Madonna and the city of Indianapolis, what do they have in common? They share the power of planning and execution when it comes to creating an image experience.
You must have a clear plan in order to execute your vision of your best image. At age 53 Madonna demonstrated how to put on a show that reminded everyone why she's been a successful performer for more than 30-years. Her image and her presentation were consistent with the message "I'm as relevant and as talented as ever, and don't you forget it!"  For the city of Indianapolis the message was "We are an international city with worldwide appeal - a city that knows how to entertain and deliver our classic brand of "Hoosier Hospitality" even when we've got more guests in our home town than ever before." When you consider that Indianapolis is being mentioned by people around the world, it's clear our city made quite an impression. The combination of Madonna's international appeal allowed the city to communicate across traditional boundaries.

This was not an accident, it was a strategic decision to attract international recognition to the city of Indianapolis.
Madonna's image and the experience she created were congruent with the goal of international visibility for the city of Indianapolis. Her consistent performance meant people who experienced the Super Bowl built a positive association with our city, our citizens and our way of hosting this major event. None of this was an accident, and the same must be true for you and your image goals.

Planning how you want people to experience who you are - be it edgy, sophisticated, daring, exciting, demure or classic, allows your best image to truly shine. To inspire people through your own image you must be aware of the experience your image creates for those you encounter. Thinking of Madonna, her decision to arrive on a throne created the impression of seeing a 'Queen' and in this case we were seeing the 'Queen of Pop'. The city promised an 'international experience' four years ago during the bidding process, and it delivered on those promises with class and a quality rarely seen in a Super Bowl city; the results were as well orchestrated as any of the Olympic games!

Are you ready to gain clarity, build confidence, and grow meaningful relationships with those around you? Start your image planning by calling Sola to schedule a consultation today.

Sola Adelowo
Clarity. Confidence. Growth.

If You Love It, Wear It!
I counsel my clients on the importance of being themselves, in order to craft an authentic image over time. I invite them to go beyond generic styles to help the world see and understand more of who they truly are. This is why all the 'someday clothes' you have are so important. Whether you want to kick off the new year, or simply because you're ready, now is the time to make someday... happen.

A Quick Story
One of my clients owns some amazing garments created by the likes of Alexander McQueen and Thierry Mugler, but she rarely wears them. The reason? Until recently, she couldn't imagine how to use such lavish garments without feeling over the top. Some of them are flashy, while some show a little too much skin. Her desire to remain modest is easy to understand, and yet she also wants to enjoy these amazingly crafted clothes. In one case the balance we found was to pair a dynamic and exciting McQueen garment like the one shown, with a simple turtleneck. The layering solution kept her garment from being too revealing, while offering the visual excitement she truly wanted. What was also important about our decision was how the garment, with all its style and flare, lent itself to her creative lifestyle without undermining her leadership role with the addition of the turtleneck. By connecting the things she loved, and hadn't worn, with the things she had worn, we created a compelling and unique style statement, and you can too.

No More Excuses
End the excuses for why the clothes you love haven't been worn; unless it's a wedding dress or a Halloween costume, there is a way to integrate who you are with what you wear in a natural manner. From layering and patterns to exciting shifts in your overall image, if you love it, when you wear it you will create a memorable shift in how people perceive you. As you prepare outfits in the mirror notice how you feel about the clothes that you've been saving. Take time to integrate them one piece at a time; from a bright skirt, to a bold shirt, bringing visual impact is a great way to express more personality.

_If you're unsure where to start, just call ImageCube and we'll figure it out together.

Sola Adelowo
Clarity. Confidence. Growth.

