4 Interesting Facts About Image Consulting

Whether you like it or not, the way you look plays a role in your success. Your image is "you" in the minds of the people; what do they think about you; what is their perception of you. And remember, perception is reality. 

 Your Image is your visual resume. Much before people know about your strengths they decide about you based on your visual resume. An Image Consultant helps you project an Image that you desire; image that reflects your values and principles. 

What is Image Consulting? 
Image consulting is managing one’s Appearance, Behaviour and Communication in order to project an appropriate, authentic and attractive image. It is about controlling your first impressions.

Who needs Image Consulting?



Image Consulting is for everyone who wants to upgrade his/her style to match with roles and professional and social goals. Be it a student, working professional, a socialite or a celebrity. An employee’s or a CEO’s image will have an impact on the company’s image; a socialite’s or celebrity’s image plays a great role in their careers.

I believe in simple living. How will Image Consulting help me? 
Image consulting does not necessarily mean high fashion brands or glamorous clothes. Image Consulting is adapting style which is appropriate –suitable to our attitude and the audience we interact with.

A classic example can be Mahatma Gandhi’s image in South Africa and when he consciously adopted dhoti clad image later. This epoch-making decision was taken by Gandhiji in Madurai after he decided that he has to work for and with the with the poor people of India and how can he identify with them if he wears different clothes from them.

Is Appearance part of Image consulting only about western clothes?
No, Image Consulting is about appropriate (as per occasion) and authentic (that suits you)dressing. It includes Indian as well as Western styles, blend of fashion trends and use of right accessories. 


Few Image Consulting Tips:
1. Wear clothes that flatter your figure and personal colours.
2. Audience: Think carefully about who it is you’re trying to influence and why. What do they care about and why is it important?
3. Message: The way you’d dress at a business conference full of middle-aged folks is different from how you would dress at high school sports game. Whatever message you’re trying to send to the world, never forget the clothes you put that message in will determine the way it’s received. So, dress it carefully.

Contact us on neha@splendidconsultant.in to know your Image Quotient !

Passing on Heritage of Six yards (We call it Saree)

  

Indian woman's elegance is woven in the six yards of beauty called Saree. 

Draping a saree is an art into itself, which can transform the personality of the wearer from traditional to contemporary. Originated from the Sanskrit word "Sati" which means strip of cloth; a saree is traced back to Indus Valley Civilisation. 

Cotton was first cultivated and woven in Indian subcontinent around 5th millennium BC. Dyes used during this period are still in use, particularly indigo, lac, red madder and turmeric.Silk was woven around 2450 BC and 2000 BC. So interwoven is the saree with the life and traditions of the Indian people that each region of the country has developed a style of its own. 

A saree can be a perfect day wear, business wear, casual wear, evening wear, cocktail wear or bridal wear depending on the choice of fabric, colours, design, embellishments and the style of draping. Let's go through few interesting learning points about this "Vastram".

Choosing Appropriate Saree: As an Image Consultant, I strongly believe that our attire should be appropriate for the occasion and the surroundings including weather. Thus choose your saree based upon the colour, texture and fabric. Office wear sarees should be easy to manage and pleasant to the eyes. Also they should not cling to your body. 

On the other hand, a traditional occasion or festival is the best opportunity to flaunt the rich fabrics with decorative detailing.  

Basic elements of saree to be considered are Line and Shape: Silhouette of saree should compliment your body type and figure. 

Colour: Traditionally warm colours (red, orange, pink and yellow) are favourites in festive seasons as they bring vibrance and are also meant to be sacred in religious occasions. 

Every Colour carries a certain meaning. Yellow is perceived as cheerful and energetic, yet mellow and soft. Just like the mid summer sunshine, it portrays hope, happy times and used as a way to grab one's attention. 

Orange is a friendly, vital, inviting, energetic and playful color.  

People often think of the color as daring, warm, dynamic, bold and sexy. 

Green is the color of nature, and everything that goes with it. It has been described as refreshing, healing, soothing and prestigious. 

Blue is a very stable and dependable color. 

