Liana Chaouli

Executive Director

Image Therapists Intl.

In this month's issue of Style Sanctuary:

Liana's Letter

Makeover TV article

Through Liana's Eyes

Masterpiece of the Month

Answering your Questions

Insiders' Sales Secrets

National Engagements

Hi everyone. I'm so happy and excited to welcome you to our first Style Sanctuary newsletter. I hope you'll both enjoy and benefit from all the articles, features, reviews, and interviews I'm planning for you in the upcoming months.

With each issue, I'll write an article that brings you insight and understanding on how your own unique nature can be beautifully expressed through your appearance.... the essence of Image Therapy.

You'll also hear about new fashion trends and who these trends are most appropriate for. In the monthly feature, "Through Liana's Eyes" you'll learn by example as I take photographs of people on the street and then graphically alter their clothing choices to better reflect their colors and their proportions. Plus, there are always great ways to save money while shopping, whether at a hot sale or at a secret store that few people know about... reading Style Sanctuary will keep you in the know.

Growing through IT is a fun and social experience when you take classes at the Academy of Image Therapy or by attending one of my speaking engagements. As a subscriber to the Style Sanctuary, you'll be among the first to hear about upcoming dates and available discounts.

All this and so much more. And please remember, I'm always eager for your feedback. You can ask me questions, make suggestions, or just say hello by contacting me at Liana@ImageTherapists.com or calling me at 310-289-9283.

Interest in Image Therapy is going through the roof. With all the extreme makeover shows on TV, the public's awareness of personal style and development is on the rise. There's only one hitch; Image Therapy and "reality" TV makeover shows could not be more different.

The foundation of these shows rest on demeaning the client; exploiting their already tragically low self esteem. We are introduced to individuals as if they were circus freaks and told that happiness and salvation is just one television episode away. Are we to believe that through a new wardrobe, through a new hairstyle, or god forbid, a grotesquely unnecessary cosmetic surgery they can erase a lifetime of self-deprecation and judgment? I wish it were that easy. But that is merely reality television. Not Reality.

Revisit a show participant after six months who was simply given a new wardrobe yet had not been taught what and why something looks good on them. You won't find an elevated person who has changed and improved their level of self-esteem; or is even able to carry forward and add successfully to that strange new wardrobe in their closet. Revisit someone who was given a new face through plastic surgery. You'll find they have the same inner turmoil and the same negative thoughts, only now with a different face revealing different imperfections staring back at them in the mirror.

An old adage: Change comes only from within. Welcome to Image Therapy.

I believe that we are all masterpieces... masterpieces in progress. Elevating ourselves to OUR utmost level of beauty and personal authenticity can be attained by anyone. It is achieved through learning. The more awareness you have of your own uniqueness, or Essential Formula™, coupled with the knowledge of what colors, fabrics, styles, and accessories enhance and compliment your natural gifts is a solution that is life changing and life-sustaining.

Think of it this way: You are a painting. How you dress and present yourself is the picture frame and place you reside. Are you hanging in a plastic frame on a dusty wall in a second-hand store, or are you in a gilded frame among other masterpieces in the Louvre?

I've seen so many men and women blossom into strong leaders and eloquent speakers, and they have been transformed into positive confident individuals. I'm so grateful for the hundreds of stories my clients share about their growth. Nina, for example, a successful corporate lawyer describes how IT impacts her personal and professional life. "My credibility is conveyed by my appearance the moment I enter a room, without having to say a word," You can listen to Nina express these thoughts and more on her video testimonial.

Image Therapy teaches you to love, respect, and appreciate yourself. And it works!

