Carolina Herrera: Fall 2010

Today I discovered something new about one of COVERINGS favorite designers.  Carolina Herrera was inspired by the late Diana Vreeland (Vogue) to create her first collection.  Whatever her initial inspiration, she continues to inspire us with her tweed suits, fur wraps, and her signature tailored whites blouses.  This 2010 fall collection is an absolute work of art.

The Clinic Presents: A Day For The Total Woman

Donna Gamache Interview

CEO of DonnaGamache.com, Donna Gamache, lunched with Coverings Editor In Chief as they discussed the invention of her Fashion game and release of her new book. Donna’s inspirational story will give you a peek into the mind of a “mom” turned savvy entrepreneur.

Coverings: Donna, tell us your story.

Donna Gamache: Let me start with where I am today and then I will tell you how I got here. Today my company helps business owners create their Powerful Business presence through the use of video, photography and image consulting. We are all about making sure they look their best in front of the camera so that their confidence as a business owner is strongly reflected to their clients.

My entrepreneurial story begins when we lived in Georgia. Out of a desire to stay home with my sons, I created a business from my home making soft sculptured dolls. It was during the time the Cabbage Patch dolls were first available. My dolls were called Pug Pals because each one had a little pug nose. They were really cute and sold quite well throughout a 4 state craft circuit. After a short time I had a couple of women working for me. I didn’t realize at the time I was forming the first of 4 businesses.

To explain how my second business was started, let’s fast-forward a few years. We had relocated to South Carolina where I took a job as a school administrator. It was here I found I had a real aptitude for the computer and decided I wanted to do something more. God is so good and opened the door for me to work at an advertising agency. It was there I discovered that I just loved creating ads and teaching others how to use graphic packages.

When my mother-in-law developed Alzheimer’s, we decided to move to Missouri to help out. I was told by several people that I should apply for work at Maritz, one of the largest sales and marketing companies in St. Louis. The recommendation was for one of their divisions where I could put my skills to work as a graphic designer and trainer. So, I went for a couple of interviews and was offered a couple of positions…all starting at the entry level which meant a small salary and starting at the bottom which was not what I wanted to do. This is when I formed my second company Desk Top Consulting. I bought myself a Mac computer with only 30 Megs of ram for $5,000 and that didn’t even include the printer!

Coverings: Did you work from the office every day?

Donna Gamache: Mostly I worked out of my home, but here’s one of the things I am most proud of. Less than eight months after forming Desktop Consulting, I went back to Martiz but this time as my own boss. You see, I negotiated a contract to train all of their graphic designers and word processors. And the great news is…I got to charge what I wanted to charge.

Coverings: How did you become that proficient in graphic design?

Donna Gamache: I learned it basically on my own while working with the advertising agency. I am a very visual person. If somebody shows me how to do something and I do it a couple of times, I just get it.

Coverings: Wait a minute. With no formal education in graphic design or training you started your own company and trained all the graphic designers in Quark Xpress and Adobe Illustrator and the entire word processing department in Quark Xpress and Microsoft Word?

Donna Gamache: Yes. That’s it. I had several clients in the area and even did some public classes for about five years. The good news is that I really loved what I did and was able to do most of my work from my home office which meant I was there whenever my kids needed me. Everything was going great and then I got hit with a major blow. A little over nineteen years into my first marriage my husband wanted a divorce.

Like most women going into a single lifestyle many thoughts went through my head “I won’t have my 401K! I won’t have my husband to fall back on. Do I keep the business and build it? How can I survive alone?” I finally came to the conclusion that I had to let go and let God do his work and sure enough someone in my church offer me a job as an IT consultant. God is so good! This new position allowed me to work with three large firms in St. Louis: Edward Jones, Anheuser Busch, and Monsanto. As an IT Consultant, I would work with developers to understand the company’s proprietary systems and then take what I learned and break it down into easy to understand training documents for the end-user. My job was to create the training documents and then train the end-user how to use the system.

Coverings: This is an interesting career path for someone who has a creative side, especially in the early days with your experience in computer graphics. Creatives don’t usually work with both sides of their brains equally as well. What were you thinking all of this time? Were you comfortable? Were you loving it or wishing you were working just as a creative.

Donna Gamache: You know, at the time I loved what I was doing. I was creating documentation but also had the opportunity to design some of the training documents. I also loved training. I moved up very quickly in my position with Edward Jones and I wanted to leave after 2 years, at the end of my contract. Edward Jones and my consulting company asked me to stay another year which I did but learned a valuable lesson about working as a consultant in the corporate environment…never stay more than 2 years. From here I moved on to do several projects with both Monsanto and Anheuser Busch (now ABInBev). It was a great experience for me and I learned a lot about my field of expertise and about working with people. After about 10 years in IT consulting in the corporate environment, I found I was getting really burned out…not so much on what I was doing but on corporate America itself. Even as a consultant you experience company politics. It was at this same time that I ran into someone I used to do public training classes with…Steve Gamache. We were both invited to attend a Christmas party and found that we still had a lot in common. Steve and I dated 4 years and were engaged for a year before marrying in 2001…it will be 9 years for us this September. If you do the math you realize we were married right after one of the most horrific things that ever happened on American soil, 911. It made both of us realize how very blessed we were to be Americans and to have found each other after all those years.

The reason I am sharing this part of my life with you goes back to my statement about being burned out with corporate America. You see, I just couldn’t handle working in the corporate environment anymore. After being married for a very short time, I came home one day and said to my husband, “My spirit is dying inside of me…I just can’t do this anymore.” Without hesitation he said,”What do you want to do?” “I don’t know what I want to do,” was all I could say. His prompt reply was, “Well, what you don’t have to do is go back.”

Coverings: There are so many women who want to do that. They feel tied to the job because they do not have a supportive partner.

