Congrats to Our Confessions of a Shopaholic Winner!
Congrats to our winner, Sharon Hope from Los Angeles, who has let us know her thoughts about Confessions of a Shopaholic and if it inspired her as much it did for us.
“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”
The Annual Sterling Style Academy Alumni Open Business Forum will be held at the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas!
September 16th – 18th, 2010 in Las Vegas
The Sterling Style Academy is proud to launch the first annual Open Business Forum at th Palazzo Hotel next to the Venetian in Las Vegas! This is an unprecedented opportunity where alumni from each of our international training programs will join to discuss their businesses, the industry, best practices and to expand their global networks. Conference registration is just $99!
Thursday, September 16 - Palazzo Hotel
1:30pm – 5:30pm
Panel Discussion, Share Best Business Practices, Answer Your Clients’ Most Asked Questions, Network with Your
Global Peers
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Mix & Mingle Alumni Social Networking Cocktail Hour
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Enjoy an ultra stylish dinner at Tao in the Venetian
Friday, September 17
11:30am – 5:30pm
Personal Shopping “Refresher Course”
We’ll hit the fabulous shops in the Fashion Show Mall, Palazzo Mall, Forum Shops at Caesar’s, and more for an informal shopping tutorial! Pair up, go in groups, just have fun and remember – this is a learning experience!
9:00pm – … Get dolled up for a sexy night out in Vegas! We will reconvene at TRYST at the Wynn for dancing, drinks and fun.
Saturday, September 18
11:00am – 1:00pm
Informal Saturday Brunch
This is your day to relax, enjoy the pool, or power through some additional personal shopping!
We have secured a special Sterling Style Academy group rate at the Palazzo hotel for just $169 per night for a suite with one king. You may choose to share accommodations with a fellow alumni member in a suite with two queen beds for just $199 per night! Conference registration is only $99. We look forward to bringing our fabulous Alumni together for this unprecedented networking opportunity!
Conference registration closes on August 6, 2010.
To register for the conference, enter the number of attendees and click submit:
About the Sterling Style Academy
The Sterling Style Academy trains and certifies prospective and aspiring image consultants, personal stylists, and personal shoppers to pursue the career of their dreams. With 10 annual training courses held throughout the year in New York, London, Dubai, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Sydney, Miami, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, as well as Online Training, Teleclasses, and Short eCourses, the Sterling Style Academy prepares you to become a top notch pioneer in the image consulting, personal shopping, and personal styling industry. Master the art of image, fashion and style to become a fashion styling expert. Contact the Sterling Style Academy today to learn how we can help you start a career you are passionate about – shopping and styling! Like us or become our BFF on Facebook.
London Fashion Week Kicks Off Today
The runways are set and the show has already begun at London Fashion Week. The international event will host up to 70 individual designer shows from today through next Wednesday. UK as well as international designers including Vivienne Westwood and Mulberry will take part in this 25th annual international show.
Did you know that design houses employ wardrobe stylists to complete the look for events such as this? Whereas a designer visualizes the masterpiece of a single garment, the stylist puts it all together to create a symphony of style. If your dreams involve a career in the fashion industry, the Sterling Style Academy can help you put that all together by teaching mastery of image as an entire package. 
Training in London begins June 1st and registration for this 2.5 week course closes Monday, April 27. Register now and you could be a top-notch image consultant before the 26th Annual London Fashion Week.
FAQ #4 – What Are the Benefits of Enrolling in the 5.1 Apprentice Program?
The Apprentice Program trains Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultants to join the international team of Global Image Group image consultants and personal shoppers. Those invited to enroll are not only trained on the privileged information regarding Global Image Group’s specific client services and corporate marketing strategies, but each Apprentice also receives licensed marketing materials backed by the power of the Global Image Group brand.
The complete Launch Kit includes:
• Personalized Company Letterhead and Stationary
• Business Cards
• Promotional Brochures
• Post Cards
• Fully Developed, Multi-Page Media Kit
• Global Image Group Consultant Website Development
An Unprecedented Opportunity – The 1st Annual Alumni Open Business Forum
Friday, May 22 – Sunday, May 24, 2009 in Las Vegas
The Sterling Style Academy is proud to launch the first annual Open Business Forum! This is an unprecedented opportunity where alumni from each of our training programs around the world will join for the first time to discuss their businesses, the industry, best practices and to expand their global networks. Specific conference details will be available by the end of the month. Conference registration is just $99!
