Smart and fab

Latoya Grindley, Staff Reporter

Being fashionable should not be limited to social and recreational activities. In fact, your fashion sense can be the passing grade for creating a stylish yet appropriate wardrobe for the career-oriented woman.

Gone are the days when office wear was bland, and uber conservative. Now persons can choose from various work-appropriate contemporary trends, ideal for the professional who wants to look chic yet smart.

Helping women to look great in the office for over six years is Carolyn Johnson, owner of Carojon. A retailer of office wear for the professional woman, the store carries a wide range of office wardrobe essentials.

Realising that there was a niche market in corporate wear, Johnson said she decided to pursue her business idea full-time. "I remember when I had a nine-to-five job, and would dress for work. People would ask me where I got my clothes, and if I could get pieces for them too. I began buying pieces for persons when I travelled."

Resigning from her sales job to spend more time with her family, Johnson said she pursued her business on a small scale until she opened her store a year ago.

With a wide variety of corporate pieces which include suits and separates, the store is stocked with brands such as Anne Klein, Tahari, Jones of New York and Nine West.

It is said that the way a woman dresses for her job reflects how she feels about it. But regardless of how she feels about her job, a well-dressed career-oriented woman in many cases leaves a positive and lasting impression.

And to give you some ideas on how to be corporate chic while remaining super appropriate, Digicel managers Tahnida Nunes and Annalise Harewood took some time out from their hectic schedules to grace our pages.

Executive secrets

Working at a giant telecommunications company, Tahnida Nunes and Annalise Harewood know first-hand what it takes to fit the bill.

Assuming managerial positions means that while they have to execute their tasks, they also have to take special care in how they look as they are walking ambassadors for the company.

As it relates to those casual Fridays, they note that it is still about looking sophisticated.

Below, the two share their wardrobe and beauty must-haves .

Tahnida Nunes, sponsorship manager

Corporate wardrobe essentials:

• Black dress
• White Express long-sleeve shirt
• Black and nude pumps
• Bridget Sandals for when the heels come off
• Coloured accent pieces to wear with neutral clothing.

Make-up must-haves:

• Iman blotting powder
• Mascara
• Lipgloss
• Annalise Harewood, Recharge manager
• Wardrobe
• Nice tailored pants suit
• Black suit
• A nicely tailored jacket that can go with anything
• Separates (inside tops)

Make-up must-haves:

• Powder
• Eyeliner
• Blush

Clothing provided by Carojon Collection. The Orchid Village, Shop 19, 20 Barbican Road, Kingston 6. Telephone: 702-2484Make-up done by Sharon Wint, Face Forward, The Orchid Village, Shop 19, 20 Barbican Road, Kingston 6.latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com