Maybe a pair of collectible, cartoonishly colored Nike s? Leather Common Projects lace-ups in minimalist, office-friendly white? Or some humbly ho-hum navy-blue wool Allbirds? You weren’t alone. The sneaker business hit $44 billion in sales last year in the U.S., up 9% from the year before, according to market-research firm the NPD Group. 

Although the modern sneaker era arguably began with Nike’s first running shoes—the basic Cortez—around 50 years ago, today that type of functionally athletic sneaker is not driving the growing market. Matt Powell, the senior industry adviser for sports at the NPD Group, noted that sales of performance-sport sneakers (for running, basketball, tennis, etc.) are tapering off. “For the last four years we’ve been in this period where we do not have a single performance [shoe] trending positively,” he said. Why pay for state-of-the-art, air-bubbled high-tops if you’re not Steph Curry lining up to take a three? 

Simpler sneakers are on the upswing. “Retro definitely has a bit more of the momentum,” said Erik Fagerlind, the co-owner of Sneakersnstuff, a global chain of sneaker boutiques. Tasteful throwbacks, like the reissued Nike Tailwind, Adidas Superstar (see “Os” above) and upscale traditional sneakers like Spalwart’s Marathon Trail Runner and Brunello Cucinelli ’s luxe suede low-tops appeal to a clientele who came of age in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. For Frankie Walker Jr., the co-owner of Unknwn, a Miami sneaker retailer, and a child of the ’80s, the sneakers of one’s youth hold nostalgic charm. A plus? These clean styles won’t look out of place at the office. 

Another sneaker that blends well with business-casual garb is the understated, sustainable kick as epitomized by the knitted-upper runner from direct-to-consumer startup Allbirds (“Ds” above) or the subtle shoes from French label Veja (“Ss” above). At a time of staggering clothing waste, these shoes attempt to tread more lightly on the environment. 

At the opposite end of the style spectrum, aggressively trendy sneakers are rife in the Instagram age. Statement shoes like Balenciaga’s colossally chunky Triple-S or Nike’s collaboration with Japan’s Sacai (with its double soles and double tongues) leap out on social media, where brash sneaker fans of all ages battle for bragging rights. The thirst for boast-worthy shoes has supercharged sneaker collecting. On resale platforms like Stadium Goods, StockX and Flight Club, obsessives amass and unload limited pairs, sometimes at hammer prices well into the five figures. In July an entrepreneur paid $850,000 for a set of 99 rare sneakers during a Sotheby’s sale. 

Of course, most of us are just looking for one everyday pair. For many, it’s a low-key minimalist sneaker, but even if you’d never wear Technicolor Nikes (“Ni” above), they can be fun to look at.

Can sneakers be stylish?

Fashion editor Rebecca Malinsky willed them to be following a debilitating foot injury.

AT A CLOSE FRIEND’Swedding in the Portuguese countryside a while back, I danced until the wee hours in a predictably picturesque setting. The next day, however, my right foot was aching. After the seven-hour flight home and a long walk through customs I knew something was not right. Three podiatrists, two MRIs and one renowned foot and ankle surgeon later, I discovered that I had boogied my way to a rather serious ankle injury that would simply require time and supportive (read: ugly) shoes to heal. Time? Sure. But trading ballerina flats for the same sneakers as my dad? 

The accident humbled me into accepting the fragility of the human body—in the painfully conspicuous form of orthopedic shoes. I spent about 18 months solely wearing running shoes, minus the three hours I devoted to getting married in 1-inch Valentino heels lined with Dr. Scholl’s pads (fighting back tears from the pain and the emotion of it all).

Physically, just getting from point A to B has been exhausting; mentally, trying to remain confident as a fashion authority in sensible sneakers has been taxing. In the time I’ve spent in my go-to pairs of shoes—a gray New Balance 990 and a black Asics GT-1000—I’ve had to get creative to make them feel like they are truly a part of my personal style. But along the way, I developed the following guidelines on how to style sneakers fashionably:

• Don’t dress down. Sneakers look more considered and intentional when paired with trendy clothing vs. basics. Try a slouchy linen pant or floral dress instead of jeans.
• Consider the classics. Many designer sneakers are inspired by traditional tennis, or running, shoe brands. Scout out the original: It looks more authentic and saves you hundreds of dollars.
• Venture manward. Why are women’s sneakers always fuchsia and teal? Learn your sizes in men’s sneakers to get the more-interesting lime green/black or red/white/tan combinations.
• Socks matter. They should match your outfit, not your shoe. Invest in no-show peds for summer, and some gray, textured wool tall socks for the cooler months.

