A Very Modern Role Model: Carla DiBello on Style, Power Dressing and Why What You Wear in Business Matters
“Style is never simply about what we wear, but rather, it’s about how we carry ourselves, our way of being in this world, and the message we choose to convey to both ourselves as well as to those around us,” the entrepreneur and style insider shares in her latest column for Bazaar Arabia
As a woman navigating the competitive realm of business, I’ve come to appreciate the transformative power of style as more than just a means of self-expression; it’s a strategic tool for success. From the very moment a person steps into the boardroom or sits down to a meeting, that person sets a tone – with our appearance communicating volumes as to who we are. Harnessing the power that style can offer is a tool that can be used as a game-changer for anyone – and I’d argue, especially for women in leadership roles.
As a businesswoman, I’ve learned that investing in my personal style isn’t about conforming to societal norms or superficial trends; it’s about leveraging my unique identity and personal brand to communicate who I am and what I can bring to the table.
Style is never simply about what we wear, but rather, it’s about how we carry ourselves, our way of being in this world, and the message we choose to convey to both ourselves as well as to those around us. Whether it’s a bold power suit that commands attention or the more pared-back, streamlined look that I find myself preferring these days, the way we present ourselves sends powerful signals about professionalism, competence, and credibility. And as a business woman who works in multiple male-dominated industries, I’ve found that cultivating a polished and sophisticated approach to style can help to level the playing field, ensuring that my voice is heard and respected.
“Harnessing the power that style can offer is a tool that can be a game changer for anyone”
The ability to communicate effectively and build meaningful relationships is essential for success in any kind of business. And in an increasingly globalised world, style can be a universal language that transcends cultural barriers to foster connections. By owning and celebrating who we are through personal style, we open the door to forging authentic connections and bridging cultural divides, allowing for new opportunities and ideas to flourish.
Style goes beyond simple aesthetics; it’s a reflection of our inner self-assurance and how we choose to go about life.
Women in business face unique challenges and obstacles on our journeys to success, from overcoming imposter syndrome, to navigating workplace politics, to breaking through the glass ceiling. I think learning how to do the internal work to learn who we truly are at our core as well as how to present this at face value is a secret formula for success. Personal style and the way I choose to present myself has become a tool for asserting my identity and owning my narrative in a world that often seeks to confine women – and particularly highly visible women – to narrow stereotypes.
For me, discovering my own personal style has been a long journey of self-discovery and empowerment. But one rule I’ve stuck with throughout the years is to always dress as though I am already my future self: a future version of myself who has already closed the deal I’m currently working on; a future version of myself who’s more focused than I am right now, one who has grown her business to the next level; a future self who is calmer, happier, and healthier than I am right now. It has nearly become a ritual – a practice in self-reflection and the transformative skill of simultaneously embracing who I am right now and who I want to become.
After all, we all have the power to redefine the rules of this life and to rewrite our own scripts. By embracing how we dress as well as how we carry ourselves in this world as strategic tools for empowerment, self-expression, as well as freedom, we harness the power to become even better versions of ourselves.
Photography: Efraim Evidor. Styling: Imogene Legrand. Make-Up Artist: Tilly Newman. Hair: Sisters Beauty Lounge.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s April 2024 issue