Through Liana's Eyes
Every day I see gorgeous women who are hiding behind the wrong color, inappropriate outfit, or unflattering hairstyles. Or I see people who simply make themselves invisible by wearing too much black. Often it saddens me to see such attractive people get lost by the way they dress.   Those of you who know the values I stand for, are aware that I believe black is not a color everyone can wear. Pure black is the absence of color, and for most it detracts, hides, and suffocates the wearer. Every person, however, has his or her own version of black. It can be anything from a deep teal to a dark brown, a midnight navy, or subtle eggplant color. The ultimate factor is that it is a COLOR. It has life to it. Black does not. Black acts as barrier, is harsh and unforgiving to most people's skin color.   Color Versus Black
Original photo of businesswoman in black.	Color makes her more approachable and inviting.
Here’s a great example. This beautiful lady was having a business meeting with two other women over coffee. Pure black is not her color, especially not when the weight of her cashmere sweater and the design of its ribbing is as heavy as it is. Take a good look at how delicate her hair and facial features are. She has fine hair and fingers. Most importantly is the delicacy of her voice, which I heard. It was evident by the way she was interacting with her business associates that her character was subtle and demure. She had a gentle way of engaging. For someone with these characteristics it is always best to wear color.   A person possessing a light voice and delicate features is suffocated and overpowered by heavy black, as the photo on the left clearly illustrates. By changing the color she wears, not even the weight or design of her outfit, you immediately recognize how much more approachable and inviting she becomes. Wouldn't you want a potential client or business partner to view you as approachable and inviting, rather than harsh and severe?   A Better Proportion and Color
Original photo. Her dress color doesn't compliment her.	Now she looks taller and more harmonious.
The taller lady whom you see in the picture on the left, has visibly made an effort to put herself together nicely. She’s trying to dress femininely, has picked a beautiful color for her sweater (one of her skin tones), and the hemline of her skirt is very flattering to her body type. Most of us are of the opinion (before we learn the principles of Image Therapy) that in order to build a good working wardrobe our basic pieces such as skirts, pants, blazers, suits, etc. should be in basic conservative colors. Well... that might be the information which most people have been given, however, having your staples primarily in gray, black and navy is not necessarily right for you. This strawberry blonde, for example, was helped to look more harmonious by altering the colors of her skirt, shoes and purse. In the original photograph, the gray tone she chose for her skirt, neither reflect nor compliment her natural skin tones or hair color. Hence, we are struck with an outfit that does not look “well put together.” By knowing ones’ natural color tones and putting an outfit together with this awareness, looking “well put together” becomes easily possible. As seen in the photo on the right after a color change, in this case brown skirt and matching shoes, she begins to look like she belongs in the clothes she's wearing. Our next step is to look at her body’s physical proportions. Her sweater is hitting about five inches below her optimum waistline. This creates the visual effect of her legs being too short and her torso being disproportionately long. We took five inches off her sweater, allowing it now to hit her at her natural waist which is most flattering to her body type. Now, her torso and lower body are in perfect proportion to each other. The result; she looks taller and more attractive!       Masterpiece of the Month

A wonderful example of one's outfit enhancing one's natural beauty!
"Masterpiece of the Month" can be men and women who are well put together and exude a wonderfully strong sense of positive self-esteem.   Just as I go around taking pictures of people on the street that can use some assistance or can be presented as examples in my teachings, I take special note of those who look really great.   I met this beautiful lady completely by accident. While I was having lunch recently at an outdoor cafe, I saw her walking down the street towards me. Seeing her in all her radiant beauty I immediately jumped to introduce myself and tell her how beautiful she looked.   As you can see she is extremely well put together. The colors and all the items she's wearing are in harmony with who she is as a person. Her jacket matches her eye color, the silver gray pearl strands reflect the beautiful silver highlights in her hair, and she wears only a touch of makeup to delicately accent her natural features. Yet it was her gentle confidence and ease communicating to her friends and myself, which proved to be her most endearing asset.   To our Masterpiece of the Month: thank you for being an inspiration, and sharing your beauty with all of us.

Do you have questions?

Check out our extensive FAQ page here or ask Liana about a specific issue that you are curious about. What is your best "color" black? What looks best on my body type? Click here and find out.

INSIDERS' VIP SALES SECRETS

With these great sales happening, this is an exciting month for adding new great pieces to your wardrobe. I’ll also be taking small groups on three hour shopping excursions to make it both a fun shopping and learning experience.

Barneys New York Warehouse Sale
The Barneys Warehouse Sale starts on February 10 and runs through February 21. As usual, designer clothing, shoes, and accessories are reduced by 50 to 80 percent.
Barker Hangar: Santa Monica Air Center, 3021 Airport Ave.
310-777-5700
Feb. 10-11, 8-9; Feb. 7-16, 10-9 (on weekends 'til 7)
Major credit cards; checks; cash

Learn While You Shop!

Barneys Warehouse Sale SHOPPING CLASS Alert!!!

This very special shopping class can only include 6 people. For availablity call NOW at 310-289-9283. There will only be two trips scheduled so reserve your space ASAP!

Tuesday, Feb 15th 6pm-9pm

or

Thursday, Feb 17th 6pm-9pm

Class Fee - 3 Hour Group Shopping Trip - $180 per person

Veronica M. Sale
A smattering of spring-friendly styles is on sale at this boutique, which specializes in trendy, under-$100 clothing. Clingy sleeveless tops, ruffled shirts and sleeveless wrap dresses have been marked down, with some styles priced as low as $15.
7122B Beverly Blvd.
323-936-3802
Mon-Sat. 11-7; Sun. 12-6
Major credit cards; checks; cash

Charles David Sale
Save 50 percent on fall/winter merchandise, including ankle boots, knee-high boots, colorful mules, ankle-strap heels, and more.
10880 W. Pico Blvd.
310-475-9229
Mon.-Fri., 10-9; Sat., 10-8; Sun., 11-6
Major credit cards; checks; cash

Introduction to Image Therapy I

Aspen, CO

March 18, 2005

VIP Consultations

Aspen, CO

March 19-20

Introduction to Image Therapy I

Boulder, CO

March 21, 2005

VIP Consultations

Boulder, CO

March 22-26

Introduction to Image Therapy I

Denver, CO

March 27, 2005

VIP Consultations

Denver, CO

March 28 - April 3

Designer Outlet Shopping in Florence, Italy

(Prada/Armani/Gucci)

Florence, Italy

July 18th - 28th 2005

for more information

Professional Association of Custom Clothiers (PACC)

Baltimore, MD

October 22nd 2005