Purple reflects elegance, sensuality, spirituality and creativity. Purple is perhaps the most complicated and rare color, hence referred to as a majestic and royal, fit for kings.

For daily routine/business occasions, you should opt for subtle colours and minimal accessories.

Fabric and Texture: Usually heavyweight fabrics are used for rich “pallu” of a traditional saree. Some fabrics such as raw silk and velveteen add visual weight to the “wearer”. Whereas thin or visually lightweight fabrics such as chiffon and georgette may create an illusion of slimmer figure ! The threads used in saree add texture and shine to the saree. Current trend of adding jute threads to silk sarees is very welcoming. 

Saree Draping and Blouse Style (Modest or Sassy): Your appearance speaks 1000 words about who you are and hence please pay attention to the message that your appearance sends out. Whether you want it to be graceful or sassy ? A saree is associated with modesty in every indian household. Over the centuries, the Indian saree has kept evolving in terms of fabrics, colours, designs, draping style. But its fundamental concept of wrapping a length of five and a half meters of fabric around the body continues to be the same.

Keep reading our posts for more helpful facts and styling tips. 

You know that your image is result of people's' perception of you and your business, but more importantly how you feel about yourself. Image consists of your appearance, attitude and actions. The Author, Neha Ratnakar is an Image Consultant, soft skill trainer. Email to neha@splendidconsultant.in and experience change in the way you look, feel and shop, forever.

Dress code for New Joinees

Dress-code at workplace has always been a debatable topic. The company policies regarding dress code are sometimes ambiguous and vague. Therefore, a new joiner is often confused and tends to follow his colleagues' dressing style. 

However, what suits one person can not suit every other person. Hence please avoid the following:

Over- Casual Dressing -Wearing Polka dos, Animal Prints,bright yellows and shocking pinks/neons are surely not part of casual dressing. Even if your company allows you wearing denims to work, please avoid those with patchwork or the trendy torn denims.

Footwear- Even for ladies- prefer a footwear which hides your toe nails. Avoid wearing socks with sandals/floaters. Dark Coloured shoes with dark colored socks always preferred.

Decency- Maintain level of decency with proper length of shirt sleeves and skirt length. Use of sophisticated accessories and minimal makeup  is advised.

Suitability- It is essential to know what suits your personality and role in the organisation. Take an appointment with an Image Consultant to make your dressing more interesting.

You know that your image is result of perception about you and your business, but more importantly how you feel about yourself. Image consists of your appearance, attitude and actions. The Author, Neha Ratnakar is an Image Consultant, soft skill trainer and style expert with a professional yet relaxed style of working, a healthy dose of humour, encouragement and compassion. Neha upgrades your attitude, style and image. Email to neha@splendidconsultant.in and experience change in the way you look, feel and shop, forever.

CEOs, Founders & Presidents :Tiny Secret of Polished Image

"You can have anything you want if you dress for it" said Edith Head once. Truly, you are the author of your identity. Your core competencies and character traits you want people to associate with you should also reflect from your clothing and accessory choices.

A President / CEO should display leadership, control and direction. True leaders instill calm, as well as leadership and discipline. The suit you wear to inspire your sales force will be significantly different than the one you wear when addressing the board of directors. For each occasion, you need to consider what subliminal messages you are transmitting to your audience.'

The cost of clothing must be looked upon as an investment. This is your “Business Suit of Armor"; the money spent on your image will make your work easier (as impressions are half the battle) and will actually return a higher profit. Not knowing the business world can wreak havoc on the outcome and yield disastrous results. For these reasons, it's best to seek the advice of an expert!

Choose an expert image/wardrobe consultant to polish your appearance.This is a professional who understands how to communicate the visual messages in the business world. A good wardrobe consultant, by carefully crafting your image, will make you look and feel great, exude power, and communicate effectively, thus making you more successful.

You know that your image is result of people's' perception of you and your business, but more importantly how you feel about yourself. Image consists of your appearance, attitude and actions. The Author, Neha Ratnakar is an Image Consultant, soft skill trainer and style expert with a professional style of working, a healthy dose of humour, encouragement and compassion. 

