ONE DAY Personal Stylist Course

Image by Digital Sophia.

We are running a ONE DAY course teaching The Art of Personal Styling on Saturday 24th October in St Helens, Merseyside. Brilliant for women considering a career in image consultancy and want a taster course to learn some basics. Also ideal for those who already have a business in beauty, fashion or a related industry and feel that style advice would complement their services / products nicely.

The course includes the following modules: -
- Profiling your client and understanding their wardrobe needs

- Conducting Body Shape Analysis / Key Body Shapes

- Dressing the Body: Styles, Shapes, Accessories, Fabrics, Lengths

- Introduction to this season’s trends and how they apply to body shapes

- Introduction to Wardrobe Consultations

- Lunch and refreshments are included


This course is designed to help you to: -

- Gain the potential to earn extra money through styling people

- Train in time for Christmas Party Season and the New Year

- Gain expert knowledge on how to conduct body shape analysis

- Style yourself and others more successfully

- Learn the trade secrets of personal styling from an expert in the field- Learn more about wardrobe consultations

- Find out if Image Consultancy is the job for you!- Learn how to style people and earn some extra cash!

This one day course costs £285, BOOK NOW for only £250.

Visit http://www.mystylecompanion.com/ImageConsultancyCourses.html for further information

Career as an Image Consultant

So what does being an Image Consultant and Personal Shopper really involve?

In this article we have included some frequently asked questions about image consultancy as a career and how you can get in to personal shopping for a living.

How do I become an Image Consultant?
Anyone can become an Image Consultant, however it can be a good idea to get some training and advice about how to do this for your full-time job or career. You may already have an eye for style, but this does not always make a great Personal Stylist!

There are lots of courses about who offer training in image consultancy, however not all of them teach you how to run an image consultancy business, so ensure you ask about all the help and support you will receive after you have trained, as starting your own business isn't easy.

If you have experience with personally styling your friends and family or have worked in fashion retail helping customers, it could be that you can work to build on your skills and client base without having any training. This can be a lengthily route as you build your knowledge, skills and experience and it is unlikely during this time, you will be able to rely on image consultancy as your primary source of income, however it is a valid route to this career.

Training courses basically just try to help you by cutting out this long learning curve that could take years, by teaching you how to conduct such services and may mean that you start to earn money quicker.

What training is available to be an Image Consultant?
There are some learn from home courses available but I personally feel that if you are going to be training to do something as visual as personal styling, which involves great communication skills, close physical contact with other people and working very much with the touch, feel and look of clothes, it may not be the best path. However it is often a cheaper option for those who are watching the pennies and can be more convenient as there is no travel involved. Great for those with no holidays left in work. Read the rest of the article at http://www.mystylecompanion.com/ArtAd_CareerasanImageConsultant.html

Refashionable

Take a look at http://refashionable.com/

A fantastic concept set up by a fabulous girl whom I met the other day. Refashionable have made it so easy to resell clothes and accessories you no longer want and give them to a loving home!

Not only that, but you can donate sales to the charity of your choice if you wish, or make a few bob yourself.

Clothes have to be in good quality and there are some amazing unique pieces on there that would be ideal for those who like quirky items in their wardrobe.

10 Reasons to be an Image Consultant

Clearly I am biased! I love my job and enjoy all the challenges that come with it every day.

I get asked a lot "What made you decide to become an Image Consultant?" and seeing as I have launched my own Image Consultancy training academy I guess I better answer that question!

1. You are your own boss! woohoo!

2. You say what hours you work

3. You make other people smile

4. You get to spend a lot of time playing with clothes!

5. You learn something new and become more creative each and every day

6. You get paid well in return for your expertise

7. Your running costs are fairly low as all your consultations take place at your clients home or at a studio in your own home.

8. You have a genuine excuse to buy all the latest fashion mags!

9. You can help others to stop wasting money and save a fortune yourself by knowing exactly what you should be buying for this season.

10. You know you've made a positive impact in someone's life

Want to train to be an Image Consultant?http://www.mystylecompanion.com/TrainingAcademy.html

Impact of Colour on Your Image

In the last twenty years women have been getting their “colours done” and still to this day, one of the first questions I get asked is “do you do colours?” Not because women are particularly interested in being colour categorised but more because in the past, this was the most common form of image consultancy available and women who had been struggling with what to wear for years thought that getting their colours done could be the answer.

