styleandcolouracademy

Currency Keeping: How to Stay Relevant Yet Authentic as a Personal Stylist

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:02:02 GMT

Staying current as a personal stylist can feel like a moving target.

Trends shift, algorithms change, and client expectations evolve faster than ever. You've honed your craft and nailed your own style yet every day something seems to come along to try to shake that. We've even heard people say that the word 'authenticity' gives them the 'ick'. Yes, we know! Isn't that what we're all about? Being true to ourselves and nurturing this super power in our own clients. Then some young un comes along and it's no longer 'trendy' to be authentic, or whatever the current word for 'trendy' is. We're going to propose a movement right here that we're ok with using words that mean what they say. Next week it will be something else anyway.

However you want to paint it we're happiest when we can be our AUTHENTIC selves BUT actually, in our business, we DO have to appeal to new clients. But here’s the truth: relevance doesn’t mean reinventing yourself every five minutes. It’s about refining your eye, staying aware of what’s happening in both fashion and culture, and translating that through your own unique lens. We're talking about how you can keep your look and your work feeling fresh and current without losing the authenticity that makes you *you*.

The Pressure to Stay “Current”

Let’s be honest, this industry can make you feel like you’re always one step behind. New aesthetics appear overnight, micro-trends cycle through social media at lightning speed, and suddenly you’re questioning whether your approach still “fits.” But here’s where many stylists go wrong: they confuse *trend adoption* with *relevance*.

Relevance isn’t about copying what’s trending. It’s about understanding it—and deciding what aligns with your brand, your client, and your expertise. Let’s face it, you’re no doubt, already translating trend for your clients in a way that aligns with their style but what about you? You want to appear aspirational, not out of date. You want to have your finger on the pulse but not be a slave to fashion or the latest Tik Tok phase.

Relevance Starts With Awareness (Not Adoption)

You don’t need to wear every trend to understand it. Being a relevant stylist means you notice shifts in silhouettes, colours, and fabrics, you understand why trends are emerging (lifestyle, culture, economics) and you're able to translate them into something wearable for *real people*.

For example, if oversized tailoring is everywhere, your role isn’t to put every client in a boxy blazer, it’s to interpret that trend in a way that works for *their* proportions, lifestyle, and confidence. You are not an influencer in the new sense of the word but you can certainly influence. And you don't need 50,000 followers, you just need 'your' clients to be empowered to be themselves because of you.

Authenticity (we said it again) Is Your Superpower

Your clients don’t come to you because you look like everyone else on Instagram. They come to you because you see *them*.

You understand how to make them feel good. You have a clear point of view (or do you?). When you dilute that by chasing every trend, you lose the very thing that makes you valuable.

Instead, ask yourself:

Does this trend align with my aesthetic?

Would I genuinely recommend this to a client?

Can I interpret this in my own way?

If the answer is no, let it pass. Confidence in your *no* is just as powerful as your yes. And this is not just for clothes and style; it's to be applied to your presence, your marketing, your business too.

Social Media: Tool, Not Teacher

Once you accept these foundations for style why not consider it in other areas like your socials. Social media can be both inspiring and overwhelming. Again, one week it's all about the reel and the next it's the carousel. Music or no music, even this trends. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking “If I’m not posting this, I’m falling behind.” But remember social media shows *highlight reels*, not real lives. It might look like another stylist has tens of thousands of followers but these do not translate into clients. If she's posting 4 times a day 'Good luck' to her but you may not have time.

Your clients are not algorithms, they’re humans with bodies, budgets, and busy lives. Use your social media to:

Spot patterns and emerging themes

Understand what your audience is engaging with

Showcase your expertise and perspective

But don’t let it dictate your identity.

Staying Relevant in Your Own Wardrobe

Your personal style is part of your brand and communicates your credibility before you even speak. But staying relevant doesn’t mean a complete wardrobe overhaul every season.

Instead update *details* (shoe shapes, denim cuts, accessories), refresh proportions rather than replacing everything, mix current pieces with your signature staples. Think evolution, not transformation. Your style should feel like a natural progression—not a costume change.

