Author Archives: Joseph Rosenfeld

About Joseph Rosenfeld

Silicon Valley's trusted image mentor for high profile individuals, based in San Jose, CA.

The Argument About Ties Rages On

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Retailers specializing in men's tailored clothing continue to sell ties to their clientele, despite the fact that the argument about ties rages on.

Retailers specializing in men’s tailored clothing continue to sell ties to their clientele, despite the fact that the argument about ties rages on.

It’s very peculiar, but I’m hearing lots of chatter about men’s ties these days.  Are they in?  Are they out?  It may depend on who you ask, or what you personally believe.  But one thing is definitely true:  the argument about ties rages on.  Quite frankly, I think this argument is about far more than just neckwear.  I believe this is about regional differences.  So whether you’re a man who would never wear a tie, or a woman who doesn’t think this argument is of any concern to you, I suggest that you read on.

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What Influences What You Wear? Try The Positive Mirror

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What influences what you wear? Is color an important influence? I have no doubt that it should matter to you because color has deeply personal meanings for each person - even you!

What influences what you wear? Is color an important influence? I have no doubt that it should matter to you because color has deeply personal meanings for each person – even you!

Think about what influences what you wear.  What comes up for you?  Do you get inspired by TV programs or by morning news show segments?  Do you get ideas from fashion magazines?  Or, maybe you get ideas from how you see other people dressing at work or at social events?  Maybe what influences what you wear has to do with where you work. Maybe it’s a combination of these sources.

Many years ago, when I used to work for top retailers in Chicago, on occasion some customers would be inspired by an outfit in a store window, or on a mannequin in my area.  “I’d like to get that whole mannequin,” some customers would say to me.  But just like the TV shows, the magazines, the people around you, and your work environment, not everything that influences you is necessarily right for you.

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How Challenging It Is To Create Change To Your Personal Image

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Stars of the stage and top executives have one great thing in common. Both can identify with how challenging it is to create change to their personal images. No one wants to look like a tarnished star.

Stars of the stage and top executives have one great thing in common. Both can identify with how challenging it is to create change to their personal images. No one wants to look like a tarnished star.

Changing is a bitch!  When you’re determined to make positive changes to your image, it may be very helpful to know that – no matter how challenging it is to create change – you’re not alone.

Over the weekend I coached a group of musicians, who all acknowledged how challenging it is to create change that improves their personal image and brand.  It was an excellent experience for them that they could share the biggest challenge they each presently face within the group.  Even though everyone had her or his own top challenge, everyone could relate to what the other is going through.

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Tim Cook – A Profile In Style

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Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, Inc., shows that he can clean up well. But when he's not testifying to a Congressional committee, how well is he doing it?

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, Inc., shows that he can clean up well. But when he’s not testifying to a Congressional committee, how well is he managing his presence?

A lot of attention is being paid to Tim Cook these days.  The CEO of Apple, Inc., and the world’s highest paid CEO, has garnered a lot of press on the heels of his recent testimony before the U.S. Congress on corporate tax law reform.  It seems the world is keenly interested in how Apple is being run, as well as what kinds of products to expect from the world’s most valuable company.  And so, Tim Cook is someone who I think is worthy of a profile in style.

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Staying Open-Minded Lets Us See The Truth In Others

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By staying open-minded, the sight of mosques throughout Istanbul no longer give me angst. All I see is the architectural representation of faithful people who I experienced to be both passionate and peaceful.

By staying open-minded, the sight of mosques throughout Istanbul no longer give me angst. All I see is the architectural representation of faithful people who I experienced to be both passionate and peaceful.

Staying open-minded is one of the most important things you can be, whether it’s when you’re traveling, or when you’re encountering people even in familiar territory.  On my most recent trip, which included visiting the nation of Turkey for the first time, I realized how important staying open-minded really is.

My partner and I travel frequently, most often to Europe.  So we always felt like we lived up to staying open-minded with relative ease.  But, in the days leading up to this most recent trip, I was expressing my apprehensions.  As a gay and Jewish man, how would I be received in Turkey?  Would I be safe?  In an effort to staying open-minded, I acknowledged those concerns, and “packed a full bag” of curiosity.