Donna Gamache: Exactly. I know God has been so good to me and I am thankful every day for 2 gifts…first my wonderfully supportive, loving husband and second for the opportunity to leave that environment and start another company! I am truly very blessed. When I knew that I was going to be leaving the job, I made a point to work another couple of months to tie up loose ends. I was never one to just walk off of a project. During this time, I started my third company called The Right Results. I was at the point where I wanted to go back to what I have always loved…fashion and design. Now this really excited me. I rebranded my company and this time my consulting services included image consulting; personal shopping, makeovers, workshops and seminars.

Coverings: How did you become the Executive Managing Director for eWomenNetwork?

Donna Gamache: During the same time I was transitioning out of IT and building The Right Results, a friend of mine who managed the St. Louis eWomenNetwork chapter told me she was moving to Florida. She asked if I had any interest in managing the chapter. You see I had been a member for eight years and loved the structure of the organization and how they help women connect and grow their businesses. I said yes to the opportunity and have been the Executive Managing Director for five years now.

Coverings: How did you hear about eWomenNetwork?

Donna Gamache: I don’t remember. I believe it was through someone I was networking with. Networking is a big, big part of how I have built my companies. The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities there are. It’s how I met you!

Coverings: Let’s talk about your transition into fashion.

Donna Gamache: Okay, it all started through networking and my volunteer work with a local non-profit. You see there was another woman who volunteered for this same non-profit and people kept telling me I needed to meet her and they kept telling her she needed to meet me. Have you ever had love at first sight with a woman? I am talking about how your spirits go “Whoa!” They just connect immediately and you don’t even know why. That is what happened with this woman and let me tell you things moved quickly from there. Within a few short months, we formed a style company named Anatomy of Style. It was an online membership company where women could get education about how to dress and then shop based on their style personality and shape. My partner and I actually measured the clothes to make sure they were the right shape and then photographed outfits so that the member could go to their page and see what worked for them.

Coverings: Could you buy the clothes online?

Donna Gamache: Yes. There was a link you could click that would take you directly to the buy page for every item.

Coverings: Is the site still available?

Donna Gamache: The concept was so incredible but it didn’t move quite as quickly as we had hoped. I was the one responsible for keeping the web site links up to date and marketing the site. We were finding that the clothes were not available long enough. I made a comment to my partner that the clothes in the links were selling out pretty fast. Just a comment on my part with a thought that maybe we should look into buying our own clothes to put online. Well, you have to understand my ex-partner to understand what happened next. You see I truly love this woman but she is the kind who will pull the trigger without aiming first. The next thing I knew we wound up at the Dallas Merchandise Mart buying clothes and then opening a boutique.

Coverings: Where was the boutique located?

Donna Gamache: The boutique was in mid-town St. Louis. What I loved about that business is that we helped women embrace their bodies. Often they lacked confidence. For instance, if someone said something negative to them about their legs (and I’m talking about as far back as 5th grade), they never wore dresses. We encouraged them and gave them the support and love that they needed to know that they have beautiful legs. To show them they can wear skirts and dresses. It was that part of the business that I loved and really embraced. At first, things were going pretty well with new customers but it didn’t take me long to realize I didn’t really want to be a boutique owner. You see I realized I don’t like selling but my partner loved it. It took a lot of courage to realize I needed to get out. Walking away from a business that was so right at the beginning was so hard but I knew there was no way I could keep investing in what the business had become. So, with a very significant debt and a lot of life’s lessons learned we eventually dissolved our partnership. She kept it for another year and a half and then sold it.

Coverings: Explain a little more about the life lessons you learned.

Donna Gamache: I learned you have to really get to know someone before you jump into a business together…I always say we should have dated a lot longer before we “got married”. You see a business partnership is much like a marriage and many times you spend more time with that partner than you do your spouse. I also learned a lot about what I did not do right in setting up the business…the paperwork that should have been in place. That is why I am co-authoring another book about women and business partnership. I hope to impart what I learned to others so they can learn from my mistakes.

Coverings: That is great and I’m sure a must read for many women who are partnering in business. Now I want to talk about your idea for the fashion game. Where did that idea come from?

Donna Gamache: I am very excited about the game and believe is a direct revelation from God. I think we, as busy women are “crazy busy.” We are not taking the time that we used to when we could get together with our girlfriends just to have a night of belly laughs and maybe drink a glass of wine …just have fun together. The vision was to help women recapture that inner fun girl. It’s a game that would pull them together for fun and also give them another purpose for being together. You see it would be educational in teaching them about their individual styles. I have created a prototype for the game. It has been through a couple of plays with a focus group that I pulled together called my “dream team.” You see a “dream team” is a group of people that helps you build your dream through their support and advice. This amazing group of women is helping me fine tune the game by sharing some of their own amazing ideas. I have a second group “dream team” that will assist me with marketing.

Coverings: What is the fundamental premise for the game? How do you play it?

Donna Gamache: Instead of a board, there is a table cloth you put on your dining room table. Imagine that! Each person picks a paper doll as their playing piece. The paper dolls represent the five styles. The characteristics of that particular style are listed on the back of the paper doll. We use a big pink die to get around the board. The spaces help you earn either a shopping trip to the boutique mall or a celebrity card. The game cards ask questions about the different style personalities so players learn as they play. The cards also have some fun questions such as “What did you wear to your senior prom?” This leads to a fun discussion about style back in that era.

Coverings: On the back of my paper doll would be dramatic, so what would I shop for?

