10 Fashion Essentials You Definitely Need For 2022

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By Chi de Jesus

Are you tired of flipping through the magazines and going through people’s OTD’s just to get an idea of what to wear or what to shop for yourself? Here are some fashion essentials that will get you through this year. We’ve interviewed fashion experts and clothing aficionados to get their recommendations on what a stylish woman would need to be “in fashion” in 2022 (at least).

A WHITE SHIRT – buttoned-down, blousette, or crew neck, this versatile piece can go well with any clothing item. Former print and runway model, Aileen Santarinala says fabric and fit are key to making this item go with any other fashion item. Asia’s Next Top Model alumni Jodilly Pendre, says it’s her go-to item because it’s a “no brainer” – it fits any look and fashion item.

A PRINTED BLOUSE – can be the centerpiece to any solid colour combination or a break to any colour blocked look, be mindful of the size of the print though and make sure it works for you (more of this in an upcoming article). Your printed blouse can be an accent to your streamlined look.

CASHMERE KNIT – with a cowl or a turtle neck in light breathable fabric can easily transition through any season – wear it easy or with a classic look, it’ll work wonders for you… light cardigans and cozy sweaters can also work as long as it’s not fabric heavy
Comfort and style rolled into one item that may add sophistication to your style.

BLACK BODYSUIT – it’s like a leotard but with snap-ons at the bottom for easy access when you go to the little girl’s room. This is perfect for night-outs where you can move freely without worrying about what’s-untucked-where.. Perfect with low waist denim or dress shorts.

BLAZER – double-breasted or three-buttoned, tapered or oversized, this item can make the transition from casual to casual chic, from chill to corporate, and can be an emergency item that you can “pull out of the hat” when the need arises. Work with earth tones to make this item more versatile.

SILK SLIP DRESS – by itself with sexy pumps can be as captivating as wearing it with white runners and a denim jacket. It’s an item that provides a great contrast between fabrics and accessories and a good canvass to express your whimsy. Innerwear as outerwear brings us back to the design concept of Coco Chanel.

A JUMPSUIT – an item that you can literally “jump into” combining top and bottoms in a sleek design – it’s classic enough that it goes through seasons and timelines all you need to do is accessorize. Can work with or without an inner shirt.

BLACK TROUSERS – straight cut or bootleg, this goes well with almost all fashion items and it streamlines the look especially if you are bottom-heavy. If not, there is always the white option.
Make sure that cut and length complements your body proportions.

DENIM JEANS – how can you get more classic than that? Robby Carmona, multi-awarded Filipino Fashion Director says it’s a staple for daily activities and travel. Fit is key and an understanding of your body structure allows you to choose the best type for you because there’s always a denim pair of jeans for any shape or size. Proper accessories can glam this number ready for the clubs.

CLASSIC COAT COVER-UP – an easy choice to transform your look from laid-back to travel chic without breaking a sweat … make it more versatile by choosing water-repellent fabric for the rains and you will look smashing. All-weather, all occasion.. a necessary item for your wardrobe.

They’re VERSATILE, CLASSIC, and FUNCTIONAL – three qualities that make all these items essential to your wardrobe. Watch out for the rest of the “Fashion Essential Series” where we discuss accessorising and how to handle your biggest fashion essential – your skin!

Source: The Australian Filipina

Meet The Pageant System Behind The Cover Of The December 2021 Issue Of GEQ Magazine: Monarch International

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World Universal Productions is thrilled to announce their new brand Monarch International and is revealing some of their inaugural titleholders in this GEQ exclusive!

Monarch International is THE most inclusive organization in the modeling, glamor, and pageant industries.

There are categories inclusive of transgender and non-binary individuals, a category celebrating the art of Drag, a category just for talent, and an introduction to the world’s first international, all-inclusive pageant for Mermaids, Mermen, and Merfolks! All categories are open to anyone age 21 and over. Marital status and orientation are not a factor for inclusion.

Instead of traditional evening wear, Monarch International will hold a fantastical Charity Gala where the contestants will model their incredible creations along a specific theme, similar to the world-famous Met-Gala. The theme for 2022 will be Carnival in Venice!

Monarch International is finalizing its 2022 International dates, but it will be held in Washington DC in September 2022. Follow Monarch International on social media @WUPMonarchInternational and visit the website at www.worlduniversalproductions.com/monarchinternational to learn more.

Now, let’s meet the inaugural court.

Chuck Burk

Chuck is a diversity, equity, and Inclusion professional working in customer advocacy in the technology sector. He also serves on the DEI board for a not-for-profit group. He is the co-founder of a Political Action Committee focused on down-ballot candidates and legislation supporting traditionally marginalized and underrepresented groups. He is a former titleholder in the Miss Gay America system. Chuck enjoys travel, and his favorite place is Prague. He is honored, excited, and ready to get to work as the first Supreme Monarch International.

Evan Taylor

Evan resides in his native country of Scotland; he has a degree in Human Resources Management and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personal Development. He works as a Program Manager at Amazon. He was previously a restaurateur who co-created a brand new concept in casual dining with the UK’s youngest ever chef to hold a Michelin Star. Evan is passionate about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and works closely with local abuse prevention, ritual abuse, and LBGTQIA+ charities in Scotland. He is a practicing Buddhist and really does want world peace. Evan will be spending the next year sharing the mission of Monarch International and is excited to welcome all of the 2022 delegates who seek to be his successor.

Arilyn Roberts

Travis Dupuy, otherwise known as, Arilyn Roberts is from Baton Rouge, and has competed in pageants since the age of 10. Arilyn is your current reigning Queen Apollo, Miss Southern Illusion Queen of the South, a former Miss Louisiana Gay America, and was recently named the inaugural Queen Monarch International. A licensed cosmetologist and barber, Arilyn has also been a cosmetology teacher for 10 years with Paul Mitchell. Arilyn is also an accomplished dancer and a member of the National Thespian Society. Arilyn has had the opportunity to appear on the big screen in the movie “Dallas Buyers” starring Matthew McConaughey, and was recently an extra in the hit TV series “Claws.” Arilyn is thrilled to be our first Queen Monarch!

Jorge Romo-Jimenez

Jorge is a 2017 graduate of Norfolk State University, where he was Mr. Norfolk State University 2015 and earned a BS degree in Chemistry. He is currently in his fourth year of teaching at a public charter school in Washington, DC. With his core values being authenticity, equity, and effectiveness, Jorge is passionate about education and creating a culturally responsive classroom where each scholar can learn and grow. As a black male educator in an underserved community, he prides himself on the safe space he creates for his students, the relationships he nurtures, and the growth mindset principles that serve as the foundation of his classroom. Jorge’s most important education pieces are the platform to enhance students’ voices, self-advocacy, and autonomous learning and thinking. While in the classroom now, he hopes to advocate for educational reform for students in low socio-economic communities and reform the oppressive structures in which educational systems have been rooted for centuries. Jorge is proud to represent Monarch International as the first International Ambassador.

