These are the things that a fashion image consultation can help men with:

• An Understanding of Body Shape. This permits a man to create an understanding of his silhouette, vertical proportions and positive or negative features. With this information he will learn what styles and garments will enhance and flatter him.
• Principles of Colour Line and Design.  This is the part that unravels many when it comes to the skills of good dressing. When shopping for clothes few people are well trained in this area and therefore make poor choices when selecting their clothes. If they have an instinctive concept that what they have purchased is not pleasing, they infrequently do not know why and so time after time makes the errors.
• Selecting the Correct Garments. Using the information obtained in the body shape analysis, he should be given an all-inclusive list of clothing styles that will assist him look his best for any function.
• Knowledge on Accessories. This is a priceless ingredient of the consultation since accessorising correctly is very imperative to a man’s visual image. It is this feature of a man’s wardrobe that allows a man articulate his individualism and personality style.
• Wardrobe Organisation. This is where a man is trained in the skill of assembling any unrelated garments together to generate an appealing outfit. It is a necessary talent for reducing repetition and maximising cost efficiency.
• Personality Style. Every man has one, and it comes from his life’s experiences, vocation, education, life style, interests and physical attributes.

When it come to enlisting the services of an image consultant men believe that it is a display of vanity.  And for a few this could be the case. Knowing how to maintain perspective and balance is essential and you need to remember that clothes and personal grooming is only one facet of a man’s life. On the other hand, there is a lot to be taught and much to be gained by investing in the services of a fashion image consultant.  After all, when a man knows that he looks first-class it increases his self esteem and confidence. He will attract positive attention and positive people. He will noticeably raise his visual reliability and generate opportunities in all areas of his life.

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If you want to look youthful i.e. vital, positive, engaged and living in the present, an Image Consultant is a very useful person to have around. Why? Well, for a number of reasons.

1. They are trained in Colour Analysis, a simple but enlightening process that determines the colours, contrast levels and textures that flatter you best. The right colours will ease the appearance of lines and wrinkles, even your skin tone and bring out the colour of your eyes and the highlights in your hair. These colours will imbue you with a healthy and youthful appearance.
2. They are experts in line and design. They understand the power of vertical, horizontal and circular influence. They assess your figure’s natural proportions and know how to create a more balanced silhouette for you. They will enable you to walk taller and slimmer.
3. An Image Consultant understands the power of stereotypes to create negative or positive impressions. Peter Pan collars, cardigans and pearls may look sweet on a 20 year old but when someone over 40 wears them, they ‘scream’ establishment’, maturity and common sense.  Not necessarily bad things but together they create an impression of ‘age’. An image consultant can show you how to avoid the stereotypes that will unconsciously age you prematurely in the minds of others.
4. Being current in our dress is an important element in creating a youthful appearance. This does not mean ‘mutton dressed up as lamb’; nothing advertises your age more. However, embracing the current trends (as opposed to fads) is a great way to look youthful. Your Image Consultant can guide you towards discerning the trends that work positively for your appearance while eliminating those that do not.

An Image Consultant will help you look younger and feel fabulous. They will be an investment in your appearance, your self esteem, your present and your future.

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“A man’s elegance stems from his knowledge of clothes, of how to wear, buy and care for them. It is this awareness that others notice about him: he is no self-aggrandising dandy but a man whose confidence is perfectly balanced by the beauty and suitability of the clothing he wears. We step back and  admire the eloquent nonchalance of one who knows the rules and has successfully and joyfully mastered them.” Richard Martin,Curator of the Costume Institute, Metropoliatan Museum of Art.

This journey will alter the way he thinks about himself and how he looks at clothes well into the future. The expert advice of a trained professional will make shopping easier and dressing for any occasion more successful. Many men are initially stunned by how much they don’t know and how much they have to learn because good grooming goes way beyond choosing a tie and buying a suit.