The men you see in the photos on the left and lower right are both former NFL players and they're both active members of the Indy Chapter of NFL Alumni. These guys are proof that once they left the field, their philanthropic efforts didn't stop. A few days before the Super Bowl, on Feb 2, the NFL Alumni will host a Clay Shoot and a VIP party with Midwest Fashion Week to raise money for different organizations. This party is an example of the many occasions where we'll need to step up our look with accessories. The couple on the left are Rick & Danielle DeMulling. Rick played for the Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, & Washington Redskins. Rick & Danielle's look is forties inspired, which is a trend toward simple glamor. Rick's look is classic gentleman, and to make a statement the team at ImageCube added the colorful-hand painted silk tie, which is wider than normal, as it would've been in the forties. To enhance the tie we matched the pocket square to the most common color in the tie. The tie is being held in place with the tie clip, which is complemented by matching cuff-links. We also added cap toe wingtip shoes. Danielle's look is modern glamor. She's wearing a classic shift dress with a jewel neckline. To make a statement when she arrives, Joe and the team from Avant Gard Salon gave her short hair layers and lift; even though it's a shorter hairstyle, it's still says special occasion. Our goal at ImageCube was to modernize this forties inspired look. Rick's look features sunflower yellow, and my personal favorite for Danielle, the soft but yet dramatic fur stole from In Vogue Consignment. With both of their looks its the hair, her makeup, and all the accessories that give a modern twist to a forties look that will really makes an entrance at any party.
CLICK TO SEE THE VIDEO.

_ Our second couple is Jermaine Chaney and Natalie Pei. Jermaine played in the Canadian Football League and with the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts. Jermaine and Natalie's look is sporty elegance which is spot on given the sporting occasion of the Super Bowl. To make a statement the team at ImageCube added his bow tie and a fedora. It's the colors in the fedora, bow tie and pocket square that allows us to mix the patterns; to top it off we have sporty saddlebuck shoes. Jermain's look also features tango-tangerine, which is our color for the year. For Natalie's look her jumpsuit makes a sporty impression. Notice her hair, our stylist Joe and Shaun from Avant Gard Salon worked with loose curls and dramatic makeup with smokey eyes provide a glamorous look that remains approachable. ImageCube took this outfit to VIP status by adding an eye-catching necklace with a dark, sporty sheen. With both of their looks, simple accessories come together and takes them to the next level of sporty elegance that's becoming of a VIP party during Super Bowl weekend. CLICK TO SEE THE VIDEO

_ What you do is not in fact who you are, and yet throughout the year it can be hard to share insights about yourself with your peers as you complete tasks vital to your organization. This is why an office holiday party is such an excellent opportunity to express more of your personality. Whether you get to discover that you share a love of kayaking with a coworker, or that the leader of your group went to the same university, it's important for everyone to be known for who they are, along with the great results they deliver 'on the job'. If you don't show up (Tip #1) you'll miss several opportunities to make a strong positive impression upon those with whom you work. Missing this opportunity can often translate to additional missed opportunities in the future, because promotions and camaraderie go together, which is why you must go to your holiday party. {Download all six (6) Party Smart Holiday Tips now!}

_Once you've arrive at the party, plan to be beverage savvy (Tip #2) to ensure your image maintains its luster from the moment to you arrive to the moment you say goodnight. Demonstrating self-control and self-awareness invites those who are paying attention, and someone is paying attention, to trust your judgment in other areas. As you mix and mingle with other party-goers, be an ally, not just a guest (Tip #3); make an effort to learn about others and discover what matters to them to find out how you can help. After all, you'll see one another again at the office, so take time to get beyond their job description and learn what they want to achieve.

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Offering an authentic level of interest in others is a powerful way to make every conversation engaging. While you're meeting people and having great conversation it can be tough to capture everyone's name, which is why it's important to use a person's name at least three times in the first few minutes (Tip #4). It always feels good to be remembered and it reflects positively on you when you can quickly recall a name as you step into the elevator on Monday. You can't force rapport, but you can build it over time and using someone's name is a great place to start. Whether you arrive with a guest or simply meet someone who is unattended by the person who brought them, it's critical to be a considerate host (Tip #5) at all times.