Mermaid Echo

Echo is an international award-winning aquarium performer and aquatic educator. Echo is Wisconsin’s premier professional mermaid entertainer, specializing in children’s conservation education. Mermaid Echo Entertainment LLC works to inspire the next generation to care for at-risk aquatic ecosystems through storytelling and hands-on learning. Echo is a certified PADI Mermaid Instructor, Open Water Diver, and Red Cross Lifeguard who centers safety in their events and curriculum. They have over seven years of experience in one-on-one childhood development and aquatic education and have been running Mermaid Echo Entertainment LLC since 2016. They currently hold the titles Merfolk Monarch International, Ocean Ambassador, and Ms. Mermaid Wisconsin 2021. Mermaid Echo is excited to combine their love of mermaiding with a passion for supporting non-binary communities, as the Merfolk title is specifically for individuals who identify as non-binary.

Blix

Blixunami (Eric Milligan) is from Charleston, South Carolina. As a young kid, in 1995, Eric saw his mermaid on tv, the Jewel Hair Mermaid Barbie, and fell instantly in love with the creatures! Eric would spend their days daydreaming about mermaids. Once Eric got to High School, they found a website forum called mer-yuku where they met so many others that loved merfolk just as much as him. Eric finally found his tribe. After years of dribbling over others’ tail pictures and unwrapping videos, in 2012, Eric got blessed to receive their first tail for free from a long-distance friend. After putting the tail on for the first time, Eric knew life was complete, and Blix became their mer-sona. Eric mostly swam in local pools with friends until one day in 2016; he got his first paid gig as a professional Merm for Dallas Southern Pride. This then led to his 1st kid’s party, a 7 day trip to Italy for the Santarcangelo Festival, a YouTube interview with Davey Wavey and even scored an episode with Tosh.O! He has been a cover model for BEAU Magazine in South Carolina and at this time decided to create a more uniform look for his mer-sona and The Blixunami was born. Now, as The Blixunami, they made their new look debut at the Tybee Island Mermaid Festival and were a mega-hit with the crowd! Since then, Eric has done many festivals, parades, and other gigs. Eric’s goal as The Blixunami is to make sure that everyone that gets the chance to meet them leaves with a bigger imagination than before and the knowledge to know no matter who they are, what they look like or where they come from, they can always follow their dreams no matter what any says and to always SPLISH SPLASH ON THE ANCHOVIES! Eric is thrilled to be the inaugural Merman for Monarch International!

Syrena

Syrena is Singapore’s First Mermaid, Singapore’s first and premier professional mermaid, and the founder of the Singapore Mermaid School.

Born and raised in the cosmopolitan Little Red Dot with the legendary Merlion as its cultural creature of myth, Syrena has made waves locally and internationally as an industry leader.

She has executed, hosted, and performed at numerous first-of-their-kind mermaid events in Singapore, including having her own weekly aquarium show, collaborating with the Singapore Zoo, performing atop the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel, as well as performing in a custom-built tank outside Tiffany’s. Besides the glitter and glamor of her larger-scale events, Syrena retains a soft spot for the signature mermaid appearances she executes for little ones, believing it is important that children are shown the wonder and whimsy of the world around them.

Adjacent to her performing career, Syrena founded the Singapore Mermaid School, which opened its doors to children and adults.
The Singapore Mermaid School was the first mermaid school in the world to establish a tiered and holistic syllabus, and was also the first mermaid school in Asia to be established by a professional Asian mermaid. The vibrant community that has sprung up from the School celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and sisterhood.

Syrena’s career has taken her from the chrome and glass infinity pools of Singapore to the shores of Hawaii, Bali, the Maldives, and most recently – America, where she headlined MerMagicCon 2019.

Syrena has dipped her fins in pageantry, securing a place as a Top 10 Finalist in Miss Universe Singapore, and is thrilled to take her place again in the scene for a cause that celebrates individuality and dynamism as Ms. Mermaid Monarch International.

Montara Grace

Montara Grace has been a professional mermaid performer since 2016. In her adventures, she has performed as far north as Ohio and as far south as West Virginia, where she has worked with the West Virginia Renaissance Festival since its opening in 2018. She has participated in several pageants in the past few years, having held the titles of Miss Mermaid Montana 2019-2020 and Miss Mermaid North Dakota 2021 with Miss Mermaid USA, Monarch of the Lake with Mermaid at Any Age, and Ms. Egypt 2021 for Ms. World Universal International. As a plus-size woman, her platform has continuously been diversity, inclusion, and body positivity. She works to create a space where everyone can coexist and supports others as they learn to love themselves. Pageantry has elevated her love of philanthropy. A long-time supporter of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Save the Manatee Club, and the National Zoo, Montara Grace has since donated efforts to the Maryland chapter of the TEARS Foundation, the Trevor Project. She is an active member of the Society of Fat Mermaids. She currently resides in Maryland with her dog, three cats, chickens, and mini pig, Pancake. This past year she founded a cat rescue, The Purrsery, for pregnant strays and abandoned kittens. When not mermaiding, volunteering, or bottle-feeding kittens, she works full time in vaccine manufacture. Montara is so excited to share the first fully inclusive Mermaid pageant with merfolk around the globe!

Meet The Shepreneur Behind The Cover Of The December 2021 Issue Of Global Elite Entrepreneur: Robbie Canner

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Robbie Canner is a 63-year-old entrepreneur, international model, and the Director and owner of Ms. Australia, New Zealand, Oceania World Universal, and Ms. Regal World Universal, and Ms. Majestic World Universal. She was crowned Ms. World back in 2018/19, and she’s the reigning Ms. World Universal Elite 2020/21. She’s also a public speaker on the topic “Age Is No Barrier.”

Since winning the Ms. World title, her public profile has considerably grown, allowing her to promote her platform and raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Winning major international titles in her 60’s has given her a platform, showing men and women from all walks of life, that age is no barrier to what anyone can achieve.

Since losing her son to cancer, her emotional and mental stress led her to visit thoughts such as, “I don’t want to be here anymore,” or “I want to be with my son.” However, her inner strength eventually led her to want still to continue living, have a say, and give direction to help others in any area of situational, emotional, and mental stress – assuring them that things can get better in time.

She loves chatting with future queens and friends she meets along her journey, and she wants to help them achieve their hopes and goals.

Global Elite Entrepreneur recently caught up with Robbie to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur, and here’s what went down:

When did your entrepreneurial flair first reveal itself?