Donna Gamache: I call that “Dynamic Driver”. Now don’t let the dramatic fool you…it doesn’t necessarily mean theatrical. A dramatic woman is usually a CEO. She is in charge. She is the “Dynamic Driver”. When she dresses she likes things that are simple to wear…no layering for this woman. No, that would be for the “Fun Flirt” which is my style personality. I just love to layer. That’s a part of who I am but for the dramatic, well they are very comfortable in a suit or simple dress…something that is uncomplicated and easy to put on. Now, for the dramatic personality there must be something unique about the suit or dress….that is who they are.

Coverings: Suits are my favorite thing to wear.

Donna Gamache: Because you’re dramatic you will also carry a really nice purse that will last for a long time.

Coverings: We like an accent piece. Something to make our look pop.

Donna Gamache: Yes, you love a unique, iconic piece of jewelry or maybe even sunglasses to make your outfit pop. One of the first things I noticed about you was your great ring and the suit you were wearing…I pretty much knew you were a dramatic or “Dynamic Driver”. I just wanted to make sure you knew dramatic wasn’t theatrical. After being with you during this interview it is apparent to me that you are a “Dynamic Driver”.

Coverings: What would your paper doll say?

Donna Gamache: If I picked the one that was my personal style it would be the “Fun Flirt”. This style is all about being the life of the party…being very personable, most people like a “Fun Flirt as soon as they meet her. They also can be a CEO but they will gladly take second seat…do whatever’s best for the company. But the “Dynamic Driver” is very much in charge. Did you know most people are more than one style? Now there is going to be a primary style every time but for me I am also a “Dynamic Driver” as a secondary style. .

Coverings: How does a “Fun Flirt” dress?

Donna Gamache: We dress with flair. We usually have to have something a little showy and as I said, we love to layer. We don’t spend a lot of money on our purses because we want to change up every few weeks. And, we love bling!

Coverings: Are you trendy?

Donna Gamache: There are always some things in each style that you have to be careful of. A fun flirt has to be careful of the trends because she can go crazy.

Coverings: How does one win the fashion game you have created?

Donna Gamache: As you are going around the tablecloth board you’re collecting your clothes. Your whole objective for moving around the board is getting clothes from the mall boutique so that you have a complete outfit (shoes & purse included). The other thing you are doing is collecting celebrity cards…there are 4 total. The celebrity cards you collect are for your shopping spree in Paris, your makeover, your hair and your photo shoot. You have to have all 4 celebrity cards and a complete outfit for your paper doll to enter the runway towards the magazine cover. The first one to land on the magazine cover with all 4 cards and a complete outfit is the winner. And, after the game everyone can discuss the outfits chosen to see if they truly fit the paper doll’s style personality.

Coverings: It is my understanding that the game was initially designed for women in the church community. From what I am hearing all women would enjoy playing.

Donna Gamache: You know what? This game is for any woman. I think that Christian women are just like anyone else. They are looking to bond with their girlfriends. This game is for everyone. I played it with my daughter-in-law and we had so much fun together. I can see girlfriends playing together and mothers & daughters playing together too. I have made some really cute suggestions for the hostess to individualize their game party. She can buy party gifts to add to the winner’s prize. For instance, even though winning the game is the magazine cover…which is of course is make believe…maybe they want to have a little crown to put on the winner. Fun stuff like that. It has to be about fun. The plan is to release the game cards first, as conversation starters. And, my hope is to package them in something that looks like little make up bags. They will be in various fabrics that appeal to the different personality styles. My goal is to have the cards out in the next three to four months. And, I am looking into starting virtual games before the release of the board game.

Coverings: I am so excited. I want to play! Will we be able to get the game from your web site or will we have to go into one of the stores?

Donna Gamache: We are planning on both. My big vision is to package the game in a purse. I have this vision in my head; Women walking through the store…Target for example… looking for a game and seeing a purse in the game aisle… every woman will want one. Every style personality is drawn to something a little different. You will be drawn to something that is classy, like black velvet with one little accent piece on it.

Coverings: You know me too well already. (laughs) I love classic stuff with a little hint of a trend…just a little surprise something.

Donna Gamache: Sure, I know. You’re dramatic all over. It’s good though that you know who you are. Most women do not. I want to help them understand and discover themselves through my fashion board game. If you try to take someone who is sporty or romantic and stick them in a suit, they are very uncomfortable all day.
A Romantic loves flowing fabrics and lace. You know a Romantic style personality is the most compassionate. They are the most true blue friend. It’s very interesting once you get into it. I have seen women go from feeling insecure and dressing totally wrong to discovering their true style personality and how to dress it. It brings such confidence. You just can’t stop them when they make that discovery!

Coverings: Dressing wrong for who she really is does cause a woman to be self conscious and unsure of herself. And you are saying everything we believe in. It is not so much about how I am built. I am in here inside. The “real me” is in here looking out at you, asking, “Do you see me?” And in retail we just see the shell.

Donna Gamache: Yes, you are right in many cases we have been just dressing the shell.

Coverings: We have to find the girl inside. We need to tell her it’s okay to come out and play and discover who she really is. It’s okay to be you. Come on out. You don’t have to fit in to a mold. It is possible to make your personality work with your body type. Most women can wear almost anything or color there is. As style professionals, we need to take the time to show them how. Are you thinking the same thing?

Donna Gamache: I am. That’s exactly what the game and my business is all about…helping women discover their best self! I will say this about body shape. There are some shapes that can be enhanced tremendously. Take a very rectangular body shape, straight up and down put a belt or something around the middle, and you’ve got an hour glass shaped figure.

Coverings: But you want to do it in the context of making the body style work with the personality style?

Donna Gamache: Right. It is all about the inside. One of my biggest pet peeves is when I hear women frustrated while shopping. Do you know what they are frustrated with? The clothes don’t fit!. It’s not them. It’s the designers. Designers design for sticks. I can really get on my soap box about this. You know I would love to go into designing.