A fashion image consultation for men should include many things:

• Body Analysis. This allows a man to develop an awareness of his silhouette, vertical proportions and positive or negative features. This information determines the styles and lengths of garments that enhance and flatter him.
• Line, Design and Colour Principles. This is the theory that underpins so much of the art of good dressing.  Few people are trained in these principles and consequently make poor choices regularly when shopping for clothes.  If they have an instinctive notion that what they have bought isn’t flattering, they rarely know why and so consistently repeat the mistake.
• Garment Selection. Using the information gleaned from the body analysis, he should receive a comprehensive list of clothing styles that will help him look his best on any occasion.
• Accessory Knowledge. This is an invaluable element of the consultation because accessorising appropriately is very important to a man’s visual image. It is this aspect of a man’s wardrobe that enables him to express his individuality and style personality.
• Wardrobe Organisation. This part of the consultation trains the male in the art of pulling many disparate elements together to create a winning outfit. It is an essential skill for minimising duplication and maximising cost effectiveness.
• Style Personality. Every man has one, and it comes from his life’s experiences, vocation, education, life style, interests and physical attributes.

Many men may think that seeking the services of a fashion image consultant is an exercise in vanity and self aggrandisement.  And perhaps for a few it is. Clothes and personal grooming is only one facet of a man’s life, knowing how to maintain perspective and balance is essential. However, there is plenty to learn and much to be gained by investing in the services of a fashion image consultant.  After all, when a man knows that he looks good it raises his self esteem and self confidence. He will attract positive attention and positive people. He will dramatically increase his visual credibility and create opportunities in all areas of his life.

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• Polish Professional
• Make Your Mark
• 50 Image Essentials (eBook) 2008

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Technorati Tags: How To Dress, image consultants, Makeovers

Why we lose our way with our own style:-

Thankfully these dilemmas can be solved once and for all. By simply engaging the services of a Colour and Style Image Consultant you will be able to achieve your true visual potential.

We are influenced by the likes and dislikes of our parents, friends or partners.

We are not taught about body shape, the dynamics of dress or line and design

Fashion is fickle and constantly changing, telling us one thing and then another are all busy and have less time to shop around for our clothes and accessories

Our lifestyles, personality and values change over time

We experience changes in our financial position

Some develop unreasonable personal expectations

We age and sometimes wonder if it’s OK to wear certain dress styles or accessories

Our body changes shape over time through:  childbirth, menopause, illness, old age, weight gain and weight loss

Many of us seem to be unaware of the power of image. Whether you realize it or not the way we dress tells the world many things about about you:

Your personality

• Your level of self-esteem
• Your degree of self-awareness
• Your associations
• Y our attitudes
• Your intentions
• Y our social background
• Your financial circumstances

By appreciating the messages your clothes are sending out about you and realizing that you are in control of those messages you will have made the first of many important insights that will ultimately help you to reach your personal goals.

People who care about their appearance are seen to be more credible and capable. A well dressed and groomed woman will often be judged as having a higher intelligence and motivation and a higher level of self-esteem and confidence. Wow….and all this from just donning on an outfit!

Whether you realize it or not, you also dress according to how you feel about yourself. If you are lacking in self-confidence you will often dress in clothes that will not attract attention, where a confident person will dress in an attractive and self-edifying manner.

Even more important, right or wrong, when you look good you feel great. So never underestimate the value of great personal presentation.

Because of what we wear and how we present has such a profound effect on how we look and feel and are perceived by others, it is worth considering engaging the services of a Colour and Style consultant as an investment in yourself. Their objective and well trained eye will help you on your discovery to a new and even more fabulous you!

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In a world where people form opinions about others based on their visual image, it is imperative that we create the best and right impression of ourselves. In mens fashion the same rules apply as to women.Men are flattered by a well fitted suit, it enhances their appearance. The design of a suit strengthens the wearer’s shoulder line, slims his torso and lengthens his leg. It gives the man, presence, authority and confidence. A suit can reflect social standing, professional position and hints at the wearer’s potential to move ahead in life. In the western culture there are strong stereotypical associations connected to the wearing of a suit; these include power, prestige, success and formality.