My first business venture was 36 years ago when I started my Sports Therapy Practice which all these years later is still running at a huge and booked-out pace. I always did extra work in TV commercials and movies but always wanted to walk the runway at Fashion Week. Little did I know that it would take into my 60’s to achieve this as in right now. Now, after winning Ms. World in 2018, it has propelled me into many avenues of modelling, media, guest speaking, podcasts, promotions, and becoming the Director of my pageant event Ms. Australia, New Zealand, Oceania World Universal and Ms. Regal, and Ms. Majestic World Universal with my bestie Nancy Ellen Martin in the US now extending into Canada and Japan and the start of Monarch International. Between my practice, modelling and pageants, these are now my full-time jobs, and I love the combination. My practice works with the human body and movement, the modelling shows the human body and movement, and the pageants grow the human body and mental mindset. I guess I have the perfect combination woven together in all my careers. And I certainly don’t intend to retire from any of them, only increase this creative combination to success.

What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

To maintain and grow my businesses currently is staying on a platform of currency in the trends happening, contacting or being approached by the right people and companies, and just having the guts to put myself out there and take a risk. My practice has a history of success, so that takes care of itself, but my national and international modelling career through my agents is going very well and now entering a new realm. Collaborating with other sources is currently a project in play, so I guess it’s a watch this space over the coming year. I have a great team around me, so I am blessed with having the best in every area.

What form of marketing has worked well for your business throughout the years?

The form of marketing to grow my businesses, especially for my practice, has only been through word of mouth, which I have been eternally grateful for my work has preceded the need to advertise. My modelling and pageant career has taken care of itself from being approached by many sources for interviews, magazine articles, and TV and radio interviews. I have put myself out there for fashion week and travel, but luckily, I have always been invited back to grow further.

What social media platforms do you usually use to increase your brand’s awareness?

My social media platforms of choice are Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn; these all get the word out to promote and gain ground in all avenues of my businesses. Articles and word of mouth are two of the greatest outlets to increase brand awareness.

What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

The toughest decision I have had to make in the last few months, as has been everyone else’s toughest decision as well, is how to get through Covid. How to survive and understand that at the end of all this craziness there will be a continuation of what was started before lockdown. I used this time to think and grow in how I would achieve my finest outcome from day 1 of freedom. I used these difficult times to grow into the best times still to come.

What do you put your success down to?

I have great friends as a source of support and visa versa, the added smile of having someone special enter my life just at this time, and most of all, to visualize where I wanted to be emotionally and career-wise post-Covid.

How has your business been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Luckily, my business was an essential service, so the Covid situation did not affect my practice. With constant updates from NSW Health and following all the rules, I was able to grow through this outbreak which made me feel so good because I was not only able to help others keep their bodies mobile – but also help them emotionally giving all of them a reason to strive through to freedom.

How have you adapted your business operations in response to COVID-19 and its associated impacts?

I have used a considerable lot of spare time to think, write and plan on all levels, and somewhere along the line, I have succeeded in some of my dreams and goals. At times, I just wanted to fold like so many others, but I found the strength somewhere. Sometimes you need to hang in there in the face of adversity.

What have been some of the most important lessons you have learned because of this pandemic?

Some of the most important lessons I have learned through the pandemic are: there are a lot of people worse off than me, we can’t control life, but we can control and adapt ourselves to this situation, and to take this time to plan, think and try to grow through the emotional breakdowns. I had to plant a thought in my head that I could put my mind to anything I might like to try when I am through this. I’m looking forward to exciting, new journeys.

What do you hope to see happen in the near future for small businesses all over the world?

For all small businesses, I would like to see them all survive in the near future. Unfortunately, this will not always be possible, but some small businesses have been established and grown through this unusual time to total success and achievement. Life itself is a small business in just being a human being, and we all have the self-capability to survive and start to grow again; even though we may get knocked down, we can all support each other in this; how fantastic.

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up a new business in this pandemic?

For anyone to start a new business in this pandemic is a testament to the ability of what we can all achieve to grow and succeed in the face of adversity. It is another ultimate level to challenge yourself in everyone’s mind and faith. I take my hat off to everyone who put a physical and mental idea into practice during a pandemic and survived to start a new business into where we all now exist. This is the ultimate achievement and growth to saying there’s nothing anyone cannot do.

Photo Credit: Tony Palliser of Studio 49

Defining Beauty… Do You Feel Beautiful Right Now?

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Defining beauty as a concept is akin to holding sand in your hands. You can grasp at it and you certainly can seem to understand what it looks and feels like, but it is by no means solid. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this cliché certainly holds true. Approach anyone in the street and ask him or her to explain their ideal of beauty and you will undoubtedly get substantial variations in response. What you might come to discover is that defining beauty is closer to “I know it when I see it”.

It becomes very obvious then that defining beauty is as subjective as one’s taste in music. The search for it has spanned centuries – a relief in the tomb of the Egyptian nobleman Ptahhotep (who lived around 2400 BC) shows him getting a pedicure. Cleopatra wore kohl, a precursor to the modern eyeliner. Incarnations of what is considered ‘beautiful’ has ranged from breath-stealing corsets in the 19th century to achieve a tiny waist to our modern-day gravity-defying, ankle-threatening stilettos.

And that search is an expensive one! According to National Geographic, in the US, billions get spent on makeup, hair and skincare, diet products and services, and billions more on health club memberships and plastic surgery.

But what for? Experts from all different fields have weighed in to define beauty and why we search for it. Studies by anthropologist Don Symons at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and psychologist, David Perrett at St Andrews University in Scotland, all show that men consistently showed a preference for women with smooth skin, larger eyes, fuller lips, and a smaller nose and chin because “all these traits are reliable cues to youth, good health, and fertility.” Essential characteristics we instinctively know (honed over millennia) are vital for continuing the human race. However, that hard-wiring in our brain circuitry can be altered, especially by culture, according to Douglas Yu, a biologist from Great Britain whose studies, for example, found that indigenous tribes in Southeast Peru preferred body shapes regarded as overweight in western culture. “A fuller, evolutionary theory of human beauty must embrace variation,” says Yu.

So, who’s been shaping the modern definition of beauty? That modern definition that has us worshipping Victoria’s Secret models, A-list stars, and beauty queens, and has us comparing our bodies to theirs? That has us modifying our eating habits that in an ever-growing number around the world, has resulted in eating disorders? That has us losing our sense of self-worth and self-esteem? It’s so easy to blame the media – magazines, TV, movies – as the culprit. But who buys those magazines, watches those TV shows, goes to the movies?

We do.

In a twisted sort of way, we ourselves have been responsible. What we watch, what we buy has inadvertently shaped what modern society now considers beautiful. So, in recognizing that, can we then be the instruments of change?

I am an aunt to three beautiful little girls and I find myself sometimes terrified when I think of the challenges that face them when they grow up. I was fortunate enough to have grown up surrounded by strong, confident women and in that most essential stage – the teenage years, the high school years – when your perception of yourself in relation to others is shaped, I was blessed to have had a group of friends who couldn’t care less what anybody else thought of them. They were proud in who they were and in the dreams and ambitions they had for themselves. After high school, I again found myself, in the form of my two best friends and the women in my Christian youth group, with kindred spirits whose values and integrity meant more to them than superficial cares. I look back at those women, grateful that I knew them, and praying that my nieces will have women like them who will stand steadfast against today’s shallow perception of beauty.