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As a member of the organization, showing care for people and concern for the office, as if it were your home tells people you take ownership for the things in which you're involved, and expresses a magnanimous quality. As you move about the party and make your way to and from conversations, it's important to feel confident. This is made easier by dressing in a way that is matched to the environment, the guests, and the personal goals you have in mind. This means that expressing your personality should empower you, not undermine you (Tip #6). Adding color, texture, and interesting patterns are all great ways to express yourself in a mature and appropriate manner, without making the mistake of appearing too casual, or too provocative in your appearance.

Making the most of an exciting holiday gathering is an ideal way to boost your image and make a few allies along the way. Get all the details! Download your copy of ImageCube's Party Smart Holiday Tips!

Sola Adelowo
Clarity. Confidence. Growth.

_The Challenge: Expressing Yourself While Remaining Professional
I've met several professional men over the years who are just as challenged as women with expressing their personality while also 'looking the part' in their career. Whether they are a CEO, an attorney, or a civic leader the uniform look and feel of a suit tends to be rather plain. The simplicity of mens style isn't a negative, in fact it's what makes several elements of mens fashion timeless and useful year over year. At the same time it can be tough to find a look that communicates personality and a unique personal image, while also commanding a necessary level of respect among clients and coworkers. During a recent segment of IndyStyle on WISH-TV8 we looked at two ways a traditional suit can be updated to express more personality, while still relying on the familiarity of the traditional suit. From left to right in the image above; one look offers an edge with a high-profile jacket, another takes a welcoming approach with a monochromatic earth tone, and the last one amplifies the importance of color through a brighter shirt and tie combination.

_The Solution: You Have Several Options
For you or the men in your life, it can seem that there aren't enough options for men to look fresh and modern without risking an unprofessional appearance. This is where things get interesting because each look we've shown is going to be aligned with different lifestyles, personalities, and overall goals.
Clothing shown is from www.catouwear.com.  

_The Bordeaux Jacket:
The first look, paired with tailored jeans and an exciting pair of saddle-brown leather boots, is youthful, edgy, and casually tailored. The bordeaux jacket is what changes the overall look from jeans and boots to a more polished look with an attention getting silhouette. The best part about this look is that for men who want to add more style, but don't want to look too casual, a blazer in an energizing color and textured corduroy is a great option. Whether this were paired with black boots or a pair of brown or cap-toe shoes is up to the individual. The blazer offers the structure needed to balance the casual nature of jeans and boots in a way that says, "I know what I'm doing" in a smooth and confident manner.

_One Color Please:
A Safari inspired suit is more welcoming for several reasons, from its lean lines, single-button closure, to the flap pocket on upper left, shorter lapel, repetitious nature of buttons - four buttons instead of 2 or 3, paired with vest gives a bit more formality to a relaxed. This is amplified by the wider but shorter lapels which rest on the shoulders like a loose dress shirt collar. Add to this the matching vest and you have a lot of visual interest, which is precisely why the uniform color presents a win-win for the wearer. With a lot of visual elements, diagonal pockets, stitched details that are noticeable but not overwhelming taking place, reducing the color to one, plus a pale shirt allows anyone who is looking at the wearer to see the style of the garment, without being overwhelmed. This is an excellent option for a man who wants more exciting clothes, but can't risk looking over-done or too outlandish. With a monochromatic suit like this, the interest is on the features and tailoring as a whole, which keeps the overall look calm enough for most offices, and edgy enough for dinner with friends after work.

_Focus on the Basics:
The importance of a tie and dress shirt cannot be overstated. By choosing colors wisely you can do more than just look sharp, you'll also bring attention to your face, where you use eye contact and non-verbal communication skills to stay connected. Often this combination is given too little attention, by grabbing a clean white shirt and a tie that matches the suit, men miss out on a key styling opportunity. For a man who can't afford to look edgy at work, or simply wants to be more traditional the three things that matter most are: the fit of the suit or blazer, the color of the shirt, and the color of the tie. By choosing shirt and tie combinations that are compatible with your skin tone it's easy for others to focus on you in conversation and in general. The color of a tie is an opportunity to bring out the color of your hair, eyes, or skin tone as well. By making this a priority, along with a well-tailored suit or blazer, you offer a cohesive and engaging appearance, while still managing to "look the part" for the roles and responsibilities you fulfill in your career, and in your personal life.