A professional male will need to own several suits; other men will require only one. So, how much to pay? A suit is a complex garment that requires skilled craftsmanship. A suit less than $300 will have a very limited life span and will look good for a very short time. In this price range, short cuts on manufacturing or fabric must have been taken. For a suit of reasonable life expectancy and quality, one needs to pay something between $500 and $800. Initially, this is an expensive outlay but on the positive side, a classic suit is barely affected by fashion. Over the last 100 years, fashion influences have impacted on basic silhouettes and lapels and not much else. So, the suit a man buys today will look equally good in 7 – 8 years time. What’s to be gained by paying more than $800 for a suit? The quality of the fabric and the craftsmanship will make it a delight to wear. It will give the wearer an almost imperceptible aura that will set him apart from other men. As with almost everything in life, “you get what you pay for” and “you never get more than what you pay for”.

“Mens fashions change very little from season to season. …….the variation is just in the detail, such as the number of buttons on a suit or the breadth of the lapel, which most men wouldn’t notice. We want to look reasonably good, but safe – we want to look like we’re in charge of ourselves, but have not thought too much about what we’re wearing.”

Mark Tungate, author of the bestselling “Fashion Brands”

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An image consultant is a highly trained professional who combines many roles. They specialise in visual, verbal and non-verbal communication. They assist clients with every aspect of their personal image, visual and otherwise. The job of an image consultant is to maximise the visual and non-visual potential of their client. They are passionate about their work and love working with people.

Their skills and knowledge encompass:

• line, design and colour
• fashion styling
• dressing different body shapes
• business dress
• business etiquette
• interview skills
• wardrobe organisation
• personal shopping
• assertiveness training
• presentation skills

As in most professions, image consultants tend to develop an expertise in one, two or three specific areas. So, if you are looking to use the services of a consultant, be clear in your own mind what you wish to achieve. This will help you to find the professional who will be best suited to your needs.

The Difference between a Stylist and an Image Consultant

The two terms are often substituted, one for the other. However, they are not one in the same. Someone may be a stylist but not an image consultant while most image consultants are stylists. Fashionist would perhaps be a more apt term for someone who styles an individual in the latest trends to create a contemporary look. An image consultant can certainly perform this service but they can do much more. They take a holistic approach to their client in that they involve themselves with the inner and outer personality.

Why Seek Out an Image Consultant?

The hackneyed response to this question is “because image matters”. Social psychologists have long been conducting research into the impact of visual image on a person’s life. Consistently their findings suggest that someone’s appearance has a significant impact socially and professionally. In a fast paced world, many assumptions and impressions about people are formed very quickly using quite limited information. Personal presentation influences other’s perceptions about someone.

In business image can affect the bottom line and it is true for individuals as well.

You may want to learn how to create an effective wardrobe, mix and match garments, look taller, slimmer and youthful, find your dream job, get out of a style rut or reinvent yourself. Whatever your motivation, seeking the services of an image consultant can be a rewarding and fun experience that will have enduring benefits.

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BEFORE Photo

There comes a time for many women around the age of forty, when upon glancing in the mirror , they realize the aging process has really kicked in. When did those fine lines around the lips and the slight sagging under the eyes appear? They hadn’t been noticed before, and strangely, though our exterior changes we often feel as young on the inside as we did in our 20’s. So how successful are makeovers to help us look younger?

It is worth noting the ten most common areas for concern for forty plus women (just in case you didn’t know) are:-

• Hair
• Style and clothing
• Skin
• Fashion
• Face and neck
• Dressing appropriately for age
• Posture
• Vitality and health
• Make-up
• Relationships

Even if we address a few of the above concerns and make some recommendations this will often be enough to make a big difference to how you look.

Hair

Hair can be the first step that makes a major a difference when it comes to makeovers. By the time women are in their forties they have adopted a preferred hairstyle and length. One of the quickest ways to look younger is to cut long hair into a medium or short style. This lifts and rejuvenates the face, elongates the neck and slims the upper body. Combine this with colouring your hair with a shade that harmonises and compliments your natural colouring and you are well on the way to looking younger.

