Image Consultant. Introduction. Also known as. Work Activities

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Helen Lawson
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Image Consultant Introduction Image consultants help people to make the most of the way they look, so they feel good and confident about themselves.

1 Image Consultant Introduction Image consultants help people to make the most of the way they look, so they feel good and confident about themselves. They also show people how to create the right impression by the way they talk or behave, for example. Also known as Wardrobe Consultant Fashion Stylist Make-over Consultant Work Activities As an Image Consultant, your clients will visit you at a time in their life when they want some help or advice with their image. For example, they might want to create the right impression in order to get a new job or gain a promotion; they could be getting married or wanting to find a new partner; or they might have lost weight and be unsure of what clothes to wear now. You will carefully analyse your client's image, focussing on such things as: how they dress their overall appearance their hair, eyes and skin tone their face and body shape. Following this, you will explain and advise on the styles, colours and patterns of clothing that will suit them the most, taking into account their personality, budget and lifestyle. You might also advise on aspects such as: hair style and colour shades of make-up tie pattern or collar width shoe type and heel height jacket cut. You'll look through the clothes in the client's wardrobe, and advise them which items suit them and which don't. You might also take them out on shopping trips, to buy new clothes, and put together different outfits for them. It is not necessarily your aim to try and dress or style your client according to the latest trends - but rather show them how they can look good on the basis of their size, shape and age, for example. As well as how a person looks, you'll also advise them on how they come across to other people, through their verbal communication (such as their use of grammar and vocabulary) and non-verbal communication (for example, the way they stand, walk, or use their hands and eyes when speaking). You might also advise on social or business behaviour, such as the use of mobile phones, business dining and presenting ideas. Normally, you'll work on a one-to-one basis, but sometimes you may also work with groups, doing make-up demonstrations or colour parties, for example. Sometimes Image Consultants are employed by organisations to help improve the image of the organisation, for CASCAID

2 example, by helping to create a new dress code that reflects the company brand, or by showing staff how they can improve their communication skills at business meetings. To help to achieve this you might run training programmes, coaching sessions, workshops or seminars, covering aspects such as image in the workplace, first impressions, body language and business practice. As an Image Consultant, you will also need to spend time doing paperwork, promoting your business through marketing and public relations, and continuing your professional development (training - updating your skills). Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you re looking for work in Wales. Personal Qualities and Skills As an Image Consultant, you need: Knowledge of, and an interest in, fashion, clothes and style trends. A good sense of colour. To be able to relate to a wide range of people. Energy and enthusiasm. An interest in helping other people. A professional image and appearance. The ability to inspire confidence. To be tactful and diplomatic. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Imagination. An eye for detail. Good business and marketing skills. To be a good listener. Good presentation skills. A driving licence would be useful for this type of work. Pay and Opportunities Pay The pay rates given below are approximate. As an Image Consultant, you will earn in the range of: Starting: 14,000-16,000 With experience: 20,000-30,000 Successful Image Consultants can earn more than 40,000. Income depends on success in building up a client base and whether work is for individuals or business clients. Hours of work Hours of work could include early mornings, late evenings and/or weekend work, in order to fit in with the needs of their clients. Some Image Consultants work part-time, especially when starting out. Where could I work? Image Consultants work in a variety of settings, ranging from their own office or studio to clients' homes and business premises. Some Image Consultants work for large agencies and specialise in a particular area of work. Self-employment CASCAID

3 Most Image Consultants are self-employed. Where are vacancies advertised? Networking and personal recommendation are often the best ways of finding clients and building up a business. Social media websites, such as LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook, are a great way to network, find vacancies and get in contact with possible employers. Make sure that your profile presents you in a professional manner that will appeal to potential employers. Take a look at our General Information Article 'Finding Work Online'. Entry Routes and Training Entry routes There are no set entry requirements for becoming an Image Consultant. People usually enter this career from a wide range of backgrounds. You'll probably first need to consider what kind of services you want to offer, whether you want to specialise in one area, such as wardrobe consulting, or offer a range of services including communication skills and business behaviour? Getting hands-on experience is useful; for example, offering free makeovers to friends and family who will agree to let you take 'before and after' photos to put in your portfolio or on a website. Training One of the first steps to becoming an Image Consultant is to take foundation level training, giving you the basic skills to do consultations with clients. Foundation-level training is available from a number of providers, some of which are recognised by the Federation of Image Professionals International (FIPI). Accredited courses must provide training in the following core areas: Colour analysis. Female style and body analysis. Male style and body analysis. Make-up tuition. The FIPI provides information related to accredited training course providers. You can also do HNDs, foundation degrees and degrees in related areas, such as beauty therapy, media communications or marketing. Progression Many Image Consultants start by working with private clients, and then progress to corporate work after gaining some experience. Some combine image consulting with related areas of work, such as hairdressing, retailing or coaching. Experienced image consultants can work towards an FIPI/City & Guilds Masters Award in Image Consultancy. This involves submitting an image portfolio and giving demonstrations in front of an assessor, in all four core areas of competence. Qualifications You don't normally need academic qualifications for entry to colleges and training schemes. Some entrants have a higher education (HE) qualification such as a degree, an HND or a foundation degree. CASCAID

4 For entry to a foundation degree or an HND, the usual requirement is: 1/2 A levels GCSEs at grade C/4 or above in 4 subjects. Alternatives to A levels include: BTEC Level 3 qualifications the International Baccalaureate Diploma. However, course requirements vary, so please check college/university websites very carefully. Some universities accept the Welsh Baccalaureate as equivalent to 1 A-level. Adult Opportunities Age limits It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits. Skills/experience Many entrants have skills or experience gained in areas such as hairdressing, beauty therapy, fashion, retailing, marketing or training. Courses Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who don't meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges. Various training providers offer relevant training courses via part-time study, or short courses. A list of training providers is available on the Federation of Image Professionals International (FIPI) website. Further Information Contacts City & Guilds Address: 1 Giltspur Street, London EC1A 9DD Tel: Website: Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (Habia) Address: Oxford House, Sixth Avenue, Sky Business Park, Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster DN9 3GG Tel: Website: Federation of Image Professionals International (FIPI) Address: 4 Chase Side, Enfield, Middlesex EN2 6NF admin@fipigroup.com Website: Related Careers Life/Business Coach Wedding Planner CASCAID

5 Activity Co-ordinator CASCAID

For the attention of the Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy co-ordinator March 2015

For the attention of the Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy co-ordinator March 2015 Qualification Number Hairdressing, Barbering, Beauty & Nail Services and Complementary Therapies 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004, 3007,