Watch Image Consultant and Personal Shopper Michelle T. Sterling, Training Director of Sterling Style Academy, as she reveals her true confessions of a shopaholic in a candid and delightful manner.  She decided to turn her shopping addiction into something more credible, a profession, by becoming a personal shopper.

If you’ve always wanted to become an image consultant, personal shopper or personal stylist and can relate to Rebecca Bloomwood in “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” the Sterling Style Academy Image Consultant Training Program in New York is the right place for you.

Do you love going on shopping sprees, sipping cocktails at fashionable hot spots, and attending stylish events? Do you think shopping malls are your playground and feel the need to find that latest and greatest “it” item to make that statement for the season? At the Sterling Style Academy, we can turn your shopping liabilities into a career asset. Rather than spend your money, you can spend other people’s money. The Sterling Style Academy provides you with an educational experience to become a top-notch image consultant, personal stylist, or personal shopper. We attract stylish young women from around the world who want to turn their dreams into a profitable career. If you’re passionate about shopping and love working with people to make them look and feel their absolute best, you’re the ideal candidate to become a personal shopper.

Registration for our August 2011 New York Image Consultant Training Program closes on June 20, 2011. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity today by registering here as the class is already 50% full.

The 4 Week Certification Program is a fully comprehensive program designed to meet the training needs of international fashion connoisseurs and individuals who prefer to cultivate their image and styling skills through extensive case study development. This program is offered each year during the summer in New York. Students may enroll in this course on a weekly basis, however most opt to participate in the entire four week program. In this program, you will learn the following:

• Introduction to style – How do we define and refine it?
• How to analyze fashion, incorporate trends, and develop style
• The elements and principles of design as it pertains to style
• How to assess facial features and body types to create suitable wardrobes for your clients
• How to incorporate these elements into analyzing an individual’s personal style and coloring
• How to develop a look specific to your client’s personal style and coloring
• The elements and importance of wardrobe evaluation
• The principles behind closet organization and clothing care
• A day in the life of an image consultant
• Effective shopping strategies and protocol
• How to determine your target market and develop your marketing plan
• How to conduct personal style and closet evaluations
• The essential elements of effective communication skills and its non-verbal impact
• How to utilize these elements to improve your corporate presentation and interpersonal communication skills
• How to develop your client’s image to improve their overall presence

The Benefits of the Sterling Style Academy are the following:

1. Commitment to Excellence. We consistently update our course curriculum so that our students receive the most current and timely style industry information. Wardrobe case studies are shaped by the hippest celebrities and designer style, and our coaching of corporate communication and appropriate wardrobe is geared toward persevering through economic downturns.

2. Faculty Reputation. Your instructors have 50 years of combined industry experience and the Sterling Style Academy’s Founder is a Wellesley Alumnae, member of the National Organization of Professional Women, AICI, ASTD and other professional organizations committed to excellence. You will train from experts who are recognized as being in the top 2 percentile in the image consulting industry.

3. Global Diversified Student Body and Internationally Recognized Student Alumni. Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultants span the globe from over 20 different countries from every continent. The leading image consultant in Japan, Yuuri Takano, residing in Tokyo, graduated from the Sterling Style Academy New York in 2005 and re-enrolled with her assistant in 2008. She has since pioneered the image consultant industry in her country, becoming a media darling, author and premier image consultant in Japan and to the Japanese in America.

4. Every dollar of your Sterling Style Academy training investment is tax deductible. As a business owner, your industry education becomes a valuable tax deduction and may be written off as a business expense.

New York: August 1–26, 2011
Registration Deadline: June 21, 2011
Tuition Fee: USD $8747
Enrollment per week: USD $2447
Certification only granted upon completion of entire program
Program Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Clinic: Friday, TBA with assignments to be completed in the evenings.

For more information, please contact us to receive a course prospectus.

Click here to make your investment today.