When I was researching this article, I decided to have a look at the dictionary’s definition of beauty. According to Merriam Webster, beauty is:

– The quality of being physically attractive
– The qualities in a person or a thing that give pleasure to the senses or the mind.

Now that second part got me thinking… “qualities that give pleasure…” Isn’t that a healthier way of thinking about beauty? I mean, something can be physically attractive or ‘beautiful’ but deadly like a poisonous plant, and in that same vein, someone can be stunningly gorgeous but be a horrible person inside. So, I think instead of aiming to be beautiful, we should aim to be attractive. I mean, let’s face it, there is no way you can look like those models in the magazines. You know why? Because you don’t have the same genes they do, It’s as simple as that.

So, what do I mean about aiming to be attractive? Being attractive means that you’re the sort of person people are drawn to – like two magnets being pulled towards each other. Not drawn to you because of how gorgeous you look, but because they actually want to spend time with you. They are drawn to you because you are a person with a good heart, whose confidence and positive nature is just as irresistible as honey is to a bee. It’s a challenge, yes. And much more difficult for some to achieve than others but that’s what my circle of strong, confident women taught me – that my heart is more important than my face. Because ultimately, when I’m at my most unguarded when the only critic I face is me and I ask: “Do I love me?” and when I can say: “Yes”….that’s when I feel beautiful.

Meet The Entrepreneur Behind The Cover Of The November 2021 Issue Of Global Elite Entrepreneur: Kamran Karim

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After being a crucial part of brand development and click monetization projects of several Fortune 500 companies, serial entrepreneur Kamran Karim is taking the entrepreneurial world by storm armed with his more than 13 years of professional experience in mobile app development, software development, deployment building strategic alliances, branding, product life cycle completion, digital marketing, and internet promotions.

Kamran Karim has founded several companies, such as Tech Whizards – a global company that provides innovative digital solutions for businesses, and Yacht Rental DXB – a luxury yacht rental company applying Uber’s digital business model for clients to rent yachts and spend time with their friends and their loved ones. He is also the founder of Binary Geeks – a software house that provides innovative products for the global market.

Kamran Karim has a number of exciting upcoming projects lined up, such as a YouTube channel named “She Inspires,” where they will be interviewing women who have gone through struggles and overcame all the obstacles life put them through. He’s also planning to launch another YouTube channel called DefiGeeks, which is catered to the Pakistan market, where they are planning to post weekly episodes about cryptocurrency and the hype surrounding it. Lastly, he’s also in the process of launching a private jet rental company called Jetify in UAE, where users will be able to follow the Uber business model and rent private jets, similar to their Yacht initiative.

Global Elite Entrepreneur recently caught up with Kamran to discuss his journey to entrepreneurship, and here’s what went down:

What inspired you to develop your idea? What is unique about your business?

I believe that ideation is a gift; it is definitely inspired, and for a person like me, inspiration comes from being spiritually connected to my environment, being able to seek the “What is missing” element in my surroundings, and then forming that element into an idea. Many people get inspired but cannot evolve that inspiration into an idea, which is what sets me and my business apart; my ability to get inspired, evolve that into an idea, and most importantly, implement it to make my whole business strategization “unique.”

How have your priorities changed from when you first started?

I think everyone’s priorities need to change from time to time; if there is no change in priorities, then there is no evolution and no movement towards the higher order. That said, my priorities have definitely changed from the beginning to now. Initially, it was more of a subtle change in priorities than a deliberate or planned thing.

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?

You will find me incredibly poetic here but, I don’t think a person should think of undoing their previous mistakes. Ask me why and the answer will be that I find that mistakes define the journey to success, so one should not regret any mistakes they might have made in the past.

What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey? How long did it take you to find success?

I am still a long way from being successful in the way I’d want to be; however, my challenges have changed since I began my first business. Initially, I used to be worried about matters like finding investors, and finance, while now I worry more about things like product sustainability, marketing, etc.

What strategies did you first use to market your business?

I think the most common strategies for business are the ones where I employed myself in the beginning. I also took advantage of the various social media platforms and heavily utilized them to promote my business and create a market for my products. Now, it is more word of mouth situation, a family of clientele, and the likes.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in business. This can be about your industry or about yourself.

Patience is a virtue! Instead of expecting to become a success overnight, one needs to be patient and plod their way towards success.

How do you define success?

Internal satisfaction and the gratification that one obtains when you see your business being trusted by a lot of people – and knowing that you are the person behind the business. That is what I call success.

What have you enjoyed most about starting your own company?

A person like me loves everything about the experience of starting their own company. It is like you have a baby, and you are watching it grow. The first clients are like the first steps; the 2nd product is like the baby has learned a new word. So, I can not as such define any specific thing that I enjoyed the most while starting my own company. I think it’s everything about it.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

The same one I quoted about patience being a virtue.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

Well, expansion, the addition of new things, and diversifying into other areas are on the cards; as for plans outside the career, I’d rather not discuss at the moment. I tend to be a highly private person.

Meet The Queens Behind The Cover Of The November 2021 Issue Of GEQ Magazine: The Ms Australia, New Zealand & Oceania World Universal Queens

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Ms. World Universal Australia, New Zealand, Oceania World is the premier international Pageant system for women ages 25 and over.

Ms. World Universal Australia, New Zealand, Oceania encompasses growth, development, mentoring, and coaching at a National Level and provides opportunities for women to compete on an international stage at the Ms. World Universal International Finals.

Ms. World Universal Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania proudly provides each candidate the opportunity for personal growth, self-expression, and development – through stage presence, public speaking, and international travel opportunities. They recognise women’s strengths and accomplishments.

With integrity, strong moral values, and promoting all women of today, Ms. World Universal provides unique opportunities for all women to achieve their goals. They believe that a woman’s value and beauty should not be defined by her relationship status or age.

Ms. Australia, New Zealand & Oceania World Universal is also proud to partner with Tour de Cure, raising funds for the Scott Canner Young Investigator Grant – joining them in their mission to cure cancer.

Without further ado, let’s meet the Ms. World Universal 2021 queens:

Tulip Goujon

Tulip Goujon Lealaitagomoa is a 45-year-young, strong, and independent pacific island woman from beautiful Samoa. God is at the centre of everything she does, and she draws self-belief, respect, success, and a strong mindset from daily prayer and self-affirmations. She’s a proud advocate of self-love and supporting her community in getting educated about discovering, maintaining, and living a healthy lifestyle. She loves going to church, pushing her limits at the gym, and all things fashion. In her spare time, she likes to draw out designs and work on bringing them to life. She’s grateful for the blessing of being able to represent her homeland in different countries through pageantry over these past few years. Currently, she holds the title of Mrs. World Oceania Elite 2021-2022. She’s confident in herself and proud to be a hard-working mother, model, and overall queen. She enjoys her life because she feels that being herself is so easy!