Your Clients Don’t Want Trends; They Want Guidance

Most clients don’t come to you asking for “what’s in fashion.” They come because their wardrobe isn’t working, they don’t feel confident or they want to look modern without feeling uncomfortable. This is where your role becomes crucial. You are the filter. You take what’s current and translate it into:

Wearable outfits

Flattering silhouettes

Practical solutions

That’s what makes you relevant—not how trend-forward you are, but how *useful* you are.

The Sweet Spot: Current *and* Consistent

The stylists who build lasting businesses aren’t the ones constantly reinventing themselves. They are the ones who stay aware of change, adapt thoughtfully and remain consistent in their message and aesthetic. They evolve but they don’t lose themselves in the process. So if you take nothing else away from this we say you don’t need to chase relevance. You create it by staying curious, staying informed, and staying true to your point of view. Because in a world full of noise, authenticity isn’t just refreshing it’s a super power!

Why You're Not Just a Stylist; You're Building a Business

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 18:01:36 GMT

When Your Passion Feels Like a Mission and You Didn't Plan for this

Why You’re Building More Than a Styling Business

When most of us train as stylists, we focus on becoming excellent at the work. We live for the transformation. We probably had our own epiphany as a client and now we want to share that with as many others as possible. So:-

We learn colour and style theory
We refine our eye
We practise consultations
We fall in love with the transformation in others

And then something shifts. Because alongside the craft, there’s another role quietly emerging and that’s the role of business owner. And that part can feel far less comfortable. We haven’t trained for this bit. The truth is that it will look differently for each of us and honing our craft has to happen before we really know what the ‘business’ is going to look like, especially if we are growing this alongside other employment. Once we realise we need the business skills as well, we might already be up to our eyes with a growing demand for our services.

It’s Normal If the Business Side Feels Heavier

Many stylists will feel confident in a consultation… but unsure when it comes to:

Pricing
Marketing
Setting boundaries
Planning revenue
Thinking long-term

If that’s you, you’re not behind. You’re simply developing a new skill set. Running a business requires clarity and structure, not just talent. And structure is something you can build. If it feels heavy it’s because you’re building It’s never too late (or too early) to seek out some business coaching even if just to hone your strategy. This is why we introduce you to this when you train in colour analysis. But this isn’t all you need. It’s just what you need to get going. Do consider further coaching. Do consider a coach who has expertise in an area you are struggling with. Do consider a coach who has different personality traits to you. You need your coach to coach you; not to be your friend!

A Gentle Reframe: From “Getting Clients” to “Building Stability”

If the time (or your budget) is not quite right for investment in coaching try this. Instead of asking: “Where will my next booking come from?”

Try asking:
“What foundations am I putting in place?”

Strong businesses are built on a few simple, repeatable principles:

Clear positioning (Who do I help and how?)
Defined offers (What exactly do I sell?)
Consistent visibility (How do people find me?)
Financial awareness (What do I actually need to earn?)

When those pieces are in place, growth becomes steadier and far less stressful.

Your Diary Shouldn’t Be Your Only Strategy

If all of your income comes from one-to-one appointments, it can feel like you’re constantly chasing the next booking and, let’s face it, your time is your most valuable but limited resource. There is nothing wrong with loving client work. But over time, it’s worth gently exploring:

Could you introduce workshops? See more than one person at a time.
Do you have presentations you can deliver to larger audiences?
Could you create a seasonal colour or style event that you perhaps run annually or even quarterly? Does this need to be in-person or can it be online?
Are there partnerships or collaborations you haven’t considered yet? Your local eyewear dispenser, bra fitter, nutritionist, hair stylist, gym or boutique?

This is not because you need to scale dramatically but because your time and energy is finite. Working more diversely creates security and security creates confidence.

Boundaries Are a Form of Self-Respect

Protect both your time and your energy with a clear boundaries you set for yourself. Don’t be afraid to commit these to paper. Professional policies are not cold. They are caring. Clear pricing, payment terms, cancellation policies are not barriers, they are containers. They protect your time, your energy and your income. In any other employment there would be policies in place for just this so don’t, for one minute, think that you don’t need them because you are a solopreneur.

When you respect your business, others tend to do the same.

You Are Allowed to Think Long-Term

It’s easy to measure success by this month’s bookings but the stylists who thrive over years think differently.

They build:

An email list.
A community.
Relationships with repeat clients.
A reputation beyond social media.