Upon receipt of your registration form, we will send you a Welcome Package outlining the logistics of the training program, suggestions on where to stay, a detailed agenda, and much more. Your investment does not include air fare, lodging, transportation, personal expenses, school supplies or meals. Students should budget an additional $950 per month.

HOW DO I START AN IMAGE CONSULTING BUSINESS?

We at the Sterling Style Academy firmly believe that before you embark on any career change, you do it properly with image consultant training.  Along with training, one must also be able to market themselves and learn how to start an image consulting business.  Therefore we have developed our Sales, Marketing and Business Brand Identity Launch Kit for our students as a resource to help you build a successful image consulting business.  Inquire today about the special offer to incoming students.

Sterling Style Academy is currently offering Level 1 of their image consultant training course the week of August 3rd in New York for an investment of $2247. This class is an excellent place for people looking to get started in this exciting industry or already certified Image Consultants that have a successful consulting business and are looking for a refresher course.

The Level 1 course is part of a 4 week training session but can be registered for week by week, giving you the opportunity to set the amount of training you want. Week 1 discusses the elements of design — line, shape, color, texture and pattern — as well as examining past, present, and future fashion trends of garments and accessories. This course focuses on the theories behind personal style and how to properly execute a style consultation through specific case studies and scenarios.

For more information on this course and the others that Sterling Style Academy offers, please visit our website at http://www.sterlingstyleacademy.com/image_consultant_course_1.1_information.html or call toll free at +1.888.866.8996.

“Dear Sterling Style Academy,
Thank you so much for the tickets to Confessions of a Shopaholic! The movie was pure eye-candy and really made me think about my wardrobe. I could relate to Rebecca in feeling flustered and overwhelmed with her wardrobe. I laughed to myself because I’ve TOTALLY been there. What I need is to hire a personal stylist to help me get my closet organized and my wardrobe more together. I tend to buy what I like and what is in-trend at the moment. I am left with are pieces that don’t match.  I hate to say it, but I have tops in my closet with tags still attached to them because I don’t know what to wear them with.  I also, would love to learn what looks best on my body. I want to look like I’ve lost ten pounds without having to jump on the treadmill : ) .

Thanks again for the tickets.  Loved it even more second time around.

Sharon Hope”

Old notions of the retro peplum are to be shaken off. “This fall, designers served up the lady-fled look in new and unusual ways, from tassled to puffed-up, often downtown edgy or quirkily chic” as reported in WWD. “Bottega Veneta’s Tomas Maier added some feminine elements for fall — sculptural ruffles and formfitting silhouettes. Even his tailored looks got some pretty peplum detailing.” Clearly a shapely silhouette, the peplum can seem tricky to pull. With mixed reviews by skeptics comparing it to “bordering jester-like”, “a floater”, or “a bustle…all-around,” it is a trend meant for the bold, unrestraint personality.

The ultrafeminine cut can be worn by all though. If one’s got curves, a cinched-waist jacket with flared hem and structured shoulders is a choice. The broad shoulders leading to a snug bodice accentuate the narrowest part of the torso while the peplum conceals any tummy. If one is considerably boyish figured, this may well be a trend to love as the peplum offers a silhouette boost. And for everyone else, a peplum skirt with neatly tucked in tops instantly welcomes you to this season.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Anna Panajon, please call Anna at (415)994.2020 or email at a_panajon@yahoo.com

The Sterling Style Academy educates professional wardrobe and image consultants from around the world.  Below, Janeth Gomez, Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultant based in Mexico City,  recomends the following trends for Spring.

Another very important spot in your image are your eyebrows. Don´t forget about them, remember they frame your face and they really are what other people see first from a medium distance. So it’s your responsibility to visit a specialist on eyebrows, who will either use tweezers, wax, or thread to pluck the unwanted small hairs out. Also remember to use eyeshadow in a natural color. On the subject of eyelashes, fake ones are in but you either wear the top or the bottom. On the top you apply from three to four coats of mascara once the artificial eyelashes are dried, for a more natural look.

