Can You Make Money as a Fashion Consultant?

Do you regularly find yourself reading up on the latest fashion trends? What about fashion advice, do you like to give it to those that you know? If you do, did you know that you may be able to make a living as a fashion consultant?  You can and if you would like more information on how you can go about doing so, you will want to continue reading on.

Before you automatically decide that you would like to become a fashion consultant, you may want to take the time to examine exactly what one is and what one does.  In case you decide to further research making money as a fashion consultant, you may want to know that a fashion consultant is also commonly referred to as an image consultant and visa versa.  While different fashion consultants operate their businesses in different ways, many focus only on clothing and clothing accessories.  Those who are having a difficult time trying to pick out an outfit for a special event or a new job, often turn to a fashion consultant for professional advice.

One mistake that many individuals make when wondering if they can make money as a fashion consultant is by thinking that it is too difficult.  Yes, you may not be able to predict what the next new fashion trend will be, but you can help those who are interested in improving their fashion sense now.  You can easily do this because you should have a number of resources at your fingertips. For instance, you could regularly read popular and well-known fashion magazines, read online fashion magazines, watch fashion shows online, or you can even attend live fashion shows. There are actually a number of different ways that you can stay up-to-date with the latest in the fashion industry.

One of the most commonly asked questions by those who are looking to make money as a fashion consultant is how to get clients. When it comes to getting clients, fashion consultants use a number of different marketing approaches. There are many who choose to advertise their fashion consultation business in their local newspapers.  You may also want to think about having your own online website.  When having an online website, you will want to outline a few popular fashion tips or fashion trends, to show that you do have a little bit of fashion knowledge.  You may also want to outline the types of fashions that you specialize in, if you wish to do so. For instance, if you wanted to focus on workplace fashions, you will want to outline that important fact.

Speaking of workplace fashions, if you want to focus mostly on workplace fashions, you have a certain group of individuals that you want to target. This group of individuals is what is known as your targeted market. All fashion groups, including gothic fashions, 80s fashions, and 90s fashions have a targeted market.  In keeping with workplace fashions, you may want to think about buying advertising space on a career searching website or another career focused website.  Those who are looking for jobs are likely to need or want assistance with picking out a new wardrobe.  Specifically targeting those who are likely to be your customers, is a surefire way to make your business a success.

While many professional fashion consultants have success running a local business, you may also want to think about running an online fashion consulting business as well.  While it may be a little bit difficult to do, it is more than possible. Expanding your business to cater to online customers is another one of the many ways that you can go about improving your customer count and your profits.  By having a photograph emailed to you, as well as other important information, you can easily consult with a number of clients through email or over-the-phone.

As you can see, there is quite a bit of work that goes into being a successful fashion consultant, but the same can be said for any other career.  If you truly have a love for fashion, you may want to think about starting your own fashion consulting business. With low startup costs, why not at least give it a try?

Attending an 80s Party: How You Can Familiarize Yourself with 80s Fashions

Do you remember the 80s?  Whether you were an adult or a teenager, there is a good chance that you do. While you may have fond memories of raising a family or being a fun loving kid, one thing that many seem to remember is the fashion trends of the 80s.  Popular 80s fashion trends often included large scrunched up socks, rolled up jeans, pony tails off to the side, and bright colored clothing, often neon.  The fashions of the 80s is one that often brings back smiles and memories for some. That is actually one the reasons why many individuals throw themed 80s parties.

If you ever find yourself invited to a themed 80s fashion party, you may end up wondering what you can wear.  Even if you can remember some of the many 80s fashion trends, you may want still want to think about doing a little bit of research before deciding on your 80s fashion wardrobe for your party. When it comes to 80s fashions, there are many individuals who seem to remember the same thing. While this is okay, a little bit of 80s fashion research and you could be more than just an average partygoer; you could be one that stands out or is complimented for your wardrobe choice.

If you are interested in familiarizing yourself with 80s fashion trends of the past, you will find that you have a number of different options.  One of those options involves using the internet. What is nice about using the internet is that you can find just about anything that you are looking for online, including information on popular 80s fashion trends.  In addition to traditional websites that may provide you with free information online, you may also be able to find older versions or scans of old 80s fashion magazines online. The internet is a nice and easy way to familiarize yourself with 80s fashion trends. You can get started by performing a standard internet search.

Whether you were a child or an adult during the 80s there is a good chance that you may have photographs of yourself, your family, or your friends.  If you are able to find those photographs, if they do exist, you may want to take a look at them. In addition to getting a nice walk down memory lane, you can also familiarize yourself with some of the popular 80s fashion trends.  When doing so, you may want to think about grabbing a friend, family member, or an old acquaintance, as it is often fun to reminisce.

Another fun way that you can go about researching 80s fashion trends is by turning on your television.  On television, even today, you can find a number of shows that aired in the 80s.  What is nice about these shows is that they are set in the time.  Watching 80s television shows will likely not only bring back memories of your childhood or your young adult days, but it may also help you familiarize yourself with 80s fashion trends; trends that you may want to incorporate into your next 80s party outfit.  You may also want to think about heading down to your local video store to rent an 80s movie.

Of course, the decision as to what you want to wear or even if you want to do any research for an 80s themed party is yours to make, but you may want to think about doing so. As previously mentioned, researching 80s fashions is likely to be fun, exciting and bring back a lot of memories.

African Fashion Week

Last September 22-25, 2011, I witnessed African fashion on the world’s spot light in South Africa. Hosted by the continent’s fashion capital, South Africa Fashion Week showcased brilliant and interesting dresses parading down the runway by noted fashion designers who have also had fashion weeks in Milan, Paris, and New York. With its winter 2012 designer collections, African fashion has once again expressed by exotic and exciting fashion creations with fresh trends for next year.

