EVERYONE'S ON THE MAKEOVER
By JULIE EARLE-LEVINE
September 12th, 2004
Blame the rash of reality television shows
from Extreme Makeover to What Not to Wear, or perhaps just
a return to vaingloriousness, but whatever the reason,
there's no escaping the fact that getting advice on what
to wear and how to wear it is suddenly popular.
Hollywood stars have always relied on stylists
to choose or create their clothes, but now the makeover
is mainstream. Everyone from school teachers to chief executives
has started paying image consultants to transform their
lives and their wardrobes.
"I have single girls who make $60,000
a year and put $10,000 aside for new clothes, cosmetic
procedures and make-up. Then I have guys who, well, I
literally throw out everything they own," says Elena
Castaneda, a New York image consultant who, for
$150-$200 an hour, will assess your style and steer you
in the right direction.
Jo Hudicka, a New Jersey businessman,
sought help because, he says, "I couldn't dress
myself if my life depended on it." He paid Castaneda to
make him look more professional. His clients and his
wife are happier. "Now I walk in and have that confidence."
Kathy Liebert, the number one ranked women's
poker player wanted to raise her profile; even though she
was the best female player in the world, other women were
getting all the attention.
To some, Liebert's problem was obvious.
She wore no make-up and played in loose shirts, jeans,
sneakers and a baseball cap covering shaggy brown hair – not
the smartest mediagenic get-up. But, after some time
with Castaneda she
emerged a new, blonder version of her self.
"She recognised she was a business
and switched her mindset," says Castaneda. "We
have to minimise the bra for Wall Street but for what
Liebert was doing, she should be using her cleavage as
a strategy."
Image consulting goes further than teaching
the power of cleavage, however; consultants claim they
change lives by analysing personality, lifestyle and ambitions.
"You end up with a personal transformation
and a life long understanding of how style adds to your
power," says Castaneda.
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