Caroline Codsi and the art of being impeccable

You know, that woman who is always dressed to the nines, even at the corner store in the morning, even at her child’s sports competition on the weekend, even while hiking? This woman is Caroline Codsi.

Caroline Codsi is founder and president of La Gouvernance au feminine, an organization that supports women in their career advancement. She welcomed us into her office in downtown Montreal to chat candidly (and with humor!) about how she takes care of her appearance. True to form, she is impeccable: suit, pretty heels, jewelry, manicure and careful makeup.

Our journalists introduced themselves to her as they normally dress in the office. Olivia Lévy in a shirt, sweater and jeans, Catherine Handfield in a t-shirt and soft pants.

OL: Is it important for you to be well dressed and well made up in all circumstances?

CC : I am like my mother, very flirtatious, I will never leave the house without wearing makeup, even to go hiking on the weekend. It surprises my friends, but it’s my everyday routine. You never know who you might bump into, so I’m always impeccable. It’s who I am, I like getting dressed, putting on makeup, it takes an hour every morning and it’s a pleasure. I’m 57 years old and with age, I had to resolve, my heels have gone down by half, and my jewelry is lighter.

CH: Is this daily care the way you were educated?

Yes. When I gave birth to my first child, almost 30 years ago, my father came and asked me why I wasn’t wearing makeup! The baby was in respiratory distress, so I really had other things to do and I was only 27 years old. It remained in the annals. I am of Lebanese origin. When they come to eat on Sundays, my parents are always very elegant, my father in a suit and tie.

OL: When you see people who have a more relaxed look, how do you react?

It depends. In the street, I tell myself that people might be moving! You don’t have to buy and wear the ugliest clothes…

CH: When you look at me, what do you say to yourself?

There is nothing that matches! [rires] I think you were in the dark this morning and you took the clothes you had on hand. I’m very genuine, so I’m telling you… you, Olivia, are better.

CH: Does our appearance depend on the environment in which we operate?

My daughter is a cybersecurity lawyer, but she was first a mergers and acquisitions lawyer, where she wore a suit and heels because that was a must in her industry. With this look, and her deep voice, she was imposing, and it contributed to her self-confidence. Then, she went to study cybersecurity at Polytechnique, and she obviously changed her look. For me, however, there is no context where I will be seen in a hoodie or without makeup. It’s impossible. It would be untenable and I would run away from looking in the mirror.

OL: A less careful person, do you say to yourself that there is a lack of rigor?

Yes. If you come to an interview for a position, and you dress too casually, it’s not a good idea, because you think, what will two years later be like? Will you come to the office in your pajamas? It is a form of respect in a workplace, there is decorum and expectations. I grew up in Lebanon during the war, I arrived in Paris with no money, I struggled and I went to Tati in Barbès (a very inexpensive store), because I needed a tailor for an interview. Everyone was dressed in suits, so that gave me confidence. And even today, at 57, I need all the cards in my deck, I need to convince people and be at my best, physically.

OL: Is the gaze more severe for women?

Yes, clearly. When you are impeccable, you attract attention, and 99% of the time it is admiring, benevolent. I feel good about myself and my clothes, but it’s cultural. Lebanon is one of the countries where there are the most cosmetic surgeries in the world per person. On the highways, there are even billboards advertising bank loans for cosmetic surgeries. The pressure is enormous, it’s in our DNA.

CH: The time and money we spend on our appearance… It’s a lot, too much sometimes… Should we free ourselves from this pressure to be beautiful?

I interviewed Hillary Clinton and she told me that when she was on the presidential campaign trail, a makeup artist and a hair stylist accompanied her on the plane all the time. At each stage, she had her hair and makeup done again because if she wasn’t impeccable, people would immediately say that she looked tired, unkempt… Men are not entitled to this type of comment. Hillary Clinton said she wasted hundreds of hours while Donald Trump revised his strategy.

OL: Which model to follow?

It’s very personal, you shouldn’t impose anything on anyone. My friends often tell me that with me, they feel obliged to make an effort, but that’s how you want to be!

OL: We still feel a pressure when we see you… that’s why!

So much the better ! Do we want to be in a society in pajamas? Some people like it, others don’t, so much the better. You know, there are unconscious biases, we will judge a woman on her appearance… and we only have one chance to make a good first impression. I am in a “power suit” because I feel confident. If I meet a CEO in jeans, he will say to himself, she is not very neat, she lacks judgment, rigor… So put all the chances on your side to get the job, the best salary, then to have a promotion, to pick up customers, the boyfriend.