By Lashawnda K. Becoats
Special to the Charlotte Observer

For the past 10 years Sonya Barnes has traveled the globe, teaching executives in cities from Hong Kong to Dubai how to dress.

As CEO of Harris-Barnes Image Consulting, she's not only passionate about making sure her clients are well-dressed but also helping them understand the psychology of building their personal brand.

"Image and style are about being able to manage your perception," said Barnes. "It's all perception management."

Now Barnes, 43, is taking on a new challenge. She recently launched the International Fashion Style Academy, a locally based program to train and educate aspiring fashion stylists.

She noticed how the industry wasn't getting the respect it deserved, due in part to unrealistic portrayals by fashion reality television shows, and it bothered her.
Although she'll miss working with her corporate clients, she believes now is the right time for Charlotte, which isn't well-known for fashion.

"There are great designers here, people who admire style, and we have key people in this area who are connected to top designers in New York and in Europe. There is a new Charlotte that's modern and innovative."

Her goal is to make an impact by elevating the standard of excellence in the industry.

Q. Who inspires your style?

True icons like Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Those women had chutzpah and sex appeal.

Q. What designers do you like to wear?

Annette Gortz, Donna Karan, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexis Bittar for jewelry.

Q. Where is your favorite city to shop?

Hong Kong. The energy and art of fashion there is amazing and inspiring.

Q. What's your favorite accessory?

Earrings and gloves. I like classic gold hoops with diamonds, and I love a drop earring. But there is something about a person who wears gloves. My favorite pair is black patent leather elbow-length and is lined in cashmere. I bought them from a private line in New York years ago.

Q. Name three items in your closet you would never give away.

My red patent YSL slings because I can wear them with jeans or a cocktail dress and they take me from day to night. My black Leifsdottir vintage couture dress and my Lululemon yoga pants. Those pants take me from the USA to the South Asia Pacific.

Q. What's your latest splurge?

My "Save It Bracelet," by Louis Vuitton. It's a rare find. I looked for it all over the world until I found it.

Q. What's something you would never be caught wearing?

Khakis. Those crunchy brown pants are not an option for me. It does not resonate with my level of refinement.

Q. What's your signature scent?

I'm such a fragrance junkie. I love Bond No. 9. I favor New Harlem (Bond No. 9) for cool weather and Jo Malone Grapefruit when the weather gets warmer.

Q. What's in your handbag?

Chanel lip gloss, an extra tube of L'Oreal mascara, lip liner, a vial of fragrance - either Hermes or Bond No. 9 - L'Occitane hand lotion, my compact, Marvis mints, baby wipes, iPhone, leather wallet and business cards.

Q. What advice do you always give your clients?

To really have authentic style, it is intentional and it needs to represent who they "be" as a human being versus what they do. When a person is comfortable with who they are, they aren't caught up in letting a label define their style. Style evolution is a process, not an event.

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