Having worked with many women who have had their colours done, I have been led to believe that there is so much more to having true style than being categorised as “autumn”. In my opinion colour analysis has nothing to do with fashion. Being pigeon holed as a colour type and being given a swatch of colours to stick to doesn’t tell you if you will suit any of the new trends coming in (or any of the old trends hanging in your wardrobe) so when it comes to shopping, things seem even more limiting than ever before. Not only are you still operating in the confines of the style rut you have built for yourself over the years e.g. wearing black trousers and a “top” Monday through Friday or only wearing v-necks because other necklines make your boobs look too big; but now you have been given even more restrictions in terms of the colours you have to wear!

I heard from clients about how they had chucked out and then replaced over half their wardrobes with the “right” colours, that quite frankly in my opinion, seemed to age them by being a bit too contrived as everything was so “matchy-matchy”. These clients of mine were obsessed with matching accessories and operating within the confines of their “swatch” focusing on how the colours enhanced their skin tones and hair, but they had completely overlooked the fact that the styles and shapes they had chosen made them look a size bigger and the ageing matchy-matchy outfit ensembles made them look ten years older and had completely hidden their unique style and personality. My style ethos on the other hand is that it doesn’t have to “go” it just has to work.

Wrong Colour? Bin It?
I was also doubly shocked to hear that if they had not worn a certain item in their wardrobe in the last year then it was time for the bin! To me this is not only wasteful but also stripped clients of the potential to create new and unique outfit options moving forward by using garments that aren't available on the high-street anymore – in the fashion industry they call it vintage! Not only that but to strip someone of all the clothes they have built up over the years is quite traumatic emotionally and financially! Plus, as a Style Expert you are getting rid of any clues to that person’s own unique style that will help you to work together to discover new and exciting ways of dressing to suit them.

I have never once asked any of my clients to take off their make-up, scrape their hair back and then try on clothes because I would hope to god they wouldn’t go out like that! Always better to do your face and hair before trying on outfits so that you look super-gorgeous in them. Plus fashion and style is all about having fun, experimenting and trying new colours coming through in the shops. I would be horrified to learn I couldn’t “get away” with neons or devastated to know that black was no longer one of my staple wardrobe colours. Colour for me is more about how it makes me feel and I find my clothes and the colours I choose tend to reflect my mood more than anything. This is a form of self-expression I wouldn’t be willing to give up no matter what. My job as a Style Companion™ is all about helping women build practical, unique and stylish wardrobes that make them feel fabulous, look modern and give them the knowledge and confidence to develop their own individual styles moving forward.

Buying "Matching" Accessories
So often I see women in outfits that consist of the dress with matching shoes and bag all from one collection and they think because everything matches that they look fashionable. After all it was in a stylish, contemporary store and cost a fortune didn’t it? For me compiling outfits in this way doesn't say "style" it says safe, no in fact boring! Plus the danger is of course that you’ll go to the races in your fabulous new matching outfit and see another five women wearing the same thing! Why not use your creativity and compile your own unique outfit by using different collections and even old items at the back of your wardrobe that you haven’t worn for years? Well, the answer is often because women lack the confidence to do this so it’s easier to look to your fave store to give you inspiration – good job I am here eh?!

The idea of Style Companion™ is to teach and educate you about your own body and how clothes need to work with and for it. We teach you how about the styles, shapes, fabrics and lengths you should be looking at, how and where to shop for them and then how to mix them in with your current wardrobe in order to achieve a unique look that accentuates your figure and personality. We want our clients to have the information to style themselves and no, it isn’t a miracle transformation that occurs overnight, after all you have been safely working within the confines of your style ruts and habits for years now so it will take a while to break some of them, however we get you started on the road to style heaven.

I’m not saying that colour isn’t sometimes a factor as yes, certain colours can be draining on a complexion and others invigorating and obviously darker colours are slimming. I often find that accessories can even transform colours that didn’t work before and give them a new lease of life - I do it all the time with my clients! The point is that colour is only a very small factor in achieving a fabulous image you enjoy and can have fun with and as you grow. Plus our hair and complexion will often change anyway (deliberately at the hair dressers and naturally through age and get a tan) and our style preferences and lifestyle choices will alter too, meaning that your wardrobe will need to keep up. We want to equip you with the knowledge to enable you to cope with these changes and keep smiling through the weight fluctuations, ageing process and constantly changing trends. After all you have to get dressed every day, you might as well start enjoying it! www.nicolacupples.com

Southport Flower Show

I'll be at the Southport Flower Show this Friday 21st August with Met Quarter Shopping Mall.

