Dressing the Part, by Tatiana – In The Mix #7

January 29, 2009 Tatiana EL-Khouri 20 Comments

Growing up, I was never concerned with dress up, playing fashionista or how my style reflected on my personality or work ethic. Attending an all-girls catholic high school, I really wasn’t concerned with outward style or appearance. To the chagrin of my friends I refused to wear make-up or add an extra 30 minutes to my morning grooming routine. My thought was, I wore a uniform and I was surrounded by girls. Who cares??? With bone straight hair, down to my waist and a waif-like figure, my daily routine took 5 minutes- brush teeth, comb hair, put on uniform. That was it, no fluff, no muss.

Once I got to college my outlook slowly changed. For the first time in 13 years, I had to make daily wardrobe choices. I was convinced I didn’t have enough clothes and longed for a structured uniform schedule. I got the hang of it and experimented wildly. More day to day I was unrecognizable to many. I became a chameleon and enjoyed how different I could look with a different hair style or clothing style. I began dressing very differently for my general education classes, opposed to my art classes. I was more free and comfortable in my art classes and more trendy/vintage in my general education classes.

When people learned I was an Art major, I often was greeted with a look of surprise and asked where my crazy color hair was and my outrageous fashion statements. I didn’t feel the need to mold to the stereotype, so I initially ignored the fashion commentary. I then realized even the plain clothes wearing, non de-script people had a distinct reaction to style and fashion and made value judgments on looks.

Superficial? Very! But first impressions, create lasting memories.

The first interviews, jobs, and networking events I went to; I was conscious of not looking like a college intern or a high school senior. My years of rebelling against the fashion industry came to an end and I actively embraced it as I became a professional. Around the same time, Tyra Banks was beginning her talk show. I was determined to be a guest on the show and have her highlight my artwork.

After a summer of watching Tyra Banks invite people to join her to be in her studio audience, I figured out my way on the show- a makeover! I wrote the producers and told them that I was a young artist whose style did not reflect her career. They loved the idea and most importantly liked my energy and personality, and I was on!

The experience was fun and hectic, to say the least. After 10 hours of taping my pre-interview, I was whisked away to begin my Tyra Banks transformation. Her version of me was taking my straight, black hair and comfortable style, turning me into a glamorous, buxom redhead ala Debra Messing. I was shocked but up for the ride!

The morning of my taping, Jay Manuel from America’s Next Top Model completed my look with the most makeup I have ever worn in my life! As a painter, I stared in disbelief as layers, shadows, and highlights transformed me into someone I didn’t recognize. The makeover was complete with a 1920s vintage inspired flapper dress and beautiful accessories. The transformation that took more than 24 hours, ended with a 5 minute segment on Tyra’s stage, a little witty banter, a great quote from Tyra Banks saying she was very impressed with my artwork, a date, and then I was sent off to an art show of my work sponsored by her.

Once I was off stage and in regular light, I realized there was no way on God’s green earth that I would be able to replicate anything done that day. The red hair eventually faded, but what I took from the experience was the amazing transformative quality fashion had on my presence.

Style and appearance is not just a girl thing either. Recently the apprentice that works in MOTU’s studio learned that the hard way. He came in just like any other work day ready to learn and work. What he didn’t know was that MOTU had big plans to take him to a big Hollywood pitch meeting. After a day of rugby, the battle wounds made him unpresentable. As many guys, scars and bruises make for great stories and badges of courage and ruggedness. In a business setting, that same badge of honor could be misinterpreted as a troublesome individual with the remnants of a fight.

I sometimes look 10 years younger than my age, yet act ten years older. Perception is key, now I don’t take chances with my appearance- expecting people will know that I am serious, young professional woman. I take pride and tailor my look to be appropriate for the occasion.