Press Releases

Dress to Impress - Is hiring a personal shopper a waste of money or a priceless career investment? (read more ...)

A man who proposed to his girlfriend last December now wants the 3.2-carat diamond engagement ring back after the engagement turned sour last month (read more ...)

... image experts, Samantha von Sperling and Dori Rootenberg, offer suggestions on how to be a welcome guest at parties (read more ...)

So once in New York City, I made my first stop Polished Social Image Consultants. Samantha von Sperling, Polished's founder and director, had graciously agreed to help transform me into a man of wealth and taste (read more ...)

My future mother-in-law has bad taste. How do I ensure she wears something appropriate to my wedding? (read more ...)

Dream Trip or Too Difficult? 'Destination' weddings ask guests for more commitment (read more ...)

Scent of a Woman - Sold for a Man: To market cologne to men, makers experiment with more exotic blends; notes of Champagne, juniper berries (read more ...)

Prison Payoff - How Paris [Hilton] can profit from her stint behind bars (read more ...)

Being smart and successful doesn't mean you're well-mannered. If you can't distinguish a fish fork from a salad fork or find yourself inadvertently insulting clients and colleagues around the world, it's time to hire your own Emily Post (read more ...)

These days, something else -- rudeness -- seems too is making its way onto the menu. WFMZ'S Bo Koltnow continues his series on manners (watch video...)

Samantha von Sperling, a New York image consultant, suggests sticking with "a small plaid, almost like a houndstooth, worn in muted colors" to avoid looking like you're wearing a costume (read more ...)

Be My Valentine -- Or Not. Valentine's Day Grinch Says 'Rejoice' if You're Alone (read more ...)

By the time I arrive at Samantha von Sperling's home office just off Wall Street a few days later, I am wondering how many bosses and co-workers I have inadvertently offended (read more ...)

Deconstructing Hillary - A look at Senator Clinton’s presentation and the room from which she made her presidential announcement (read more ...)

[This article appeared in Dutch - translation is unavailable] (read more ...)

It's hard to know what goes on behind bathroom stalls in New York City nightclubs, but starting next month denizens of the night will have one more service they can purchase there — hair straightening (read more ...)

More than 500 members of Congress did not show up at former President Gerald Ford's funeral ceremony in the Capitol rotunda (read more ...)

It's hard enough deciding what to give your loved ones, let alone how much you should tip all of the service people in your life (read more ...)

One New York wife is getting a $50,000-plus diamond ring thanks to hubby's Wall Street bonus. An executive is giving $1 million in private jet time so his family won't have to fly commercial (read more ...)

"The Grinch campaign is a great idea. It says gently and slightly tongue-in-cheek about what needs to be said," said Samantha von Sperling, an etiquette expert and director of the downtown firm Polished Social Image Consultants (read more ...)

Amid Manhattan's bustle and buzz of holiday shopping and spending, a young professional frets over the 20 people he needs to spend on-just in end-of-the-year tips. That's not including gifts for family and friends, and has him feeling overwhelmed (read more ...)

The 7th and 8th graders at I.S. 109 in Queens Village are learning the rules of etiquette under the, oh so very proper eye of manners expert, Samantha von Sperling (watch video...)

Tips on how to look current and appropriate at work from Samantha von Sperling, founder of Polished Social Image Consultants (read more ...)

Meet Miss (Ms., Mrs., Mr.) Manners - Thirteen experts navigate life's touchy, awkward, and most confounding social scenarios (read more ...)

Polished Social Image Consultants is "New York City's Most Experienced Personal Shopper" (read more ...)

...I decided to dive deeper into the mental aspect of dancing by attending instructor Samantha von Sperling's studio in a Financial District apartment. I listened as she explained the benefits of dance lessons for her male clients, most of who, she says, are between 25 and 40 years old, and the type of man with an eye for self improvement (read more ...)

You're standing on a subway platform waiting for a train, when a boisterous group of middle-schoolers blow past and , without apology, almost send you tumbling (read more ...)

Former President Bill Clinton recently lost his temper during an interview with Chris Wallace on "Fox News Sunday" in which Wallace questioned the former president about not having caught Osama bin Laden (read more ...)

Perhaps you've been told that having a child is a 24-hour-a-day job. But it doesn't have to be your job--not for a moment. Nannies have been around for centuries, but in New York--the leading edge of parental avoidance--it is now possible to outsource more-advanced child-rearing functions as well, such as shopping for clothing, going on college visits, and even initiating those awkward talks about, well, you know (read more ...)

When a politician sets off on the campaign trail, he takes his convictions, morals, occasionally his wife, and sometimes to his detriment a thicket of facial hair (read more ...)

Will regular guys wear drawstring tuxedo pants? How about rumpled sport coats? Roomy trousers with superwide legs? (read more ...)

Samantha von Sperling of Polished Social Image Consultants gives some tips on how to deal with rude client service and get your way while shopping, dining and more (watch the video...)

