Your image is part of your personal brand. It’s the outward manifestation of your skills and talents; vision, values and experience. To create a personal brand is a process that takes time, but well worth the investment, and helping others as an image consultant could be the right career path for you. There are many ways people perceive the word image, which includes appearance, behavior and communications skills to help people succeed. If your services are primarily focused on the appearance side, you can fine-tune your title from consultant to fashion stylist, wardrobe consultant or makeover consultant.
Sound Advice from some Celebrity Image Consultants for 2021
1. Discover the Big Picture:
Mayssa Assaf, works with many celebrities and gets to know her clients, the first part of creating a personal brand. She brings all factors to the table including background, budget, timing, and other aspects to design the proposed look. It’s not just the clothes you wear, so she also consults on image enhancements, communication, and etiquette. “An image consultant is a right person to guide and advise proactively,” she explained. Gaining trust is also key to the successful big picture.
2. Explore Your Strengths
Suman Agarwal, an award-winning management professional encourages image consultants to take training courses to explore their strengths and provide opportunities to grow.” Image consulting courses train you in a multitude of areas,” she explains. “Based on your strengths and availability, you can choose opportunities that will also allow you to grow.” Her advice is to do the research and find a credited image consultant institute that has world-class courses, certifications, and positive reviews.
3. Network & Develop Relationships
Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief for Vogue Magazine encourages novice consultants to develop relationships and build their network to achieve success in this demanding industry. “Personal relationships are essential to attaining new style clients,” she explained in a Master Class presentation. This is a career where you can’t be shy, and strong communication skills are needed. She says that reaching out to your successful colleagues or mentors for referrals will help you build your own business. Experience is just as important as education in this industry so learning from others is helpful.
4. Develop Partnerships with Colleagues
Image consultants wear many hats while they assist their clients in many aspects of their image. In addition to you, many partnerships are necessary to assist your clients. Lynne Marks, President of London Image Institute has been twice President and a member of AICI, the Association of Image Consulting International (www.aici.org), for nearly thirty years. She maintains that joining AICI was the best thing she did to expand her network of like-minded colleagues worldwide. She says: “Don’t just join, get involved on boards and committees to know other members and the industry better. Although it’s also an investment of your time you are more than likely to be trained in new skills which serve you professionally.”
5. Continue Your Education Through Training Courses
Professional development is important to stay relevant in an ever-changing industry like fashion. A successful consultant who is passionate and committed to her/his success should attend training courses. There are courses for every career stage including basic, intermediate, and advanced. Training is the first step to turn a passion for fashion into a profession.
6. Consider Corporate Clients
Corporations are also looking for professional consultants who offer training programs in visual, verbal and non-verbal image and communication skills. Seasoned Image consultants can be highly paid to present image-related topics. Companies are looking for individuals who can give seminars and workshops on topics including presentation skills, business etiquette and professional dress, for all levels in the organization.
7. Explore all opportunities as a consultant
For example, you can provide consultations for women in transition looking for a new career, personnel wanting to succeed in their jobs, television celebrities, sportspeople, new college graduates, entry level employees, interviewees, beauty pageant contestants, and anyone looking to improve their image.
Start Your Training to be an Image Consultant
The consultant team at London Institute can help you focus on your passion to become a certified professional. Contact us today about our respected certification programs.