The best advice she can give to anyone is never to compare your journey to another’s. Everyone moves at their own pace, so it’s better to focus on your own moves. She encourages her fellow Pacific and Oceania sisters all over the world to never give up on their dreams. You can be whatever and whoever you want to be. Trust in God, be compassionate, and when you find anything hard to finish, remember the reason why you started. She’s filled with gratitude for all those who have supported her go far. Her family- parents, brothers and sisters, beloved children, and friends make her world more bright, and for that, she’s thankful.

Cyprian Fruean-Posesione

Cyprian Fruean-Posesione is currently the reigning Ms. Ocenia World Universal 2021. Cyprian got her first taste of pageantry back in 1994 when she turned 21 years old and joined Miss Samoa. She has always wanted to showcase her talent and gain confidence in front of people. The next day she was selected to take part in a photoshoot for a magazine to promote Samoa Tourism. Her late grandfather Sala Suivai, saw she had potential with performing and entertaining at family and community functions so he encouraged me to take the opportunity to enter abroad. From there she had discovered her passion on stage within the pageant industry. She entered again in 1995 in the Miss Samoa NZ pageant in New Zealand where she won the talent and traditional wear segment and came 2nd runner up. In 2017 she joined Mrs. Worldwide representing Samoa in Singapore – she made it in the top 10 and won Mrs. Congeniality. Furthermore, in 2018 she represented Samoa in Taiwan at the Lady of Brilliancy pageant where she came top 10 for talent and the winner of the Lady of Charity title. Her National Director and Designer is none other than Tito Stowers.

Leila Loei

Leila Loei sparkles for every woman and girl. She is a proud single mom to two children, an entrepreneur, a mentor. She regularly volunteers her time with a number of Not-for-Profit organisations in Brisbane, promoting awareness and engaging with the community on the salient issue of DV Prevention.

Leila has been an amazing success story for a migrated woman. After completion of her Bachelor Degree in Food Science & Technology Engineering, In 2003, Leila decided to come to Australia to follow up and achieve her dreams to become a successful woman, so she completed her double Master Degrees in Environmental Health and Health Science. In 2018, she returned to study to finish her Australia Migration Law & Practice. In 2006, Leila was employed in a government sector, however after experiencing so many years of discrimination, bullying, and sexual harassment in her workplace. Leila has decided to open a new chapter in her career by establishing her own business consulting company to achieve her goals and take control of her life completely in 2021 in the middle of COVID 19, the Global Pandemic crisis.

Besides all, she loves fashion and acting, so she is a professional, experienced international model and published in magazines globally. She has walked numerous fashion shows in Australia and overseas and is a charity advocate. Being part of fundraising charity events for vulnerable people such as children and women, empowering and motivating her to achieve her goals.

Leila, as Ms. Australia World Universal Ambassador 2021, Ms. Persia Universal Elegance 2019, and Ms. Galaxy Australia 1st runner up 2019, strongly believes that each and every single one of us has a voice. We all have a story (or stories) to tell, which consists of our experiences and locations, our hopes and aspirations, and how they have shaped us into who we are and how we live our lives, be it by choice or by circumstance. Her platform is domestic violence awareness and education for street children. She has experienced Domestic Violence for so many years of her life by staying in a toxic relationship. However, she decided to finish any Domestic Violence against herself and her kids since 2016. She has built and established a primary school for no socioeconomic children in Iran to give them the opportunity to study to follow up her father’s legacy and dream.

Leila would Dare herself to improve upon and build her self-confidence by venturing outside her comfort zone; She would Dare herself to contact people and help them when they require to be helped. She would Dream of partnering and collaborating with the UN WOMEN that share her vision of supporting and helping others, particularly children and women. She is a survivor from a men-dominated society to show all women around the world to be proud of their identity, values themselves of who they are, and believe in. She believes in herself, and she will be successful at accomplishing her Dares, Dreams, and goals.

Challenging and developing herself feels like the sky is the limit! Bottom line, She Is A Proud Survivor and Warrior Of Domestic Violence.

Sandy Nand

Sandy Nand was originally born in Fiji, but she moved to New Zealand to bring up a family. She is a career-oriented person, while she also focuses on her family as well. She works for a Finance company but recently broke all the social norms by speaking up against Domestic Violence – she’s passionate about assisting women and men in abusive relationships and breast cancer fundraising. She loves fashion because she uses fashion to portray her message to her followers.

Diana Omuoyo

Ms. New Zealand Universal 2021, Diana Omuoyo currently resides in Sydney, Australia, where she works as an IT professional. She is an avid advocate for Women in Tech and has a keen interest in reducing inequality and promoting Inclusion in STEM related fields.

Diana has been instrumental in facilitating discussions on Diversity, Leadership, Mental & Financial Wellbeing. She stays active as a community leader by volunteering with various local and global programs supporting STEM/ESTEAM, Inclusion, Quality Education, and Entrepreneurship.

Since winning the title, she has volunteered as a mentor with the PFC Founders program – a UNSW initiative for emerging entrepreneurs and participated as a STEM mentor with Summer of Tech NZ – supporting University students in Aotearoa.

She is currently working with ColabL – an initiative focussed on career-based mentoring for the underrepresented communities. She also continues to serve as an active fellow for Team4Tech – a Silicon Valley-based nonprofit with the mission of improving the quality of education for underserved learners around the world through technology solutions.

Her mission and aspirations are to be a positive influence and encourage others to do the same because she has learned from experience that every act of kindness makes a difference to another.

Cole Nocera

Cole has been in the pageant industry for six years, competing in many National pageants and even competing internationally in 2019. Cole believes in exuding your best self regardless of what society has to say as we deserve the space to do so, therefore paving the way for many alike to shine your brightest.

Cole works as a Youth homelessness caseworker inside the refuges for young people across NSW. She prides herself on her work in trauma-informed practice and strives to educate many around trauma, in particular childhood trauma. Outside of this, she runs a small business in cosmetic tattooing as a way of self-care.

She is also heavily involved in community projects with homeless youth, women who have experienced Domestic Violence, and women who have come out of incarceration with the Women’s Justice Network. As a new community project, Cole has started facilitating the “Love Bites” program inside high schools educating year ten students on family and domestic violence, sex and relationships. She sees this as an important bridging to our youth and planting seeds on having positive relationships, language, and recognising red flags.

Cole was nominated for the 7news community service award and was a finalist out of 100s in NSW for the 7news NSW health bettering communities award 2020 and 2021.

Em Hardwicke

It took Em 40 years and the birth of her son to be truly comfortable with herself, to love the person she is, and to be proud of her achievements and successes in her life. It is this passion, determination, and hard work that has got her through some tough times and has given her the strength and courage to take on some big dreams and physical challenges over the years.

“When I chose to enter Ms. Australia World Universal, I wanted my journey to mean something, and I wanted to make a difference,” Em said.