Coverings: This is the time to start designing. That is how Carolina Herrera started. She is one of my favorites. She had never taken a design class. She simply knew that she was not getting what she wanted. She could afford it, so she just started designing her own line. She took them to the manufacturer and just did it!

At Coverings we are looking for designers who have an ear to God. We know they exist. Just like you said…women are frustrated. They are being locked away inside and these new designers have the key. They need the confidence to step forward. The fashion industry needs what they have.

Donna Gamache: I am sure you will agree with me. There’s a scripture verse which says that even from the time we are in the womb we are uniquely created by God. So I think every person has a unique footprint. There is something in each person that needs to be shared with the rest of the world. As for me, I think I started early on with what it was and got really sidetracked onto other things. Now I feel like I am coming back to it, and I want to share it with the world. That is how I know I will be successful. I think what trips most of us up are two things. The first is fear. Many times it’s not even fear of failure. It’s fear of being successful… ‘what am I really going to do with that?’ The other that stops women especially is money. Men do not seem to be stopped by money as often as women. Have you noticed that too?

Coverings: Yes; I have experienced it and see it all the time. But, also I see women can make it happen when we come together.

Donna Gamache: Collaboration is my greatest strength. It’s all about collaboration for me in a nutshell. Without it, I would not be where I am today.

Coverings: You just published your first book “If You Really Want To Be Successful, Get Connected!”

Donna Gamache: Yes. The book offers wisdom, insights, and strategies from entrepreneurial women. Jo Lena Johnson and I co-authored the book. She is all about putting more good into the universe and has a company called Absolute Good. I am very proud of my collaboration with Jo Lena and the entrepreneurial women interviewed in this book. I am so grateful they are willing to share their practical wisdom, insights and strategies to help other women be successful! Many of the women interviewed in the book are connections made through eWomenNetwork and through our own personal entrepreneurial journeys. I learned so much in the process and really enjoyed editing the book and seeing our concept of a book that would help women become a reality.

Coverings: It is an excellent tool for business owner’s in a sluggish economy. Of the various topics you cover, I was most interested in customer service. What’s wrong with customer service today?

Donna Gamache: I don’t think there is customer service.

Coverings: How do we get it back? What’s the remedy? How did it slip away? I will give almost anybody my money if they give me good service.

Donna Gamache: People don’t buy products and services. People buy people. Let’s put you in a room where person “A” is attempting to sell you a television. Person “B” is trying to sell you an identical television. Which salesman are you going to buy from? The one you like the best. It really is all about people. Let me use Target as an example. Target does a pretty good job of customer service, but it’s still not quite what it used to be. In many companies employees have to work faster and are being paid less. They are actually asked to do too much sometimes. There are only so many hours in a day.

Coverings: Then it actually begins higher up?

Donna Gamache: Management. Owners and managers need to understand what brings people through the door. They need to be trained that people are more important than stocking shelves. Also managers should be more complimentary. It helps to say things like, “I saw what a great job you are doing…how you greeted that customer. You are doing a fantastic job.” That would make an impact on customer service.

Chico’s does a great job of that and Nordstrom’s too. Before Macy’s bought Famous-Barr they were really good at it too. Macy’s has cut back staff so much; it’s just not the same.

Coverings: What do you see as the future for designers?

Donna Gamache: Are you familiar with Doncaster? This is a pretty high-end clothing line? What about Etcetera? These designs are not sold in stores. Actually Carlyle and Doncaster are on the same level. Etcetera is the sportswear line for Carlyle. Not quite as expensive. I used to rep for them and loved the clothes. They are not only beautifully designed but are also great quality clothes. These designs are sold by independent reps at open house type parties where the customer only has about 10 days to shop. Another popular clothing line is CAbi (Carol Anderson by Invitation). She sells her designs through independent reps who facilitate home parties. You cannot find any of these designs in stores. I really think the convenience of home shopping parties are becoming more and more popular and can see other designers following this model.

Coverings: Does the CAbi line design for “real” women?”

Donna Gamache: Yes. She has a lot of little tricks to help us look better and slimmer. If I were to go into designing I would do something similar; having people all over the world selling for me. I have no idea how to even get started and am going to leave it at “maybe someday” I will find out how.

Coverings: Who designed the clothes for your game?

Donna Gamache: I did. I selected styles and fabrics that appeal to each of the style personalities…right down to shoes and hats.

Coverings: I look forward to the release of your fashion board game. I love that you care about women. Your game will be a healing balm for women, Donna. It is going to be phenomenal.

Donna Gamache: I think there is beauty in every woman…it’s just a matter of bringing it out of them in a way that expresses their unique style. This is what my company helps people do…express their unique style. Every business owner needs a video and we help you look your best, feel your confidence and look relaxed in front of the camera.

Coverings: Where can we contact you?

Donna Gamache: For the latest on the game and to find out more about how to create your Powerful Business Presence, please go to www.DonnaGamache.com. Visit our store to purchase a copy of the book, the game and other style related products. Thank you so much for the opportunity to share with your readers! You can also follow me on Facebook at Donna Gamache Global – Powerful Business Presence.

M.A.C. Makes a Crayon

This year, Mac is truly out of the box, or at least the crayon box!

Mac’s new colour play creates a striking look for your lips. This light weight lip stain features the bright look. Mac delivers this new lip stick with the marker style, has a felt-tip nib, and goes on with precision and accuracy! So this could only mean one thing, no lip liner is needed! This marker creates a stain to last the entire night. The colors range from red, orange, pink, and purple. Once you apply the marker to your lips apply a clear gloss to complete your look, giving your lips a luscious shine. Two simple steps is all it takes to turn heads. This out of the box crayon is only $16.00 so go ahead and grab summer’s top beauty secret!

