mensimageconsultant
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Here's the post that some of you have been wanting to see. (It's surprising. Had the interest been known, something probably would have been posted weeks ago.)
Sadly, there is nothing to prevent any untrained person who deals with appearance from calling herself an "image consultant." That few commit such de facto fraud is probably helped by the existence of the far more descriptive term "stylist."
Image consultants are supposed to have more formal training than stylists. We are supposed to go to training institutes (quality thereof varies) and are urged to get formal accreditation from the AICI. (Which, unfortunately, accepts some members who don't directly work on people's exteriors.)
What exactly does an image consultant do?
AICI says the following:
As an independent professional, an image consultant guides you in presenting yourself to your best advantage and in expressing your highest potential.
Whether you’re an individual or a corporation, an image consultant can teach you how to polish your professional image in three areas:
Your physical appearance – Grooming, hair, make-up, color, wardrobe, and personal shopping.
Your behavior – Personality, stress management, etiquette, and protocol.
Your communication skills – Diction, body language, relationship-building, and conflict resolution.
An image consultant can be a spokesperson, a fashion show coordinator, a feng shui expert, a wardrobe consultant, a color specialist, a personal shopper, a clothing designer, a hair stylist, a makeup artist, a bridal make-up specialist, a uniform designer, an etiquette consultant, or a branding specialist – to name just a few.
Many image consultants specialize in the needs of certain kinds of clients – from politicians and media personalities to trainers and speakers; from the tall or the full-figured to the extremely petite; from men or women to teens or children.
Rather broad, don't ya think? Obviously, mensimageconsultant.com doesn't work in the area of communication skills
The AICI does have a study showing the effectiveness of image consulting, but it's best to avoid tooting the horn here. Let's just say that , for the average person, the best image consultants trump the best stylists, who can effectively serve certain clients by getting them attention (even for "Worst Dressed" outfits).
A question that the AICI doesn't really answer is, What kind of person becames an image consultant?
Usually, somebody who is outgoing, reasonably intelligent, (yes) probably somewhat arrogant... More importantly, it's someone with a good eye who is obsessed with image (much is learned outside of training), believes strongly in its importance, and enjoys helping people.
That person almost always is a woman. Very few men are in the field. Some can't do it due to a degree of color blindness. Obviously, many men aren't terribly interested in appearance. What's more, most men want to make a lot of money, and this is not the field to enter if you want to get rich. Although it's hoped from this post that some men here who probably are qualified and tempted will more strongly consider joining the fray and dedicating themselves to helping the exteriors of the world's underserved men.
Sadly, there is nothing to prevent any untrained person who deals with appearance from calling herself an "image consultant." That few commit such de facto fraud is probably helped by the existence of the far more descriptive term "stylist."
Image consultants are supposed to have more formal training than stylists. We are supposed to go to training institutes (quality thereof varies) and are urged to get formal accreditation from the AICI. (Which, unfortunately, accepts some members who don't directly work on people's exteriors.)
What exactly does an image consultant do?
AICI says the following:
As an independent professional, an image consultant guides you in presenting yourself to your best advantage and in expressing your highest potential.
Whether you’re an individual or a corporation, an image consultant can teach you how to polish your professional image in three areas:
Your physical appearance – Grooming, hair, make-up, color, wardrobe, and personal shopping.
Your behavior – Personality, stress management, etiquette, and protocol.
Your communication skills – Diction, body language, relationship-building, and conflict resolution.
An image consultant can be a spokesperson, a fashion show coordinator, a feng shui expert, a wardrobe consultant, a color specialist, a personal shopper, a clothing designer, a hair stylist, a makeup artist, a bridal make-up specialist, a uniform designer, an etiquette consultant, or a branding specialist – to name just a few.
Many image consultants specialize in the needs of certain kinds of clients – from politicians and media personalities to trainers and speakers; from the tall or the full-figured to the extremely petite; from men or women to teens or children.
Rather broad, don't ya think? Obviously, mensimageconsultant.com doesn't work in the area of communication skills
The AICI does have a study showing the effectiveness of image consulting, but it's best to avoid tooting the horn here. Let's just say that , for the average person, the best image consultants trump the best stylists, who can effectively serve certain clients by getting them attention (even for "Worst Dressed" outfits).
A question that the AICI doesn't really answer is, What kind of person becames an image consultant?
Usually, somebody who is outgoing, reasonably intelligent, (yes) probably somewhat arrogant... More importantly, it's someone with a good eye who is obsessed with image (much is learned outside of training), believes strongly in its importance, and enjoys helping people.
That person almost always is a woman. Very few men are in the field. Some can't do it due to a degree of color blindness. Obviously, many men aren't terribly interested in appearance. What's more, most men want to make a lot of money, and this is not the field to enter if you want to get rich. Although it's hoped from this post that some men here who probably are qualified and tempted will more strongly consider joining the fray and dedicating themselves to helping the exteriors of the world's underserved men.
