Helena Appleton

If you could see Helena Appleton right now, you would be making assumptions about her character. A series of snap judgments based on what she's wearing, how she stands, how she's fixed her hair and a hundred other details that you didn't even realize you were noticing.

Of course, Helena would be doing the same to you, and she's an expert. As a professional image consultant, she has made a career out of understanding the way people see her clients and how that can be used to their advantage.

"When you see someone for the first time, within three to 15 seconds you will make 12 different assumptions about that person which your subconscious responds to," said Helena matter-of-factly. "It's a norm in any society to make those intuitive evaluations, and in our society, the norm is to make judgments based on physical presence more than anything else."

She doesn't see this as a particularly good or bad thing, just a fact of life. But if image is everything, what exactly is image?

"Image is the presence you create when you enter a room," explains Helena. "Seven percent of it is verbal communication, 38 percent is non-verbal communication, and the rest is outward physical appearance."
When she works with her clients, Helena discovers what their motivations and goals are, then helps them craft an image that will float before them on the path to success-however they may define it. People come to her with a variety of expectations; they may want to advance their careers, revitalize their social life, establish themselves in a new area, or get back on the dating scene after a divorce. No matter what the reason, Helena can create a wardrobe for it.

"It matters," said Helena, referring to the all-important element of dress. "It affects how seriously people take you, your credibility, your trustworthiness and your approachability. When I worked in an office in Chicago, I could watch who got promoted based on their dress; it's not always about ability."

Helena advocates dressing to flatter your figure by finding styles that accent your strong points while drawing attention away from your weaknesses. Once you have something that works for you, make it a formula that can be called upon when you have to leave the house in a hurry and don't have time to think about your outfit.

Of course, it's not all in the clothes; there are a plethora of other considerations as well. Posture, manners, social graces, ability to make small-talk-these all contribute to the immediate impression we make on others. When you pull it all together, you are ready to open doors.
"Many women have hidden desires, things they've always wanted to do but never dared," said Helena. "A consultant in my business can make those dreams come true. We can help them reach goals they never thought they could achieve."


Up Close

Hometown: Santa Barbara, CA Came to Beaufort: four years ago from Chicago

Why she loves it here: the saltwater, tides and marine environment

Family includes: husband, David Lott, and their combined progeny of eight children

Activities: art, reading, jewelry-making and dancing Helped start: the Beaufortettes, a group of female tap-dancers whose average age is 66

Favorite book: Depths of Glory, by Irving Stone

Inspirational icon: Martha Graham, "the mother or modern dance," because she continued to dance through her 80s; "She didn't cap her life because of her age."

Helena's image: understated and elegant

Who she is on the inside: enthusiastic, energetic and positive; "I like people to be happy and I want to create a bright spot in their lives."

Inner beauty vs. outer beauty: "Inner beauty. It's what radiates from the inside that creates the outer presence."