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Don’t Be A Genuine Fake

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A small shop selling leather accessories that mimic the real thing. My advice: refuse the temptation to buy items that are genuine fake.

A small shop selling leather accessories that mimic the real thing. My advice: refuse the temptation to buy items that are genuine fake.

As if I needed a “reminder-to-self”, while enjoying a perfectly lovely trip abroad, I got a clear message that I must refuse to be a genuine fake.  You should, too.

Now, I didn’t need to come to Turkey to figure this out.  But the concept of buying goods that are each brazenly marketed as being a genuine fake, struck me as a genuine affront to all that is good in the world.  For about twenty bucks apiece, I could have filled my wrists and arms with genuine fake brand name watches with nearly identical designs and appearances to the real McCoy’s.  I am sure we have all seen this before on Canal Street in New York, or by some street vendor off Union Square in San Francisco, or just about anywhere else.

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Meet Mary Jaeger, Master Textile Fashion Designer With a Twist

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Textile Examples Designed by Mary Jaeger: Lavender Diamond Rib Collar cape, Mountain Scarf-orange-green, Blue Castle Hat

Textile Examples Designed by Mary Jaeger: Lavender Diamond Rib Collar cape, Mountain Scarf-orange-green, Blue Castle Hat

I first met textile maven Mary Jaeger at last year’s annual New York Fashion Conference.  My craving for wearable textiles has never been the same since.  Mary truly is an extraordinary designer.  Her style is so right for Silicon Valley that we hatched a plan to make her amazing collection available outside of her private TriBeCa studio.  Design conscious people like you need to see the works of Mary Jaeger.

After having accepted a very special invitation to visit Mary in her studio last December, I was hooked!  Walking into her creative space that doubles as a showroom was like entering a rock star’s dream closet full of amazingly designed sculpted and dyed accessories in unusual colors, striking textures, and artistic patterns.

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Pete Cashmore – Profile In Style

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Pete_Cashmore_John_Varvatos

Pete Cashmore wearing a white shirt in a special campaign created by fashion designer John Varvatos.

Pete Cashmore might be the most surprising Silicon Valley public figure to get a profile in style.  Cashmore doesn’t actually reside in Silicon Valley. He does spend some time in San Francisco where his digital media company, Mashable.com, is based.  But when he’s not in San Francisco, he’s most likely either in New York, or back in his native Scotland.  Still, Pete Cashmore is a highly recognizable and well-known Internet entrepreneur, and we can all learn something about personal aesthetics by taking a closer look at him.

Each of us has a unique story to tell about who we are, and Pete Cashmore’s story will shed an interesting light on his personal style choices.

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Spring Style Suggestions – Some Know No Season

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Spring Style Suggestions - Dolce_Gabbana

This Dolce & Gabbana dress helped a client make the right impression on the first day of a conference. There’s nothing quite like having “conference confidence” to stand out in a crowd. It worked!

Nearly every day so far this year, I could be spotted scouring the stores in search of clothing and accessories that would become my spring style suggestions for each client.  The most amazing experience is the moment when people who have entrusted me with managing their images get to see those style suggestions for the very first time.

The big reveal isn’t a private showing of curated art.  These style suggestions are “just” clothes, but aren’t just any clothes.  They are selected to work for each client’s body, coloring, style, comfort, occasion, needs, and messaging.  That makes these wardrobe items some serious style suggestions.

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Makeover Superstar – No matter who you are!

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Jody Watley [ca. 2006] singer/songwriter of Makeover Superstar, and also inspired this post.

Jody Watley [ca. 2006]

I absolutely want each client to become her or his own makeover superstar.  But not one of my clients initially says that this is ultimately what they care about.  And that’s because I’m already thinking ahead, from the perspectives of wanting everyone to far exceed their own goals, and of wanting to be an outstanding service provider.

It is my honor and focus to help each client realize and fulfill their personal image goals.  And while each client has her or his reasons and desires for making changes and improvements, a true measure of success can be assessed when I see that each one of them becomes a makeover superstar.

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