Tagged: Basics

Natalie Massenet’s 8 tips on navigating your career and being an entrepreneur

First published at Vogue

Written by Zara Wong

The e-commerce entrepreneur’s resume is long – model, receptionist, fashion editor and writer – and now one of the most influential people in the fashion industry. Here, she speaks to Vogue about some important things to remember.

Have an idea of where you want to go

A favourite book of Natalie Massenet’s is Creative Visualisation. “You can’t get to where you want to be without knowing where that is,” says Massenet – even if she didn’t envision e-commerce exactly, she had an idea of what she wanted her career to be like. Before reading the book, she describes herself as “unemployed, confused and soul-searching.” After reading the book: “it changed everything and I really feel it helped me get to this place. It was a very powerful tool, and you imagine something and then you believe it’s already happened with every cell in your being and the universe conspires with you, and as long as you start doing the work, it seems to happen.”

Know when to trust yourself

Before starting Net-A-Porter, Massenet came up with other business ideas including a line of luxury candles and gourmet coffee shops – ideas that her friends advised against. “My friends talked me out of it and I was like, ‘Yeah, maybe you’re right. What do I know?’ The fact that those ideas became important over the next 10 years, I had a bit more confidence in my ideas.”

Have some confidence in yourself, too

“My father always said, ‘Never be afraid of what’s on the other side of the mountain,’” says Massenet warmly. “He filled me with this amazing confidence and used to say that you should never show fear to children and always show them optimism.”

Make your decision – and move on

“I know what I want. I walk into a showroom and go ‘This, this, this and this.’ I meet people and know what I think. I’m always the first person to order at the restaurant. I’m not someone who dwells on things if I make a mistake. I don’t dwell on decisions too much.” And when making a mistake in one’s career, be sure not to dwell on them either. “It’s how you learn.”

Always put in the hard work – whatever your position

After graduating from UCLA she worked as a receptionist for the film director and producer John Hughes. She admits that she didn’t take the job as seriously as she could have, and learnt her lesson by putting in the hard yards later on in her career. “Now I have so much respect for receptionists because my attitude as a receptionist was really poor. At best, I would doodle. At my worst, as soon as everyone came back from lunch, I would clear my desk and sleep,” she remembers (see, even Massenet had her career failings). “My boss at the time gave my first review and said I wasn’t motivated and I couldn’t believe that he said that! Of course now, I realise that I could have made that much more of an opportunity than I did. That’s my advice – just because you are making the coffee in the backroom, doesn’t mean you can’t get noticed. You need to have the right attitude.”

If you’re good at coming up with lots of ideas, learn how to focus do one thing really well

“I’m an ideas person, and it’s dangerous, I need to just park them!” she admits, though she divulges that these personality traits are what a lot of entrepreneurs have. “One of the drawbacks is you start a lot of things, get a lot of balls in the air and you just have to stop and re-focus.” When asked about whether Net-A-Porter will expand beyond fashion to say, lifestyle, she’s adamant that they will remain in the fashion category. “Focusing on fashion, just doing one thing really well is my goal.”

Continue to push yourself

While Net-A-Porter is the international success story of e-commerce, Massenet strives to innovate and evolve, with the launch of the app, The Net Set, just this year. “I don’t want to look back and say, ‘Oh, that was a really fun ride, Net-A-Porter has a really good place in the history books. I want Net-A-Porter to help write the history books. I think the team here really shares the view that we built something that was pretty disruptive in 1999 but we need to remember that the customer is moving on at the speed of light and multiplying and dividing like gremlins, and we could be disrupted.”

Source:http://www.vogue.com.au/fashion/news/note+to+self+natalie+massenets+eight+tips+on+navigating+your+career+and+being+an+entrepreneur,37300

Tagged: 8 tips to be an entrepreneur, Natalie Massenet, Vogue

Tagged: Inspiration