Image Consultant Guides Adults into Social Graces Special Spring Classes Offered in Downtown Detroit

(PRLEAP.COM) Whether it’s a power lunch, casual happy hour or formal soiree, native New Yorker and Southfield resident Indigo Zuri is poised and polished in any setting. But she wasn’t always so picture perfect in public.

"When I first got into corporate America, I was pretty green. There were times when I would go out to lunch with my colleagues and I didn’t know one fork from the next," she says. "It’s really important to have those skills to be successful."

Not only has she mastered them for herself, she is teaching others dining etiquette, networking savvy and other skills critical for getting ahead at work and in life. Zuri, the founder of Fashion Targeting Images & Personal Styles (Fashion T.I.P.S.), an image consulting business, is offering a personal skills development workshop for adults this month.

She will teach Which Fork Do I Use, a two-day informative and entertaining etiquette workshop for adults, at the Garden Court Condominiums, located at 2900 E. Jefferson in Downtown Detroit, on March 21 and 24. Sponsored by National Black MBA Association, Inc. Detroit Chapter (NBMBAA), Fashion T.I.P.S. Image Consulting Firm and Farbman Group, this workshop covers the basics and beyond. Participants will learn a variety of dining skills that will leave them exuding confidence and grace in social and professional dining settings. The unique workshop takes place on Tuesday, March 21, followed by a dinner party on Friday, March 24th.

Corrie Patton, President of NBMBAA, read about Ms. Zuri’s workshop in an article in a local newspaper in November 2005. “The Detroit Chapter is very excited to present Which Fork Do I Use. Our goal with this session is to give our members the confidence to invite their manager, CEO or business client to lunch or dinner without being intimidated by the place settings on the dining table. Yet, we also realize that people may feel uncomfortable asking questions about dining etiquette before a large crowd, which is why we decided to host the workshop in a more intimate environment at the Garden Court,” says Ms. Patton.

The Garden Court Condominiums, located at 2900 E. Jefferson, is one of downtown Detroit’s treasures. The two towers of the Garden Court building features beautifully renovated residences, now available for the first time, for private ownership. The historic Albert Kahn designed building meets all of today’s criteria for sophisticated city living — location, aesthetics, security and amenities. In addition, all units are eligible for the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone 12 year tax reduction. According to Jon Grbowski, Sales Manager for Farbman Group, “This is one of the most sought after residential buildings in the Downtown area, which is why we were pleased to host this workshop for the Detroit Chapter NBMBAA. We understand that to stimulate growth in the city, it’s imperative to provide housing that is versatile, which can be used for personal living or as an investment. The Garden Court has 65 beautiful one, two, three, and four bedroom homes, offering a variety of spacious floor plans ranging from 900 to 3,000 square feet. It’s a great location, the units are being beautifully restored and the view of the Detroit/Windsor skyline is breathtaking. “

This is exactly what Ms. Zuri was seeking when discussing venues with Ms. Patton. “We can always host ‘Which Fork…’ in a restaurant or community center. But this time, I wanted to think outside of the box,” explains Ms. Zuri. Formerly a personal shopper at Troy’s Somerset Collection Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, Zuri launched Fashion T.I.P.S. in September 2004. In addition to offering etiquette classes, she consults clients on wardrobe development that sets them apart from the crowd.

"I help my clients develop their personal style, a style that piques interest," Zuri explains. But looking good is only one component of a sophisticated self-presentation. "Getting your audience’s attention is a crucial step. However, it’s only the beginning. Once you have their attention, do you possess the skills to maintain it?" Zuri’s personal skills development classes give people an opportunity to refine their social skills for every occasion and environment.