Style Expert Michele Benza

Michele Benza

Michele Benza

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A native of Belgium, Michele was raised and educated in Brussels and is fluent in both French and English. Early in life Michele was attracted to the fashion world, and opened a “parfumerie” in Brussels, which quickly expanded to include designer wear, accessories and spa services. After meeting and marrying an ‘American in Paris,’ Michele moved with her husband to New York in 1983. She studied at New York University, accepted a position with an American cosmetic company, later shifting to a management position with a real estate investment trust.

After the birth of their second son, Michele became Vice President of Marketing and Sales for an upscale Belgian chocolate company and could work from home. She excelled in this position for over a decade, and was able to move this west when the family relocated to San Francisco. She built out the company’s entire Western US high-end department store channel.

With the children off to school, it was time for a change. She was fortunate to have supportive family and friends that encouraged her to start a new venture. It was time to return to her roots, to what she knew best, and had a passion for: helping people to improve their self-esteem, confidence and appearance. Already an avid Pilates practitioner, she decided to take the next step and become a certified Pilates Instructor. Shortly thereafter, she elected to return to Brussels to obtain her image consultant certification from one of the most prestigious organizations in Europe. She is a member of Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) and is the only American member of the Association Française pour L’image Professionnelle et Personnel (AFIPP).

Michele wanted to offer clients a truly unique experience. Therefore, she combined these two certifications into one business model, and created Michele Benza ICP (Image Consulting & Posture), designed to assist clients to attain ideal posture and to dress appropriately for their body type, lifestyle and age.

Michele Benza ICP is located near Union Square at 210 Post Street, just above jewelers, Shreve & Co.

Michele and her husband live in Tiburon, California.

Visit Michele at http://www.michelebenza.com.

Michele’s Columns

Cost-Per-Wear (Again!)

March 6th, 2010

How to figure out if you are spending more on clothes than you need to? More...

New Year, New You! Fashion for Women Over 50

February 4th, 2010

Make your outside image match your inside image. Love yourself from the inside out. Michele gives us some attainable goals to consider that may make all the difference! More...

Looking Back and Looking Forward

January 6th, 2010

Timeless style advice you can use today…and all year to stay fabulous. More...

Hats are Back and Hats are Hot! Fashion for Women Over 50

November 30th, 2009

Let’s have some fun! Hats are Back and Hats are Hot! More...

50+ Fashion: The “Puffer” Down Coat

November 6th, 2009

Finally, a coat that’s gorgeous, warm and cozy AND lightweight! More...

High HIGH HIGH Heels!

October 5th, 2009

Michele delves into the controversy about the fashion (and safety) dilemma of extreme high heels. Will you choose to take them or leave them? More...

Paris Potins (Paris Gossip)

September 6th, 2009

Michele’s been sleuthing again and has the scoop, straight from Paris, on what’s “in” for Fall!  More...

Dressing on your Own Terms

July 31st, 2009

Are you expressing who you really are? Are you tired of dressing the same old way? More...

Looking for a Job? Michele introduces Dress for Success, Clear the Way for the Interview!

July 6th, 2009

Michèle Benza, 50+Fabulous Style Expert and owner of Michèle Benza Image Consulting & Posture offers a new 1-hour, on-line service, DRESS FOR SUCCESS, CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE INTERVIEW! More...

The Dreaded Days of Bathing Suit Shopping

July 6th, 2009

Do you dread shopping for a bathing suit? Who doesn’t?!! Don’t go to the store without this! More...

Instant Glamour = Red Lipstick and Sunglasses

June 5th, 2009

Want an easy way to be glamorous instantly? Who doesn’t? Read on!  More...

Style on a Budget? Absolutely!

May 6th, 2009

Look great and spend little? Sounds too good to be true? Michele tells us how! More...

Never Underestimate the Impact Value of a Great Haircut

April 1st, 2009

How to extend the life of your haircut and save both money and time!  More...

Fashion Flashes for the 2009 Spring/Summer

March 4th, 2009

What’s in fashion for the 2009 Spring/Summer season? Michele gives us the “hot off the runway” scoop. More...

Beauty from the Inside Out

February 7th, 2009

Michele gifts us with her simple steps to timeless beauty and happiness too! More...

