// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did image consulting say to the picture? You're framed.
Image consulting is a professional service that advises individuals or organizations on appearance, behavior, communication, and presentation.[1] Image consultants may advise on clothing, personal style, colours, grooming, etiquette, body language, public speaking style, and personal branding.[2]
Image consultants are usually experts in marketing and fashion, or more precisely — PR; they deal with improving of the image of their clients for social events or to achieve certain goals.[3] Not only individuals but also companies can be clients of image consultants, although main clients remain executives and politicians.[4] An image consultant's main focus is on dressing, personal style, clothes buying, body language, and etiquette,[5] taking a customer through a process of evaluating their lifestyle and helping them change their body language and attire in order to help improve their image.[6][7]
History
[edit]The term "image consulting" became associated with professional and workplace appearance advice in the 1970s.[8] John T. Molloy's 1975 book Dress for Success popularized the idea that clothing and personal presentation could affect professional outcomes.[9] The book was not based on the author's opinion, but on tests conducted on subjects and helped spread the power dressing concept.[10] At this time, the public increased its interest in how clothing affects one's goals, and the book was an international success.[11]
In the eighties, a few firms started offering image consulting services specifically for events.[12][13] Eventually, celebrities started hiring them for their everyday styling and life. Rachel Zoe, a fashion stylist and image consultant, became a fashion icon for styling celebrities.[14] The Conselle Institute of Image Management was founded over 40 years ago. In 1990, the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) was born, with more than 1,300 members today.[15]
Scope and services
[edit]Image consultants advise individuals or organizations on appearance, communication, and presentation. Services may include advice on clothing, colours, hairstyles, make-up, wardrobe organization, styling for events, public speaking style, body language, personal branding, corporate culture, and business etiquette.[16].[13][17][18]
Related occupations
[edit]Image consulting overlaps with personal styling, fashion consulting, wardrobe consulting, and public relations. It is distinct from photographic styling, where stylists prepare clothes, accessories, props, backgrounds, and models for photo or video shoots according to a creative brief.[19]
Training and professional organizations
[edit]Training routes for image consultants vary by country and provider. Skills Development Scotland states that formal qualifications are not required for entry into image consulting, although relevant backgrounds may include beauty therapy, hairdressing, retailing, marketing, and business.[20]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "What does an Image Consultant do". www.allaboutstyling.net. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ↑ "The Career Roadmap of An Image Consultant". woman at work. 2016-08-01. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ "Image consultancy on the rise". mid-day. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ Oaff, Barbara (19 January 2003). "Wage slaves". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ↑ "WHERE IMAGE CONSULTING STEPS IN". epaper.timesofindia.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ "5 reasons why you need an image consultant - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ Grace, Steve. "BBC - The Speaker - Experts - Image Consultant". Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ "image consulting - definition of image consulting in English | Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford Dictionaries | English. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ "The image consultant - Vogue.it". www.vogue.it. Archived from the original on 2017-08-08. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ "Dress for Success - Dictionary definition of Dress for Success | Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ Nelson, Karin. "How Fashion is Updating Power Dressing for 2017". W Magazine. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ "Styled to Perfection: The History of Fashion Consulting". orlandointernationalfashionweek.com. Archived from the original on 2017-08-08. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- 1 2 "History - London Image Institute". London Image Institute. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ "Styled to Perfection: The History of Fashion Consulting". Orlando International Fashion Week. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ↑ "The image consultant". Vogue Italia. Archived from the original on 4 June 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ↑ "Image consultant | My World of Work". www.myworldofwork.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
- ↑ "From style tips to etiquette guides, more men seek help with makeovers". The Hindu. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ "Beyond conventional careers: Opt for niche courses for a change". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 2017-08-08.
- ↑ "Photographic stylist | Explore Careers | National Careers Service". nationalcareers.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2026-09-30.
- ↑ "Image consultant | My World of Work". www.myworldofwork.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-09-30.