First impressions

"We all carry certain skills, knowledge and intent. However, the people we meet evaluate us on the basis of what meets their eye. They look for signs in us that inspire confidence and likability. Image management is the art and science of projecting an appropriate and powerful image consistently,” said Farida Dahee, who has 15 years’ experience as a certified image consultant. She was conducting a workshop at the Ripon Club on October 11, 2014 on "Importance of First Impression” for WE, the Women Entrepreneurs’ wing of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), of which she is a member.

Farida Dahee: tips on how to look good

A write-up on the event was sent to Parsiana by Homai Mehta, WE chairperson. Mehta welcomed participants and informed them that "WE has decided to give an opportunity to two members to promote their business or professional services at every WE event…We conduct such workshops frequently to enable women entrepreneurs, professionals and homemakers to avail of the opportunity to network with other successful women.”
Mehta introduced her team — Dolly Dhamodiwala, past chairperson WE, Behroze Daruwalla, member of the WZCC global committee and WE, Villie Daruvala, secretary WE and Veera Mundroina, committee member of WZCC and WE. In turn, the participants introduced themselves and spoke a few words about their business or profession. During the workshop they were instructed on techniques of professional dressing as per international and Indian standards. This is summed up in the four ‘A’s — appropriate: dress for roles, goals and occasions; authentic: be true to yourself; attractive: look pleasant; and affordable: do not pinch your pocket to look good, the write-up mentions.
According to Dahee, there are four levels of "dressing up or dressing down” that serve as signs or clues to roles, goals and the message meant to be conveyed. No collar denotes people who do physical labor or who wish to convey an informal trait. Those with collars are people in the creative field or those garbed in casual business attire. Unmatched suits (jackets, coats, blazers) are formal office wear that convey trustworthy, knowledgeable traits. Matched suits denote people at higher management levels and business heads such as managing directors, chief executive officers of companies. Such formal wear reflects authority and organizational abilities.
Dahee may be contacted by email at: farida_d@images2last or by telephone at: 26249278 and 9920799963. Her website is http://images2last.com