There is no getting around the summer soak, but what is the protocol for public touching during the drippy months? ..."Our tolerance for things like sweat and body odor is a little higher in the summer," says etiquette expert Samantha von Sperling. "But not that much higher." (read more ...)

... For women and men, Samantha von Sperling, a New York fashion consultant, recommends echoing the colors in the shirt with another item in the outfit such as sneakers or a belt. (read more ...)

New York based image consultant Samantha von Sperling has some top color advice for Irish skin: (read more ...)

Many of us love to shop till we drop. And getting a great bargain is icing on the cake. Samantha von Sperling is a professional shopper. She has some tips on how to make sure we're getting the best prices wherever we shop, from department stores to flea markets, " said Tracy Smith, cohost of The Saturday Early Show (watch the show...)

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 (read more ...)

Mode de vie. Le "New York Magazine" dresse un guide urbain des bonnes manieres ... »Si vous quittez l'appartement quand l'autre dort encore, «laissez un petit mot louangeur sur la nuit passée». Samantha von Sperling s'accorde avec le New York Magazinepour condamner les excès de vitesse en poussette. «Certaines mères les utilisent comme une arme pour écarter les gens de leur chemin», s'insurge-t-elle. (read more ...)

Summer in the Hamptons offers exclusive parties, exquisite dining and extreme heat. Residents who want to look their best without feeling their worst can test these predictions for what's going to be hot this summer - while still keeping your cool. (read more ...)

Ms. Couric's "Today" wardrobe isn't appropriate for the person filling a job once held by legendary newsman Walter Cronkite, a New York-based image consultant, Samantha von Sperling, said. "The morning news is a fluffier role," she said. "You can be more fashion-forward (read more ...)

If power is the ultimate aphrodisiac, why don't you want to have sex with any of these women? ... According to Samantha von Sperling, an image consultant in New York and Boston who often leads grooming seminars for corporate clients, many working women still worry that they won't be taken seriously if they're sexy-and-anything (read more ...)

It's there in the fellow subway traveler a few inches away who coughs in your direction without covering his mouth, in the woman on the bus speaking loudly into her cell phone for the entire ride uptown, and in the group of high school girls laughing and gossiping loudly and making everyone's heads turn. It's there in the guy who breezes through the heavy door, leaving it to swing back in your direction, and in the woman who says nothing in recognition as you politely hold the door open for her (read more...)

... former boy star Chris O'Donnell ... Absoultely, says celebrity-image consultant Samantha von Sperling, "It's a great opportunity for him, " (read more...)

Samantha von Sperling of Polished Social Image Consultants gives dining etiquette session to the kids. This fundamentally changes the way the children interact and institutes a healthier environment at the dinner table (watch the video...)

"How do I look? Am I projecting OK? It's Friday, time for the 'Job Files'" (read more and listen to show...)

Condoleezza Rice, the nation's top diplomat, is appearing in a three-part TV interview in which she rides a bike, works on her abs, pumps iron and talks about her weight ... Samantha von Sperling, a New York-based image consultant whose customers include politicians, was skeptical. She admires Rice, but finds this all to be a bit "Oprah-esque." (read more...)

Ms. Write interviews from SES New York (InfoSearch Media). Ms. Write roams the tradeshow floor at SES New York speaking with experts from these great companies: Become.com, Ask.com, Content Logic, DM News, Elixer Systems, Acronym Media, Didit Search Marketing, iProspects, & Samantha von Sperling for IMLive.com.(read more and listen to show...)

Menswear - This spring's pastel ties are on a collision course with your shirts. How to make a match ... To avoid looking like an Easter egg, you should match at least one color in your tie to your shirt (read more...)

"I try to add a little elegance and a little romance to the world we live in," says Samantha von Sperling, owner and director of Polished Social Image Consultants. (read more...)

If you're going to meet the Queen of Denmark, you'd better have your act together... "Samantha has taught me so much about what looks good on me. She has given me a framework, introduced me to new colors and textures... When I leave the house I feel like a million bucks." (read more...)

Samantha von Sperling charges [$300 - $450] an hour to check both naughty and nice off your list. She's a professional shopper who recently moved from Boston to Manhattan. Sound like a sweet job? Maybe so, but this time of year, shopping gets hectic. So Ms. von Sperling employs a time-tested method to get the right gifts quickly (read more...)

Neill is one of several local consultants who are trying to do their part to help this notoriously unfashionable city. Samantha von Sperling, who is based in New York and Boston, is an image consultant who helps clients with appearance and social behavior. Von Sperling said she loves Boston but also believes the city could use some refinement. (read more...)

You might not like asking for favors, but if you want "yes" to be the reply, the way you phrase the request is crucial, etiquette experts say... "That is absolutely the most important thing," says Samantha von Sperling, a Manhattan-based image consultant with Long Island clients. "And you generally only get one chance, so make it count." (read more...)