They understand that visibility is not about being loud; it’s about being consistent. And consistency doesn’t require perfection, It requires commitment. Know what you want next year to look like. Have a three year, five year, ten year vision. It doesn’t matter if it changes along the way.

Give Yourself Permission to Grow Into This

You were trained to be a stylist. Becoming a business owner is a second evolution.

It’s okay if you’re still finding your footing. It’s okay if you’re refining your pricing. It’s okay if you’re learning how to talk about your work with more confidence. You are not “behind.” You are building. This building takes time, patience and a willingness to keep adjusting the foundations.

Your talent and your passion brought you into this industry but it’s your strategy that will help you stay and thrive within it. Both can exist beautifully together.

We are Jo and Wendy of The Style and Colour Academy. With thirty years of experience in the styling industry and backgrounds in education and healthcare we’re here to get your journey off to a great start and the community we have created are here to join you on every step.

Stylist Brunch 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:38:26 GMT

This February, The Angel in Pershore set the scene for a memorable gathering of creativity and collaboration. A curated Stylist Brunch brought together 25 talented stylists from across the UK to network, share ideas, and gain insight from industry experts — all in a relaxed and beautifully styled setting.

A Celebration of Community in Styling

Stylists travelled from all corners of the country, representing a wide range of expertise. Over coffee and a beautifully presented brunch, conversations flowed easily.

Discussions touched on evolving client expectations, emerging seasonal trends, sustainability in fashion, and the growing importance of authenticity in business. What stood out most was the spirit of collaboration. Rather than competition, the room was filled with encouragement, openness, and a shared passion for empowering clients through style.

Spotlight on Kettlewell Colours

A key highlight of the morning was a presentation from Kettlewell Colours, who introduced their upcoming clothing collections.

Renowned for their colour expertise, the brand offered attendees an exclusive preview of new seasonal palettes and thoughtfully designed staples. The focus on versatile wardrobe pieces and expanded shade ranges sparked plenty of conversation, particularly around how stylists can use colour psychology to build confidence and create truly personalised wardrobes for clients.

The Power of Storytelling & Brand

Adding a strong business perspective to the day, business coach and strategist Marcus Iles from Manifestiv delivered a powerful talk on the importance of storytelling in building a brand.

Marcus shared his thoughts on how stylists can stand out in a busy market by clearly communicating not just what they do, but why they do it. He encouraged attendees to lean into their personal journeys, values, and experiences — reminding everyone that connection drives loyalty far more than polished perfection ever could.

His session sparked meaningful reflection, with many stylists reconsidering how they present themselves online and how they articulate their unique value to clients. It was a timely reminder that style is not just visual — it’s emotional, personal, and rooted in story.

From Passion to Academy Owner

The day concluded on an inspiring note with entrepreneur and makeup artist Laura Rachel from the Central School of Makeup.

Laura shared her journey from working makeup artist to owning her own academy. Her honest account of the challenges, risks, and determination required to build a successful education business resonated deeply with the room. She spoke candidly about resilience, self-belief, and the importance of investing in your craft — lessons that extend far beyond the makeup industry.

Her story was a powerful way to close the event, leaving attendees motivated to think bigger about their own ambitions.

A Day of Inspiration & Momentum

The February Stylist Brunch was more than a networking event — it was a reminder of what’s possible when creative professionals come together with openness and intention.

From fashion previews and colour insights to business strategy and entrepreneurial storytelling, the day offered both practical tools and renewed inspiration. As stylists left Pershore with new contacts, fresh ideas, and a deeper sense of clarity around their own brands, one thing was certain: the energy from this gathering will ripple far beyond February.

Here’s to continued collaboration, courageous storytelling, and building brands that truly reflect the people behind them.

Not part of our Stylist Community yet? Joining is simple...

Visit us at The Spirit of Christmas

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:22:38 GMT

Join us from 3-9 November on stand R100 at the Spirit of Christmas event in Olympia!

Interested in finding out more about life as a Personal Stylist?

Already working as a Personal Stylist but would like to join our free membership community for inspiration and support?

Both Jo and Wendy will be attending this event in Olympia, London, alongside the Kettlewell team, so if you would like to quiz us on anything colour and/or style, you'll fInd us on stand R100. And if you are visiting on Tuesday, Friday or Saturday, then you can also meet one of our previous trainees for a chat!

