How to Be a Style Consultant
A passion and flair for fashion are key attributes to wanting to become a style consultant. You will be turning drab into fab, so you need to be switched on in this area. A style consultant, also known as image consultant or fashion consultant, advises an individual about his or her clothing, make-up and overall image. Furthermore, the stylist might analysis his behavior and body language so he projects his style in a positive and confident way. Although you don't need any official qualification to work, it will help to train in a related field.
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Instructions
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Review the "Association of Image Consultants International" (AICI) website to clarify exactly what a style consultant does. Read "You're A What? Image Consultant" published in the Occupational Outlook Quarterly Journal, Fall 2005, to understand more about a day in the life of a consultant. Confirm that it is the right career for you before you embark on training.
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Volunteer at an organization that provides professional clothing for underprivileged job hunters, as advised by the AICI. Get a feel for what the job entails by working in the same area for fun. You will soon get a sense of whether it is something you are interested in.
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Get a job in fashion retail and use it as an opportunity to advise customers on clothing. Use it as experience, plus a chance to network with local people and find out their thoughts about using a style consultant. Be friendly so that you can ask the questions without jeopardizing your job.
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Network with professional consultants by joining different style consultant organizations. For example, the AICI is the biggest network for stylists in the world, while there is another called World Association of Image Consultants. There are also regional associations depending where you are, such as The Federation of Image Consultants in the United Kingdom.
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Attend industry workshops and seminars to develop your skills. You can also list these conferences on your resume to show interested clients your experience and understanding of the job. The AICI provides Chapter Education days, teleconferences and webinars to get you started on the right footing.
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Take a course and receive a qualification. Beauty schools offer courses in make-up design, for example, which contribute towards your understanding of make-up analysis. A course in understanding body language, communication and gestures will help you give people confidence in the way they carry themselves. For example, there are number of institutions such as the Fashion Image Institute, Body Beautiful Institute, The Image Maker Inc. or Image Innovators which provide alternative types of training.
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Tips & Warnings
Style friends and family to practice your techniques. Take before and after photographs to build up a portfolio of your experience.
Contact local Style Consultants in your area and ask if you can obtain work experience with them. You could help during their appointments to learn a bit more about the trade.
References
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