“As a sisterhood, we support Cancer Research and the search for a cure to bring an end to this hideous disease. As an individual, I support and advocate for anti-bullying and suicide prevention, a cause that I am incredibly passionate about and one that has very personal meaning to me.”

Em said for her, like for so many others, 2020 was a year never to be forgotten as her family, along with the local community, battled the Snowy Mountains bushfires in January and COVID in March, which saw her stood down from her job and ultimately made redundant, leaving her without work and her family not knowing what was next. Knee surgery also forced Em to give up one of her true loves, long-distance running.

Not one to let a setback deter Em from achieving her goals, she refocused, found a new job she absolutely loves, and got back to the real passions in her life and, it seems, being crowned Ms. Australia was just the start of things for Em in 2021.

Her dedication, passion and support of anti-bullying and suicide prevention has also seen Em be announced as a Bully Zero HIRO and a cast member of Adventure All Stars, an international television series, broadcast in 25 countries, that successfully combines entertainment with philanthropy.

“I have been amazed and inspired by the opportunities that have presented themselves this year,” says Em.

“Every opportunity gives me another chance to support Bully Zero and to help them create a world free from bullying. It also gives me the unique opportunity to show people that you really can achieve anything regardless of age, status, gender,

physical ability and that we really are only restricted by the limitations we place on ourselves.”

Bully Zero HIROs – this is Bully Zero’s national volunteer program that draws on the voices, passion, and energy of those who are passionate about putting a stop to bullying in their community.

Bullying impacts over two million Australians every year; whether it’s young people at school, employees in the workplace, or all ages online, many face the challenging impacts of becoming targets of bullying behaviours.

Together, HIROs raise awareness, educate the community, raise funds, and share a message of hope.

Adventure All-Stars features real-life cast members undertaking an unforgettable journey to a secret location for six days of fun and adventure. Adventure All-Stars is the ultimate road trip where TV viewers get to experience incredible locations through the eyes of an engaging and socially conscious cast.

As a cast member, Em is required to raise funds and awareness on behalf of her chosen charity, Bully Zero. Em’s goal is to raise a minimum of $10,000 to help Bully Zero bring an end to bullying and to create an Australia where we all feel safe, valued and respected.

“This is such a special and unique opportunity, I couldn’t pass it up, and who knows, my participation and my fundraising may just help save the life of a young person struggling with being bullied and who believes their only way out is to take their own life. I will take anything thrown at me, if it means the difference between life and death.”

Em plans to continue her community work well into 2022 with her continued support of Bully Zero and Tour de Cure.“There are a lot of exciting things coming up, and I am honoured and proud to be a part of two such amazing organisations that make a difference in the lives of so many people. I take my title seriously. Being Ms. Australia is not just about the title, the sash, or the crown; it’s about how I can make a difference in my community. It’s also about being a role model for other women and young girls and showing them that anything is possible; you just need to believe that it is.”

Jodie-Maree Hudson

Jodie-Maree Hudson is 31 years old, and she has always had a passion for helping others. She joined the Army when she was 17 years old to serve her country and help her community.

Unfortunately, due to being injured while on exercise, she was medically discharged in 2020. During her career, she achieved a lot – in fact, in 2016, she received a solders medallion for exemplary service.

She would love to help show young girls and women that they can achieve anything they put their minds to, no matter how big or small it may be.

She recently learned to walk again after an injury she sustained during exercise in the Army. Doctors told her that she would need to find something that does not involve moving around or moving too far from the bed. She’s now volunteering at the RSL, which she was told less than 12 months ago she would never be able to do.

She still struggles with pain and movement most days; however, she finds trying to stay active and always stay positive is the key. She’s currently studying a nursing course, and she hopes on completion that she will be able to continue to help people within her community.

Leonie Thomas

Leonie Thomas was recently crowned Ms. Australia Elite at the recent Ms. Australia NZ Oceania World Universal Pageant and is excited to be representing Australia in 2022 for her chance to WIN the Ms. World/Ms. World Elite title.

Leonie is a qualified youth worker and welfare officer who founded an award-winning not-for-profit social enterprise. In 2012 she won the Australasian Housing Institute Award for one of the programs she developed that saw people from low-income households socially reconnect not just to service providers but the community as a whole.

She advocates on behalf of Parents Beyond Breakup as well as Youth Homelessness/Homelessness and Lupus as well as a variety of other causes.

She is a believer in the phrase, “the actions of one when supported by many can create positive change” and loves the concept of people helping people.

Leonie is a Brand Ambassador for Silk Oil Of Morocco – an Australian Hair Care & Beauty Range. She has worked as an extra on various TV shows including All Saints, Packed to The Rafters, Home and Away, and more recently Doctor Doctor as well as being featured in East West 101 among others. She has dabbled in modelling on and off since she was 17.

She has also attended various events as a guest speaker/keynote spokesperson at Zonta International, Probus, White Ribbon Day, Youth Homelessness, and Lupus and she has appeared on the Morning Show. Leonie ran a support group for people with various autoimmune diseases for nearly 5 years and is extremely passionate about the causes she chooses to align herself with.

Meet The Rising Star Behind The Cover Of The November 2021 Issue Of GEK Magazine: Faith Andersen

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Faith is a 9-year-old beauty queen and lives in Newcastle and travels to Sydney frequently – Her current title is “World Universal Runway Princess.” She’s a very outgoing young lady now who has overcome many of life’s obstacles at such a young age. Her willingness to thrive and achieve the happiest moments out of life for herself and others around her. Faith lives for the finest things in life such as the simplest things such as nature, animals, insects, and all things to do with the environment. She competed in her first pageant with future faces and pulled queen for her age group and received a crown which is what she wished for. She auditioned for Trendy B audition and made it to the Trendy B Kids fashion festival, so she was super stoked. She loves supporting causes and charities as well as helping anyone in need.

GEK magazine recently had a chat with Faith about her journey in pageantry and here’s what went down:

How did you get into the pageant industry?

I started pageantry and runway when I was 8. I am a very adventurous girl who loves to go to the beach, collect shells, and swim.

What do you like most about being a beauty queen?

I love being a beauty queen as taught me to be myself and have self-confidence. I’ve also loved meeting and getting to know all the other beauty queens.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the pageant industry so far?

My most memorable experience about being in the pageant industry would have to be receiving my first sash and crown.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

The most interesting people I have met during the pageants is Emmy as she is an inspiration and is beautiful and supportive. Also, Jasmine as she has done a lot of pageants, and when I went to watch Mrs. Universal last year when she was competing – she was one that stood out to me. I met her afterward and she was amazing so I want to be just like her.

Is your family supportive of you being in the pageant industry?

My little family is most supportive of what I do. As we all do pageants except my daddy, but he is still so supportive and comes to support me every time. I love doing pageants with my little sister Montarna and looking forward to doing one with someone I look up to the most, which most know as Tiarne.

Who’s your role model?

