HOW TO INTRIGUE EVERYONE WITHOUT SAYING A WORD IN 8 EASY STEPS: Style Clinic by Abbygale Arenas-de Leon

Junior Chamber International Davaoeña Daba Daba, together with Hedgren and the Primer Group, has conducted a seminar workshop dubbed as "How to be Unforgettable" last July 5, 2012. The resource speaker for the event was the former 1997 Bb. Pilipinas Universe Abbygale Arenas.

When Abby Arenas walked inside the room, I was first to notice her. She smiled at me and I merely gawked. Maybe I was a little starstruck or shy or I just felt uncomfortable that a beauty queen is smiling at me. Abby talked about the 8 steps on how to become unforgettable, and from the start of the workshop until it was finished, I can't help but notice that Abby embodies all the 8 steps that she expertly shared to us.

Armed not just with beauty, poise, and composure, Abby has now gained the knowledge and experience to become a professional image consultant. She currently owns Personi-fy Image Studio, an image consultancy firm that offers trainings and services in the field of image and personality development, business etiquette, social graces, and professional wardrobe consultancy. Source.

What are these 8 steps? Here's what I've managed to take down in my notepad:

1. Smile. Smiling is the cheapest form of cosmetics. It shows magnetism and positivity. If you want to have a perfect smile, practice smiling. Here is Abby's tip: Practice saying "A" or "8" and hold the position your mouth creates for 2 minutes a day. Do that for 20 days. That's how you will achieve your perfect smile.
2. Eyes. You eyes show intelligence. Eye to eye contact establishes attention, rapport, trust, and sincerity.
3. Posture. Posture establishes presence. Be mindful of your neck, shoulders, lower back, and legs. Even a slight change in the angle of your neck could create a different impression on the people looking at you. Tilting the chin up could make you look arrogant or proud while the tilting it down could make you look shy or inferior.
4. Big Pivot. Keep in mind that if you want a person's attention, you must give him your big pivot: mind your chin and both shoulders must face the person that you're talking to.
5. Old Friend. If you're talking to a person whom you have just met for the first time, treat her as if she's your old friend. You wouldn't be in the same place at the same time if you have nothing in common.
6. Mind the fidget. Remember how our mothers used to reprimand us for tapping our legs, scratching body parts, playing with our hair and etcetera? You just have to stop that, it won't add anything good to your image.
7. Visualize. "What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve." No explanation needed.
8. Look the part. This is where styling and appearance comes in which includes wearing the proper dress for the occasion and avoiding common misdemeanors such as wearing the wrong shoes, chipped nail polish, and the dreaded exposure of bra straps.

Discussing how clothes can make a difference.

Attending the Style Clinic, I was able to have some fun and learn a lot of things at the same time. I was truly honored to have been invited to the event, thanks to Ria Jose of JCI Dabadaba. Also thanks to Karla Singson for being my "partner" for the workshop.

Posing with Abby Arenas and Hedgren Bags
Hedgren is available at The Travel Club and Bratpack,
both of which have branches in SM City Davao and Abreeza Mall