Friday, May 22, 2009
1:30pm – 5:30pm
Panel Discussion, Share Best Business Practices, Answer Your Clients’ Most Asked Questions, Network with Your Global Peers
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Mix & Mingle Alumni Social Networking Cocktail Hour
7:30pm – 9:30pm
Enjoy an ultra stylish dinner at Tao
Saturday, May 22
11:30am – 5:30pm
Personal Shopping “Refresher Course”
We’ll hit the fabulous shops in the Fashion Show Mall, Palazzo Mall, Forum Shops at Caesar’s, and more for an informal shopping tutorial! Pair up, go in groups, just have fun and remember – this is a learning experience!
9:00pm – … Get dolled up for a sexy night out in Vegas! We will reconvene at TRYST for dancing, drinks, fun and … what happens in Vegas.
Sunday, May 24
11:00am – 1:00pm
Informal Sunday Brunch
This is your day to relax, enjoy the pool, or power through some additional personal shopping!
Stay tuned for more details on the Sterling Style Academy’s First Annual Open Business Forum…
Sterling Style Academy’s Frequently Asked Questions #2 – Can I enroll online and take part of the course on-location?
We have honed our curriculum to offer the best hands-on training on-location and have developed this program into the best individual, at-home training online. As online graduates and on-location graduates both become Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultants, attending multiple training platforms is not necessary.
The answer of which course should I enroll in comes down to:
a) Do you learn best through interactions, hands-on and visual training?
b) Or do you learn best through training at your own pace and on your own terms in the comforts of your own home or office?
We look forward to helping your launch your career! Contact Sterling Style Academy today.
“Styling Tips and Tricks in a New Economy”
The Fashion Group International, FGI, hosted a panel discussion which featured the top Image Consultants and Stylists in San Francisco Bay Area including Sterling Style Academy founder, Michelle T. Sterling. Audience members asked questions regarding career opportunities in this relatively new industry which, as Ms. Sterling stated, is no more than 20 years old.
“What are the actual job titles a student can expect once they receive the right styling training?” asked one audience member. Jill Siefert, styling instructor at the Art Institute of San Francisco, discussed corporate opportunities including prop stylist, food stylist, location stylist and creative director for major fashion houses. Ms. Sterling further expanded the upon the subject by discussing the many consulting positions available as personal shopper, executive stylist, image consultant and personal stylist. “San Francisco has one of the highest concentrations of stylists in the U.S,” she explained. Ms. Siefert added by stating, “We welcome the competition! There is a client for everyone.”
Each panelist discussed their successes and lessons learned in their careers, which further informed the audience on what to expect in a styling career and how to position yourself according to the clients you want to work with.
Teresa Morisco, owner of Wardrobe 911, described her first “Aha!” moment when working with the wife of a man who called for wardrobe help. She learned that even though some clients express they want change, many aren’t actually ready to adopt needed changes into their wardrobes and, in turn, their lives. “It is so important to express to each client WHY something works or doesn’t work on them in order for them to move beyond their old habits.”
Ms. Siefert shared an experience of setting boundaries when she explained how she was able to develop a needy, time-consuming client who would contact her at all hours of the day into one of her best repeat business clients who has learned to respect the stylist’s terms. “This is someone who was once the joke of the office and is now one of the most respected people in her firm when it comes to style.”
Ms. Sterling discussed the client she consulted with earlier the same day. “He is from Southern California and the CEO of a major swimwear company, and because his background is in corporate finance, he sought out my services because I come from the financial industry as well.” She further explained his interest in locating a nation wide consultant who could offer follow up services in additional cities including Miami, Los Angeles and New York.
Each stylist also explained what they would be doing if they weren’t an image consultant or a stylist. Most agreed with Ms. Sterling when she explained that, “For me, there is no plan B. Failure is not an option. It’s all about making plan A work. If you are passionate about your career then it is within your power to harness your talents and create a profitable business that best suits you.”
For more information on training to become a successful image consultant, contact Sterling Style Academy, info@sterlingstyleacademy.com.
-Karri Ann Frerichs-
Admissions Director, Sterling Style Academy
The Value of an Education Targeted to Your Specific Career
Fashion schools and art academies offer well-rounded educations in fields including Fashion Design, Visual Merchandising, Merchandise Marketing, Product Development, Beauty Industry Marketing, and the list goes on. Few offer a targeted education in the exact career you are looking for – Image Consulting. In most cases, to achieve an Associate of Arts certificate, students must invest up to 9 months or more and enroll in or already have completed courses including English, literature and composition, science and math. And not every previously completed credit course transfers to every institute.