On its 20^th year, Johannesburg once again successfully hosted the whole week drama and action. I felt fierceness and sophistication among its dress. As usual, resident designers went their way up such as Black Coffee, Two and Chanelle, Clive Rundle, Lunar and Colleen Eitzen. Many dress collections focused on African fashion’s trademark, floral and loud prints, with leathers, luxurious knits, studded accents, modern fabrications, fur and layers of green, orange and yellow, which signifies African culture.

One of my favorites is Siesllsabelle’s creations which detailed layered colors of purple, minimalist dresses with floral accents. It has simple details achieving a lazy, loungy feel. Also a fan favorite, which also was likened to some fashion bloggers, is Amanda Laird Cherry’s runway collection. Fully bright and flattering, structured “trendiness” with lines in men and women, it has evident striped structures and semi-floral dresses.

The fashion week also brought the 2011 Student competition which showcased the intelligence, creativity and innovation of students from different fashion schools in South Africa. With their concept of making an interesting outfit or dress made out of recycled denim garment, this year’s competition has become tougher with design students battling it out for an opportunity to show their collection on the runway and a chance to receive an Apple Mac product. What a great way to motivate these students! And there was one big thing to look forward to. The winner had a chance to strut his/her creative juices with an internship to a fashion designer. How cool is that!

The South Africa Fashion week has offered a parade of 60 collections from different designers. What I like about this year’ winter collection is its being unconventional. I saw great pieces which can boost African fashion and culture and African models dressing up perfectly. The outfits are very marketable with the clients tend to look for more, going to Africa and Asia. Trends have shown the year 2012 will be a year for most African and Asian designers and has now started in the last quarter of 2011.

African Fashion Designers Going Global

On September 12, 2011, I heard from the news about an African beauty stood out and shined above the rest. When I saw her, she looked liked a black Barbie doll donned in a form-fitting gold and white slit gown. And when I researched her on the internet, she is actually the new Miss Universe, Leila Lopes from Angola. With her captivating smile and her exotic looks, she brought the house down that night.

Well, she just deserved it. She is so beautiful and her aura is great on stage. This just proves how African beauty reigns above all. This kind of recognition is a sign that Africans are not the underdogs in this society. They are even a threat now in the fashion industry as many Black fashion designers are dominating the scene. On this post, I’d like to enumerate a few famous designers who are embracing African ethnicity and proud of African fashion.

Take a look at Kimora Lee Simons. She owns Baby Phat, a clothing line for women and girls. His father is an African American who worked as a federal marshal. She is very proud of her ethnicity and her urban line reflects African fashion so much. She even has her own self-titled reality show that features her life as a mother of two and celebrity fashion designer.

Another designer whom I really love is Cookie Johnson, who just launched her collection last 2009. Her label CJ is best known for its fun and trendy jeans which is featured by many magazines around the world. I like her designs since it has sizes for girls with big waists.

If you’ve seen Project Runway’s season 3, you might notice Mychael Knight who was named fan favorite in that season. Being a fan favorite is a big deal since it means Mychael is loved by many. Just recently, his collection was featured in the elusive New York Fashion Week with his “Lost World” collection for spring/summer collection 2012. How’s that?

Young and dynamic duo, Angela and Vanessa Simmons created a buzz in the fashion industry when they launched Pastry, a shoe collection targeting the teen market. These two have good reviews for their design with their originality and new style for the youth.

I hope that these African fashion designers will still keep the fire burning and penetrate the world market. Though it’s the competition is tough, African fashion has a very good chance in the fashion industry with globalization turning toward being exotic and unique.

Photo Credits from: top-people.starmedia.com, live.drjays.com, peterpaulcarim.com

Things you want to know before.......

.......you go all natural with your hair.

I’ve done this transition a couple of times and frankly there’s this horrible in between moment where your hair acts the equivalent of a toddler on a sugar rush – totally out of control!

Here are some things I wish I’d known up front that hopefully will help you should you feel the need to return to your hair roots!

Your natural hair is nothing like your friend Tasha’s natural hair (or whichever superstar natural do you were coveting) I had my heart set on Tracy Ellis Ross’ long ‘fro. Turns out, in its natural state, my hair doesn’t do long, it does big and the longer my hair gets, the bigger my head. Also, to get it to look “long” required more time and products than my normal perm. Go figure!

You could end up looking like a child. “You look so young” was the first thing my stylist said when he’d finished doing the deed (chopping off the unwanted tresses). I looked in the mirror and I saw my 14 year old sister looking back at me – not an inspiring professional look!

No matter what India Arie says (or sings), from most people’s perspective, you are actually your hair. They take one look at your hair and judge you. Because our hair doesn’t grow as long as Caucasian hair, growing it out can sometimes be a life-long battle and you cutting it can be interpreted as a sign of “quitting”. Crazy, but true!

You could become a militant. I found myself preaching the joys of natural hair to all and sundry. Particularly to the girl spending 3 hours at the salon getting her hair retouched and all while I popped in for my 30 min mani-pedi (they have two girls work on me at once, I’m not known for my patience!). Bottom line, it’s a personal choice and it’s not pretty when you try to force it down people’s throats!

But just before you think it’s all impending gloom and doom....

Men seem to like it. I have no scientific evidence of this other than the fact that with my hair as it is now, I do not attract comments on it from random men. When it was natural, random men felt compelled to compliment it – all the time!! 

Hopefully I’ve shed some light on the subject. Follow my girl on Twitter for more updates on how to keep rocking whatever style you have, the African way.

Bye!