Style Story: A Work In Progress
9:03:00 AM
I'm Siella Longo, a social professional. I'm a journalism writer at Forbes magazine and I actually love my job. My life is pretty simple... I'm talking work, then home with a glass of wine, snuggled with my cats. Besides that, my style is indeed a lot different. I am a fashion lover and I put much thought into my looks. I choose the best outfits to make a statement each day and I cannot deny the fact that it makes me happy.
The only unfortunate situation at my workplace is that I am literally the only person that takes pride in dressing every day of the week. I never wait for a special luncheon or meeting to put on my designer suit... I make good style a habit. The thing is, I have to motivate and inspire myself each day to look my best because the people that I work around could care less about doing so.
I'm the youngest of the Forbes employee bunch and I am one of the most successful. This is why I've made it a goal of mine to at least enhance people's personal style during my journey here. I hope it is one day achieved but until then, I'll be fashionable alone.
Today I'm wearing a bright yellow-green frock created by Diane Von Furstenberg. She's like the queen of workwear. My entire wardrobe is filled with her classic designer pieces. To enhance it's bare v-neckline, I am pairing the structured shift with oversized cut-out diamond shape black and gold earrings. Jewellery also includes an intricate black and gold stone layered bracelet, along with a magnalumoxide ring topped with a faceted smoky black cube stone. With black suede strappy sandal heels, and a medium textured Givenchy handbag to match, I am all ready. I also can't forget about the Gucci silk floral print scarf that I'm tying around my purse to add a bit more color to my look.
Walking into my office, it's bitter-sweet as usual. I'm bombarded with a thousand compliments about my outfit but no one ever asks "where did you get your dress?". My assistant even lacks a sense of style. She works the closest to me but Dorathy from the Golden Girls can beat her dressing.
My career is pretty simple. I write about whose rich in the world knowing one day I'll have someone writing about me. I'm not a millionaire as yet but I am currently content. My plush condo overlooking the city of Atlanta is my happy place and being constantly surrounded by good friends doesn't make me lonely at all.
"I need your files by Friday" shouts my boss from across the room wearing knee high stockings with open toe sandals. Someone please call the fashion police!
"I'm on it" I replied quickly.
I'm usually flustered with so many things to do on my desk but one thing about me, I always get it done. After eight hours of sitting in my cubicle, I did one final blank stare at my computer before shutting it down.
"20 reports down, just 30 more to go...Before Friday" I repeated in my head with determination.
Shutting off the lights, I walked out and headed home to take a warm bubble bath.
Waking up the following morning, I exclaimed "Another day, another dollar!"
The weather has dropped a little today, so I'm dressed in something suitable.
My look comprises of a yellow silhouette-skimming high waisted midi bodycon skirt and a cropped mint green blouse with a pearly embellished collar. Layering the top and bottom is a luxurious nude oversize wool coat. Keeping it full of life, I have on a pair of Chestnut colored lace-up ankle cuff pointed toe heels, and antique clear glasses with a wood-like frame. Additional accessories are pearl stud earrings, a smooth leather fur cheetah print clutch, and an enriched gold and light stone bracelet.
Seated in my office again, this time for only a half of the day, I got ten of the remaining files done. I guess my 3 hour lunch date with a guy met at the super market was a total set back and now I can't help but think "Never again..."
Getting only three done at home before I snoozed off on my couch with a Sex In The City marathon playing on my tv, I arose the following morning knowing I had to do get the other 17 finished in time.
It's casual Friday though and while my co worker is wearing yoga pants, I have on a long sleeve denim button up blouse and a pleated grey skater scuba skirt. I'm styling this with a python print colorful clutch and quirky coral sandal heels with large braided straps. With nude toned lips, black modern cat-eye sunnies, sleek coal black stud earrings, a matching ring and a gold chain necklace centred with raindrop shaped black stones, I feel complete.
