OTTAWA, ONT. - May 19, 2009 - Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien and his wife Colleen McBride-O'Brien arrive at the Elgin Street courthouse for day 7 of his influence peddling trial. - (Photo by Wayne Cuddington, Ottawa Citizen

 Ottawa: Mayor Larry O’Brien’s purported infulence-peddling trial,there was excitement in and out of the courtroom, the question each morning on inquiring minds was, The lady Colleen McBride-O’Brien and husband “what will they be wearing today”?.

 The Mayor’s wife, in a defferent outfit every time, didn’t miss a beat during the trial, arriving at the Ottawa Courthouse be side her husband.

For such a serious satuation, some might have chosen sombre clothing, but McBride-O’Brien nearly always mirrored her husband’s jolly confidence,dressed in pastel or punch-coloured suits,that could easily take her to a wedding, or a celebratory dinner at days end.

What should one wear, to your husband’s purported-influnce-peddling trial?.

Hit with image consultants these days, a khaki-green safari suit.

Colleen McBride-O’Brien has been at her husband’s side Mayor Larry O’Brien, entering the courthouse hand in hand or her hand tucked in the crook of his elbow.

 The trial will resume on June 26, 2009, and a decision will be delivered by  Justice Duglas Cunningham, on a defence application to throw out the charges.

To date, the couple appear relaxed, occasionally they chat or exchange encouraging smiles. “They have their game face on,” observes Jill Bremer, a Chicago image consultant. “They’re a concerted front. They’re devoted.

The mayor’s ex-wife, Debbie, has also appeared in court frequently. “Debbie has been stellar,” says Peck. “That says a lot about a person that their first wife shows up.” The couple divorced in 1995.

Bremer, an expert commentator on a number of high-profile U.S. cases, says it’s impressive that the couple haven’t been photographed chewing or in midsentence, movements that can twist a face to suggest animosity. “Either they’re really good at this, or they’ve been groomed,” Bremer suggests. “Every shot is perfect.”

 Peck says the public display of strength and devotion is in keeping with McBride-O’Brien’s character.

Read this story: By Joanne Laucius, The Ottawa Citizen.

 In most cases, McBride-O’Brien, a real-estate agent, presents herself in clothes consistent with her image. She’s a successful businesswoman who happens to be married to the mayor, observes Mississauga-based image consultant Donna Chevrier.

 The excitement wasn’t all in the courtroom during Ottawa Mayor Larry O’Brien’s purported-influence-peddling trial. Each morning, the question on inquiring minds was: What will Colleen McBride-O’Brien and her husband be wearing today?

The mayor’s wife certainly didn’t miss a beat during the trial, arriving at her husband’s side at the Ottawa Courthouse in a different outfit every time.

And while some might have chosen sombre clothing for such a serious situation, McBride-O’Brien nearly always mirrored her husband’s jolly confidence with pastel or punch-coloured suits that could easily take her to a wedding. Or maybe, she perhaps hoped, a celebratory dinner after the day was done.

What to wear to your husband’s purported-influence-peddling trial?

How about a khaki-green safari suit? (A hit with image consultants, by the way.) Or a baby-pink skirt and jacket ensemble with a ruffled hemline and a slight smile? (Totally off the mark — the ensemble, not the smile.)

During the trial of Mayor Larry O’Brien, Colleen McBride-O’Brien has been at her husband’s side, entering the courthouse hand in hand, or with a hand tucked in the crook of his elbow. The trial resumes June 26 when Justice Douglas Cunningham will deliver his decision on a defence application to throw out the charges. To date, the couple appear relaxed, occasionally they chat or exchange encouraging smiles. “They have their game face on,” observes Jill Bremer, a Chicago image consultant. “They’re a concerted front. They’re devoted.”

Bremer, an expert commentator on a number of high-profile U.S. cases, says it’s impressive that the couple haven’t been photographed chewing or in midsentence, movements that can twist a face to suggest animosity. “Either they’re really good at this, or they’ve been groomed,” Bremer suggests. “Every shot is perfect.”

Laura Peck, vice-president of McLoughlin Media, has been a consultant in crisis communications for 25 years. She’s not working on the trial, though her husband, Barry McLoughlin, is acting as Larry O’Brien’s media adviser for its duration. “It’s important to show solidarity,” she says of the couple’s demeanour. “Walking side by side, being helpful to one another. They have that warm gaze to one another.”

Peck says the public display of strength and devotion is in keeping with McBride-O’Brien’s character.

The mayor’s ex-wife, Debbie, has also appeared in court frequently. “Debbie has been stellar,” says Peck. “That says a lot about a person that their first wife shows up.” The couple divorced in 1995.

In most cases, McBride-O’Brien, a real-estate agent, presents herself in clothes consistent with her image. She’s a successful businesswoman who happens to be married to the mayor, observes Mississauga-based image consultant Donna Chevrier.

Most of her outfits flatter her body type and suggest she is a confident, credible woman. Still, analysts suggest she’s made a few missteps. “It’s like the Sesame Street song says, ‘One of these things is not like the others,’” Chevrier says of two pink ensembles. “I don’t know what happened.”

Of course, McBride-O’Brien is not the first woman to stand by her man outside a courtroom. Barbara (”My extravagance knows no bounds”) Amiel was scrutinized for displays of extravagance during the racketeering trial of her husband, press baron Conrad Black. Even on days that Amiel appeared in dowdy brown trouser suits, she could not be faulted for her show of solicitude.

Dressing for court requires a delicate touch. Bremer says McBride-O’Brien usually looks professional, stylish, understated and on-trend. “When Martha Stewart was under fire, she had an expensive bag. Everyone focused on the super-expensive purse.”

McBride-O’Brien is not flaunting her wealth, she adds. “When you get into the public eye, you need to be one of the people.”

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