Alongside Kettlewell, we will be offering express colour analyses for just £99. To book your slot, please click here .

Hope to see you there! x

The Style and Colour Academy and Kettlewell Colours

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 14:21:00 GMT

A Vibrant New Partnership Changing the Face of Colour Analysis in the UK and Beyond

We are absolutely thrilled to announce a brand new and exciting collaboration between The Style and Colour Academy (SCA) and the iconic British brand Kettlewell Colours .

The Style and Colour Academy is now the official UK training partner of Kettlewell Colours , a move that’s set to redefine how colour analysis and personal styling is taught, practiced, and experienced across the UK and beyond. Whether you're a passionate aspiring stylist or an experienced professional looking to refresh your knowledge and boost your business, this partnership opens up incredible new opportunities.

Who Are We?

At The Style & Colour Academy , we specialise in training individuals to become confident, skilled colour analysts and personal stylists. Founded by Jo and Wendy, two experienced industry leaders, SCA combines in-depth colour theory, personal styling knowledge, and business coaching to empower stylists at every stage of their journey.

Our goal is simple: to build a supportive, professional, and inspiring community of independent stylists who are passionate about helping people look and feel their best through colour and style.

Why Kettlewell Colours?

If you’re new to the world of colour, let us introduce you to Kettlewell Colours – a beloved British fashion brand known for its extensive palette of over 300 colours and beautifully made wardrobe essentials . Kettlewell is a go-to name for those who want to wear the colours that suit them best, with timeless styles crafted in high-quality fabrics.

Kettlewell’s clothing isn’t just colourful – it’s empowering. Their collections are built around the seasonal and the tonal colour analysis method, making it easy for customers to build a wardrobe that’s not only stylish but deeply personal and uplifting.

Our Colour Analysis Training – with Kettlewell Drapes

Our comprehensive Colour Analysis Training Programme is now officially powered by Kettlewell. When you enrol, you receive:

A full set of Kettlewell colour drapes
Four Style & Colour Academy swatch fans
A professional colour wheel
Four in-depth coaching modules led by expert Style4Life Coach Ellen Peters

Free membership in our stylist community

Our training walks you through the principles of colour analysis, how to work with clients, and how to launch or grow your business. Whether you're starting from scratch or seeking to enhance your services, this training equips you with both knowledge and confidence.

And the best part? Training begins with a free, no-obligation discovery call.

A Membership That Supports You Every Step of the Way

When you train with SCA, you don’t just leave with a certificate – you gain a lifelong community .

As part of our exclusive stylist membership , you get access to:

A private Facebook group for sharing ideas and asking questions

A monthly online networking session

Access to our stylist webshop for all the tools you need

First notice of guest speakers , events, and further training

Your profile listed on both the Style & Colour Academy and Kettlewell Stylist Directories

Already a working stylist? No problem. You’re welcome to join our membership too, whether or not you trained with us.

New for Experienced Stylists: Conversion Courses

If you’re already a trained stylist but want to align with the SCA/Kettlewell approach , we offer one-day Colour and/or Style Conversion Courses . These are perfect for stylists who want to access Kettlewell’s trusted resources and be part of our stylist directories and training network.

Colour in the Studio: Access Kettlewell Clothing for Clients

As our partnership deepens, we are also working on exciting new plans to give our trained stylists access to Kettlewell clothing in their studios . Imagine being able to help your clients find their perfect colours and try them on in person!

This initiative means greater visibility for Kettlewell clothing across the UK and greater opportunities for stylists to offer a complete, high-touch service . Together, we’re making colour more accessible, more practical, and more beautiful than ever.

Sharing Knowledge, Spreading Colour

Jo and Wendy of SCA have recently delivered style consultation training to the Kettlewell team themselves – a proud moment that signals the strength of our shared values. Both brands are rooted in authenticity, empowerment, and a belief that style and colour can transform lives .

Whether you’re completely new to styling or looking to upskill, we offer courses for every level. And at the heart of it all is support, community, and colour .

Ready to Start?

We warmly invite you to join our growing, vibrant network. It all begins with a free discovery call where you can find out more about our training, membership, and how you can be part of this exciting movement.