The $1.6 Million Miracle

How do you go from a foreclosure to a free $1.6 million building? Everyone who knows Ministers Wilma and Howard Walker can see the anointing of God on their lives. Her first book, Pieces of Faith recounts, in Minster Wilma Walker’s own words, the trials, tribulations, and inevitable triumph that took her and “The Clinic” family to their free 1.6 million dollar home!

After being bombarded with “How’d they do it” from people all over the country, Wilma Walker sat down to tell her story…and what a story it is. Akin to a modern day story of Moses, she tells in detail how she and her sheep were put out of their building and left wondering for months how, when and where their new home would be.  God had already sent Minister Walker a vision of their building, all she had to do was hold out and hold onto her faith. Eight years later, they have reached the “promised land.” Turning the predestined $1.6 million building into their new home, The Walker’s and the members of  The Clinic are poised to touch even more lives and deliver even more souls to The Kingdom!

Pieces of Faith is flying off bookstore shelves. Coverings shares the following excerpt with you:

Chapter Three: “Is This The Place?”

“God, you blessed me!” I’m married to the nicest guy. He is not only sensitive and kind, but is the wisest man I know. He’s strong and secure – not intimidated by my strength and not jealous of my callings. All this, plus cute? “God, you’ve blessed me!”

Months have now passed since the visions came; however, it has often been a topic of discussion between him and me. One day he looks over at me and says, “It’s time. Let’s go ahead and start looking for what it is you saw.” Excitement sprang up in me. It would be like a spiritual treasure hunt. Driving around – looking for what God showed. In this big city somewhere, there was the reality of a special place. A place attached to our destiny – a place in God’s heart for His people.

I said, “Let’s go, Babe – let’s go!” I felt so safe having him beside me. I know people do things alone all the time, but having his strength made me feel safe. My sweetheart! It had taken almost 9 years for him to manifest in my life. After the accidental death of my first husband (at 21) I had waited for years and came to the conclusion that I would most likely be in ministry by myself. Often, time drags on so long until the heart turns firmly towards God, and marriage is no longer a focal point. I settled myself and then – oops, there he was! Wedding bells were soon ringing and tears were running down my cheeks – as before me stood “God’s best for me”. It was well worth the wait! I was his second chance and he was mine. He too had lost his first love, as his wife had succumbed to kidney failure at the age of 39. Aren’t timing and God’s seasons everything? During the time of my anxious prayers, “Lord, where is my husband?”, she was praying, “Lord, give me more time with my children.” Then at God’s appointed time, both of our prayers would be answered.

“Okay, Babe – let’s go!” Now, here we are hand-in-hand, going on a journey that would last…I don’t know how long. How long would it take us to find this place? Well, we were not in a rush, but there sure was a guiding of the Holy Spirit to move towards it.

Sitting in the car of a realtor, we are going from one place to the next. At each stop our voices agree, “No, that’s not it!” Then after one tired evening of looking, I asked the realtor, “Can you just pull over and listen to the vision?” I talked about the outside of this place and the hospital, the desperate couple, the peak.

He then put the car in gear and said, “I think I know where it is!” I’m thinking, you’ve got to be kidding, as goose bumps pop up on my arms and hair stands up on the back of my neck.

Pulling up on this big lot, my mouth drops. The place is humongous. Could this be it? It didn’t look this large when I was asleep! The shape was right and…and…like the visions, there was that peak. “Where’s the hospital?” I quickly asked.

“Right up this same direction like you said.”

It had to be it!

Two days later, I’m alone sitting outside this monster of a place, over 76,000sq. ft. I’m listening to the Prince of Egypt tape and talking out loud to myself, “Lord this place is overwhelming. I’m scared of it! It would be like building the ark!” With tears falling, I already felt overwhelmed. Shaking it off, I start remembering the details of the visions and thinking about where everything would have to go inside. I was not sure how much work it would take, but from looking at it, it would take probably the rest of our lives to get it up. As my mind is thinking, I’m allowing the tape to keep me calm. Eventually my eyes look above its roof and there is the most beautiful blue sky. You know – that kind of sky and handiwork of God that talks to you? It’s His sky and it witnesses to me that He is so much higher and wider than the skyline of this place.

It doesn’t take long before I begin to worship and remember. “God, you’re higher than all man has made. There is absolutely nothing too difficult for you and through you I can do all things. Any appointment you have for me – any assignment in my life, by your Spirit I will do it, and do it well. It is You who enable me to accomplish, and my successes have always been because You work through me above and beyond my own talent and abilities. Therefore, I will not fear. Why should I fear when You are here with me? If this corner is where You want to move, then your people will give it to You, Lord. You can trust us. Strengthen our legs and shift our weight into yours. Breathe on our minds to know beyond our own knowing. Sanctify us for your work and be glorified in all we’re about to go and do. In Your Name, Jesus, Amen!”

Driving off the lot, I look back….”Whew, that place is big…”

To get your hands on a copy of this life changing testimony go to:

Family Christian Bookstores, 10807 W. Florissant Ave., Florissant, MO (314) 524.2121

Transformation Christian Bookstore, 4071 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO (341) 535.0555

The Word Bookstore, 1265 N. 89th Street, East St. Louis, IL (618) 394.9440

Bibles and More Bookstore, 226 W. Elm Street, Alton, IL (618) 466.2703

www.theclinicfamily.com

IMAGINATION

 

 

 

 

 

The imagination is a most intriguing thing. I once saw it spelled
“IMAGE-NATION.” It prompted me to consider the total concept. Is there really a place where images exist? The imagination truly is a world where images and concepts are born. It is a nation where the pioneer thinkers hang out. It is in the spiritual realm and to those of us with creative gifts it is more familiar and comfortable than the real world. It’s our favorite place. We go there every chance we get. Dreams are born there. Designs, ideas and inventions hide there waiting to be discovered.

