I entered the cool crisp air-conditioned environment of a famous 5 star hotel in Delhi. I, the ‘ Image Consultant’ was here for my first meeting with a high end self proclaimed socialite. Over the phone, I was told that she knows it all because she followed ‘ Fashion Blogs’, scanned the ‘Vogue’ and ‘ Cosmopolitan’ magazines from end to end but all the same wanted to meet me to understand what is this buzz about ‘ Image Management’. Is it not the same as ‘ Personality Development’?
As I waited in the lobby in my ‘Classic Shirt dress’ and a’ Single button jacket’ in Wardrobe neutrals ( black n white)and a red ‘ Kate Spade’ bag to add a pop of accent colour, I see this expensive Image in green walk towards me, dot on the designated time. Green, the Colour Trend of 2017, a Green Zara dress, a Green n gold ‘IT’ sling bag, Nail art in metallic shades of gold and even a Green hair lock strategically placed, golden pumps with delicate bows held together with a green coloured stone………was I supposed to turn green with envy?
It was followed by a ‘ Hello Babes’ and we were directed to a corner table in the Jungle themed coffee shop. I was surely having an overdose of the ‘ Colour of the Year’ and so crossed my fingers under the table that the chosen beverage wasnt going to be ‘Green Tea’. Formulate in my head all that I would like to get to know in the next one hour. I pulled out the ‘ Image Scope’ which would help me document the details of my client. As I began, my client fluttered her false eyelashes and formed a perfect pout with her bubble gum pink lips( another hot trending colour) around the straw of her almond milk, sugar free, chocolate milk shake. After a long satisfying sip, she asked me what I could teach her about.
Appearance Management’. Just as I was about to open my mouth and spill my pearls of knowledge and wisdom, the ‘death ringer’ tone on her latest ‘I phone’ interrupted our meeting which really had never begun.
She asked for permission and I secretly applauded her for the etiquette. She spoke loud enough for the neighbours and me to hear about the purchase of her Chanel ( pronounced Channel in English) bag.
I thought I heard Coco Chanel turn in her grave at her name being mispronounced. As she went on and on, in her high pitched voice, I realized how many myths I had to break as an Image Consultant.
Firstly Image Management is not only for the rich and famous. It is for people from all walks of life.
Personality management is only a small part of Image Management.
Anybody from all walks of life can take the aid of ‘Visual Management’ to get closer to their desired goal.
Image Management is directly linked to Perception Management.
You need to Invest in your biggest asset…….and that is you.
Investing in ones Image is Serious business.
Learning The Art & Science of Image Management is the need of the hour.
My thoughts were interrupted by my name being called……my client’s long telephone conversation punctuated with famous names and designers was over. I needed to be in the present… to being an Image Consultant, a job I love. It connects me to people from all walks of life and gives me a chance to enhance the lives of so many people and help them write their success stories.