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Dressing up for success
By Nedra Wickremesinghe
Women often say that men have it so easy. All they have to do is put on a suit and they're considered well-dressed. But in business today, most men are aware that if they do stick to a nondescript suit 'uniform' they are not well dressed. When you look around at your office colleagues - you will observe that some men look more 'together' than others - you may not quite know what's different about their shirts and ties and other accessories, but the complete outfit looks more successful to you, and definitely more interesting

To project a successful image you need clothes that are in good condition, and of the best quality you can afford. A wardrobe requires versatility if it's going to work for you. Variety helps you to make subtle adjustments to suit different occasions. Like having special shirts, ties and suits for an important presentation and or to look impressive for a client meeting. Then you need to dress up if you have to dine with senior management, and of course, dress differently for weekend business conferences.

See that your clothes make positive impressions.

You also need to be sure that your clothes can live up to the demands of your position.

Versatility in your dressing is being able to read a situation and adapt your dress code accordingly. For instance; how conservative should you appear, or adventurous, bearing in mind your company's image and client/customer expectations.

For men, office attire should be in keeping with their job image and the standard set out by the management. The dress code differs; from a traditional type of establishment where the attire is formal and conservative to one where your own personal style and status is expressed from the tie down to the shoes. But certainly the Doc Martens - hair highlights- ear stud - loud tie - garish pink shirts are a 'no no' for a smart employee of an investment firm who handles his clients' investment portfolio as his clothes may convey the wrong signals, however brilliant he may be.

Those employed in arts, media and IT firms can dress much less formally. In fact some, depending on their role - are highly expressive in their fashion statements keeping with the "in look". The men - exceeding the limits to hair extensions!

Today's corporate climate generates a new form of self-expression. It is no longer just the ordinary boxy shaped 'Oxford image' or the stodgy "navy suit". They are moving with the times and famous brands and designer outfits have made their impact on the international scene and are very much a part of the boardroom scene. So many of the 'uptight and conservative' images of the past no longer dominate the wardrobes of top executives.

In contrast, the junior management level is bringing a new casualness into the work place. Remember that managers, clients and associates are going to evaluate your appearance and draw conclusions based on what they observe. Your clothes must "fit in" with your company image - this is more a requirement than a mere obligation. There are then ways you can give your business clothes your personal identity: with your ties, braces etc. Design a corporate image that sets you a little apart. Your personality, naturalness and integrity must come through. Develop your singular style and flair that says "success".

Fashions of fusion
By Esther Williams
Indian designer Sarita Mondoth has been here in Sri Lanka with her latest collection of designer clothes for Deepavali. At an exhibition held at Colombo Hilton on October 10, 11 and 12, her wide range of sarees, ghagra cholis, contemporary suits and men's wear were on display.

Fusion clothing, a combination of the west and Indian are her specialty, each silhouette exclusive in cut and style. Designed by Sarita who has had training at the National Institute of Fashion Designing and husband Nirmal, also from a textile background, all garments were single piece ethnic wear, suitable for formal and semiformal occasions with exquisite embroidery and other embellishments.

Having started operations in Bangalore, India in 1991, Sarita and Nirmal today run two exclusive boutiques. Although they obtain fabric from other places, they have their own in-house designing, dyeing, fabric making and embroidery unit.

They have participated in various shows and exhibitions in the Middle East, Singapore, Europe and the US and were involved in fashion styling for the Indian feature film 'Mango Souffle' by Mahesh Dattani.

Having travelled widely, Sarita has been inspired by different traditions and fashions seen abroad and this is reflected in her designs. All her clothes have either intricate embroidery, zardozi work, 'Dabka kam' - beaten zari work, thread work, mirrors or sequins with embroidered saree blouses to match.

During the exhibition Sarita was available for wardrobe make overs, discussion on individual requirements and to guide ladies to choose appropriate clothes that suited them the best and thereby enhance their confidence.

For men, Mandoth had a variety of funky shirts, pub wear shirts, linen shirts, shirts with smocking, frilled party wear and Indian ethnic wear.

Stars and roses combined to create a romantic picture when Jayakalani Siriwardena married Piyal Gunawardena last month. The bride was dressed by Dilanthi Wimalaweera of Salon Dee while Mary Jayaratne created her bridal bouquets.
Pix by Dayan Witharana

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