Neha upgrades your attitude, style and image. Email to neha@splendidconsultant.in and experience change in the way you look, feel and shop, forever.

Monsoon Sale: Wake up call for Shopaholics

                            They say, "Shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist".

The Monsoon Sale is around the corner. Remember how the supermarkets, shopping malls and even street side shopping places get packed with enthusiastic customers. The online shopping is at it's peak. You too might be one of those customers stealing the deal of the day !  Your "pride" in bargaining for a rare exclusive piece becomes your friend/neighbour/colleague's reason of "envy". 

And then comes time for a reality check...The clothing/accessory piece you chose is either too trendy or too delicate to maintain or not at all "your style"....You might have finished your next quarter's shopping budget in something you  will wear rarely in coming year. 

To avoid these situations, here are few tips before you hit the "add in cart" button or move your cart to the pay counter :

1. Understand yourself  and your "style" well enough; do not get carried away by a friend's choice (to avoid future regrets). 

2. Think twice about that expensive item from so called seasonal collection that keeps flashing on internet time to time- isn't that something most of people will buy and you will look a commoner??

3. An outfit that fits you well and enhances your beauty is the best item to buy.

4. Hire an Image Consultant :) for better and worthy shopping assistance.

You know that your image is result of people's' perception of you and your business, but more importantly how you feel about yourself. Image consists of your appearance, attitude and actions. The Author, Neha Ratnakar is an Image Consultant, soft skill trainer and style expert with a professional style of working, a healthy dose of humour, encouragement and compassion. 

Neha upgrades your attitude, style and image. Email to neha@splendidconsultant.in and experience change in the way you look, feel and shop, forever.

Stop being a Stereo-type : Men & Fashion

Fashion is said to be an urban pursuit.

In the times where clones of high fashion hitting fashion streets and as the emerging trends in global world of fashion and aspiring fashion houses are replacing the old book styles, the common men can now expect new surge in the Indian fashion market,as well. 

Lightweight Linen Jackets have brought a literally cooling relief to power dressing of  the young as well as seasoned CEOs. Bow legged, relaxed as well as straight fit jeans are new found classics for the youngsters. 

When it comes to accessories and grooming- a summer gothic style sunglasses and an occasional "textured crop hairstyle" may make you stand out in a crowd. 

After all they say that the secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but rather on building the new one !
Keep reading our blog for more inputs.

Wish you a splendid new image :)

You know that your image is result of people's' perception of you and your business, but more importantly how you feel about yourself. Image consists of your appearance, attitude and actions. The Author, Neha Ratnakar is an Image Consultant, soft skill trainer and style expert with a professional style of working, a healthy dose of humour, encouragement and compassion. 

Neha upgrades your attitude, style and image. Email to neha@splendidconsultant.in and experience change in the way you look, feel and shop, forever.

Image made of Appearace, Attitude and Actions!

We are living in the world of illusions, false appreciations and hidden agendas. Honesty and transparency have become rare ; be it individuals or organisations and corporates. 

Do you make a friend merely by looking at the profile picture? or are your business decisions are merely based on the looks of the products/services? 

Another formula for an IMAGE is your appearance, attitude and actions. Take  a mindful of your ATTITUDE , mix it with splendid ACTION and use it with your impressive APPEARANCE ! A balance of attitude and actions creates an impression that lasts longer. 

Your attitude towards your own goals and feeling of others is evaluated simultaneously. Action expresses your attitude in multitudes. 

Be it your real life or social media, balance your profile by adding a layer of hobbies, special interests and social causes that you truly care for. 

You know that your image is result of people's' perception of you and your business, but more importantly how you feel about yourself. Image consists of your appearance, attitude and actions. The Author, Neha Ratnakar is an Image Consultant, soft skill trainer and style expert with a professional style of working, a healthy dose of humour, encouragement and compassion. 

Neha upgrades your attitude, style and image. Email to neha@splendidconsultant.in and experience change in the way you look, feel and shop, forever.