Durham women dress the part
Aug 22, 2008 - 11:16 AM
By Melissa Mancini
DURHAM -- It’s hard to get back into the workplace if you don’t look like you belong.
Unemployed women trying to nail an interview need to dress for success so one local organization is trying to put them in business attire without the boutique price tag.
“If you’re a mom, your kids come first; there is not a lot of money left over for you,” said Faelyne Templer, executive director of non-profit company Avocation.
Avocation works with job seekers and employers and provides services related to employment, vocational rehabilitation, return to work, professional development and skills upgrading. This week the organization hosted “Dress the Part,” a day of speakers and sorting through racks of donated clothes. Each participant had a personal session with an image consultant who helped them choose the right interview outfit and some even got a makeup lesson.
The point is about building confidence, Ms. Templer said.
“When you look great -- sometimes if you don’t feel so great -- you can feel a bit better,” she said to the crowd of women.
Deb Matthews, provincial minister responsible for women’s issues, was at “Dress the Part” to congratulate participants for trying to overcome barriers to success.
She said the event was “very empowering” for women.
For Lilian Moyo, who recently moved to Durham from Texas and is looking for a job in accounting, picking the right clothes is all about making a good first impression.
“My clothes create the picture they (employers) have about me,” she said.
If her attire isn’t suitable for the job Ms. Moyo said employers might look at her and wonder if she is capable of doing the work.
Cristina Maggi is one of the event’s founders and a professional image consultant from Cristina Designs in Oshawa. A lot of discussion goes into finding the right outfit for each woman, she said.
“We figure out their style preferences and find something suitable,” Ms. Maggi said.
The consultants take into account whether warm or cold colours are more flattering for each job-seeker. They also discuss with each client what styles are most appropriate for the field they’re hoping to break into.
“If someone wants to be a CEO of a company and their style is outrageous, then they have to adapt,” Ms. Maggi said.
After each participant picks out five pieces of clothing to go toward their work wardrobe, they also get to look through accessories and some casual pieces. There is no cost to participants.
Ms. Templer said she hopes next year there will be more donations and more people involved in the events.
To donate new or gently used business attire to “Dress the Part” contact Faelyne Templer at 905-725-2796.
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