Men in conservative workplaces should probably save zip sweaters for true casual days, however, says Samantha von Sperling [of Polished Social Image Consultants], an image consultant based in New York. For those who do want to try them at work in a business-casual setting, she suggests sticking with fabrics such as cashmere or super-fine wool. (read more...)

What to wear? It's a question that plagues most of us with some regularity - if not daily. But the clothing dilemma can be especially challenging for lawyers, who do their business in a myriad of settings, whether it be a home office; downtown courtroom; large, formal law firm; or laid-back, small-firm environment. (read more...)

Americans generally don't score well when it comes to proper dining etiquette. "There are countless faux pas made, and I'm embarrassed to report that the error is usually on the side of Americans. What turns foreigners off the most is the lack of protocol and table manners that American businesspeople have. I constantly hear complaints about it" (read more...)

"I wish that Mayor Menino were my client," said Samantha von Sperling, owner of Polished Social Image Consultants. "If you don't come across as articulate, you don't come across as intelligent as you might be, sort of shooting yourself in the foot." (read more...)

Dressed Down Justice. Judges: Many guilty of taking casual dress too far in courtrooms (read more...)

Help is on the way! Relax and let someone else tackle your wedding to-do list (read more...)

Are You Experienced? Pushing the boundaries of Luxury. Luxury is no longer about rampant materialism or having and getting, but the enjoyment and revelling in the luxury experience (read more...)

Get a grip on many aspects of your life by learning how to hold things properly - from chopsticks and a wineglass to a newborn baby (and even your tongue) (read more...)

Getting her act together: "Survivor's Guide" comes to aid of Arlington high schooler (read more...)

When you need the right stuff. Dress in the workplace has become more formal in the past year, as more companies tell employees to keep their khakis in the closet and shake out their suits (read more...)

What did it all cost? Her lips are sealed. It's a little secret so many women share: They don't want the men in their lives to know how much they spend on clothes. (read more...)

... But for those who do not want to go the hotel or dinner route, there are plenty of ways to show your love ... even if you have to dance.

"Any woman is going to be blown away by a man who offers a dance lesson as a Valentine's Day present," said Samantha von Sperling, a Boston image consultant who offers dance lessons and other services for the Valentine's Day-challenged.

For a fee, von Sperling, who runs Polished Social Image Consultants in Boston (www.socialimage.net; 646.644.4300), can help men craft the perfect date, or set up a "day of beauty" for someone's wife or girlfriend. (read more...)

The Well-Mannered Wedding Guest. Etiquette gurus and brides lay down the rules for attending a wedding without adding undue stress for the bride and groom (read more...)

...Samantha von Sperling, owner of Polished Social Image Consultants, believes in making life easier at work, too. "I delegate whenever possible, accounting, filing - anything to alleviate stress," (read more...)

Watching Samantha von Sperling shop, you quickly get the feeling that she has never wasted time looking for a space in a mall parking lot. Eschewing the crowds, she began her holiday shopping early last month with a Thursday-morning romp through Emporio Armani, where she had the store practically to herself (read more...)

What if you could find the perfect wedding gown without setting foot in a bridal boutique? With the help of Boston native Samantha von Sperling, you just might (read more...)

Sure, your personality is rockin', but for some reason the guys and girls at the bars barely give you a second look. Well, stop worrying. If you can't get a date because you dress like a freak, we've got some advice for you (read more...)

Retail Therapy. Forget the hassle of searching for clothes, never finding anything that feels right (read more...)

It's time to get back to basics and nothin is as fundamental as radiant skin (read more...)

Enter the image consultant, an invaluable ally in your personal style quest. Fashion enthusiasts Samantha von Sperling and Liza Hurd of Polished Social Image Consultants, a full service consulting firm specializing in wardrobe consulting, speech and diction, and etiquette, are quick to dispel a few myths about style (read more...)

"She realizes she's got to become more of a politician", says Samantha von Sperling, a Boston image consultant who cheers the new image - or the attempt, at least - as a chance for Swift to look more stateswoman, less frazzled mom (read more...)

Naamua Delaney, Entertainment and Lifestyle Reporter for FOX25 News interviews Samantha at her old studio location. (click to watch clip...)

Since it's inception in December 2000, Samantha von Sperling and her associates have made house calls to those in need of a self-esteem boost - teaching ballroom dancing, wardrobe consultation, personal shopping, makeup, etiquette, speech and diction (read more...)

And Boston image consultant Samantha von Sperling said she sees a significant increase in customers every January. Many of them tell her they want to change their public persona as the direct result of a New Year's resolution. The hours she has to work to deal with the extra traffic makes life  really hectic  for a couple of weeks, she said (read more...)

Maybe she didn't hire a fashion consultant for fear she would jinx W's already precarious victory.
But her husband won, and the first lady needs help (read more...)

Ballroom dancing has its own highly developed language that can bring a couple even closer, " says Samantha von Sperling, a personal dance instructor in Manhattan who specializes in newlyweds. Whether you need to learn or simply polish your skills, Samantha can help you face the music and dance (read more...)