Another standout experience I had while in Paris a couple of weeks back was seeing a fashion exhibit about Dalida. Walking through the exhibit gave deeper insights into how a person might create a dreamy wardrobe like Dalida did. To be totally honest, I really didn’t know who Dalida was. Upon entering the Musée Palais Galliera and paying my entrance fee, the agent sounded nearly apologetic. “Monsieur, la seule exposition est maintenant de Dalida [Sir, the only exhibit now is of Dalida].”
When the Palais Galliera mounts an exhibition, it’s sure to be excellent. So, despite the agent’s tentative welcome, I presented the ticket-taker with my receipt and marched right in. And then I stopped dead in my tracks and my jaw dropped. Further along, I became more interested in Dalida, the woman who inhabited these fabulous clothes that create a dreamy wardrobe.
Dalida’s life was certainly a journey. Born to Italian parents in Egypt, she was an actress and singer whose life took off in France. First, though, in 1954 and at age 20, Dalida won the beauty pageant crown of Miss Egypt. Eventually, she held dual Italian and French citizenship. Though she was a well-known actress, her singing career made her a household name throughout Europe and the Middle East. Her career spanned thirty years and she sold more than 170 million records worldwide. Pretty impressive stuff!
Sadly, Dalida suffered many personal setbacks, including two suicide attempts, the second one resulting in her death.
The exhibition celebrated Dalida’s private and public lives. It displayed clothes that she collected and wore quietly around town, and others that she boldly wore on stage. As Dalida matured, she wanted to create a dreamy wardrobe that enmeshed both the private and public personas. Walking through the exhibit, you can see how her eye for style evolved.
It’s truly impressive that someone had the foresight to collect and store all of these personal effects. It’s rather unusual, and equally as eye-opening to see these clothes offered to and shown at a museum. As Dalida’s wardrobe evolves, we observe the advances of her career from that of a chanson to a Eurodisco diva. In my opinion, she predated and originated the concept of remaking her image, well before Madonna.
I was truly inspired by seeing Dalida’s clothes. It got me thinking about how I help each client to create a dreamy wardrobe like Dalida did. Some of my common-sense principles are the same as those used by Dalida.
Wear what speaks to your spirit, and strengths.
Wear what highlights your physical and emotional assets.
Collect clothes that tell a more cohesive story about who you are day in and day out.
Collect clothes with intention and without randomness.
Study who you are and apply what you learn and know to your wardrobe choices.
Study clothes and select items that match your character with quality.
Consider where your life’s direction and collect clothes that will take you there.
Consider current fashion and how it serves a core sense of you versus a trend.
Stand for individuality and don’t be afraid to make a proud statement of self.
Stand for the story of your life, and be fearless to emanate your wisdom through your style.
Joseph Rosenfeld helps successful people create a dreamy wardrobe. Get Joseph’s free report that helps you know “6 Secrets to Success in Silicon Valley.” Get details about Joseph’s proven personal style experience that transforms your life.