Quick & Easy Image Tips!

1. Avoid combining more than three patterns in one outfit for business.
2. Do not mix high-quality clothing with tattered or worn styles, it sends a confusing message.
3. If your goal is to be perceived as likeable, use brighter colors. If you wish to be viewed as wise use darker colors.

_A Recap for Our Readers!

It was a milestone celebration and another powerful series of fashionable events that gave back and invited everyone to look and feel good!

MFW Kick-off! Home and Fashion Fusion on October 19th, 2011 Photos!
Midwest Fashion Week celebrated 5 years of inclusive fashion and community support, so it was time to celebrate! Since Berny Martin made the bold move to start MFW in October 2007 the organization has come a long way. Peeople joined MFW for a look back, a look ahead, and to pay tribute to our supporters, community partners, and sponsors. We also featured a gallery of artwork from local home fashion artists. A portion of the proceeds from this event were committed to benefit the SOHO organization.

Empowerment Revealed on October 20th, 2011 Photos!
You met Sandy Hogan in our last newsletter, she was the star of a powerful and moving fashion show. After six months of personal training boot camp, image consulting, life coaching, facial treatments, and air-brush tanning, the ImageCube Naturally You Makeover winner, Sandy Hogan was revealed. This occasion highlighted the importance recharging and finding "me" time in our busy lives. Guests enjoyed offerings from an array of vendors to re-energize and indulge the senses, along with great gift bags. A fashion show including designs from local boutiques, designers, and tenants of the Fashion Mall at Keystone took place and a portion of the proceeds were committed to benefit the I.W.I.N. Foundation of Indiana and their breast cancer programs.

Taste of Fashion at Sensu on October 21st, 2011 Photos!
If you were there you know how exciting it was. Sensu is Indy's most exciting new place to see, and be seen. At Sensu we featured an Asian-fusion prix fixe MFW menu that was sure to ignite the senses of every attendee. The fashion show amplified the creativity of the designers while capturing the energy and brilliance of an atmosphere only Sensu could offer. The fashion show the fun continued with sleek cocktails, fine wines, and exquisite sakes; guests mingled in the dining area overlooking the dance floor, or sauntered down to the nightclub to officially arrive at the party. A portion of proceeds from this event were committed to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Fashion is Empowerment on October 22nd, 2011 Photos!
"Fashion is Empowerment" referred to MFW's core value of utilizing fashion to highlight different philanthropic interests. Each year MFW empowers artists, stylists, and fashion designers to grow their career while also positively impacting the Indiana economy and the economies of many surrounding states. In Spring 2011, MFW helped Down Syndrome Indiana raise more than $70,000 and featured the works of more than 20 designers! The grand finale was a show for Fall 2011 that benefitted the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, including an exclusive VIP party featuring DJ Gabby Love and specialty cocktails from Smirnoff Vodka. The runway came alive with fashion featuring the Spring/Summer 2012 collections of six designers representing Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, and South Africa. After the show, light up the night with a dance-powered after party at the Murat Theater as rival DJ's go head to head to get you moving the sounds of the latest beats.

_ See All The Photos! There's so much to celebrate and always time to give back, which is what makes Midwest Fashion Week a powerful way to live with style. ImageCube is a proud part of the planning and promotion and we welcome you to join us for the Spring 2012 events. Learn more at MFW.com!

