Fashion
Julie Berthelot is an image consultant.
Consultant helps people be themselves only better
Fall 2010 |
Sudbury Living talks to Julie Berthelot What is an image consultant? An image consultant helps clients with their appearance. I focus on making sure the individual is reflected in what he or she wears. What is the biggest mistake people make getting dressed? People don't understand the importance of their clothes fitting properly. Clothes that don't fit can add pounds, make you look frumpy and less put together. You can make clothes look more expensive with the right fit. What are some quick wardrobe fixes? Have your colours done. Wearing the right colours will make you look rested. When you wear the right colours, people don't notice flaws. If a person is wearing the wrong colour, like an orange sweater, it may be the only thing someone notices. The next thing is to determine your body shape. (Find) what looks right...then go through your closet and edit. You can do it gradually. Take a few things out when you buy something new. Or if there are good pieces that aren't perfect, do alterations. Do you go shopping with clients? That is one of the services I offer. And I teach people how to shop. Many people don't like to shop and feel frustrated because they don't know what colours and styles are best for their body type. Your closet maybe full and you (feel) don't have anything to wear, and you don't know why. I teach clients what to look for when they go shopping. How do you start the consulting process? I send a questionnaire in advance (of meeting) that asks the client why he or she is calling me. Is it that they have received feedback they don't feel good about? Or do they look at themselves and no longer the feel that their reflection is who they are? They may have gone through a transformation. I had a client who lost 125 pounds and didn't know how to dress anymore. She still saw herself as a larger individual. The questionnaire also tells me about expectations. I ask clients who they would aspire to look like. Maybe it's Marilyn Monroe or Sally Field. Are some of your clients men? Yes, they are so interesting. They start out apprehensive and think this is such fluff...I explain things...until they really buy in to it. For one client, I redid his whole closet. I (even) bought his socks and talked to him about undergarments. Don't be wearing boxers under trousers when every detail will be noticed. How did you get started as an image consultant? I went to college for fashion arts and I specialized in the management side. I am very artistic. About two years ago I wasn't working...A friend suggested I shop for women because they don't always know what to buy. Then, an aunt suggested I become an image consultant. I believe there are signs and I listened to these signs. I took a course at the International Image Institute with Karen Brunger. She has been in business for 25 years. This is what I was really meant to do.