Proportions: Think contrast when it comes to proportions: narrow on the bottom and voluminous up top or vice versa—enhance your silhouette according to your body type.  One way to create this look is to pair leggings or skinny pants with the season’s empire-waist blouse— the miracle top which works wonders for those who’d like to cover up the “pooch.” Or with a spacious cape-shaped jacket with wide sleeves.  Or opt for wide-legged pants with a fitted top.  Add drama to your look with contrasted proportions.

Colors and Prints: Complete your look with this season’s colors and prints.  Black is back, and grey is even hotter.  In the midst of these muted colors, red grabs all the attention.  As for prints, think animal.  Leopard prints worn in moderation definitely set you apart from the crowd.  Crocodile are tasteful accents in accessories such as belts, handbags and shoes.

Shoes and Accessories: If animal isn’t your style, the season also introduces patent leather for footwear and bags.  Pointy-toed and high-heeled ankle boots are in, as are round-toe platform pumps and ballet flats.  Complete the look with an acrylic watch or a gold cuff for some glam.

Remember to choose trends that complement your personal coloring, personality, age, and physical features.  Your aim is to look appropriate and current, not overdone.  For more on trends and what works for you, contact a Global Image Group consultant today.

Following a flirty and feminine summer of white willowy dresses and gold strappy sandals, Fall/Winter is ready to shake things up. “Trade in your summertime daintiness for strength this fall and winter—in both style and color,” advises personal stylist Carmen H. Petrossian.

What does the she foresee for the chillier months ahead? “Leggings,” she immediately replies. “Leggings will be all over the place.” However, she warns that leggings do tend make the legs look thicker, so you might want to opt for black leggings and couple them with a stylish full skirt that flows away from the body and falls just on or below the knee in order to curb the effect. As cute and fashionable as minis are, they aren’t for everyone. “But if you can pull the mini skirt look off, go for it!” she exclaims.

You can also alternate skinny pants and jeans with the leggings. “The basic look is narrow at the bottom and wide on top,” she adds. The stark contrast adds drama and flair to the fall/winter wardrobe. Blouses and dresses come with empire-waists and flow outward from the body—perfect for women who’d rather hide the midriff. Knit sweaters look chunky and comfortable with their wide bodices and cuffs. Coats are bold and large whether they come in the military-inspired and structured shapes, or in cape-like forms with rounded portrait collar. They come in heavy wools and often in plaids and herringbones.

Layering is easy with these styles. The layered look involves topping the leggings or skinny pants with a skirt or dress and wearing a sweater and a jacket or coat on top. The turtleneck is back in vogue, especially worn under an empire-waist blouse or jumper dress. Turtleneck dresses are also a hit over leggings.

The styles are bold, as are the colors. After a summer hiatus, black returns and appears frequently in fall/winter fashions. Gray also takes a leading role. However, the color of prime importance, one that should grace any fashionista, is red. “For a strong and sophisticated impact, add a few red items of clothing and accessories into your wardrobe—you can’t go wrong with a red handbag and  shoes,” Carmen adds.

For an eye-catching print, try leopard. Yes, leopard print clothing and accessories are in. Speaking of animal prints, croco bags are also a hit—especially in rich browns and caramels. Bags are usually large satchels and frame bags with gold chains adorning them; clutches are also popular.

As for footwear, the pointy-toed and skinny-heeled ankle boot is the leader for fall/winter. It looks fabulous with leggings, as do slouch boots, whether high-heeled or flat. Round-toe, high-heeled patent leather platform pumps are also a must-have, but if heels aren’t your preference (and if you don’t need the boost in height), ballerina style flats are also flattering.

When it comes to jewelry, gold is in. Long gold chains can be layered around your neck, and bold gold cuffs and drop earrings can add even more intrigue to your bold look. And you can add some more glam with a single large bauble ring.