Lizzie Edwards Style Consultancy

How did you get to be a Personal Style consultant?

I'm going to share with you my story:

I have always been interested in fashion and style, but that which is wearable and relevant to the real world. I knew that I wanted to work with clothes in some way, and upon leaving school studied fashion at Art College.

After graduating I spent much of the 1990’s working as a fashion model - living in London, Milan and Paris and travelling the world. I had the privilege of working with a variety of talented experts - Photographers including Rankin, Corrine Day, and David Sims; Cutting edge fashion magazines including The Face, I-D, Dazed & Confused, and TANK; and Fashion Stylists such as Katie Grand and Charlotte Stockdale. I also worked for more mainstream fashion magazines such as Elle, Marie Claire, and Glamour, and had the privilege of working with designers including John Galliano, Jasper Conran, Karl Lagerfeld, Chloe, and Issey Miyake.

After modelling I went to university as a mature student, which I loved, but on leaving I was in and out of a few unfulfilling and unchallenging jobs. I realise now I had low self esteem, and as a result kept taking jobs that didn't utilise my talents and skills, and that were well below my competence and education level. I was eating to numb out and as a result was overweight, miserable and hiding out from life. I knew something had to change.

I’d begun some self development and began to make small changes. One of these was to try and get over my problems with overeating. It was suggested that I stop trying to diet - which is what had caused my weight problems in the first place, and to begin to accept myself as I was today. I was not happy with my size, so I was not taking care of what I looked like. So I didn't need to think about my expanding waistline I had taken to wearing baggy clothes and jogging bottoms. I decided to go and buy myself some ’proper’ trousers and a top in a size that fitted me so I could begin to accept myself and my size. Committing to get properly dressed and make an effort each day, I felt SO much better about myself. The free fall I had gone into from stopping dieting came to a halt. I had some pride in myself again and that made me get out more, eat less, I felt better and began to get some confidence that things could be different.

Fear about my future and what i was going to do with my life was still a big challenge. I knew this was at the core of my low self esteem and problems with food. I also realised this was not something that I could try and figure out on my own. I had very little money coming in but I decided to invest the money I had left and hire a career coach.

Very quickly, after only a couple of sessions, the idea of becoming a personal shopper stood out above everything else. It combined my training in fashion design, experience in the fashion industry, my previous love of shopping, an interest in self development, desire to help people, and my own personal experience of the impact of dressing and how it can affect how you feel.

The few guinea pig clients I successfully worked with confirmed to me that this was indeed the dream job for me. It just felt so effortless to me to advise people on what to wear, and a huge joy to see how the results helped people feel happy and confident.

And that was the start of my career and my business!

How long have you had your business and what training and qualifications do you have?

I started my Style Consultancy 7 years ago and I went on to train in the USA in Personal Colour & Style with Carla Mathis at Body Beautiful, who is a renowned leader in the field of Colour and Image. I have also trained in Corporate Image with Aston & Hayes in London. I am one of only 5 UK based consultants certified with the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI, FLC) and am honoured to be their UK Ambassador. A founder member of the UK Association of Styling and Image Professionals (ASIP), I continue to take classes and courses with many of the leaders in the image and personal styling industry whenever I can and continue to develop both personally and professionally. I have featured in the Federation of Image Consultants (FIC) magazine, Image Now, The Sunday Times, on CNN, and as a Fashion Expert for NIVEA, having created a series of podcasts for their ’Beauty is…’ series.

Since starting out seven years ago I have worked with hundreds of clients, spoken in front of countless groups, and lead workshops, helping people discover their own personal style, one that suits them and their lifestyle.

I have now created my Style Confidence Programme; combining wardrobe, styling, shopping and colour sessions to help you discover, gain confidence and obtain your own personal style.

Who are your clients exactly?

I work with men and women in their late 20’s to 40’s - executives, professionals, business owners, mothers - successful, energetic and fun people who are really good at what they do. However, they are not sure how to dress in a way that suits them, and they don't have the time to figure it out on their own. They want a wardrobe that makes them feel good, shows people who they are, and supports them. Many haven't upgraded their image to suit how their career or life has progressed. Some have given up work to look after family. Others are going back to work after maternity leave and want a wardrobe that reflects who they are now. Some approach me as they are becoming more visible with a job promotion, starting their own business, writing a book and pitching it, getting media interest -the reasons are endless. But all of them now want and need to make sure their image reflects them positively and gives them confidence.

How are you different from other Personal Stylists, Colour or Image Consultants?

I am really a combination of these 3 different types of people in the field, and many are just one or 2. Many Image Consultants don't have knowledge about, or a flair for, fashion. Many stylists are not trained in colour and style and so can't advise you on what looks best and why, from a theoretical perspective. And most colour experts do not cover style. I am experienced in all areas of expertise, and you are an individual and together we discover your own personal style.

It is not about me telling you what you must wear because thats what the book says or that's my personal style! I work in a very hands on an intuitive way with you to create a look that you love and that feels totally authentic, and not in a bossy and shaming way.

Although we will touch upon the traditional 'body shape' and 'colour' side of your personal style and image, it is something that I work on with demonstration and not by giving you the theory to work out for yourself.

My services all include a shopping element (even if virtually!) so that you can experience immediate impact: learning through experience and not from the theory of what 'should' work for you because of your body’s characteristics. I am very focused on what works for the overstretched, busy, multi-tasking person. Because my client focus is narrow, what you get with me is no-nonsense, undiluted expertise on effortless style for busy, successful men and women. With a professional yet relaxed style of working, a healthy dose of humour, encouragement and compassion, I am an expert and that’s why my clients get great results.

What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me?

I work with men and women who are excited by, and committed to, creating a wardrobe that they love! They are totally ready to put an end to the stress of a wardrobe and style that is not working for them. Being positive and highly motivated myself, I’m known to work best with other successful, highly motivated, energetic and fun people who are ready to invest some time, energy and money in creating a wardrobe that they LOVE.

For what type of people is this programme NOT going to work?

I’m selective with who I work with and I choose to (gently) turn away people who I feel aren’t suited to working with me and won’t get results.

The Style Confidence sessions are NOT for those who have no money and are absolutely, financially desperate. It’s been my experience that people in financial crisis (whether in reality OR in their own mind) don't invest in the recommendations I give them and don't take the necessary steps to achieve their desired goal. Updating your image needs an investment of time and money! Not loads of it, as I shop at all levels, but some. If you cannot make time or invest any money then you won’t get the results I know I can deliver.

If you fall within this category, it’s absolutely OK, and we’ve; all been there at one point or another. Acknowledge it’s something you want to do and set an intention. Often when we really want something things happen to help us out. We may have to wait, but they come about if we want to do them.

And if you don't want to wait, that’s what my Virtual Package is for!

OK, I’m ready to do this, what do I need to do?

Great! please go to the Contact page to arrange a call so we can discuss.