Image Consultant | Personal Shopper | Business Image Consulting, Dublin, Ireland

It has been a while since I’ve added a post to this blog, but pressure of work has meant that my focus has been on other matters.  A change in the economic climate has meant that so many people are looking at every aspect of their businesses and their profession image too!  People are really realising too that they must package themselves impeccably when going for interview.  I’m delighted to say that this is a thriving part of my business at the moment.

I was delighted to be invited last week to the Professional Speaker’s Association www.professionalspeakersassociation.ie - some fantastic speakers including Gerard Tannam from Islandbridge Branding  www.islandbridge.com he told us that more and more people are making their choices based on brand.  His presentation ‘Take the fear out of shopping’ (I told him that was my subject!)  encouraged us, as consumers to take the  get out there and get buying and selling and really get the economy moving.

Ronan Kilroy www.ronankilroy.ie spoke to us about the importance of goals and goal setting.  A goal is worth nothing until action is taken.  So what are your short-term, medium-term and long term goals for you and your business.

Increase your sales by 16-20% – how could we possibly do that?  Well, according to Andrew Keogh of Aristo www.aristo.ie - you need to do the following -wear a dark, solid suit teamed with a light coloured shirt and something RED!  For the men it’s a red tie (think Barak Obama on inauguration night) and for the ladies, a red top or red bag.  Go for the best quality you can afford.  I would add that you need to know what colours suit you best, dress for your bodyshape and make sure the fit is perfect.  Thanks for that Andrew, you’re speaking my language!

Would you love to learn how to style yourself so you look great all the time?

This month we have launched the

Style Yourself Fabulous Workshop

 for ladies of all ages, shape and size to help you do exactly that!

Get transformed in one easy and enjoyable half-day session!

Develop your own personal style, learn how you can look great all the time and save yourself a fortune in time, energy and money!

Our NEW Style Yourself Fabulous Workshop will show you how to look great all the time. Every one of us has the potential to look and feel effortlessly gorgeous. However, sometimes we need a little help to be pointed in the right direction!

1) Discover your true colouring and how to mix and match

2) Understanding your body shape and to enhance your natural features

3) Discover and cultivate your own personal style; dressing for your lifestyle

4) Wardrobe weeding & successful shopping

5) Effective accessorising

6) 10 top tips for quick & easy make-up

Investing in yourself can be very rewarding and getting your look right is one of the most important investments you can make!  Looking great will not only ensure you look great, but also boosts your confidence and self esteem.

To book your place contact Frances 086 8119698 or email frances@imagematters.ie  

PRICE €295 to include 42 colour swatch wallet & personalised style book.

SPECIAL OFFER:  Book with a friend and get 20% discount each.

Just back fabulous Cannes on the Cote d’Azur.  It never ceases  to amaze me how the French present themselves with their innate sense of style.  People watching the other day on the world-famous Croisette, I wondered just what it is that give the French that ‘Je ne sais quoi’.  Finally decided that it is the attention to detail that really makes them stand out.   For the men, it’s the accessories – the scarf, the shoes, the tie perhaps, but overall the impeccable grooming.  How do the French ladies always manage to look so chic?    It’s a well known fact that French women are the world’s biggest consumers of beauty products.  But added to that, it’s the way they wear their clothes and how they carry themselves.  Always with a great sense of self-confidence, classic clothes in timeless neutral colours always well-fitted worn with coiffed hair and impeccable make-up.  Of course, the accessories too really finish off the look.  While they make it look so effortless, French women in general invest a lot of time and money into how they look.

Basics

Spend as much as you can on the basics.  See them as an investment, they form the backbone of your wardrobe and are worth splashing out on.  As for the fashion items – don’t go overboard as you will probably throw them out at the end of season.

Accessorise

Owning a capsule wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to look like you work in a very serious environment.  A simple outfit can be transformed with the latest fashion accessory – try a belt, a fabulous neck piece, scarf or bag.

Neutrals

Chose neutral colours such as black (if it suits you), camel, ivory navy or charcoal.  Neutrals look classy and are versatile and easy to co-ordinate.  Just think of the ageless colours seen on catwalks for instance, season after season and you get the picture.

More women are choosing femnine men over their more rugged and masculine counter-parts according to new research from the University of Aberdeen!  The time has truly come to move away from the bar of soap, shaving cream and a splash of after-shave.    Irish men are now more comfortable buying skincare products and the range and availability of moisturising and facial creams for men has expanded significantly. Frequently, I  hear my male clients complaining of tight, dry or tingly skin after shaving.  Time has come guys to lash on a bit of moisturise or after shave balm.  After shave lotion can be very drying on the skin.  Irish men have traditionally been a bit slower coming to the whole grooming market that their Italian or French counterparts but Irish men are now frequently availing of barber services, pedicures, manicures and facials.  Beware guys, women do notice a man’s grooming (or lack of it).

Think this is all a bit wimpy!  Interestingly, as a sign of its growing confidence in a receptive male audience for its products, L’Oreal last year became one of the sponsors of the Irish rugby team!  I rest my case!

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They say that red is the colour of love and passion.  So many of my clients over the years say they love the colour  red, but not sure whether they can wear it.  Also, many women say that they are afraid of it!  The secret is to wear the shade and tone of red that suits your own particular colouring.  For instance, if you are a blonde blue eyed lady, you will be wearing a lovely light pinky red whereas if you are black/dark brown haired lady with dark eyes, you will be veering more towards a deep tomato red.  And yes, red haired ladies can definitely wear red – an orangey red will suit you the best.    Also,  remember red is a very memorable colour, so ideally, you don’t want to be depending on wearing it every day!  On the other hand, in a networking or meeting situation, if you want to be remembered, you will really stand out in your red against all the neutral colours of black, brown, navy and grey!    The same guides apply for the shade of lipstick/lipgloss you wear.  To celebrate Valentines Day, we are offering some special discounts – email frances@imagematters.ie for further details.  Have fun!

So sad to see that the fabulous Aura Boutique in Sandymount has closed its doors recently.  I  brought many a client there over the years for retail therapy – you  were always sure to find a gem and in recent times their costume jewellery pieces were only stunning.  Spent a great morning there not so long ago  with the lovely Stephanie from News4 magazine who we transformed in no time at all.  Another happy client.  Read more http://www.news4.ie/dec07/frame3/15make.html

Many people feel guilty and stupid about their shopping habits during the boom according to a recent report from PricewaterhouseCoopers.  I have found this more and more over that past 18 months or so with many women comfirming what we knew already – they are wearing 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time having over indulged hugely during the boom.  We’ve all made mistakes, but the scale of the spending was pretty amazing.  Shoppers are becoming a lot more savvy with the recession bringing about a new way of shopping with many of these changes likely to be permanent.  One of the most interesting findings was that price is no indicator of quality.    According to a variety of tests carried out by the company, often the cheaper items tested were the better quality.  If you would like some help or guidance on where to start with your wardrobe weeding or smart shopping, or to hear more about ‘Recession Proof your wardrobe’ programmes, contact us on  frances@imagematters.ie