The Apostle Paul said that there are many gifts in the body of Christ.
Some teachers, some preachers… all members with particular functions. I once heard Kenneth Copeland describe very simply that while some of us are toes, hands and so forth, some of us make up the minutest parts of the body which are atoms. So all of you designers out there…you artists and pioneer thinkers, who just can’t seem to “fit-in,” consider this. There are those of us who make up the imagination of the body. Don’t think it is strange. Everybody has one!

Stay beautiful,
Paulette Whitfield Black
Editor-in-Chief

YOUR LABELS ARE SHOWING

 
From the series:  Labels and Other Things That Define Us
By: Paulette Whitfield Black

Norma Kamali  in Walmart?  I must be dreaming.  Maybe I am having an out-of-body experience.  Where am I?  I feel strangely disoriented. Have I crossed over into the Twilight Zone?  Quick sombody pinch me!

Here I am standing in the middle of the Walmart women’s ready-to-wear department, completely caught off guard.  I came  in to pick up anti-aging skincare products.  Recently, my mirror on the wall has been telling me it’s time to do something about those fine lines, that aren’t so fine anymore. Since my husband insists that we live miles and miles from fashion civilization, Walmart has become my “go to” place for beauty needs.

I recall my mom first telling me about this chain.  She was so excited about this store where you could get everything at such a great price. What did I care?  I could afford to buy what I wanted, when I wanted from some of the best department stores.  As a matter of fact, I preferred it that way.  I wanted designer labels covering me from top to bottom, over and under.  At the time, I was a fashion art director for some of the top West Coast retailers.  Trust me when I say I can spot a knock-off from across the street.  The feel of a fine fabric is extremely gratifying to  the senses.   My mother was the only person for whom I would walk through aisles of rough, cheap fabric and houseware items, which did not interest me in the least.  She had to drag me in, kicking and screaming. I rea-l-l-ly did not want to go. Of course this was in the late 80’s so I craved the hardcore stuff.  Give me the YSL, Chanel, Anne Klein and for
goodness sake…NORMA KAMALI!

My friends and I gladly allowed ourselves to be defined by her interpretation of shape and color.  And now here she is, and here I am. Face to face in a new place in a new economy and a greener environment. Seemingly, Norma Kamali and I have learned the same life-lessons in our style journey.  Sometimes labels ae decieving.  Wal-Mart has become a giant in the industry, outlasting many of the older established retailers (the one’s I thought I could not live without.)  Norma Kamali’s sense of style is now about more than the “look.”  In a statement to Women’s Wear Daily she is proud to be part of the impact Walmart will have with the green initiative.  Once again she proves the pioneer spirit.  Once again she breaks the mold, only this time by providing designer style at a value.  And me?  Well,  I am not quite the style snob I used to be.  I’ve learned that the garment does not define me.   The designer label and I are two magificent works of art enhancing one another.  And great style can be found at a bargain, if you know where to look.

Enjoy Your Freedom

There are conferences, and then there are conferences that really care about the real you. Femininity and faith is a delicate balance. As I am writing this article, a picture comes to mind of a solar eclipse, where even though the sun is covered the light still finds a way to shine through. It throws off a halo effect. So it is with Christian women. For all of my life I have seen Christian women struggle with the concept of “cover up.” But how do you cover up all of this beauty? No matter what we do it is still not enough. It just keeps popping out. It is also akin to trying to hide a light under a bushel basket. It simply can not be done. The rays just seem to shoot out of every crack.

On a prophetic note; while the vision of this picture is before me and I am asking God for the words to explain what I see, my husband who has no idea what I am writing, starts to casually read me an article from Yahoo news:

the human body literally glows, emitting a visible light in extremely small quantities at levels that rise and fall with the day, scientist now reveal.

The freedom to enjoy your glow as a woman is a powerful gift. You just need encouragement, empowerment and inspiration. These two conferences will free us…See you there!

Encouragement, Empowerment & Inspiration Weekend Summit 2009
September 18-20
Ontario, CA

You are So Beautiful Conferences
September 9-12
Riverside, CA

Coverings adores Adore

The moment I saw this fabulous sweater jacket, I fell in love. It’s unique, fashionable, and still basic enough to wear with just about anything this fall. Of course, the COVERINGS’ Crew had to pass the fabulous find on to you. It comes from ADORE, and if you haven’t heard of them you soon will; mostly because I plan on shouting my love for their fantabulous jackets from every mountaintop. Boasting over 1 million customers worldwide,  we obviously aren’t the only ones loving these fashionable jackets.

ADORE, a 22 year old family owned business, is self described as being committed to staying on top of ever-changing fashion scene, constantly fine-tuning their fashion assortment so that they may better serve their international customer base. ADORE understands fashion and style and invites you to

Shop alongside women all over the world who’ve also discovered ADORE. Stylish, trend-conscious and modern. Classic, chic and sophisticated. We offer you a fresher way to dress. Style that’s a cut above, that gets noticed, that’s an extension of you. A light-as-air chiffon skirt that also lightens your mood. Pumps that give you a lift while lifting your spirits. And as you walk through your day, you know you stand out apart from others around you because you hold today’s and tomorrow’s fashion in your hands.

We at COVERINGS  say, “Here, Here!” Check out COVERINGS’ favorite ADORE pieces in our pic gallery, and shop ADORE at www.adoreapperal.com.

COVERINGS’ Covergirls: Valerie Johnson, Claudette Norris & Carol Williams

When Valerie Johnson conceived the idea for You Are So Beautiful conferences, it was only natural that her closest confidantes, Carol Williams and Claudette Norris, share the vision. These three uniquely different women talk to us about femininity and faith.

COVERINGS: How did You are So Beautiful Conferences come about?

