By Jae-Ha Kim and Lisa Lenoir
Chicago Sun-Times
April 8, 2002
Closets aren’t the only thing to sort through during spring cleaning. How about a little style shake-up to kick off the new season?
Three Chicago Sun-Times readers–a graduate student who wanted to look more sophisticated, a writer trying to shake her corporate image and a divorced man ready to get back out in the dating world–wrote in, asking to be made over. They knew an external change could change the way they looked at life and were ready to accept that challenge.
With the guidance of image consultant Denise Butchko, stylists at the Tiffani Kim Institute and clothes provided by Carson Pirie Scott, our trio went from fabulous to even more faboo in a matter of hours.
Diana Jung, 20, student
Upon entering Jung’s University of Illinois-Chicago dorm room, you think she’s a young woman devoted to all things Hello Kitty, judging from the tchotchkes dotting her shelves.
But she’s ready to say goodbye kitty and hello to all things adult.
“I need a nice, sophisticated grown-up look,” proclaims Jung, 20. “I like things to be simple. I have never owned a purse.”
At her age, Jung doesn’t need much makeup to enhance her features. Typically, she wears just eyeliner and a little powder. But she was amped about getting a new hairdo.
“I’m a nerd,” she says. “I want a young, feminine look, but I also want to look natural. I don’t want to look that much older than my age, but I want people to take me seriously when I lead a meeting. I’m class president and want to make sure people don’t walk all over me.”
So what image does Jung want to project, asks Butchko.
“I want them to know I’m assertive and self-directed, but also that I am a college student.”
To help Jung project an assertive image, Butchko advises the student to wear something with a collar–whether it’s a jacket or crisp blouse–to assert authority.
This makes it easy to find clothes for Jung. Butchko combs the aisles of Carson Pirie Scott and finds two jacket ensembles–a high-gloss gray jacket, with slim pants and a navy suit skirt. Each suit is accented with either a solid blue or striped top. She accessorizes this with a slim DKNY handbag.
When Jung sees the clothes, she is less than thrilled.
She can’t visualize herself in traditional clothes or without her preferred color: black.
“I thought, ‘That is something my mom would wear,’ ” Jung says. “On the hanger I didn’t like either of them. I wanted to look older, but not that old. I was looking for a sexy conservative, not a traditional conservative.”
Once she tries the gray Chaus outfit and the Nine West chunky heels, she is transformed. Jung mugs for the camera like a supermodel.
Tiffani Kim stylists create an age-appropriate look for her hair. They decide on a shattered cut with red highlights. She winces when Osmane Cunha snips off 4 inches of her locks. But by the time colorist Jennifer Roman streaks her hair with “Run Lola Run” red dye, Jung is in the spirit of the makeover.
“I’ve never had my hair this short or this color before, but it’s fun,” she says. “This was a confidence booster. Everyone was focused on me. I totally stepped out of my comfort zone.”
Gail Piernas-Davenport, 50, children’s book author
When Piernas-Davenport took the plunge from bank marketing manager to children’s book writer three years ago, she knew she was in for a change. She just didn’t know what to do about her look, which was too conservative for her creative field.
“I started to go gray when I was in college,” Piernas-Davenport says. “I only had a little so people thought I frosted my hair. Now it’s obvious that it’s gray. I’ve never dyed it before, but I’m ready now for a little color.”
Colorist Jackie Duran prepares a rich chestnut hue. While waiting for it to dry, Piernas-Davenport debates whether to get her hair cut in layers.
“I always thought that would be a lot of trouble to maintain,” she worries. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that.”
Hairstylist Duc Ho promises not to get carried away.
Piernas-Davenport agreed to a light layering of her hair. Stylist Duc Ho transforms her flipped-out don’t into a sexy ‘do that softly frames her face. As with her hair, this married mom of two boys wants clothes that are simple, comfortable and easy to care for. She wants pieces that fit her writer’s budget. Plus, she wants to make peace with the items sitting in her closet.
Butchko finds a color-blocked orange sweater set and pairs it with khaki pants. The look conveys confidence and class. Butchko’s advice: Color block works well for full-figured women, vs. horizontal stripes.
“I wanted to have a different look,” Piernas-Davenport says. “I was starting to look washed out. I feel revitalized. When you feel that way, it’s easier to be creative. I learned: Don’t be afraid to try new things.”
Bernard Michael Turner, 48, computer technician
Turner’s ready for the dating scene and an updated look: “It would really help in my search for my queen,” he wrote in his winning entry.
The divorced father of three daughters remembers back in the day when he owned a pink Pinto and a pink suit. “I was loud then,” Turner says. “I was on the case with that.”
Ken Van Edgon decides to mute his look by dying his black hair dark brown.
“It’ll open up his face,” Van Edgon explains. “And it’s not too drastic a change for someone who has never dyed his hair before.”
Says Turner, “My ex-wife tried to get me to dye my hair brown when I was in my 20s. I was just not ready for any of that then. Now I think it might be fun. Maybe it’ll make my daughters stop teasing me. They always tell me I’m not hip: They keep telling me I’m going to have to dress better if I want to go on more dates.”
With Turner’s hair newly hued, Butchko pulls several snazzy ensembles designed to attract the ladies. Sports jackets, fine-gauge knit shirts and trousers bring Turner into the scene. They are accentuated with great shoes–Kenneth Cole’s square-toe lace-up and Bass’ sporty loafers.
Women always check out a man’s shoes, we assure Turner.
His final analysis: He definitely likes the sports coats, but he’s a wingtip kind of dude.
“I am picky about shoes,” he says. “But this has definitely been a learning experience.”
