ELECTION 2006 - AND THE WINNER IS ...

When it comes to image, Harper wins by a hair

By Jeremy Loombe, The Edmonton Sun January 15, 2006

 

Image consultant Joanne Blake sized up the three main party leaders during the debate.
Here are her impressions:

Paul Martin. Liberals


"How much does he want it? To me he doesn't seem to be making a lot of effort and appears to be going through the motions. His expressions are somewhat wooden and he stutters and stammers. He's making an effort in some photos, for example, at a bakery where he's wearing an open-collar shirt and a sweater. But he needs to do more of that because most of the images of him are stiff and up­tight.  He's wearing the club tie and the gray slacks, and it’s a look that is somewhat dated.  A lot of people presume if your appearance is dated, then your thinking is as well. "

 

Stephen Harper, Conservatives


"His hair was well-managed and controlled. Harper used to be very helmet-hair looking, whereas now his hair looks like it suits him and is more natural. He was wearing a long, pointed collar. That's a good thing, because his face is somewhat chubby.

 

Jack Layton, NDP

"His choice of an orange club tie, although bold and his party colour, was somewhat garish because the stripes seemed in high contrast.  He also had a rounded, spread collar and his face is roundish, so a closer spread would’ve been better. His tie knot needed to be large enough to fit into the collar, which it did, but then it looked too large for him. Men should choose a collar that counterbalances their face. I don’t think he or his image consultants considered that."

                                                                                                

 

Read another recent Election 2006 Media Article Joanne appeared in:

- Look can be the hook