This outfit is giving me more attention than the usual today. My assistant finally asked the most anticipated question ... "Where do you shop?". Before getting distracted and taking the chance to tell her all about the places I get my work wear from, I did choose to get my reports out of the way first. Doing a slight twirl in my office chair hours later as a sign of victory, I'm officially done! Mid day has swung around and I couldn't be happier to be done this early. Now I'm off to take my assistant to Saks Fifth Avenue.... the place I get most of my clothing.
The weekend has rolled over, and after spending the entire two days doing some major make-over shopping with my assistant, I am really eager to see her look today when I get to my office. My outfit is pretty chic and fabulous, ofcourse....
This amazingly tailored midi dress with its soft pastel pink hue has black details on the waist band and at the collar that creates a smart layering effect. Along with the preppy knee length garment, I have on a pair of glossy patent leather pointed toe black pumps, a black beaded David Yurman bracelet and a small Saint Laurent handbag. In my ears sparkle opulent gun-metal tone and crystal drop earrings as my lips glisten a very dark wine shade. The caged ring crafted with black diamonds is another added piece to make this look remarkable.
I'm in the break-room making myself a cup of much needed morning coffee as I await my assistants arrival. No one else other than me is expecting her to show up today dressed as if she's a movie star. Just as I took the first sip of my sizzling hot self-prepared drink, she stepped in with all smiles.
The electric royal blue dress with its asymmetrical ruched bodice, gathered waist, and A-line hem suits her well. The way she dressed it up with high platform peep toe snake-skin pumps and a metallic gold Michael Kors bags made me pleased. Gold tone brass midi rings and a pair of smokey green and gold quartz drop earrings are the minimum jewels absolutely perfect for this outfit. With her peachy matte lip color, she looked effortless.
All shocked by the way she did an entire 360 degree change, everyone kept asking her "How did she do it?" .... This meant my ultimate goal is only becoming closer and closer. I smiled from a distance as she credited my name repeatedly. I then heard my boss again from across the way, calling me in her office. This only meant more files for the week. I rolled my eyes and walked in.
"I'm proud of you" she said, to my surprise.
"Thank you, but for what??" I asked
"Not only were your reports top notch last week, I'm really loving what you did with your assistant today" she replied.
"It's a privilege to do both." I said with certainty
"Well, I thought maybe I should be your next client" she muttered in a slightly embarrassing tone.
In my head, all I kept thinking, "Am I a stylist or something?"
"Not a problem, just meet me to Saks Fifth Avenue after work, and we can start from there" I stated.
"Great but I also think it's important that you help everyone in here and even around the world. Use your gifts." she projected.
"How am I supposed to do that?" I asked.
"I talked to my fellow CEO's. We're giving you a contract. 1 million dollars to publish three pages in every issue of our magazines for the next year." she shouted.
"What?!" I screamed louder.
"Your reports is solely fashion. This is new to our brand, but we trust you to master it. You just have to do write-ups that can help an everyday business person develop their personal style...Tell them places to shop, create print outfits that they can look to for inspiration, make your information the reason people want to buy our magazine every month!" she said firmly.
Overjoyed as ever, the only thing I could say is ..."I'm on it!"
"As usual... I know I can count on you. Now you just have to meet with everyone tomorrow to sign the contract." she remarked.
"Thank you so much" I said with tears in my eyes.
Walking out dancing, I couldn't believe it. I'm about to be a millionaire in a matter of minutes. Finally I can write and talk about fashion... Two things I love. This is a dream come true. I guess my goal is achieved after all.... even bigger.
It's the next day, and I'm here for my big meeting. My look is bossy and flavourful.
A red hot wide leg high waist trouser pants is styled with a sleeveless Isabel Marant cropped top that features a modified deep v-neck with ruching throughout the upper portion, and an exaggerated keyhole at the back. My gold and black dangling earrings truly makes a statement necklace unnecessary. To make the outfit even more lush, I pinned a custom gold Chanel brooch to my waist side. This complements my three-strap gold sandal heels, my gold designer watch, and stacking rings. The meeting was successful... I signed to do what I was asked of and I cannot wait to begin this new venture in my life.
Months later, it's like a competition in my office on who dressed better. My fellow colleagues now work in style, and I couldn't be more delighted.
THE END
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