Visit us on Instagram and Facebook
F o llow our growing LinkedIn page
Book your free discovery call today
Join a community that celebrates style, confidence, and colour

And Finally

This collaboration between The Style & Colour Academy and Kettlewell Colours isn’t just a partnership – it’s a mission. A mission to equip stylists with world-class training , connect them with a trusted clothing brand , and support them in building meaningful, colourful careers .

We believe colour changes everything – and we can’t wait to share that with you.

CPD Accredited!

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:21:53 GMT

We are delighted to announce that both our Colour Analysis and Personal Stylist courses have now been certified by The CPD Certification Service!

After some rigorous monitoring and much dotting the 'i' s and crossing the 't' s, we are delighted that our full Colour Analysis course AND our Personal Stylist course have now been certified by The CPD Certification Service.

What does this mean?

The CPD Accreditation means that our training course has been thoroughly checked for it's planning (including learning objectives and outcomes), appropriate content, quality of resources and delivery.

What does this mean for you?

Anyone interested in training with The Style and Colour Academy can do so with assurance that they will receive an exceptionally high quality of training.

Wendy and Jo x

NEW Online Training Courses

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:52:36 GMT

At The Style and Colour Academy we are constantly evolving! Now that our new premises is fully up and running, we've been able to focus our attention on our new online courses!

Finding your new customers will always involve more investment than developing your relationship with the clients you already know. Each of our new courses listed above, provide opportunities to approach your existing customer base.

So if you would like to continue your professional development and extend your service offerings, our new courses are all delivered online for convenience and allow you to really make the most of your Personal Styling business.

Both Wendy and Jo have extensive experience, having offered these additional services in their own styling businesses over the years.

Feel free to contact us to find out more or visit our courses page on the website.

New Year, New Branding, New Premises!

wendy@wendythompson.co.uk (Wendy Thompson) — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:59:13 GMT

New branding, New Premises! We are officially opening on Saturday 15th February so come and say hello...

It's just a matter of days now until we officially open the door to our clients and new customers! Our beautiful three storey Georgian premises is situated in the market town of Pershore (of the edge of the Cotswolds). Our training space is on the top floor of the building, providing a professional environment for all of our Image Consultancy courses.

The first floor is our Studio for both training demonstrations and our 1:1 client appointments. The large sash window and newly fitted daylight lightboxes create the perfect conditions for Colour Analysis and Style Consultations alike.

And our newest addition to our business - our boutique, is found on the ground floor. In our boutique you will find a carefully curated collection of garments, tailored around seasonal colours and different body shapes.

https://www.facebook.com/styleandcolourcompany

https://www.instagram.com/styleandcolourcompany

Style Training at Kettlewell Colours

wendy@wendythompson.co.uk (Wendy Thompson) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:26:45 GMT

Having passed the SCA Style Training with flying colours (excuse the pun), the colour studio staff at Kettlewell Colours are now ready to launch their new Style appointments in March 2025!

We are delighted to share that Sancha, Heather and Jane from the Colour Studio at Kettlewell Colours have now completed their SCA Style Training and are ready to take style bookings from March 2025!

We wish them every success and will, of course, be here to offer our continued support and guidance as part of our stylist community x

Our Growing Stylist Community

wendy@wendythompson.co.uk (Wendy Thompson) — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 16:04:33 GMT

Congratulations to our latest cohort of stylists! We are delighted to introduce the latest additions to our SCA Community following the completion of their colour analysis course in November. From left to right (Wendy), Lynn, Clare, Francoise and (Jo).

We are proud to share that we now have SCA Stylists running their Personal Styling businesses from Shropshire, Oxfordshire, Pembrokeshire, Devon, London, Berkshire and East Lothian.

Some of our trainees are supplementing part-time work with something they are passionate in, others are building their business solely on Personal Styling... whatever your motivation, training in small numbers allows us to create truly nurturing environment for our trainee stylists and with a ratio of no more than two trainees to one trainer, you can be sure that you will receive our undivided attention.

2025 courses are booking up fast so do get in touch if you would like to find out more.

Best wishes,

Wendy and Jo x

How to become a personal stylist (or do I mean image consultant?)

