When I started my image consulting practice, I catered specifically to men because of my extensive menswear background and my perceived comfort zone. But a few years ago, an especially determined woman contacted me, explaining that what she read on my website spoke directly to her. She practically insisted we find a way to work together. It pleases me to make a difference in others’ lives. So thanks to her, I now work with many fabulous women.
The thing is, she convinced me of the obvious. What I had written back then was not content that could only be meaningful to men. Ever since then I have put intention into writing egalitarian content.
But this week, I want to celebrate the women who work with me, and the things they have in common that bring them to work with me.
Unlike my men clients’ closets, my women clients’ closets are typically chock full of clothes. But women regularly share that within their full closets they can’t find themselves among the accumulation. These clothes, often unorganized, may represent different eras of their lives, bridging the past and the present into a blurred vision of what was, instead of a clarified sight of what is and what could be.
What I just wrote is such a huge statement that it can even be scary because it means facing your truth, whatever it is. It could be facing the truth about your body image, about aging, and even about how your life today isn’t as it once was. As we tend to uncover the truth, it’s not that it’s bad news. It’s just that getting honest and seeing the truth isn’t always easy.
Believe me when I tell you that when you open your closet door and yell at it [or at your husband] that you have nothing to wear, it’s not really about the clothes. Those emotions and the clothes are just reflections of what’s going on within you.
That’s why my image consulting practice has helped so many women over the past few years. We have to take a step at a time to create a new paradigm for seeing yourself in healthy and positive ways so you have greater confidence. When you are able to fashion a new way of seeing yourself, you not only may envision a style that becomes you, but you can then have a wardrobe that supports that style from the inside out.
Not all my women clients are alike. Some are professional. Some had careers but now raise their children. Others have had careers and retired, while others may not have been career women, but have been active with their families and in their communities. Even with such a great variety of life experiences, I know that feeling one’s best is a high priority for all of my women clients. You put so much into taking care of others. By putting effort into yourself you’re in a stronger position to support others, whether you’re running a business, a household, or any combination.
Over the past few years, I’ve learned so much about the strengths and struggles of my women clients. Working on your image isn’t about the clothes. It’s a celebration of your essence. The clothes are the tools that help you communicate the naked truth of how amazing you really are.
Joseph Rosenfeld helps high-profile individuals revitalize, manage, and be secure in their personal visual brand. Visit JosephRosenfeld.com for details.