My role model is my daddy because he has the most caring heart and always puts us before himself and is always there for me when I’m feeling sad, happy, or when I achieve my goals, and even when I don’t He has taught me it doesn’t matter as long as you get out there and give it a go they are proud.

What are your future plans? Inside pageantry or out of it.

When I’m on stage it makes me feel like I’m a princess. My life goal for pageantry is to one day make it to a national level and compete overseas.

Photo Credit: Shutterfly Images

Meet The Queens Behind The Cover Of The October 2021 Issue Of GEQ Magazine: The Ms. World Universal 2021 Winners

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World Universal is a unique organization that celebrates ALL women. They seek to provide a platform and events where all women are represented and supported. World Universal accepts ALL women and through the Universal Language of Love, seeks to lift up and empower these women, and together we can make a better world. To support this mission, World Universal works with multiple charities globally from helping women who have experienced domestic violence, to LGBTQ youth, to Cancer research.

GEQ Magazine recently caught up with Nancy-Ellen Martin, the executive director of Ms. World Universal, and here’s what went down:

What makes Ms. World Universal Unique?

A lot of pageants either divide women up into categories based on age and size, or even if they say they are inclusive, that is not represented in their titleholder, and far too many systems have rules stating that their participants must be “natural born females”. We seek to provide a platform and events where all women are represented and supported. Our events are open to women aged 25 and over of all heights, sizes, ethnic backgrounds, orientations, and identities. Your marital or parental status is also not a factor. Our new International Titleholders represent many ethnicities from around the globe, sizes 0-14, ages 27-56, 5’2-5’7 inches tall. Some are single, some are married, some are moms, some are not and one is about to welcome twin grandchildren! This is what DIVERSITY really looks like. In addition, we have also founded a sorority to be inclusive of women who are excited about our sisterhood and philanthropy, but maybe are not interested in being on stage. We are truly building a place where women can support each other and work towards common goals.

What categories do your delegates compete in?

Our delegates compete in one on one personal interviews with each judge for 5 minutes each and this is worth 40% of the score. They then participate in fitness wear with an emphasis on body positivity (25%), evening gown where we expect our delegates to bring the glamor (35%) and our finalists can earn up to an additional 10 points with their on-stage questions.

Can you tell us a little more about your titles?

Sure! At the national and international level, the highest overall title of World Universal is awarded to the delegate with the highest score regardless of age. The second highest title is the World Universal Elite, awarded to the delegate age 40+ with the highest overall score. Our 3rd title is our Ms. Global World which is awarded to our 3rd highest score regardless of age, and then finally our Ambassador title is awarded with input from all the staff, the titleholders, directors, online judges, and our panel of judges. This goes to the delegate, who through their reign has demonstrated that they are living the mission of the organization. This year at international, we decided that given everything that has happened with the pandemic, with some titleholders having held their titles for almost two years, and some newly crowned in 2021, and our international having been being postponed multiple times that we would also elevate one of our preliminary awards to a title, and this is our Spirit of Ms. World Universal. Like our Ambassador, this is someone whose passion for our mission is clear! We are so thrilled with our 2021-2022 International Court!

What is next for World Universal?

Ms. USA World Universal will be happening November 18-22 in New Orleans, Louisiana. We are also in the process of scheduling other national pageants around the globe in 2022, including our new brand Monarch International which gives opportunity to all those who identify as male, for all genders of individuals competing in the art of Drag, for non-binary people, as well as crowning for just talent. Additionally, Monarch will have a separate division for Mermaids! We are so excited about this new brand, and you will be hearing more from us in the coming months. We are also very excited that Ms. World Universal’s international will be in Sydney, AU July 16,17,18,19,20, 2022.

How can someone get involved in World Universal or Monarch International?

Check out our website at: www.worlduniveralproductions.com or find us on social media @worlduniversalproductions.

If you want to find out who the 2021 Ms. World Universal winners are then scroll down below:

Akela Douglass (Ms. World Universal 2021-2022)

Akela is a Sacramento native and graduate of California State University Sacramento with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance. She is currently a professional hairstylist and has created beautiful looks for numerous brides, models, hair shows, music videos, magazines, and even New York fashion week. In July 2017 she opened her own salon Akela’s Hair Studio in San Francisco, CA. She also travels throughout the country as a Brand Educator for the world-renowned Wella Company. Akela recently achieved back-to-back wins at the Beauty Envision Awards for Textured and Creative hair designs. During her reign as Ms. World Universal, she will continue to support the Pretty Ponytails Organization, which provides haircare kits for young girls in foster care and transitional housing.

Rosie Moore (Ms. World Universal Elite 2021-2022)

Rosie is a Latina of Puerto Rican and Dominican Republic descent. She was born in New York and raised in New Jersey. She now calls Florida her native home. She is a registered nurse with a Doctorate of Nurse Practice degree from Capella University. Her focus was on creating a toolkit for the neonatal intensive care unit. This would allow her to manage her nonprofit The Gift of Life, supporting parents of premature babies.

She is currently an independent nurse consultant for injured workers. When she is not working in her charity, you can find her coordinating weddings and travel as well as authoring kids and adult books. Most recently she started a podcast called Tea Time with Just Rosie Moore to support women with inspirational devotions and stories.

During her reign, she hopes to continue reaching women on a global level to encourage them and meet them where they are.

You can get to know Rosie better via her website: www.Rosiemoore27.com.

Maricelle Redona-Manzana (Ms. Global World 2021-2022)

Maricelle Heather is a first-generation Filipina-American from Hawaii. She received her master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University in 2018 and is currently a Board Certified Behavior Analyst/License Behavior Analyst in Honolulu, Hawaii where she works with children with unique abilities. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in psychology from Northcentral University. She hopes to one day open her own Applied Behavior Analysis clinic to serve the underserved children in her community. Her platform is named Perfectly Imperfect, a scholarship foundation she founded to help the underserved around her community and in the Philippines continue their education. She hopes during her year as Ms. Global World she will be able to grow her scholarship foundation and expand to more regions of the world to encourage more children and adults to continue their educational dreams.

Asuka Kobayashi(Ms. World Universal Ambassador 2021-2022)

Asuka is from Niigata,Japan. She has been a dental and mental specialist for over 20 years and has been involved with more than 35,000 people helping them care for their minds and bodies. She has published a book about parenting, runs an online support group, and conducts workshops to support mothers and parenting. She also holds seminars at schools and medical sites to foster the richness of the mind, helping others create a place conducive to parenting and guidance consulting. Asuka is also a mother of three and their smiles brighten her world.

