STRIVE - New Haven has a most worthy job to do

Last week, this column attempted to give an overview of the current fall fashion scene ... or to my way of thinking, the fall fashion scream (as in you have to be kidding me!)

This week, I thought readers might like to know about a group of people rarely, if ever, written about by the fashion pundits: those individuals who want to find work, but lack the necessary skills and the appropriate clothes for job hunting and the interview.

An exceptional nonprofit group called STRIVE-New Haven, Inc. an affiliate of STRIVE-New York, with a network of 17 others, in cities here and overseas, is dedicated to helping these difficult-to-employ, men and women.

A free, three-week employability skills training workshop focuses on resume preparation, interview techniques and confidence building to prepare students to find and hold a job. Graduates of the program are entitled to lifetime job-placement assistance, Since its inception 10 years ago, more than 1,200 New Haven area residents have graduated with a 70 percent job retention rate after two years; representing money saved on food stamps, welfare and other entitlement programs.

The offices of STRIVE are also the home of the New Haven Career Gear, which provides men and women with the proper business attire. Their motto is, “A suit and a second chance.” The right clothes inspire confidence, and the staff will help job-seekers pick out a suitable outfit.

Originally, only men’s clothing was available, but graduates of the New Haven Leadership Center, a program developed by the New Haven Chamber of Commerce, helped to establish a women’s clothing bank.

Another source for women’s business clothing is the nonprofit Dress for Success with outlets in Hartford and Fairfield. This program offers women, often single mothers, job counseling as well as wardrobe and makeup advice. When a woman receives a job offer, she may choose five additional outfits to help her launch her new career.

STRIVE stands for Support and Training Results in Valuable Employees. Recently, STRIVE and the Veterans Administration have cooperated and designed a special course for out-of-work veterans who may be experiencing difficulty returning to civilian life. Listening to the touching testimonials on their Web site of former participants helped by STRIVE speaks volumes about the important work this small organization is accomplishing. They deserve our donations of money and clothes. Donations of clean business-appropriate attire in good condition may be dropped off at 746 Chapel St., Suite 301, in New Haven, or call 203-777-1720. And if, after giving away some clothes, you want to restock your wardrobe with stunning but sensible fashions while also donating to a good cause, the Madison Women’s Club is having a fashion show at the Pine Orchard Club on Oct. 17. Call Liz Duffy at 203-245-5715 for tickets or information.

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Museum show brings thoughts of fall fashion

Fall officially began Thursday, and despite floods, famine, high unemployment and the loss of our A&P’s, women’s thoughts turn toward what’s new for fall in the world of fashion.

A few years ago, there was much talk and promises to use “normal weight” models because of the health risks many young girls were taking in trying to resemble the models they see on television and in magazines. Unfortunately, a normal weight is not even on the radar. The models are pre-adolescent nymphs with arms and legs so bony they look as though they have been living in Darfur.

Most designers seem to be getting their inspiration from out of the mainstream grunge street kids, rather than from well-known women of style.

Formerly, even if the rest of us could not afford the original, elegant clothes the socialites wore, such fashion did serve as a yardstick for good taste and we could look for inexpensive copies. Now, unwearable and ugly shoes are coupled with scrunched-up ankle socks, plaids compete with polka dots, harem pants topped by gauzy see-through blouses, and many skirts are so short they literally disappear when the wearer sits down.

And the men’s clothes are even worse! I’m tired of the Burberry ads featuring young, scowling toughs (and for women the model Kate Moss with her pouty, spaced-out look) and advertisements that employ words like “must haves” and “hot.”

If you would like to add some inexpensive touches to make your basic wardrobe look “this year,” I would suggest a white ruffled blouse, an asymetrical-styled sweater or jacket, and a faux shearling vest or bomber jacket.

Anything pleated or fringed is also shown by many designers, but when overdone, these can make the wearer resemble a walking lamp shade.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of viewing the exceptional Metropolitan Museum exhibit “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity.” Utilizing continuous films on the exhibit walls and mannequins, the exhibit featured an extensive collection of fashions from the 1820s to the 1980s.

On display was Scarlett’s little velvet hat, worn when trying to charm Rhett Butler; the beautiful black and white ball gown that Annie Hearst wore to the London coronation ball; and Ava Gardner’s stunning ensemble from “The Barefoot Contessa.”

On view were kidskin boots from the 1960s that would be fashionable today, as well as sumptuous day suits and evening gowns made in Paris for women of elegance and wealth. The workmanship and the fabrics are absolutely breathtaking.

Another exhibit showed wool bloomer bathing suits and tightly laced corsets that surely must have been contributing factors to the women’s revolution. While this exhibit has closed, a smaller, but equally interesting exhibit, “Notorious and Notable: 20th Century Women of Style,” featuring their clothing and jewelry, has opened at the Museum of the City of New York (5th Avenue and 103rd Street) and will remain until Jan. 3.

There is no entrance fee for this museum, and if you are taking Metro-North into New York, get off at 125th Street. A $6 cab ride will put you at the museum’s front door, after which you can hop the 5th Avenue bus directly to the Metropolitan Museum, where there is always something worthwhile to see.

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