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 20:40:09 GMT

Have you ever considered a career in style? Maybe you are always getting complimented on your own style, have a passion for fashion and often dream about turning this interest into a vocation?

If you long to help others to look and feel their best maybe this is the career for you? But first, do you know the difference between an Image Consultant and a Personal Stylist or Fashion Stylist? Even though the titles are used interchangeably in practice there are quite marked differences.

If it’s the bright lights of the fashion industry and the draw of styling exotic photoshoots in far flung lands or the hustle and bustle of a big-city studio then being a Fashion Stylist is probably what you’re after. If you really want to make a difference to real lives, have someone leave you feeling better than when they arrived, embarking on transformational journeys where their image grows to complement their lifestyle and personality then an Image Consultant is what you’re thinking of.

A Personal Stylist may have a knack for putting the right clothes on the right body; they may have a keen eye for a trend and they may leave you with an immediate dopamine hit of ‘Oooh I would never have thought of wearing this before’ type of feeling. But that feeling, I’m afraid, wears off. A trained Image Consultant will empower you to spot the right outfit for the right occasion for the body you have and the life you lead right now. Imagine that!

So if you are wanting to deliver a service which gets to the core of the person and sets them on a journey of transformation and self-discovery then be sure to select the right starting point for your own growth and development because, let’s be honest, honing these skills will not happen overnight. Image consulting is a dynamic profession that focuses on enhancing an individual’s appearance, associated behaviours, and communication to align with their personal or professional goals. Whether it’s guiding clients on wardrobe choices, shopping habits, body image, or celebrating the body they have right now, Image Consultants help people present the best version of themselves.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming an Image Consultant:

1. Understand What an Image Consultant Does

Before diving into this career, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what image consulting entails. As an Image Consultant, your role extends beyond fashion advice.

You’ll need to be able to:

Make an assessment of your client’s personality : ask the right questions and know what the answers suggest in terms of image, observe their body language, their choice of words, the way they talk and their non-verbal communications too.

Listen to, and make sense of, your client’s preferences and choices: afford them the opportunity to share their style likes and dislikes. Similarly encourage discussion about their style aspirations. Your client is coming to you because there is something about their image they are not satisfied with. You will need to be able to see the balance between their comfort zone and the gentle nudge into discomfort but not panic. It’s a fine line and probably the subject of another blog for later.

Review your client’s lifestyle: You might wonder why this is important? Believe me, I’ve known many an ‘Image Consultant’ to skim right over this element. But I believe image consultancy done well is a holistic process. How can I really know my client if I don’t know what they do? What makes them tick? What motivates them? How do they spend a typical day? Who do they share them time with? What activities do they need to be able to perform across their week?

Look at your client’s body: Assigning somebody a body shape is not enough. It’s highly likely your client has tried to do this themselves and sometimes they will have got it right, sometimes completely wrong and other times they feel they don’t fit into any of the archetypal body shapes. Of course! Every body is unique. You will need to recognise shapes, body lines, scales, proportions and so much more. And can you do this without the embarrassment of numbers on tape measures? The answer is yes with the right training.

Know about clothes: Clothing is great isn’t it? It keeps us warm, it protects us from the elements and it stops us getting arrested for indecent exposure. But it’s much more than that. It tells the world something about us without us having to utter a word. It psychologically prepares us for action. Think about the feeling you get when you tie the laces on your gym shoes, when you put on your uniform for work or pop your sequins on before a night out. Each clothing choice prepares us for something quite different. Before you can give your client the best advice you need to know about the impact of clothes AND about the manufacture of clothes.

Clothes are made for standard bodies. What is a standard body? I hear you cry. Exactly! Even catwalk models and our favourite influencers do not have ‘standard’ bodies which is exactly why when we order something that looked great on them it looks nothing like that on us. You need to know about this if you want your client to feel better about themselves and not a whole lot worse!

Successful Image Consultants balance style with psychology, helping clients build self-confidence while achieving ‘their’ desired image, but also recognising the fine line between them staying comfy and tackling the discomfort of trying something new and evolving.

2. Develop Relevant Skills

Already I hope you can see a diverse skillset is critical in image consulting. You need to have a knowledge of fashion but more importantly style. To provide a holistic service you should learn about body shapes, colour theory and colour analysis, and personal styling to create customised and unique recommendations for each individual client.

