You’ve heard the old adages. “Clothes make the man.”“Dress for success.”“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”For some, the clichès are nothing more than colloquial expressions. But to Chris Fulkerson, they’re gems of truth that when taken seriously, can change a person’s life, particularly as it pertains to her fellow femmes.
“At some point in a woman’s life she finds herself caught up with small children, elderly parents or some other situation that requires all of her time. Just as I was home with my girls for 12 years – I loved every minute of it – but I forgot who I was,” she said. “I became Hannah and Sydney’s mom and that role was reflected in how I dressed. Today I am still their mom but so much more.
Fulkerson learned the lesson after transforming her own life several years ago when she traded in her matronly wear for fashions more fitting of her personality.
She purged her closet of “toxic” clothes. “I (picked) up everything and asked, do I love it? Is it who I am now? Does it serve me in my current life? Why am I wearing it?”
She began dressing to convey an image that embodied all of her roles, not just her parental one.
People noticed and Fulkerson was named one of The Voice-Tribune’s Best Dressed in 2004. Soon afterwards, she was certified as Kentucky’s only Fashion Feng Shui consultant.
“Now I’m helping women discover who they truly are and where they are going (by) dressing the body, mind and spirit,” she said.
The concept is simple: “Our bodies are our most intimate environment. What you place on them is as important as what you put in your home.”
Fulkerson hosts seminars and one-on-one appointments during which she spends time getting to know a woman’s personality, her values and beliefs, her hopes and dreams.
Fulkerson determines whether an individual is a philosopher, a pioneer, a pleasure seeker, a peacemaker or a perfectionist. She also assesses a preferred style based on the elements of water (creative personality desiring flowing clothes); wood (sporty with a natural, casual style); fire (dramatic and desiring bright, bold, body-conscious apparel); earth (traditional person with a preference for neutral, textured basics); and metal (an elegant gal with a propensity for pale, polished, luxurious wear).
Local attorney A. Holland Houston, for example, is a definite pioneer.
“She’s so competitive and hates to lose. She has to have very comfortable clothes. … because she moves so fast all day long,” Fulkerson said, laughing. “Holly told me, Oh you really get me!”
In addition to wearing clothes reflective of her personality, Fulkerson also determined Houston’s dreams include attracting more financial support to her many philanthropic commitments.
Lynda Lambert, of 102.3 the Max, is both a pioneer and a perfectionist. “When Chris described the characteristics of each one, yeah (I agreed) with the assessment,” she said.
Regardless of how she’s classified, Lambert said she, too, agrees that there is power in one’s apparel.
“My mom taught me at a very young age that first impressions are important. ... I think you project a certain image by the way you dress, but you don’t have to buy designer clothes to achieve that goal. I have teenagers to dress,” she cracked. “That’s where my money goes.”
Fulkerson also assessed WHAS-TV anchor/reporter Claudia Coffey.
“It was interesting because I’m drawn to certain types of clothing because of the cuts and quality and even color, style and shape,” Coffey said. “When I wear those certain clothes, for some reason, I feel like I’m whole. It’s like (the clothes are) an extension of me. When I went into the actual process with Chris, it just stunned me that it so defines my personality to the core.”
Coffey said she’s been talked into wearing fashions she didn’t really like and paid for it by being uncomfortable – or worse. She no longer makes that mistake and appreciated Fulkerson affirming what Coffey knows firsthand: You can dress for success.
“Now I know why I’ve been more inclined toward certain things. There really is something that comes across where you’re comfortable with who you are,” Coffey said. “Certainly for me, a certain style of clothing defines Claudia.”