So what about those professionals ready to switch careers now? What if you worked your way up in a career without a college education? Maybe you are ready to re-join the ranks of the hundreds of thousands of successful entrepreneurs after raising a family. If you are eager to start making now – not 9-18 months from now, where do you go?
The Sterling Style Academy offers not only offers highly targeted, in depth training to launch your image consulting and/or personal stylist career in less than one month, we also provide an affordable alternative to fashion schools and Associate Programs.
Over a 2.5 week time frame and in 71.5 intensive credit hours, our career training boils down to an investment of just $95 per hour! Students enrolled in the 4 week program receive the same professional training in 137.5 credit hours for a very competitive $60 per hour!
Compare that to the costs of the AAS degree in Fashion offered by the Art Institute, New York: a total time investment of 7 quarters, 15 credits per quarter, $509 per credit for a total monetary investment of $54,415.
An Associate of Arts degree from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, California requires 9 months, 45 units and a monetary investment of $21,170 for Fashion Design or $20,160 for Merchandise Marketing.
If launching the career of your dreams doesn’t necessarily require training in fabric draping, history of costume design, math for the retail buyer, or merchandise planning and control then why waste your precious time and money? Enroll in Sterling Style Academy and get ready to hit the ground running in one month or less!
About the Sterling Style Academy
The Sterling Style Academy trains and certifies prospective and aspiring image consultants, personal stylists, and personal shoppers to pursue the career of their dreams. With 10 annual training courses held throughout the year in New York, London, Dubai, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Sydney, Miami, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, as well as Online Training, Teleclasses, and Short eCourses, the Sterling Style Academy prepares you to become a top notch pioneer in the image consulting, personal shopping, and personal styling industry. Master the art of image, fashion and style to become a fashion styling expert. Contact the Sterling Style Academy today to learn how we can help you start a career you are passionate about – shopping and styling! Like us or become our BFF on Facebook.
Meet the Graduates of Sterling Style Academy Miami – 2009
International students enjoyed the warm January weather in Miami, FL, while training to become Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultants. Training took place in Miami’s newest luxury hotel, the Mondrian, and they ventured to stores including Neiman Marcus at Coral Gables for in-depth and hands-on personal shopper training.
Pictured from the left:
Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultant, Jeunesse Ali – Trinidad/Tobago; Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultant, Amy Inglefield – Trinidad; Michelle T. Sterling, Sterling Style Academy Founder; Sterling Style Academy Certified Image Consultant, Vida Cibic – Slovenia.
Each student set forth and achieved their training goals for launching successful careers in their respective fields:
With extensive experience in the hotel and hospitality industries, Jeunesse Ali will establish a personal concierge service in Trinidad and Tobago where she will employ her newly acquired skills in image consulting and personal styling. As her passion lies in image, hospitality and customer service, she is confident her company will thrive in Trinidad and Tobago as it is a necessary and highly sought after service.
With a background in advertising and wardrobe styling, Amy Inglefield plans to open her own image consulting business upon her return to Trinidad. “I hope to give the same satisfaction to others by providing them the opportunity to look and feel their best in their own skin. I believe that confidence is the key to success and I am certain that I can give both men and women that confidence so they may achieve their own goals.”
With a very successful family business in Slovenia, Vida Cibic has turned her passion for fashion into a career she loves – shopping! She will work with A-Level executives and prominent people in her home country of Slovenia offering style consultations, wardrobe evaluations, and plenty of personal shopping!
Create your own success story by enrolling today!
Are You Indispensable?
We all know unemployment is on the rise. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the December 2008 rate to be 7.2 percent. Many college graduates can’t find a job and many long-term employers of large corporations are being let go as quickly as those with less tenure. So how do you position yourself to survive the doom and gloom?
One strategy is to set yourself apart from the competition through displaying a poised and professional self image. So many levels of business professional and business casual wardrobe exist, so which style is right for your office environment? What is the best way to store and carry all of those personal belongings that you reach for everyday? Presenting an image of organized confidence could be the key to keeping your job.
Are you one of the hundreds of thousands of people looking for work right now? As image represents 55% of the first impression, you may have already answered that opening statement - “Tell me about yourself,” before even opening your mouth. Did you put as much planning into your image as you did preparing your answers?
Not only can the graduates of Sterling Style Academy ensure their clients are poised and ready for these situations, but they walk the walk and become indispensable contractors and consultants as their own image supports the services they offer.
For more information on becoming indispensable, please email Sterling Style Academy at info@sterlingstyleacademy.com.
Follow Us!