We will be showing off some of this season's hottest buys and offering free style advice to anyone who comes along.

As part of this event, Phase Eight at Met Quarter are offering a 20% discount bounce back card so worth a look.

How to Wear Patterns

I have recently been asked to contribute some style advice to Slim At Home regarding how to wear patterns and prints.

Here is my advice for wearing patterns and prints...

Wider horizontal stripes will draw the eye across the body width-ways therefore can give the illusion of a wider body, however thin stripes can have the opposite effect and be very slimming. Even better, mix wider stripes across the bust and shoulders with thinner strips around the waist and stomach and this will give a great hourglass effect!

For plus size ladies, the key to wearing patterns and prints is to use layers and mix with block colour garments. Add a tailored jacket to break up patterns and cinch in your waist or use a long cardigan to draw the eye vertically down the body making you appear longer and slimmer.

Big Boobs - Ensure patterned tops have an open v neck e.g. wrap styles, halter-necks, v-necks. Avoid high necks!

Pear Shape - Wear patterns and prints up top and keep the bottom half plain.

Tummies - Longer tops can make the tummy appear larger all over! Keep printed tops mid-belly (just below belly button) length which will 'cut' the tummy in half and minimise it.

Small boobs - if you want to boost your bust, use colours, patterns and prints to add volume and put a bit of oomph back in your bust!

Remember where you put a pattern on your body will attract the eye but also always consider the shape, style and fabric of a garment AND what you wear it with, as this will determine whether the outfit makes you sizes slimmer (or bigger).

Dressing to look slimmer

Lots of women tell me they're not ready to "tackle" their image until they lose weight or achieve their "perfect figure" or "goal weight", however the reality is that they never get around to feeling better about their image because they never reach their "perfect figure"!

As women, lets face it, the grass is always greener so why not just start making the most of what we have rather than wishing we looked like someone else! Let's stop putting off feeling and looking good and start embracing who are today - no matter what shape or size you are, clothes when used in the right way can make you look slimmer! And it's a lot less tiring than working out at the gym!

Here are some basic tips for dressing to feel better!

Breathe In!
Don't buy clothes a size too small in the hope that you will one day fit in to them. This is just sending sub-conscious messages to your brain saying "You are NOT your perfect size". Live in the present when it comes to your image!

Breathe Out!
Just as importantly don't buy clothes a size to big in an effort to hide lumps and bumps. Sub-consciously this is also telling your brain that you have "room to spare" under than baggy jumper so it's ok to have another doughnut. Plus, big, baggy clothes make you look even bigger!
Think Enhance Not Disguise!

Dress to enhance, not to disguise.
Pick at least one physical attribute about yourself that you like. It can be anything from your hair, to your eyes, to your legs, boobs or nails! Anything at all. Then everyday for a week find a way to accentuate that part of the body. For example if you like your hands, wear a nice cocktail ring, do your nails, use hand cream each time you wash them, wear a bracelet. Keep doing this weekly and add a new physical attribute each week. By the end of the month you will be more focused on the good attributes rather than what you consider to be the bad and the ugly!

Read more of my articles on www.nicolacupples.com

Colours and Image

Are colours important when it comes to image? A question I get asked on a weekly basis!

Over the last 20 years or so the term "image consultant" was associated with someone who would come and drape you in scarves and "do your colours" so for many years women have been led to believe that colours are the deciding factor in what makes you look good.

After doing yet another wardrobe consultation yesterday where the client had hundreds and hundreds of clothes in her colours, yet couldn't work out why she had nothing to wear, I thought it was time to set the record straight!

In my opinion, it doesn't matter what colour you are wearing if the style, shape and fabric of the garment is making you look two sizes bigger than you actually are! No wonder so many of my clients have had their colours done but still battle with what to wear on a daily basis.

The key is understanding your body shape and how certain fabrics, cuts, shapes, styles and trends can work for you in a way that makes you look younger, fresher and slimmer (yes please!)

A great way to sort out once and for all how to make the most of your figure is to get some advice from a professional like myself, who can tell you instantly what you're doing right and wrong. Why spend years and years trying to work out it all out for yourself when I can get straight to it and tell you in an hour, how to start looking and feeling better! It really is that simple and NO I won't throw all your clothes away OR make you stand naked in front of a mirror inspecting the bits you'd rather forget!! It's a feel good experience!!

http://www.nicolacupples.com

Training to be an Image Consultant

I'm currrently in the stage of setting up a Training Academy after having a number of enquiries from people who want to spend their days shopping for a living!! Trust me, there is no better job!! (although I am biased! ha!)