You will need to be adept in active listening and able to use clear and diplomatic language when imparting your advice. We may think we actively listen but the truth is many of us listen with the intent to speak when, in fact, listening actively is with the intent to learn more about our client.

You’ll need to understand your clients’ goals and how they want to be perceived to craft a personal brand that suits their lifestyle for both home and work life if required. Are these both the same? For some clients they will be and for others, not!

Part of image consulting is boosting your clients’ self-esteem, so developing a positive, motivational approach is vital. Some of these skills may come naturally, but formal training can significantly enhance your expertise. To enter into image consultancy without training is rather naïve and not a good model for business growth and/or satisfied clients.

3. Get Professional Training

Professional training will provide you with credibility and ensure that you have the knowledge to provide top-tier services. Consider enrolling in a programme through an organisation that echoes the values and concepts described above.

The Style and Colour Academy was founded by me, Jo Gaffney, a Mental Health Occupational Therapist and Wendy Thompson , a teacher, both established Image Consultants amalgamating our combined areas of expertise to create a programme which encompasses the principles required to train holistic Image Consultants when they complete the required modules.

Members of the Continuing Professional Development accreditation service, our courses have been created to meet the initial learning needs of the consultant so they can then embark on the development of their skillset. The Style and Colour Academy prides itself on it’s growing Stylist Community membership where consultants can build on and develop their skills over time. Leaving the training room is just the start.

Members get to share all their questions in the community group as well as attending a monthly hub where guest speakers share nuggets of wisdom to help create a healthy, workable business and continue to build on existing skills. The Academy offers certifications that range from colour analysis, styling, wardrobe editing, personal shopping and bridal styling with exciting plans to develop more in-depth training to members in supporting clients with body confidence, menopause, or other image related style challenges that come with all manner of life stages. The company prides itself in it’s approach to encouraging stylists to promote a more sustainable way of wardrobe management and shopping whilst fostering a sense of community where they can continually add to their existing knowledge and skills.

4. Gain Practical Experience

Like any profession, practice makes perfect. Training is just the start. The Academy course for personal styling is unique in that it is designed so that after just two days of training you start to offer mini services to friends or family as part of skill development and the building of your work portfolio. Returning for a further two days of in-person training you have real life examples to discuss and relate your learning to. After four days, their membership programme enables you to ask all the questions you need as you create your business and grow your confidence.

But remember, building experience and credibility takes time. Remember when you first passed your driving test? Did you feel like a confident experienced driver at that point or was it much later when you had been driving frequently and by yourself? I’m going to guess it was the latter. I know when I first qualified as an Image Consultant I really didn’t know what I was doing. I had the theory but that’s not enough on it’s own. I needed to talk to lots of individuals and see lots of bodies before my expertise began to evolve. Even now I will come across scenarios I have not seen before but I am far more confident in dealing with them than when I had only seen my first 10 or 20 clients.

5. Build a Strong Personal Brand

As an Image Consultant, your image is your brand. It’s important to cultivate a strong personal brand that reflects your expertise in style, professionalism, and personal development. The Style and Colour Academy includes this in it’s training. Or you can opt to have your own personal consultation prior to training. Being totally comfortable with your own sense of style will give you far more credibility with your clients and potential clients.

Following training you will be encouraged (but not forced) to consider creating an online presence, networking locally, engaging in marketing and sharing your experience with other members as you grow. How you appear both in-person and in a virtual space is crucial to gaining clients and establishing yourself as an expert in your field.

Still want to become an Image Consultant? (or Personal Stylist)

It’s a truly rewarding career and if you still feel like it is for you then don’t delay. Look at the courses available and enrol. Investing in professional training with a company that shows good values as well as expertise, growing your practical experience, and building a strong personal brand, you can position yourself quickly as a trusted consultant who enables others to look and feel their best self. I can’t think of a better career but then I am biased.

Still not sure? Book a no obligation FREE discovery call and ask all your niggly questions before making your decision. You have nothing to lose!

Our SCA pick of the trends this Autumn

wendy@wendythompson.co.uk (Wendy Thompson) — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 11:12:51 GMT

Rich hues, cosy knits, stylish layering - we LOVE Autumn at the Academy! Here are our top picks on trend Autumn styling this season...

