image consulting

Image consulting is a professional field that aims to improve the image of the client personally or professionally through appearance, behavior, and communication.{{cite web|title=What does an Image Consultant do|url=http://www.allaboutstyling.net/what-does-an-image-consultant-do.php|website=www.allaboutstyling.net|accessdate=21 May 2017}} It is the process of evaluating the effect of a person's appearance on their professional image. {{Cite news|url=https://womanatwork.in/blog/the-career-roadmap-of-an-image-consultant/|title=The Career Roadmap of An Image Consultant|date=2016-08-01|work=woman at work|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/image-consultancy-rise/88970|title=Image consultancy on the rise|work=mid-day|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en}} Not only individuals but also companies can be clients of image consultants, although main clients remain executives and politicians.{{cite web|last1=Oaff|first1=Barbara|title=Wage slaves|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2003/jan/19/wageslaves.careers|website=The Guardian|accessdate=21 May 2017|date=19 January 2003}} An image consultant's main focus is on dressing, personal style, clothes buying, body language, and etiquette,{{Cite web|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzA1LzE3I0FyMDI5MDA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808114710/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEyLzA1LzE3I0FyMDI5MDA=&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2017|title=WHERE IMAGE CONSULTING STEPS IN|website=epaper.timesofindia.com|access-date=2017-08-08}} 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.{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/style-guide/5-reasons-why-you-need-an-image-consultant/articleshow/10781340.cms|title=5 reasons why you need an image consultant - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-08-08}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/speaker/improve/experts/imageconsultant.shtml|title=BBC - The Speaker - Experts - Image Consultant|last=Grace|first=Steve|access-date=2017-08-08}}

The term originated in the seventies.{{Cite web|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/image_consulting|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808114209/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/image_consulting|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2017|title=image consulting - definition of image consulting in English {{!}} Oxford Dictionaries|website=Oxford Dictionaries {{!}} English|access-date=2017-08-08}} John T. Molloy published the book Dress for Success in the United States in 1975.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vogue.it/en/news/encyclo/mania/c/the-image-consultant|title=The image consultant - Vogue.it|website=www.vogue.it|access-date=2017-08-08}} This book focused on how dressing and personal image affect achieving personal and professional goals. The book was not based on the author's opinion, but on tests conducted on subjects and helped spread the "power dressing" concept.{{Cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/fashion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/dress-success|title=Dress for Success - Dictionary definition of Dress for Success {{!}} Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary|website=www.encyclopedia.com|language=en|access-date=2017-08-08}} At this time, the public increased its interest in how clothing affects one's goals, and the book was an international success.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/power-dressing-for-2017-celine-prada-balenciaga|title=How Fashion is Updating Power Dressing for 2017|last=Nelson|first=Karin|work=W Magazine|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en}}

In the eighties, a few firms started offering image consulting services specifically for events.{{Cite web|url=http://orlandointernationalfashionweek.com/history-of-fashion-consulting-alexisansley/|title=Styled to Perfection: The History of Fashion Consulting|website=orlandointernationalfashionweek.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-08|archive-date=2017-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808122115/http://orlandointernationalfashionweek.com/history-of-fashion-consulting-alexisansley/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.londonimageinstitute.com/image-consulting/history/|title=History - London Image Institute|work=London Image Institute|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en-US}} 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.{{cite web|title=Styled to Perfection: The History of Fashion Consulting|url=http://orlandointernationalfashionweek.com/history-of-fashion-consulting-alexisansley/|website=Orlando International Fashion Week|accessdate=21 May 2017|archive-date=8 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808122115/http://orlandointernationalfashionweek.com/history-of-fashion-consulting-alexisansley/|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|title=The image consultant|url=http://www.vogue.it/en/news/encyclo/mania/c/the-image-consultant|website=Vogue Italia|accessdate=21 May 2017}}

Today, the concept of power dressing has become a part of work culture, helping establish a market for the field of image consulting.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/from-style-tips-to-etiquette-guides-more-men-seek-help-with-makeovers/article6112403.ece|title=From style tips to etiquette guides, more men seek help with makeovers|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/beyond-conventional-careers-opt-for-niche-courses-for-a-change-2251161.html|title=Beyond conventional careers: Opt for niche courses for a change|website=Moneycontrol|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-08}} The practice has seen a rise in demand due to customer-centric verticals such as retail, hospitality, and public relations.{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/career-management-fashion-designing-leadership-market-research/1/187076.html|title=Choose from a basket of options for an enviable career|access-date=2017-08-08}} The term itself has broadened to include etiquette, body language, communication, presentation, and personal branding.