Why I Became an Executive Stylist & Image Consultant

Why I Became an Executive Stylist & Image Consultant

There’s a story behind every stylist and I think mine explains a lot about the way I work today.

My career in fashion began in publishing, working in the fashion and beauty department at Heat magazine. I worked my way into the role of Deputy Fashion Editor, which gave me an incredible insight into fashion, celebrity styling, editorial and the way image is communicated through the media.

I was also styling celebrities for photo shoots, which meant working quickly, creatively and collaboratively to create an image that communicated exactly what was needed for the story, the brand or the individual.

A few years later, I went freelance and was represented by an agent. My work continued to span celebrity styling, editorial, commercial and advertising campaigns.

It was a fascinating time in my career. I was constantly thinking about clothes, image, proportion, styling and the relationship between what someone wears and how they are perceived.

Then something happened that changed the direction of my career - I was approached by one of the leading image consultants in the UK and asked if I would work with them as an associate stylist. This work introduced me to a completely different side of styling.

Instead of styling someone for a photograph, I was helping an individual understand themselves through their clothes and I discovered that I loved it. I loved the one-to-one connection and getting to know someone properly. I loved understanding their lifestyle, their ambitions and how they wanted to be perceived and most of all, I loved seeing what happened when someone finally felt that their wardrobe reflected who they were.

That was the point at which my career began to move increasingly towards personal styling and image consultancy.

Today, after more than 20 years working in styling, I bring all of those experiences into the way I work with my clients. My publishing background taught me about fashion, communication and visual storytelling. Celebrity and editorial styling taught me about creating an image with intention, working with pressure and understanding the impact of detail. Working commercially taught me about brand, consistency and communicating a message visually. And working one-to-one with clients taught me something perhaps even more important: style is personal.

It isn’t about simply putting someone in stylish clothes, it’s about understanding who they are, what they do, where they’re going and how they want to show up in the world and that becomes particularly important when you reach a senior level in your career.

As a founder, senior leader or executive, you are often part of your own brand. You’re meeting clients, leading teams, presenting, networking, speaking publicly and making decisions and your clothes are communicating before you say a word.

That’s why the work I do today sits at the intersection of style, image and executive presence.

I still have the fashion knowledge. I still love beautiful clothes, exceptional fabrics, great tailoring and the detail that makes an outfit work but, after all these years, it’s the person underneath the clothes that interests me most. Because when your image feels aligned with who you are, something changes… you don’t just look more considered, you feel more confident in showing up as yourself.

And that, ultimately, is why I became an Executive Stylist & Image Consultant.