There aren't too many of us who can say that we knew what we wanted to do with our lives from childhood. Eugenie Huang of emerging accessories line Deka Ray holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in architecture, but from the time she was only eight years old the precocious talent has been designing strange, one-of-a-kind jewelery that catches the eye.

It was a book about famed sculptor Alexander Calder that first inspired Huang to play with wire, crafting earrings instead of doing her homework. While she pursued a full-time career in architecture, the same obsession with shape, material and form that drove her professional studies also informed her inventive jewelry designs; the resulting styles gently toe the line between statement pieces and over-the-top ornaments: "I appreciate constraint. You can play around with the design, but ultimately the pieces have to relate to your body."

When going on castings, which are in fact interviews that actors go on for commercials, print ads, and films, you are told what the part is, and the "type," meaning what to wear. I have been told to dress as a "downtown type,"  "club goer," or simply "NY hip," or, "You're going in for the role of bartender, or prostitute.'' I'm told my type is the hooker with the heart of gold, the girl at the club that helps get the hurt guy to the hospital, the bartender that defends the nerd: tough with a sweet interior. For each role, you dress appropriately. You're not going to go in for a hooker role in an ankle-length skirt, and you're generally not going to go in for a Mop N Glo commercial in a bustier, pencil skirt, fishnets, and heels, unless of course the casting calls for it.

But that's acting.

In real life, so many have lost their jobs due to Bush's war and the recession that's been created from it, I have to assume there are a lot of people interviewing for all kinds of jobs. In honor of Labor Day, here is my two cents on how to present yourself.

Most important: cleanliness. Even if it is a construction job, show up clean and smell clean. Investigate the place you are going to interview for. If it's retail, dress like you already work there -- if not clothes from the store, clothes that look like they'd be in the store. If it's a casual company, no need to overdress. Overdressing for an interview can make you feel just as silly as you would showing up as a male stripper at a funeral. My point is, know where you're going and dress accordingly.

Side note: It's always good to have an outfit stashed in your closet for a funeral.

Another important thing that people have literally at times not been hired because of is bad shoes. Make sure your shoes fit the job description; don't skimp on them. I know for a fact friends have broken up with people because of bad footwear, and bosses have not hired people because of bad footwear. If you wear a cheap shoe, please make sure it looks like you spent money on it. And don't wear inappropriate footwear. Like for men, a sock and sandal are a no-no, and personally I think it is incredibly offensive (there is a website here dedicated to it for public shaming, enjoy). Even if you are going in for a sporty mountain-climbing shoe store interview, save that hideous combo for your own time. Crocs are also included in this category.

We dress differently all the time for work, exercise, family functions, weddings and funerals, evening and playtime.  Usually I am a proponent of dressing however you want and as badly as you want. There's nothing I love more than taking a chance and the worst-dressed list.  But if you need a job, it's a different story. Sorry, but everyone has to do it. If you are going in for a job as a clown, don't forget the red nose.

And with that, I bid you adieu.

Theo Kogan is the MOLI View's contributing editor for Fashion & Design. Her THEOlogy column appeared Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We last saw Lady In Red when she was struggling with her love or lust for a lying and cheating fool, in Lady in Red, Part Deux. Now she's moving on. Here we pick up with her in: La