Executive sweet!

For the longest time, Tina Maristela-Ocampo’s The Black Shop was the go-to place for women executives. TBS has grown to have a reputation for fine workmanship, durable and comfortable fabric, affordable prices. It is also known for being able to give  designs uniqueness through the “classic with a twist” concept. The demand for reliable, fashion items has greatly increased through the years, so much so that Ocampo has branched out into corporate uniform accounts. “We have several corporations coming to us for their outfits. TBS designs ideas for them with the company’s  image and work-needs in mind.”

Ocampo shares, “Women have more choices in terms of corporate fashion. In the past, wearing pantyhoses and skirts were mandatory. But nowadays, pants have been found to be very practical without sacrificing a woman’s femininity.” Regarding her choice of materials, Tina remarks, “I choose fabric that have some percentage of lycra. The presence of lycra in fabric allows us to produce designs that are forgiving to less-than-perfect figures. I always advice women to keep their jewelry and accessories simple and understated. Companies that are in the designing or artistic field can afford to take more liberties with their appearance. But traditional establishments (banking, legal and real estate industries for example) are still relatively conservative.”

Ocampo adds that when people are unsure about what to wear to work, she suggests for them that they best lean towards a conservative image. She says a woman has to remember that when she sees a client, the perception that the client would have about her appearance would be inevitably connected to the company she belongs to. “I always tell ladies that if they have to asks themselves if a particular outfit is appropriate for their work place or not, then chances are it isn’t.”

Finally, Ocampo has this tip to share regarding makeup. “You may be wearing the most appropriate and stylish business outfit but if you go overboard with makeup and unkempt hair, you would have failed in appearing professional. Keep your makeup light and your hair neat. Always remember that this is one form of dressing that represents an image beyond your personal style.”