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Kath's Story
Image Coaching – isn’t that when you wear a leotard and get your cellulite prodded by a bossy woman with a posh voice? I was a little sceptical but intrigued when I saw Emma’s promotion on the Fiona Harrold e-newsletter. I’d just got a pay rise and fancied a treat.
Plus my meagre wardrobe was getting embarrassing, and I wanted someone to prod me into buying some more trousers –an ordeal worse than a visit to the dentist, in my books.
Body Image
I hadn’t bought work clothes for three years. I only owned two pairs of trousers, one of which were jeans, and my favourite work shirt was about eight years old, and looking threadbare – hardly the ideal foundation for a new career in marketing.
The 90 minute face to face session was a revelation – from childhood I’m ashamed to say I’ve laboured under a fairly negative body image – I’m only 5’4, I’m overweight, I’m pear shaped – or so I thought.
But Emma told me two of my three image assets are that I have proportionately long legs plus hourglass curves. What I had seen as defects, it seemed, were positives I could exploit.
Perfection!
Emma explained that flattering dressing has a lot to do with using optical illusions to make your body look as if it’s in perfect proportion. As a perfectionist, this made a big difference to the way I saw clothes.
We experimented with some new colours and afterwards Emma emailed me about some bargains that would suit me.
That weekend I headed straight to the shops and within 30 minutes and under £100, I’d bagged a whole outfit that looked co-ordinated and sexy. It was a miracle.
Confident, In Control - And Loving It!
On Monday, I hosted a workshop of 24 staff, and in my new outfit I felt in control, confident... and quietly amused. It’s amazing how much professional image is just bluff – if you look good, people take notice.
Another shopping trip later, I feel much more in control of the way I look. And I’ve stopped blaming my body for not suiting every colour and outfit under the sun – it looks great in the new clothes I’m wearing, and that’s good enough for me.”
Kath Burke
Emma Says:
Kath is a talented freelance writer and web manager. She came to me for a Style Assessment with the aim of developing a strong professional image which would increase her confidence to network and approach potential clients.
This goal was undoubtedly achieved. Still more encouraging is the new positive body image Kath has gained.
Emma Ford
