Image & Fashion Consulting

"An image consultant counsels individuals and corporate clients on appearance, behaviour and communication skills through individual consultations, coaching, presentations, seminars and workshops" - AICI, Association of Image Consultants International

"An image, colour or wardrobe consultant or fashion advisor recommends styles and colours that are flattering for a client" - Kim Bolsover, www.improvability.co.uk

In the simplest terms an image consultant can do all of the above and also branch into other specialities such as personal development, corporate image, beauty therapy and much more.

Image conulting is a dream job in many senses, getting paid to do what you love by helping people look and feel good about themselves. Whether we like it or not people make assumptions about others based on their appearance. Try to think of a situation where you may have encountered one or all of the scenarios below:

- a person who is dressed well but has dry and unkempt hair: comes across as being untidy, washed out
- a person who has mismatched colours and acessories: somes across as being unorganised, incompetent and not knowledgable
- a person who is wearing makeup so that the colour of their face, neck and body differ from each other: comes across as being careless, ridiculous, untrustworthy

Now the interesting point here is that all 3 people may have been perfectly competent, experts in their subject area, amiable, principled and trustworthy. However all their virtues are undone within 30 seconds, as that is the amount of time it take for a person meeting you for the first time to decide who you are depending on the image you potray. Whether you choose to appear professional, amiable, authorative or capble, that is entirley your choice.

According to Bolsover, an Image consultants can teach you how to make a fabulous first impression by showing you:

- Which colours to wear
- Which style to adopt to make the most of your body shape
- How to dress to reflect your personality
- How to dress to be appropriate for the occasion
- How to put together a wardrobe that works for every occasion in your life
- How to shope effectively for clothes, jewellery, make-up, hairstyles and hair
colours, accessories, etc
- Some image consultants will also include grooming and etiquette in their portfolio
of services
- Others go on to present training programmes for the corporate sector

Who can benefit from a Professional Image Consultant advice:

- Professional women
- People looking for an image update
- Cancer patients
- Underpriviledged women
- Wedding groups
- Job seekers, including those returning to work
- Plus-size ladies
- Ladies who lunch
- Men
- Corporate executives and their partners
- School and college leavers
- Transgender individuals
- Singles looking for a partner
- Politicians or anyone in the public spotlight

One of the key services offered by an image consultant is colour analysis. It is a way of showing clients the best colours that they can wear, which makes them look healthier, younger, slimmer and fabulous. Wearing the right colours also make you look able, efficient and communicates different messages to different audiences.

- A crsip white business shirt speaks of readiness to get down to buisness

- A red top denotes power and authority

- A pair of black pants can make you appear slimmer, taller

- A light or pastel colour top makes you look youthful and vibrant

Most people fall within the seasonal colouring of Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter. Some use the tonal approach within cateogires such as Cool, Warm, Bright, Soft/muted, Deep and Light.

Finding your season or tone is the first step towards identifying the colours that truly flatter you and set you off in all your natural beauty.

Here's some food for thought: Brian Tracy, author of the best selling 'The Psychology of Achievement', notes that "many capable men and women are disqualified from job opportunities because they simply do not look the part".

As Jamie McIntyre, the renowened personal development coach says, "Hmmm...something to think about!"

I have said this once and I will say it many more times: Image matters because whether you like it or not people often make assumptions based on limited information such as your personal image. The number of people who attribute success to me and guess my income to be much above what it is based on my image always astounds me. An item I bought for under $50, would often be misjudged to be around $200-$300 range beacuse of the careful selection process I went through when buying it as well as the 'way' I wear it. This is why as a part of my buisness, I offer Wardrobe Wizard and Personal Shopper services to my clients so that they can look like million dollars without spending a million dollars! Here's one of my biggest secrets which I will elaborate in my upcoming book: Invest in quality.

As an image and fashion consultant here are some of the services I offer:

- Image Analysis: giving feedback to the client in the form of a report or a personal consultation or both, on the overall image they are potraying and recommend action steps to develop the desired new and positive image

- Colour Analysis: Going through colour analysis procedures to advise client which colours flatter them, sets off their complexion and figure to an advantage, and improve their overall appearance

- Wadrobe Wizard: Review the clients current wardrobe, removing item which are unsuitable to client, keeping what is good and adding what is better to the client wardrobe.

- Makeup Analysis: looking at specific aspects such as skin care, beauty regime, hairstyle, skin products, creating appropriate look for the occasion, etc

- Personal Shopper: This is one of the most in demand services from image consultants around the globe. Clients who either do not have the time or interest, can hire a personal shopper so together wise decisions can be made about their purchases, with regards to quality, price, suitability, etc. The idea is that you may not be fooled into buying clothes which the shop assistant says "looks great" on you, ever again!

As an image consultant, people have used my services before and after SimplyRachel Image & Fashion was born. Image consultants are also hired to speak in corporate settings, to do presentations and workshops for women's groups, coffee groups, and much more.

If you would like to book a FREE 30 minutes consultation, please contact me on rachel_bandara@hotmail.com TODAY!