My Day - Samantha von Sperling, Image Consultant
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2006 New York Metro. All rights reserved.
New York Metro - July 10, 2006
My Day - Samantha von Sperling, Image Consultant
By Heidi Patalano
She's "Queer Eye," "What Not to Wear," "Dr. Phil" and every HGTV makeover show all wrapped into one. Image consultant Samantha von Sperling brings her fine pedigree to the successful but socially clueless.
How did you become an image consultant?
I've been doing it my whole life. It started when I was five.
How's that?
Admittedly, I had a very privileged childhood. I'm the daughter of a rather
famous designer, Coco Raynes. She's an industrial graphic designer. Instead
of an after-school program, I grew up in her design studio. I grew up listening
to my mother explain why one shade of lime green was superior to another.
I spent my whole childhood and adolescence having lunch with presidents and
heads of industries. My early education was about what to say, what not to
say, what to wear and how to behave. That was more important than if I could
read ot not. I used to come home with failed spelling tests and my mother
would say," Don't worry about it, darling. One day you'll have a secretary."
What
is the first thing you notice about your new clients?
I look at somebody and I know, intuitively, in 10 seconds, what the problem
is. Poor manners and bad grooming are usually the most glaring offenses.
My clients across the board lend to be extremely educated people
How is a rule
of etiquette created?
A rule of etiquette is created with an underlying mission of showing respect,
hospitality and diplomacy.
What are the most overlooked rules of etiquette?
Opening doors for women and poor table manners. Chewing with your mouth open,
not holding your knife and fork correctly.
What are the rules for text messaging?
Text messaging is inappropriate to use when you're trying to avoid speaking
to someone. It's also inappropriate when it requires more than a yes or
no answer. When it's faster to discuss something on the phone, just call
them.
What on earth is happening to Britney Spears right now?
She's hurling on the inside. Her life is a rness right now. I think she's
afraid for her children. Her life is in turmoil, she's afraid for her career.
I think she's acting out because she never has come with the skill set
or background or education to have the composure to deal with some of the
things she has to deal with, which, to be fair, most of us don't have to
deal with
Do you think the picture of her naked on the cover of Harper's
Bazaar improved her image at all?
That cover was a cheap, tawdry imitation
of the original of Demi Moore. Instead of looking like the glowing, pure-of-heart
earth mother, she looks like a cheap showgirl. Gaudy necklace, lots of
black makeup. However, to be fair, we need to evolve our thinking a little
bit about family dynamics. Showgirls can be mommies, too.
Download
Original Article (235 kilobyte pdf)
© Copyright
2006 New York Metro. All rights reserved.