Look Even Better Profile

One question which clients frequently ask is “why did you decide to become an image consultant?”

My response is easy – I have always had a passion for clothes and have always enjoyed helping people. Friends and family were always asking me to go shopping with them and valued my opinion and input so I just thought, why not do it for a career!

One of my greatest gifts is that I can mix quite comfortably with most people, from all types of backgrounds, in most situations.

Such an unusual ability has been gained from experience ranging from being heavily involved with the family agricultural business where I frequently mix with what my father calls ‘real people’, ie the farmers, builders and lorry drivers etc, to being privately educated at Millfield in Somerset where I studied Business, IT and Physical Education. So I feel equally at home in stilettos or wellies.

With excellent A level grades my family anticipated that I would go to a top University and then join the family firm, but my strong determination and love for fashion decided otherwise! I then decided to gain some formal training and undertook retail experience and training at Aston and Hayes Image Consultancy.

Common misconceptions about image consultancy are:

That you have to be quite affluent to employ the services of an Image Consultant, which is not the case at all as I can cater for all budgets. If you want to spend loads or want to be frugal I can adjust accordingly.

If you consider all the money you have wasted on impulse buys, clothes that didn’t suit you and clothes you have never worn you can see that some time with a professional image consultant can easily save you money in the long run.

Another misconception is that an Image Consultant will dress you in the latest trends and clothes you don’t feel comfortable in. This may be the case with some companies but I feel it is important you wear clothes you are comfortable in, which suit your lifestyle, age, shape etc and are not just what I want you to wear. My experience, skill and suggestions may encourage you to consider different styles or colours, which you have never tried before, but your comfort and happiness remain the priority at all times.

Also, some people think that an Image Consultant might be rude or callous. This misconception comes from the numerous TV make over shows which sensationalise the whole experience in an attempt to boost the ratings. Please be assured that I am not a bully and I am not rude. I am honest but tactful and sensitive.

And finally, if you are judging an Image Consultant don’t just go on looks – the secret is to see if they have made the most of what they have and whether they have the right attitude towards you and their profession.