Maria Beall (Ms. Spirit of World Universal 2021-2022)

Maria Beall is an American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Physiologist, RYT 200 Yoga Teacher, Nutrition Consultant, Real Estate Investor, and Fitness Instructor. Maria has been in the wellness industry for 32 years and holds a degree in Community Wellness and Marketing. She is a Golden Key Honor Society member and graduated second in her class from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has mentored, trained, and taught thousands of individuals as she has changed countless lives. Maria is a Hashimoto survivor and is thriving with F.I.T.- Food, Inspiration, and Training and is a spokesperson for AARDA.org, organizing yoga classes to bring awareness to autoimmune diseases. Maria also serves on 2 boards in Richmond, Virginia, and has created a committee that participates in area clean-ups to protect the James River. She and her husband have been featured on Animal Planet, TLC, and HGTV’s House Hunters and are landlords to multiple properties. She has been married to Michael since 1987 and has 3 sons, 2 daughters in law and soon to be a grandmother to twins. When Maria is not living and teaching in Richmond, she can be found walking along the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico where she and her husband own a vacation home. Maria’s true passion is coaching women and girls to find their voice with her coaching business, Beallisma Coaching *and* encouraging her community to fight for equality and human rights with activism and advocacy.

10 Quick Hacks To Fix Fashion Emergencies ASAP

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Life is full of unforeseen glitches. You’re running to a meeting and you snap your heel. You reach up and a button on your trouser comes loose, or your bra straps start to show while wearing your favourite cocktail dress. It seems like wardrobe malfunctions always occur at the most inconvenient times …. just ask Janet Jackson!

Here are the top 10 suggestions for solving your common fashion emergencies:

10. My poor pilled sweaters

Don’t just stand there pulling lint off yourself! These can be removed either with a lint sandpaper (rub across sweater to remove pills) or a razor. Sticky tape works well for this too. Leggings and coloured tights are in full force this winter, and it’s all about experimenting with patterns and different lengths. If you are starting out, you can find some cheap leggings from shops like Valley Girl or Hipster.

9. Oops, I snapped my heel!

As Mentos-sy (remember the commercials?) as it may be, snap the other heel off & dash to the nearest shoe store!

8. Eww, makeup stains!

Baby or make-up wipes are ideal for removing or reducing makeup stains on clothing. However, do not try to remove any stains from silk – go to a dry cleaner.

7. Can you see my pantyhose runs?

A small run-in pantyhose can soon develop into a full-fledged tear. Use clear nail polish over the run to stop it from spreading.

6. Where did my hairpins go?

Dancing your head away in a concert can make your hairpins come loose and go missing. You can’t do much other than stepping out of the ball just to buy some new ones around the corner. So tuck those stray hairs behind your ears for a smouldering sexy look.

5. My hems have fallen!

For a make-do hem in a hurry, use Hollywood tape or Res Q tape. This is double-sided tape specially designed as a temporary fix for clothing.

4. Noo.. not my bra straps!

There is nothing more annoying than forever having to pull your bra straps back up onto your shoulders. Use some double-sided tape to avoid slipping straps. Cut and re-sew the back straps further in toward the centre of your back, or purchase bra clasps – these are attached at the back and pull the two back straps together, however you will need a second person to do this for you.

3. My most uncomfortable: Static Cling

This often happens with skirts. For a fix on the run, rub hand cream into your thighs (through pantyhose if necessary). The best way of preventing static cling is to spray “anti-static spay” to the inside of your skirt. You can buy this at supermarkets in the hosiery section and in the lingerie section of department stores.

2. My zipper is stuck

First run a lead pencil along the teeth, if this does not work rub a bar of soap or a wax candle onto the problem area. With a little manipulation, the zipper should come unstuck.

1. Can I leave my buttons loose/frayed?

A loose button can quickly turn into a missing button. Dab the top of the button with a little clear nail polish to prevent it from completely falling off. Re-sew it back on firmly ASAP.

Remember to wear your leggings as if they were tights…leggings worn as pants are not a good look unless you are going to the gym.

You can extend the wear from your summer wardrobe. Dresses and short shorts look great over leggings. Team them with a pair of boots (long leather or short slouchy are in right now) and a waisted belt for a truly hip look. Have fun with it and mix and match items until you find a look that says “You”.

For those who aren’t blessed with super skinny, toned legs, wearing leggings underneath shorter outfits can be much more flattering and you will feel more confident.

Leggings look great under long tops or shift dresses. Try a sweater dress with a cute scarf to keep you warm and looking great.

3 Benefits And Challenges Of Cultural Diversity In The Workplace

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Multiculturalism is the bread and butter of Australia, especially when it comes to the workforce. According to the 2016 Consensus, 45% of Australians reported having a least one parent born overseas, and 19% of the population is born overseas; it only logical to have the workforce accommodate the growing melting pot that we have.

Having a culturally diverse team in the workplace means an inhibition to tackle a project from different perspectives, knowledge, and experiences. Chances are hiring staff from different backgrounds can be good for business.

Countless studies have reinforced the importance of having a culturally rich workplace. These are three key benefits that motivate a workplace to be culturally diverse.

  1. Enhance business performance and productivity.

According to Deloitte and the Human Rights Commission, fostering an inclusive and culturally diverse workforce will significantly improve business performance and productivity. When employees work with someone who has the same background as them, it gives them a sense of familiarity.

  • Employees’ ability to innovate increased by 83 percent.
  • Responding to changing customers needs to be increased by 31 percent.
  • Team collaboration increased by 42 percent.
  • There also find that employees likely to stay at work because they feel more included, which decreases the attendance rate.

As a result of having a culturally rich office, the 2017 McKinsey report, companies that have fostered a solid ethnic and cultural diversity in their executive teams were 33% more likely to bring in business than companies with homogenous teams.

  1. Thinking Innovatively by breaking language barriers

Reports have concluded that if cultural diversity initiatives are appropriately implemented, innovative thinking amongst staff members becomes more collaborative.

By the staff of different backgrounds, they can understand the intercultural differences and help decipher the dynamic between the company and their clients. As a result, overcoming language barriers by hiring staff with diverse backgrounds is viewed favourably by a client with the same background.

As for innovation, reports have shown that CALD workforces perform better on brainstorming solutions and ideas. Due to the diverse ways of thinking, experience, and perspectives from ethnic groups, they identify cultural nuances from an ethnic audience.

It’s also worth noting that as the world becomes increasingly globalised, there is a need for a company to establish an international presence, which means there is an advantage for CALD staff who bridge into Australia’s neighbouring trade partners in Asia.

  1. Promotes team morale, health, and wellbeing.

Although being a multicultural country, Australia has its fair share of racial discrimination. It’s never fun to be a token of an ethnic or racial group. It will lead to further ostracisation if the individual feels there are surrounded by the majority Anglo-Celtic workmates.

There is solid evidence to suggest that racism can be debilitating for a person of colour’s mental and physical health. Anxiety, depression, stress, and poor quality of life ensues if there is no sense of belonging when it comes to the workplace.

People who faced racial discrimination regularly are also more likely to be overweight or obese or engage in destructive habits (i.e. smoking).

When cultural diversity initiatives are correctly done, a multicultural workplace is beneficial as it maximises profits, efficiently solves problems by tapping into intercultural communication, and improving the overall team’s morale.