VALERIE: Approximately one year ago, I hosted a monthly women’s fellowship. On that evening in September we celebrated our annual Dress Party, Spa, and Boutique. We shared a day filled with shopping, food, fun, and fellowship. The theme for that evening was “You are So Beautiful.”

As I prepared for this event I ventured into a deeper study regarding the aspects of a woman’s beauty. I found a much deeper revelation than I had previously thought. Somehow, after doing many monthly fellowships over the years, with great themes and causes, this theme “You are So Beautiful” would not leave my spirit.

As I communed with The Lord, He spoke to my spirit and took me back down memory lane, with much gratitude and thanksgiving, to my late Spiritual Mother, Dr. Carolyn L. Harrell. “WOW! God what a deep reveal. That’s It! Pastor Carolyn used to host an annual seminar for ladies called, ‘You Are So Beautiful.’”

These seminars focused on the outer beauty of women. She brought in experts within the Church and some outside the fellowship. We were educated on the do’s and the dont’s of fashion, hygiene, hair and nail care. Pastor Carolyn brought in stylist, beauticians, skin care specialist, health and beauty consultants. She even brought in a fragrance expert who taught us about all the latest fragrances.

If anyone has had the privilege of being in her presence then you would know that she was a sharp, highly fashionable, bold, and beautiful woman. She overflowed with confidence. She was a Woman of Excellence from head to toe. She operated in explosive power through her spiritual gifts, as a prophet, evangelist, preacher, and teacher with an apostolic anointing. Dr. Harrell was no joke, and no jive with all five!

That September evening in 2008, God changed my focus and gave me a fresh revelation and an anointing to keep Dr. Carolyn L. Harrell’s Legacy alive. Not just for what she did for women through “You Are So Beautiful” seminars, but who she was as a true woman of God – beautiful inside and out. Her heart of compassion and caring radiated from within her soul.

I don’t want to take up too much time in this interview on the first question. However, I had to lay the history and foundation in order to answer the question with a clear understanding.

In 1983 I was going through some tough times with three small boys and found myself homeless. I didn’t want anyone at the church to know about it. I went to my family where I expected to get help and had to turn back to the church. I remember calling the church after staying up all night in my small 280Z, with my three sons sleeping on the back seat. I was afraid to go to sleep as we hunched down out of sight so no one could see us. I cried all night as I lay with my seat reclined asking God to, ‘Please help us, please God help us.’

The next morning the Lord told me to call the church. I spoke to Pastor Carolyn and she told me to come right away. When I arrived at the church, she made sure someone fed my boys and cared for them while I spoke to her. She rebuked me for not letting her know about my circumstance, and for putting my boys and myself in harm’s way. As I explained my circumstances to her she held me and cried with me, telling me everything would be alright. She said that she would make sure we didn’t have to experience sleeping in my car again. I had found an apartment for us but couldn’t move in for two weeks. That day she made some calls and found that one of the members was going on vacation for two weeks. Pastor Carolyn rented their house for that two weeks and bought groceries for the entire stay. She told me that she would help me get through this season of pain and suffering. She kept her word.

She appointed financial advisor, and church member, Pastor Sandra O’Neil, to assist me in getting my financial affairs in order. Pastor Harrell followed up every year thereafter, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, to ensure we had the provisions we needed. I think that was the lowest point in my life. I have never been homeless again.

If there was ever a name for a woman, who was down for a woman, her name would be Dr. Carolyn L. Harrell. She restored my mental and physical health. She restored my faith in God and made me feel like a whole woman again. It was a powerful lesson of deep compassion that I have cherished since I received it. Those memories of gratitude, with the assignment from God, is how You are So Beautiful Conferences came about.

COVERINGS: What do you seek to accomplish with YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL?

VALERIE: I want to empower and equip women to enjoy a deeper understanding of their beauty – that beauty which lies beneath the skin. I want women to live and experience the benefits of living by Godly principles. There are three principles for living that I aspire to live in everyday.

1. How you see and live the beauty of God will
determine how you will serve God.
2. How you see the beauty of God in others will
determine how you will serve Others.
3. How you see the beauty of God in yourself will
determine how you serve Yourself.

We seek to accomplish and disciple women to have a true
and personal relationship with God, to pray and seek Him daily; to receive healing and a sense of well being, and wholeness.

COVERINGS: Describe the woman for which your conferences are designed.

VALERIE: This conference is designed for women who are pregnant with destiny. I believe that includes all women who have a heart after God. Our focus for YSB is geared towards, Re: storing, Re: building, and Re: plenishing. Re: is the Key! This is a Ministry of reconciliation for hope, health, and peace to those women who are less fortunate then others. Especially those women who find themselves in women’s shelters – they may be abused, abandoned, neglected, and rejected with no self worth – with limits and no resources. The ministry’s foundational passage of scripture is in Isaiah chapter 58 – particularly verse 6. YSB staff is seeking those who are equipped and willing to fast with us to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free and that we break every yoke.

On September 9, 2009 in Riverside, CA, the YSB Conferences staff and volunteers will serve as mid-wives; welcoming women into the Birthing Chambers where we will help to deliver the children of destiny. We will be clearing pathways and birthing eagles.

COVERINGS: Who is an example of the ‘most beautiful woman’ role model in our generation?

CAROL: I will have to address two people. The late, Dr. Carolyn L. Harrell, who was truly my mentor. I am experiencing most of my success today because of her example. Also, Dr. Betty Price. I have always appreciated her wisdom and practical approach to the many issues that women face today. She is beautiful inside and out.

CLAUDETTE: Betty Price….she is the Godmother of faith, strength and courage and of course, Pastor Carolyn was one of BOLDNESS in the Holy Ghost.

COVERINGS: Is there a particular minister who has
inspired you?

