I just read an engaging article about a woman named Sheena Matheiken who spent one full year wearing the same little black dress each and every day. 365 days. Yet, she never let it look the same. She would add colorful tights, thigh-high boots, saris, hats or another garment or accessory, and with those simple additions would create entirely unique outfits from one day to the next. Sheena, who lives in New York, did it to raise awareness for The Arkanksha Foundation, a grassroots nonprofit that brings education to children living in Indian slums; she so far has raised nearly $77,000 ensuring that more than 200 children in her native country can go to school.
You can read the full story from Stylelist here – and be sure to flip through the slide show of some of her outfits. You’ll be amazed at her creativity, hopefully inspired by her philanthropy, and perhaps sparked by her belief in individuality. I was all of those, but also reminded: as public relations changes, shifts and grows to become more social and dynamic and immediate, we still need to dress each day with the same uniform that has served my colleagues and me so well for so many years. Clarity in communications. Commitment to ethics. Courtesy of deadlines. Knowledge of your audience. Those tools are our foundation – our own little black dress – on which we can deliver fresh, creative content each day.
"I am Francophile and in all the books I read about France and French women is their size, or lack thereof, or their wardrobe. They make do with one good black dress and will dress up for every occasion. Part of what's wrong with the American culture, and our economy, is the disposable thoughts re: goods, no matter what they may be. Cell phones, clothing, computers, etc. It's all about more, more, more. Thank you for sharing the article on Ms. Matheikan. I will be sending this to all of my friends."
June 14th, 2010 at 11:36 am