The Best Long Term Fashion Investments: Great Basics

January 5th, 2009

How to be fashionable and stay on your budget too! Michele’s secrets revealed! More...

My Favorite Topic: The Must-Have Coat!

December 8th, 2008

It’s a wrap! Michele shares what’s in this winter! More...

From Day to Night

November 5th, 2008

The holidays coming right up! With the right accessories and fresh makeup, you can leave work and be on your way to drinks and dinner in just about 20 minutes. More...

Sow the Seeds of Style, Grooming, and Behavior! (and reap the rewards with time!)

October 3rd, 2008

It is said that young people don't know how to dress because they do not have good role models. Prove the naysayers wrong!  More...

Style: Fall Fashion 2008

September 5th, 2008

What to wear this Fall? Michele brings all the latest trends from the runways straight to you! More...

Can Women Over 50 Slow Down the Aging Process? You Bet!

August 4th, 2008

What is the secret key that can give you a Fabulous new look? More...

The Science of Smart Packing

July 6th, 2008

Find out how to pack for an extended trip, only need a carry on bag and remain Fabulously stylish! More...

Watch your Back?

June 6th, 2008

Is buying a bra a nightmare for you? Michele gives us the basics on this "basic." More...

Spring Fever!

May 5th, 2008

And of course this means it’s time to put away your winter clothes and come out of hibernation. Now is the time to be inspired by this season’s bright and colorful collections and to be creative.  More...

Quoi de neuf a Paris?

April 3rd, 2008

Michele's just back from Paris and shares what's being shown for Spring 2008. More...

Is it Time to Update Your Look?

March 3rd, 2008

It is no longer enough to consult with sales associates at cosmetic counters or clothing stores. They most often do not have the expertise necessary to address our needs at 50 and over.  More...

Gloves Are Back!

November 1st, 2007

Happily gloves are back to enhance our style and elegance! More...

From Paris - Part II Hermes Scarf 70th Anniversary

October 1st, 2007

For instance, did you know that every thirty minutes a Hermes scarf is sold somewhere in the world? And in European families, a husband traditionally presents his wife with the latest Hermes scarf each New Year and, eventually, the collection is passed on to the daughters in the family. More...

From Paris

September 1st, 2007

Paris in the Fall of '07. More...

Optimize Your Assets!

August 1st, 2007

Shopping can be torture, especially if you are faced with common trouble spots such as wide hips, large thighs and sagging upper arms. Don’t give up! There are solutions to all your shopping challenges even when it seems like stores are filled with rows of outfits that do not work for your body type.Thank goodness we come in different sizes, shapes and colors. How boring it would be if we were all identical! More...

We Can Always Dream… Accessories Rule!

June 1st, 2007

I just got hit by the bag bug! More...

Tanned All Year-round.  A Dream? Absolutely Not.

May 1st, 2007

The new self-tanners are not what we remember! Michele shares the inside scoop on her favorites. More...

Shoes

April 1st, 2007

Be aware that people see us from different angles and from head to toe. Shoes play a major part in our presentation.  More...

The Coat – the great cover up!

March 1st, 2007

It delights me to see that the coat has made a comeback on the fashion runways because, along with the coat, it seems chic and elegance have returned too. More...

Jewelry - An Indispensable Accessory

February 1st, 2007

Fortunately, no matter the depth of your pocket or the shape of your face, there is jewelry to suit every budget and every shaped face. Choosing jewelry that enhances your look can be tricky, but when doing so, keep the following in mind. More...

Tiens-toi droite! Stand up straight!

January 1st, 2007

Good posture goes beyond looking good. More...

What is Image Consulting? It is the Gift You Give Yourself

November 1st, 2006

The way you dress is part of a non-verbal communication. Your appearance communicates to others who you are and how you see yourself. An image consultant can help! More...

Over 50? Less is Best

October 1st, 2006

Aging beautifully is about our attitude toward life and the curve balls it throws us. More...

Give Your Face A New Allure

September 1st, 2006

Fall makeup 2006. More...

The Importance of Choosing the Right Eyewear

August 1st, 2006

As an image consultant I do make a lot of mental notes on people’s attire, hair, makeup, grooming and posture; but lately eye glasses have been #1. More...

The Scent of a Woman

July 1st, 2006

Here is the key to selecting your own signature perfume. More...

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