Nina McLemore Says Women Walk Tough Line Dressing for Success

Women (and men) in business show they can stay "on trend" at Palm Springs Life's Women in Business Awards Luncheon

Susan Stein Social Scene

Nina McLemore says women who do not dress seriously will not be taken seriously in the workplace.
Photo by Jim Powers

 

Wearing a perfect emerald/teal jacket from her own clothing collection, Nina McLemore says experience taught her the importance of visuals and how they relate to the woman's place in the business world.

"First impressions are so important," McLemore says. "It's so important how you look and how you dress. And in business for women, it's a very difficult line between lookiing too dawdy, to boring or too plain, or looking too sexually provocative. And in most cases the sexually provocative dress that the fashion industry is showing as the one to wear doesn't work in the business place."

The designer with 14 retail stores that cater to corporate women including one on El Paseo in Palm Desert was the featured speaker at Palm Springs Life's Third Annual Women in Business Awards Luncheon held May 5 at the Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage.

McLemore also helped honor the three Women in Business winners for 2015:  Palm Desert City Council member Jan Harnik for Leader in the Community; Teresa Whipple, executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, as Corporate Leader, and Marcie Madain, owner of four Fresh Juice Bar locations, as Entrpreneur/Startup of the Year. The trio were selected by a panel of four judges from 19 nominees.

Each of the winners were fashionable examples of a business women attired in the latest trends. Jan's chic suit, Theresa's fashionable, red short jacket, and Marcie's geometric print tunic were right on trend and well-suited to their careers.

The audience of more than 150 prominent business men and women were attired in business-appropriate and trendy fashions and had the fashion/corporate balancing matter in question under control.

Women were seen in dresses of lace, bright colors, pastels,  bold prints, flower patterns and the perfect LBD (little black dress). Gentlemen were in suits, bright and elegant shirts with smart trousers, and sport jackets. The most corporate pin stripe suits were accented with a colored shirt or bright tie that carried today's trends.

 

photo by susan stein

Chris Madain, husband of Marcie Madain, Women in Business honoree, leaves the Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage with Marcie's crystal award neatly packaged in a valise perfectly coordinated with his striped shirt in bold spring colors.

 

photo by susan stein

Brandon Boswell of Presage, Valerie McNamara of Presage and Donna MacMillan are perfect examples of how to wear the latest trends of plaid, flare legs trousers, and lace. Brandon is wearing a Pal Zileri navy plaid suit and a Boglioli shirt – both pieces are exclusive from Presage; Valerie is wearing  black flare leg silk pants and blouse from Philosophy, and leopard handbag exclusive to Presage, and Donna is wearing an embroidered lace dress by Oscar De La Renta with her lace and beaded Fendi baguette shoulder bag.

 

 

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