About Sandy In Her Own Words
"I am a follower of Jesus, wife of 37 years, mother of two, grandmother of 11. I am the caregiver of my mother in law who lives next door and work from home as a medical transcriptionist. I also serve behind the scenes at my church, College Park. I am happy when I am serving and helping others. I love watching my grandchildren and being a big part of their lives. Every Sunday, I make dinner after church for the whole family. I like quiet nights at home, a good cup of coffee, a challenging game of Scrabble, munching on vegetables, and spending time in my garden. Back in May, my mother passed away. We were very close, and she had lived next door. Her health had been stable but we were still in and out of doctor's offices weekly. It was my way of life for quite some time, and I still miss her very much. Also this summer, I was bitten by a spider that caused a pretty bad infection, landing me in the hospital overnight. It took almost two weeks to recover from that. On the positive side, my 11th grandchild was born!
God is good and always sees me through."

1. What was your initial reaction when you won the makeover?
   "I received a phone call the same day that my mother, who I've been caring for many years, passed away. In my surprise and deep grief, I received the phone call saying I had won a make-over that I didn't even know my daughter nominated me for! I was shocked. She was at my house, so I called her into the room - we couldn't control our laughter through our tears. It seemed absurd and wonderful at the same time."
   
2. What were you most excited about with the makeover?
   "I was most excited about the wardrobe and hair help, as well as make-up;
   areas I'm not very strong in."
3. How has the makeover empowered you?
   "I have never been good at putting outfits together and knowing what looks good on me. I don't buy anything because with all the choices, I can't decide, so I get nothing at all. Sola has empowered me to find my own personal style that flatters me yet fits my lifestyle. I have confidence now when dressing and going out."
   

What have you learned from ImageCube?
"Sola has been wonderful. The book she put together about me has been great and the software program that shows me my best look is fantastic. It was a little embarrassing for her to go through my closet, but hey, it needed to be done. There isn’t a lot in there and I am looking forward to getting things that will help me to dress the way I think is flattering to me. I was very insecure about putting outfits together because I was never sure what matched - Sola has helped me to start to figure that out." "I think the whole concept of focusing on my well being is great. So often, we lose sight of the need to make sure we are taken care of. This has helped me to think about myself and make sure I take care of me along with everything else going on."

Sola Adelowo
Clarity. Confidence. Growth.

This week we'd like to take time to thank you for being a reader of the ImageWatchNews. Our goal is to connect you with information that empowers, informs, and energizes you to craft your best image. With so many exciting things coming up, and with so many great ideas already shared, the next logical step is to get your input.

What do you want to hear more about?
ImageCube will continue to be your Image Expert on IndyStyle on WISH-TV-8 and we look forward to having great topics for your image needs. That said, we want to know what you want to hear about. From experts and techniques, we're ready to amplify the image know-how to make sure you're getting tools you really want.  

To say thank you for sharing your views, your email response to this post will enter you into a high-fashion VIP drawing! Just by sharing your views between now and October 17th you can win two VIP tickets to the Midwest Fashion Week, Fashion is Empowerment Finale Runway Show taking place in the newly remodeled Old National Center (Murat Theater) on October 22nd. There has never been a more exciting Midwest Fashion Week, join us as we celebrate five years of giving back - sharing your views may even get you up-front seats!

Here's how you enter to win your tickets to the Midwest premier fashion event? It's easy!
(Official Entry Guidelines) 

1. Subscribeto the ImageWatch Newsletter
   
2. Send your ideas to brand@imagecubellc.com and tell us in 50-words or less, what you want to know about fashion and image
3. Check your email for the ImageWatch Newsletter coming out on October 18th when we'll reveal the winner of two VIP Access Tickets to the 2011 Midwest Fashion Week in downtown Indianapolis

Official winner(s) will be notified by email, and will enjoy these luxe amenities!
- Fashion is Empowerment Finale Runway Show to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!
- VIP Reception where everyone will mingle
- VIP Gift Bag with excellent image tools
- Priority Seating for the best view of the cutting edge work of numerous designers
- Access to the Midwest Fashion Week After Party taking place a the Murat Theater