What Does an Image Consultant Do vs. a Stylist?

While both an Image Consultant and a Stylist work in the realm of personal style and appearance, their roles and goals are quite different.

Image Consultant

An Image Consultant is a professional who helps clients improve their overall appearance and personal style. The main aim is to create a positive, cohesive image that aligns with the client’s personal goals, professional environment, and lifestyle.

Their work covers multiple aspects:

  • Colour Analysis– helping clients discover which colours best suit them based on their skin tone, hair, and eye colour.
  • Wardrobe Development– advising on clothing choices that fit the client’s body shape, style preferences, professional requirements, and lifestyle. This includes selecting the right cuts, patterns, fabrics, and accessories.
  • Style Coaching– guiding clients in developing a personal style that reflects their personality, professional role, and the impression they want to create.
  • Grooming and Beauty Advice– helping with makeup techniques, skincare, and hair care, including selecting the right products and routines.

The focus of an Image Consultant is long-term personal branding—ensuring the client’s image supports who they are and what they want to achieve.

Stylist

Stylist usually focuses on styling clothing for specific occasions such as photoshoots, fashion shows, media appearances, film productions, and other events where visual impact is key.

Their work often includes:

  • Clothing Selection– choosing garments suited to a particular project, concept, theme, or desired mood, based on the client’s or production’s brief.
  • Creating a Complete Look– combining clothes with accessories, footwear, and makeup to create a polished, cohesive visual presentation.
  • Trend Knowledge– staying up to date with current fashion trends and having strong knowledge of designers and brands.

A Stylist’s role is typically project-based, aiming to create the perfect look for a specific event or purpose—rather than building a client’s long-term image strategy.

In short:

  • Image Consultant– focuses on you as a whole person, building a consistent, authentic image that works in all areas of life.
  • Stylist– focuses on the look for a specific moment, project, or event.