With the start of October, it's definitely time to dig out the warmer clothing! We are very environment aware at SCA so whilst there will always be room for carefully and thoughtfully selected new items, let's think about what we already have in our wardrobes to tick some of these boxes? And why not use some of our favoured pre-loved shopping sites to fill any gaps?

www.vinted.co.uk

www.gothrift.co.uk

www.vestiairecollective.com

Best wishes,

Wendy and Jo x

HUB Meetings Providing On-going Support

wendy@wendythompson.co.uk (Wendy Thompson) — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 10:48:23 GMT

Assessing your client's sub-season and what this really means...

Our ethos at The Style and Colour Academy is all about community , supporting stylists who've trained at the academy (and of course, those who have joined us but trained elsewhere).

Last Friday was the first of our monthly community HUB meetings. At the start of the meeting we encourage the sharing of achievements and collaborations, and time for stylists to seek advice and support if they have any questions or concerns. The second part of the meeting is a forum for business development. This might be additional training delivered by Wendy or Jo, or a guest speaker on topics such as social media planning, public speaking, diversifying your business, lead generation, well-being etc.

During the September HUB meeting we discussed the value of identifying a sub-season . At SCA, we don't like to limit colour options so if you are a Warm Autumn for example, we would encourage you to enjoy your WHOLE Autumn palette . By identifying 'warm' as the sub-season, we would then suggest that you may be able to borrow from the Warm Spring section too, thus using the sub-season as an extension to your season, not as a limitation on your colour possibilities.

Our First Colour Analysis Cohort

wendy@wendythompson.co.uk (Wendy Thompson) — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 13:14:17 GMT

We are delighted to introduce our very first SCA Stylists! Welcoming Lucy, Addie and Katherine to the team...

Welcome to our first Colour Analysis training course cohort! Their training was finished off with a photo shoot for our new stylists (oh and a cheeky little glass of fizz to celebrate their successful completion of the course!). But off course, it doesn't finish there... we offer on-going support and business advice to all our stylists for as long as they need us ��

Next up is our Style Analysis course starting on 16+17th September... find out more here x

styleandcolouracademy

Currency Keeping: How to Stay Relevant Yet Authentic as a Personal Stylist

Staying current as a personal stylist can feel like a moving target.

Why You're Not Just a Stylist; You're Building a Business

When Your Passion Feels Like a Mission and You Didn't Plan for this

Stylist Brunch 2026

Visit us at The Spirit of Christmas

Join us from 3-9 November on stand R100 at the Spirit of Christmas event in Olympia!

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The Style and Colour Academy and Kettlewell Colours

A Vibrant New Partnership Changing the Face of Colour Analysis in the UK and Beyond

CPD Accredited!

We are delighted to announce that both our Colour Analysis and Personal Stylist courses have now been certified by The CPD Certification Service!

NEW Online Training Courses

At The Style and Colour Academy we are constantly evolving! Now that our new premises is fully up and running, we've been able to focus our attention on our new online courses!

New Year, New Branding, New Premises!

New branding, New Premises! We are officially opening on Saturday 15th February so come and say hello...

Style Training at Kettlewell Colours

Having passed the SCA Style Training with flying colours (excuse the pun), the colour studio staff at Kettlewell Colours are now ready to launch their new Style appointments in March 2025!

Our Growing Stylist Community

Congratulations to our latest cohort of stylists! We are delighted to introduce the latest additions to our SCA Community following the completion of their colour analysis course in November. From left to right (Wendy), Lynn, Clare, Francoise and (Jo).

How to become a personal stylist (or do I mean image consultant?)

Have you ever considered a career in style? Maybe you are always getting complimented on your own style, have a passion for fashion and often dream about turning this interest into a vocation?

Our SCA pick of the trends this Autumn

Rich hues, cosy knits, stylish layering - we LOVE Autumn at the Academy! Here are our top picks on trend Autumn styling this season...

HUB Meetings Providing On-going Support

Assessing your client's sub-season and what this really means...

Our First Colour Analysis Cohort

We are delighted to introduce our very first SCA Stylists! Welcoming Lucy, Addie and Katherine to the team...