Not a week goes by that either clients or readers of my blog suggest that I write a book about style. Having previously written the Style column for the Metro Silicon Valley for two years prior to launching my blog, the notion of writing a book on personal style is one that I’ve been toying around with for some time now. And, I think the time has come.
As I warm up my writing chops, I’m determined to take a completely fresh approach by writing about style that would make a difference to the community in which I live and work.
There really is nothing quite like Silicon Valley style. We have a definite style imperative here, although it’s confounding to both insiders and outsiders just what that is! I really am fascinated by what drives people do be desirous of owning gorgeous gadgets while reveling in their ability to be so dressed down, for example.
So, I want to explore Silicon Valley style – the good, the bad, and the ugly. How did our style get this way, how we can improve it, and how you can exemplify the best of Silicon Valley in your personal style?
Silicon Valley is not just a counterculture community. Our being deliberately different from the rest of California, or even from most of the rest of the country means that our businesses and our lifestyles are different. Each of our educational and technological prowess represent cornerstones of our region’s economic power, and they impact how we live, from how we style our homes, to how we dress ourselves.
The focus on technology in our community is pervasive. Even if you don’t work in technology, you are touched by it here. If you practice law, your specialty may be geared toward protecting the intellectual assets of technology. If you’re a venture capitalist, you’re most likely funding tech start-ups. If you’re selling high-end real estate these days, you’re likely selling it to someone who is tied into technology stock options and big salaries. Similarly, interacting with those in technology impacts the style of those who work in non-technology professions. But even if you are farther removed from the professional working world, you may still be affected by technology’s impact on style be researching your clothing purchases on the Internet, or even buying clothes online from our very own eBay.
Educationally, our institutions of higher learning promote the idea of independent thought, but to stand for being the best at something.
There is a strong drive to succeed here, and yet how we look as we ascend the heights of our aspirations is different than anywhere else. We’re our own special microculture that has international clout, behaving very differently than our fashionable skyscraper clad city to the north. We have a mindset all our own, and I want to get to the heart of the matter in my book.
People from around the world come to Silicon Valley to replicate our successes. Wouldn’t it be amazing if our style could be chronicled, celebrated, and served up to the rest of the world?
So as I go about putting my tome together, I’m opening myself up to some good old fashioned Silicon Valley crowd sourcing. Tell me what you’d like to know about Silicon Valley style or just share your ideas on what Silicon Valley style is. If you provide me with a usable idea, I will not only give you a complimentary copy of the book, but I will credit you for the concept in the book itself.
Share your ideas with me and let’s start the conversation about our local style.
Joseph Rosenfeld helps high-profile individuals revitalize, manage, and be secure in their personal visual brand. Visit JosephRosenfeld.com for details.
Great idea about a book, Joseph. One idea that came to mind was this – yes, this is “high powered” Silicon Valley but there is another part of Silicon Valley and that is the support group….. all the people that live here, but are not in the tech business. Many of those residents perhaps cannot afford Norstroms, even the Half Yearly Sale…. I know many teachers, for example, whose salaries used to go to Nordstroms but now the salaries go to Safeway because their tech husbands are out of work…. You get the idea. So what I am proposing is taking your knowledge of personality and style but showing how “our style” can be achieved at a lower cost, including Old Navy, Target, Kohl’s, etc. Don’t shutter – it is being realistic! Keep up the good work…. Love your blog….
This is a very good idea and something that no one else has done. As much as there is a “Silicon Valley” style there is also a lack of it (t-shirts at nice restaurants – really?!). Many people will benefit from this book. If you’re looking for endorsers, I’d be happy to give it a “thumbs up”.
Joseph, I am so happy that you have decided to write a book . . . even chapters of some of your blogs would make for great reading. I am one of those that mentioned you should write since you really connect with others through your descriptive words. I think that an instructional manual of sorts would be and other wonderful section to get people excited about the power they hold with knowing their personal style. I am looking forward to it already! Good luck!
Joseph, what a great idea. You have a way with people and anyone who has come in contact with you has learned a lot about fashion but most importantly we have all learned to believe in our own ability to choose a style that’s suitable to each and everyone of us. You know there are lots of people who actually think to themselves, “what would Joseph think of this” before choosing an outfit to wear. Cant wait for book but keep up the blogs.
Thanks for the feedback, Diane. The book concept is more of an overall Silicon Valley style imperative, and it will inherently be inspirational and aspirational. So happy that you love the blog.
Peter, you hit the nail on the head. There’s room to improve what our local style is by portraying what it is and showing how to have it. Looking forward to putting it out there.
Yes, Pam, you definitely have been an early encourager of my writing. Putting a local spin on style is going to make this unique – and it allows me and the reader to look at style by taking an all-encompassing lifestyle approach.
Mary, that’s such great feedback. Thanks for sharing it with me and all else who read along. It’s so important that everyone finds what suits their strengths. Ultimately, I hope everyone who works with me shifts from wondering what I might think to being certain of their style. I promise to keep writing the blog. It’s a labor of love.