Is a Career in Image Consulting Right for You

Image consulting is a rewarding career for anyone interested in building people’s image and helping them become more confident. But what exactly does an image consultant do? How do you become one, and what are the benefits of becoming an image consultant?

What Does an Image Consultant Do?

An image consultant manages an individual’s image alongside their three image components: appearance, communication, and behaviour. You will help an individual project a polished and authentic image that aligns with their personal or career goals.

Below is a list of some job roles you can work on after becoming an image consultant:

• Appearance Consultant
• Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger
• Beauty Pageant & Event Stylist
• Jewellery & Accessory Stylist
• Celebrity Stylist
• Bridal & Wedding Stylist
• Fashion Show Stylist
• And More!

3 Image Consulting Career Paths: How to Become an Image Consultant

• Path 1

• Complete your 12th grade in the Arts stream.
• Enroll in courses related to communication, fashion styling, textile design, and other relevant subjects.
• Finish your AICI certification to advance your expertise.

• Path 2

• Complete your 12th grade in the Business stream.
• Pursue a bachelor’s degree in management, finance, or any other area of interest.
• Obtain your AICI certification to enhance your qualifications further.

• Path 3

• Finish your 12th grade in the Arts stream.
• Pursue a bachelor's degree in communication, fashion styling, textile design, or related areas.
• Gain handson experience by interning with an image consultant before launching your own business.

What Skills Are Required to Become an Image Consultant?

Here are some of the main skills required to succeed as an image consultant:

1. Communication Skills

Clear and effective communication is key when it comes to networking and building client relationships. With clients, it's about understanding their goals to turn their vision into reality. On the other hand, networking demands consistent interaction with industry peers—this is how you make your mark, earn trust, and expand your business.

2. Approachability

People often feel vulnerable when asking for advice about their image, which is why it’s essential to stay approachable throughout the process as they navigate to learn how to improve their image. These changes can be difficult for some, so offering guidance with extreme understanding and patience can help them feel more comfortable.

3. Creativity

When making a strategy to enhance your client’s image, you will need creativity. This creativity is put to the test when you have to accommodate each client’s individual needs and come up with solutions that are tailored to their preferences, goals, and needs.

4. Fashion Taste

As an image consultant, you should have an excellent sense of fashion. You should know all the latest trends and what’s outdated in the fashion world. Further, you should be able to mix and match different patterns, colours, and fabrics to help your client develop their fashion sense.

Pros of Becoming an Image Consultant

Like any other career, even image consulting requires you to work hard. Despite the challenges, there are several benefits of becoming an image consultant, including:

• Financial Security: As an image consultant, you can expand your services depending on your capacity and skills. This creates a sense of financial security.
• Background and Age Don’t Matter: You are never too young or old to become a consultant. With the right skills, your educational and professional background and age don’t matter.
• Work-Life Balance: You can work as a freelancer, a company trainer, or a business owner by becoming an image consultant. This adds to your work-life balance.
• Gain a Fabulous Style Sense: The biggest pro of becoming an image consultant is that you get to work on your image first, creating a fabulous sense of style!

• Growing Opportunities: As digital platforms continue to rise and the demand to look and feel one’s best grows stronger, the need for image consultants has never been greater.

How to Become an Image Consultant

1. Earn an Image Consultant Certification

Most universities or colleges do not provide any traditional degree in image consultancy. You can choose one of the three paths to become an image consultant, or you can get an image consultant certification.

ICBI’s certification in image consulting is your ticket to grow big in the industry! From getting trained by the best in the industry with world-class training to getting top-class business enablement support, their image consulting course is great for anyone who wants to step into the industry.

2. Attend Workshops

The best part about this industry is that experts constantly curate meaningful workshops to help fellow consultants who want to step foot in this industry. Keep an eye on upcoming workshops near you or online.

3. Gain Related Experience

There’s nothing like real-world exposure. It’s always a great idea to gain work experience in the related field you want to pursue as an image consultant. You can start by becoming a sales associate at a clothing or beauty store or shadow a personal shopper.

4. Create a Portfolio

As you complete your course or gain relevant work experience, keep building your portfolio to show your potential clients your capabilities.

5. Network

Network with industry experts in the same field or related field and develop partnerships with them. This increases your chances of getting referred to potential clients by them.

Is Image Consulting a Good Career Option?

Image consulting can be the most rewarding career option. Whether you are a college fresher who is still exploring career options or a woman who wants to come back after a sabbatical, image consulting is a career that has its arms wide open for anyone with the right skills and will to learn!