So what makes a good Image Consultant? Well, you have to be a good listener and be able to understand how your customer feels. Styling people isn't about putting people in clothes that you like and telling them they look "gooooorgeous!!"

Personal styling is a form of coaching really - its about understanding whether your client needs to be taken in baby steps or is ready to be taken in great leaps and bounds on their way to their improved style!

You have to be patient, understanding, empathetic and genuinely want to help your client to achieve a style that not only looks great, but makes them feel confident too!

Personal shopping and styling is hard work - it requires lots of concentration (and will power to not get distacted by "that bag" you love!) Its always about your client remember! However it certainly helps you to burn lots of calories and get that number of steps up on the pedometer and is a really satisfying job when your clients email you telling about all the compliments they have had that day!

For more information on training to become an Image Consultant or Personal Shopper visit http://www.nicolacupples.com/TrainingAcademy.html

Outfits for Summer Weddings

Well the topic of the day seems to be wedding outfits for summer - what to wear! Already today I have 4 emails asking the same thing.

One lovely lady in particular is having a nightmare because she is pregnant and can't find a thing that she feels good in, and with the wedding coming up in August, she is starting to get slightly stressed out!!

A classic dress such as the Column Dress from Isabella Oliver looks stunning on any mum-to-be and is a great start! Then all you need to finish the look is a gorgeous pill box bag and perhaps a cuff on your arm and your done!

One of the best general tips I can give for ladies who need a maternity outfit for a special occasion is to learn how to accessorise!! Basically when you use accessories, you gain control over where you want the eye to be drawn and also they can be used in clever ways to make you look slimmer and longer!! Plus accessorising is a really easy, cheap and hassle free way of achieving on-trend looks at minimal cost when you’re pregnant. For instance if you are feeling self conscious about your bum, draw the eye up with a eye catching bib necklace, however if you feel like your boobs would give Jordan a run for her money, you can break up the volume of the bust with a pendant that falls in a V shape over the bust.

The great thing about accessories is that they fit you no matter what size you are, so you can still use them post-pregnancy when you’re a yummy mummy.

Accentuate your strong features...If you have great hair, then work with different styles and hair accessories to draw the eye up to your hair. If you have nice hands or petit wrists, ensure you always get your nails done. No matter which parts of your body you like the most or feel most comfortable with during pregnancy, use your creativity to think of ways of drawing more attention to those areas (which will in effect, draw the eye away from those bits you’re not so crazy about).

For further information in general about Maternity Style read my article at http://www.nicolacupples.com/ArtAd_MaternityStyle.html

Most Common Style Mistake!

In my opinion, the most common style mistake any woman can make is not wearing the right bra - whether it's style or size - most women I meet are wearing the wrong bra!!

Just imagine trying to build a fabulous house on a pile of sand! I guess the house wouldn't look to great! It's the same with your image - if you haven't got good foundations to start with, you aren't going to get very far.

Now, one of the best ways to get great foundations is to work out at the gym every day until you achieve the body of your dreams - however ladies, I am a practical girl at heart so one of the easiest and cheapest ways for you to look a size slimmer, improve your posture and give the appearance of a minimised waist, is to get a bra fitting!

However, don't rely on stores or bra fitters to give you the right bra - every woman should know the basics of how a bra should fit, look and feel - I meet women on a daily basis who have "been measured" but their bra is doing absolutely nothing for them. By all means, get some help from a bra fitter, but like anything in life, do your own research first.

Read my guide to know what you should be looking for when buying a new bra http://www.nicolacupples.com/ArtAd_GuideToTryingOnBras.html

Hiding a tummy!

A common question from ladies that keeps popping up at style events is "how do I disguise a tummy with clothing?"

Here are my top tips:

1. Make sure you are wearing the right size and style bra to provide support otherwise your waist will look shorter and the effect of this is that your tummy will look bigger!

2. Wear Spanx! Control underwear is a great way to achieve a more toned appearance.

3. Be careful which fabrics you go for! Avoid anything that clings to / or creases around the tummy area.

4. Avoid patterns or details on the tummy area - keep things as plain as possible. Any patterns or details will just draw the eye there.

5. Use layers! Cardigans, waist coats, jackets will all help to minimise the stomach.

6. Use accessories to give the eye a point of interest and draw the eye away from the tummy!

Nicola x