Thaindian News

Mumbai, Sep 5 (IANS) Internationally-acclaimed image consultant trainers Christina Ong and Lynne Marks, who will come to India in November with their Image Asia Training programme for prospective image consultants, say they chose the country as they feel there is a tremendously growing interest in the field.

“We find that there is a huge population interested in glamour and fashion.

“However, there is also a huge market sector of ‘non-film star’ people that wants styling and correct advice when it comes to strategic workplace, event and lifestyle dressing. Hence we saw a growing interest in image consultancy in India and decided to come here,” Marks told IANS in an e-mail from London.

Her partner Ong concurred: “India has a large growing affluent population with cities becoming increasingly cosmopolitan in terms of demand for stylish dressing and fashion trends.

Economic growth has widened markets beyond geographic boundaries, exposing executives to international business that requires skilled image consultants to impart techniques to upwardly mobile Indians, she added.

As two of only 10 Certified Image Masters in the world, Ong and Marks are widely recognised as industry mentors with a combined experience of over 40 years worldwide.

When asked what people should expect from their training, Christina explained: “Aspiring image consultants can expect to master the ABCs of image consulting and more.

“This will include everything listed on our Image Asia Training curriculum plus personalised coaching and mentoring to equip them with the knowledge and skills to be the best image consultants they can be at international standards.”

Added Marks: “We train students in the details of body language which comprise as much as 50-70 percent of your communication package and help with credibility, confidence and professional presence. These universal skills and techniques can then be passed on to their own clients and groups.”

Do they think that the business of image consultancy is a potential and growing market in India? They said indeed it is.

“Image is undeniably at the core of our sense of confidence and the ability to relate effectively with others in society, be it at work or at play. Image consultants help people look and feel more confident.

“Image consulting will continue to be a sought after service in a world where image consciousness has become even more deeply woven into the fabric of society,” Ong said.

Marks added: “Young people are coming out of schools with high level MBAs and desirable IT and other skills. However, they lack the image, communication, etiquette, presentation skills and professional presence needed to advance their careers. They lack the ’soft skills’ essential to their professional growth. We help here too.”

(Ruchika Kher can be contacted at ruchika.k@ians.in)