Make-up

One of the most noticeable signs of aging is the brown discolouration of the skin or what we commonly know as “age spots”. The youthful glow of our 20’s and 30’s has long gone and now, more than ever, is the need for a foundation that gives maximum coverage and is perfectly matched to your skin tone to smooth out the complexion. Mascara and subtly applied eyeliner and eyeshadow help define the eyes and draw attention to one of our best features. Lips are well defined and finished with lipstick that enhances skin tone and clothing and finally simply add a gentle flush of colour on the cheeks.

Fashion

It’s easy to become lazy with the way we dress as we age. Life is busy and as we age it becomes harder to find clothes that suit our changing body shape. Be warned as some of your clothes may be making you look older.

The danger list:-

• Cardigans
• High closed blouses
• Gathered yokes
• Long skirts
• Pleated skirts
• Gathered skirts
• Hand knits
• Elastic waists
• Pearl buttons
• Cameos
• Shapeless clothes
• Wide vamps
• Lace up shoes

Are some of these things in your wardrobe? What we wear has a dramatic impact on how young or old we appear to be and some styles and colours have the power to make us look instantly older by their association with the elderly. If you are sick and tired of settling for clothes that don’t really do you any justice then it is worth the investment of an Image Consultant.

You’ll be impressed by just how much younger makeovers can make you look when you incorporate the above guidelines.

AFTER Photo

By Michele Gillett

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People who know how to dress and look fabulous any time, any occasion know their own style. They understand that fashion is subservient to style. Many words have been written on the subject of style versus fashion. The challenge for those of us who seek to express the difference is comparing the tangible with the intangible. Fashion is obvious but style is ephemeral. There are numerous expressions offered by many people in an attempt to encapsulate the difference between style and fashion. Perhaps the most succinct of these is attributed to Yves St.Laurent; “Fashion fades, style is eternal”.

A person of style leaves an enduring and positive impression. They are surrounded by an aura of confidence and credibility. They are at ease with themselves and they have the gift of putting others at ease. True style lacks pretension and contrivance. The external persona is a genuine reflection of the inner personality. George Clooney and Helen Mirren are wonderful examples of this. Yes, they are fashionable and good looking but they also exude a sense of style that sets them apart from others. They have created a visual image that reflects their own personal identity so that their elegance and glamour appears effortless and comfortable.

Fashion fits in, style stands out.

Perhaps the true difference between style and fashion is maturity and self knowledge. A genuinely stylish person knows how to dress not only because they understand what suits them but also because they like themselves. They are clear in their own mind who they are and what they represent. This self knowledge and self confidence gives them the courage to be noticed and to be different.

It’s not by accident that young people in the turmoil of adolescence are the most slavish adherents to fashion. They adopt the current look because they are not yet ready to stand alone as individuals. They need their social networks to validate themselves, to provide their identity and bolster their fragile sense of self. They are still in the process of becoming and so in the meantime they seek conformity with their peers.

Fashion is conformity, style is individuality.

Though most people emerge from their adolescent years with some semblance of personal identity, many continue to live with high levels of self doubt. This insecurity is reflected in their visual image. They choose to wear understated and toned down garments devoid of statement or self expression. They live in neutrals and shy away from colour. They often say that they don’t know how to dress which is why they choose the safe options. They admire the temerity of others who wear striking designs and creative combinations but recoil from attracting attention to themselves in a similar way. They admire style in others but lack the confidence to create a purposeful style for themselves.

The majority of people want others to perceive them positively, (most people want to be liked) but they have neglected to recognise and articulate to themselves how they wish to be perceived. Thereby, they run the risk of being incorrectly interpreted through their visual image because they haven’t purposefully considered it. Their positive attributes may go unrecognised or misconstrued. It is only when we are clear about the perception we wish others to have of us that we will truly know how to dress to express our own unique and intentional style.

By Michele Gillett

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