My recent work with Tampa-based anchor and reporter, Alicia Roberts, allowed me to discover a new approach to making an outfit stand-out. Even though Alisha is a former beauty-queen and a style-expert herself, she found herself mimicking the same type of outfit that other anchors were wearing. As a face of the local NBC network, she wanted to represent not only a pretty face, but use her image strategically so that the viewers would remember her based on multiple aspects of her work. I had to use my business acumen and think as an overall image consultant rather than just a personal stylist.
I came to understand that one of the major challenges working in broadcast media is not only getting noticed but getting remembered. There are numerous anchors and reporters in the Tampa area and beyond so standing out is extremely important if you want to become a house-hold name someday. I knew that we needed to start working on Alicia Roberts’ “brand”, rather than to continue following the trend of the other style conforming anchors (sport coats and silk blouses). I wondered what we could use to differentiate her image that her viewers could identify her by. She showed me several of her standard professional outfits, which were nice, but screamed compliance. We needed to make her image different, we needed to use something that has not been capitalized on before which would stick in the minds of her viewers.
My solution… BRIGHT SILK SCARVES! I played with the oversized bright pink and orange scarf we got from one of the most surprising places, Talbots, and used it in various ways to accentuate her attire. I used the scarf as a blouse illusion under her dark chocolate blazer, bringing life to the forgotten piece.. I used it as a belt for her bright red, almost Christmassy-like velour jacket by bringing the attention away from the unconventional color and to the smart color combination. Lastly, inspired by French art of “scarf-ing”, we came up with several ways to tie the scarf around her neck introducing different lengths and knots and add some color and uniqueness to the outfit.
Alicia was ecstatic, as she no longer needed to get rid of the pieces she thought were unwearable, and she learned about a fresh way to brand her image. The results were almost instantaneous! Even before I left Tampa, she shared with me several e-mails from her viewers complimenting her on the new look. Little did they know that the pieces we used were worn a million times before, but by adding this signature accessory to her more bland outfits seemed to make the difference! As part of this experience we not only updated Alicia’s image, but expanded her viewer’s audience. By using scarves as her signature accessory she was able to attract not only her regular viewers but also fashionistas who wait for her to come on the air and see how she will use her scarf next. Did I mention that her work day starts at 3 a.m.? That’s dedication.
Contact us with questions or requests for personal style advice @ chicgiraffe@gmail.com or customercare@chicgiraffe.com
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