VALERIE: Bishop T. D. Jakes. I have each and every one of his sermons and messages in my library. I can listen or watch him over and over and over again. He is a powerful gift of inspiration to the entire body of Christ. The first time I saw Bishop Jakes was at Walnut Faith Center in 1993. He and pastor Carolyn were friends from Virginia. Isn’t that something?

CAROL: I had the opportunity to serve as an administrator at Walnut Faith Center, which subsequently became Word Harvest Worship Center in Pomona, California. The late Dr. Harrell was the Senior Pastor. I got to know her personally. She was not only my pastor and employer, but also a spiritual mother, friend, and mentor. She inspired me to complete my higher education. At one of the most crucial moments in her life, when she was “fighting” to regain her own health, Dr. Harrell returned to California to attend my graduation ceremony at the University of LaVerne. She said, “Carol, I would not miss this for anything in the world. You have truly made my heart glad. Not only will you get this degree but other degrees will follow! Don’t be afraid to move out on your dreams and ideas, because those ideas will generate the wealth that is destined for you. Carol, you are a daughter of destiny.” What else can I say? I am still reaping the benefits from her short time here on earth. She is truly my inspiration as she will always be to many others.

CLAUDETTE: My pastor, the awesome Robert L. Wilks….he has prophesied to his congregation that God would make us well known to people in our own world. I believe it is happening now, by being featured in your amazing magazine.

COVERINGS: What is beauty?

VALERIE: We all have heard that beauty comes from within, and I was straight with that way of thinking. But did I really know about beauty from within? Everyone who knows me is fully aware that my passion is fashion – Interior Decorating, and accessories. I want to touch everything I see and make it beautiful. As an Image Consultant, I’ve always admired and reverenced the essence of beauty in women, and all the multi-facets of our make up.

Through our design firm, Valerie’s Gallery, I’ve taught classes, encouraging women to just “Do You.” “Be your true authentic self. Create your own style.” But what did I really know about inner beauty? Beauty is the principle object of The “I AM” – Pure Love…that lives on the inside of you. GOD…HIMSELF the Lover of your Soul. Selah.

CAROL: Beauty is a “trait” or quality that is nourished from within and it is subsequently displayed outwardly. I believe that the quality of beauty is nourished by our daily internal intake (doses) of information—whether it is positive or negative.

I believe that a person’s beauty radiates outwardly as he/she endeavors to conform daily to the image of Christ.” When I look at it from that perspective, anyone can portray the quality of beauty. Anyone can be “beautiful”.

COVERINGS: If a woman is a murderer or child abuser, is she beautiful also?

VALERIE: Yes, every woman and man is made in the image of God. One of the most beautiful gifts and characteristics of God is forgiveness. We need to forgive ourselves and others, repent and keep pressing towards the mark of the high call.

COVERINGS: Do you minister to men as well as women?

CLAUDETTE: Absolutely!

COVERINGS: What is your sincere take on America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama?

CLAUDETTE: Michelle, is an amazing role model, I believe she has and will continue to inspire women of all walks of life – that with education and goals, all things are possible.

VALERIE: She is a woman I admire for standing by and supporting her man. She believed in him, and now reaping the rewards. Michelle exudes confidence as a woman, wife, mother and daughter. I am proud to have her as the First Lady of this great nation.

CAROL: The first lady is real, transparent, courageous, intelligent, beautiful, fashionable, balanced, and accessible. She has strong Christian roots and values. Women from all cultures relate to her. She is truly a role model.

COVERINGS: You ladies are very fashionable. How do you view today’s fashion trends for Christian women?

VALERIE: Trends are set by a group of individuals who decide what we should wear during a particular season. If I see something I like as a trend, I will wear it. I really don’t keep up with trends. I have always had a signature style. I love the afrocentric style. I love wild hair, flashy jewelry and bright colors. However, I can radiate glamour, elegance and even a conservative style. I can still wear garments from ten years ago. I believe fashion is timeless. If I could get away with wearing something leopard everyday, I would.

CLAUDETTE: My own fashion statement is one of discretion and individuality with a little “kick of flair.” I’m a firm believer in “doing the best you can with what
you have!”

CAROL: Fashion trends are cyclical. It is fun to watch fashion history repeated. However, once a person has developed her own “signature” style, it will stand the test of all fashion trends.

You simply get to the place where you can truly say, “I am comfortable in my skin. I like me; this is what I like to wear—this is simply me!”

COVERINGS: What is the art of being a woman?

VALERIE: The Word of God says in Psalms 139:14, “I praise you, for I am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.” When I start to ponder that there are no other finger prints identical to mine in the World…it is enough to [blow my mind]. There is ONLY ONE ME! I am an Original Masterpiece of Art – Signed by God.

I would say the Art of Being a Woman is to unlock the beautiful treasures of potential, purpose, and power that resides within all women; embracing your maker.

COVERINGS: How did the three of you form such a close bond?

VALERIE: I have known Carol and Claudette for at least 26 years. They are two of the most integral women of righteousness that I know. They represent the Godly characteristics that I desire in a friend.

They are two of the most humble, thoughtful, giving, selfless, prayerful and powerful women of God. Our common thread is that we were raised by the same spiritual mother, Dr. Carolyn L. Harrell. There is a high level of trust that we mutually share.

CAROL: Though we met at Walnut Faith Center, we developed a relationship outside of the church fellowship. Over time our friendship and trust evolved and a bond was subsequently established. When time elapsed between us, we could pick up where we left off—as if we had never been apart. Val braided my hair and did my make up, and Claudette mentored my daughter.

COVERINGS: Are all three of you available for speaking engagements?

CLAUDETTE: Most definitely.

To Register for You are So Beautiful Conferences
please visit:
www.ysbconferences.com
please call
951-780-1234 or 951-204-6118

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