How To Be A Fashion Stylist with Clare Maxfield and Stephanie Rumble
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What Makes a Good Personal Stylist
Clare Maxfield and Her Journey in Fashion Styling
Image Consultant Training: More Than Just Fashion
Colour Analysis Training and the Importance of Colour
The Rise of the Virtual Colours App
AI Colour Analysis vs Human Expertise
Tools of the Trade: From Draping Boards to My Private Stylist
Corporate Colour Presentations and Global Reach
Final Thoughts: The Art and Science of Styling
In this episode of the Style for Life podcast, Stephanie Rumble interviews Clare Maxfield, the director of Image Innovators and a global leader in fashion stylist training. The conversation provides valuable insights for anyone wanting to learn how to be a fashion stylist or image consultant, including the mindset, skills, and tools that define success in the industry. With decades of experience, Clare shares her journey, thoughts on AI colour analysis, and what makes a standout image consultant in today's digital world.
Whether you're a budding stylist, someone transitioning careers, or simply curious about the world of style and colour analysis training, this episode offers an honest, informative deep dive into the career path.
What Makes a Good Personal Stylist
Becoming a successful stylist is not about being born with style. It’s about learning, listening, and caring. According to Clare, what makes a good personal stylist is a combination of both technical knowledge and human qualities.
"You've actually gotta care about what you're putting on people, but you've also gotta have an ear for their needs." ~ Clare Maxfield
Styling is not just about dressing people. It’s about understanding who they are, how they live, and how they want to present themselves. To be effective, a stylist must listen deeply, interpret body language, and build trust.
Key traits that define a good stylist include:
A genuine interest in fashion and current trends
A strong interest in people and their stories
Empathy and emotional intelligence
Attention to personality and lifestyle
Intuition to read between the lines of what a client says
"You've actually gotta have an empathy for others. You've gotta care about the people you're dressing." ~ Clare Maxfield
This blend of art and science can be learned. Clare has successfully trained engineers, teachers, and even scientists to become stylists by developing these skills through structured education.
A stylist must also understand how bodyshape, colouring, and personal values intersect to create a wardrobe that truly empowers the client. For those looking to become certified, Clare offers training through Image Innovators, a global leader in stylist and image consultant education.
Clare Maxfield and Her Journey in Fashion Styling
Clare Maxfield didn't start her career in fashion. In fact, she was a flight attendant before a career pivot led her into image consulting. Since then, she has trained thousands of stylists and built a global community through Image Innovators.
Her story reflects the accessibility of the profession. Styling isn’t reserved for fashion school graduates. With the right mindset and training, anyone can start the journey. Clare herself bought Image Innovators almost 20 years after beginning her own training.
"The one thing I've loved about image consulting since I started, and I could almost go to tears now, is as you go through so many phases in your life, the business adapts with where you are with that." ~ Clare Maxfield
She now spends her time mentoring others through webinars, hands-on masterclasses, and virtual education, reaching stylists in over 193 countries. Clare’s philosophy centres on education, community, and raising the quality of fashion stylist training worldwide.
Image Consultant Training: More Than Just Fashion
The term image consultant often gets confused with surface-level styling. Clare makes it clear that true image consulting goes far deeper.
Image Innovators' training includes:
Over 70 lessons in the style program
40+ lessons in colour analysis training
Tools to assess skin tone, personality, body shape, and personal preferences
Online and in-person formats, making it accessible globally
Graduates leave with both technical skills and the confidence to educate clients on why something works — not just what works. This clarity builds long-term relationships and client trust.
"It's all very well to work with someone and say, this is going to look fabulous on you. And they'll go, why? And go. Just cause. Just because it's not an answer." ~ Clare Maxfield
Image consulting blends fashion, psychology, science, and communication. It’s about aligning appearance with identity.
Colour Analysis Training and the Importance of Colour
Colour analysis training is a foundational part of any stylist’s education. Clare is a strong advocate for understanding a client's unique colour palette and how it enhances their appearance.
The importance of colour cannot be overstated. A misaligned colour choice can make someone look tired or washed out, while the right shade can bring energy and confidence.
In the podcast, Clare discusses how colour:
Affects how people perceive you
Reflects your natural skin tone, eye colour, and hair colour
Connects with your personality and lifestyle
She warns against relying solely on AI colour analysis, as many tools lack the ability to read subtle human qualities such as luminescence or depth in skin. Digital tools can assist, but human insight remains essential.
Stephanie offers tailored colour consultation services for those wanting to better understand their own palette and how to apply it confidently.
The Rise of the Virtual Colours App
Clare introduces the innovative virtual colours app developed by Image Innovators. This tool complements traditional digital swatches and enables virtual consultations anywhere in the world.
The app includes:
Over 1600 colour options
Descriptions of colour personality traits
Integrated jewellery and makeup suggestions
A digital colour deck comparable in accuracy to physical fan decks
Virtual styling is now a reality. This app empowers stylists and clients alike to access world-class colour systems without needing physical tools. For most users under the age of 85, using a phone-based colour system is second nature.
AI Colour Analysis vs Human Expertise
One of the key themes in this episode is the contrast between AI colour analysis and human judgement. Clare and Stephanie both stress that AI tools often produce incorrect results because they can’t account for nuance.
Limitations of AI in style include:
Poor detection of luminescence in skin tone
Inability to understand personality or preferences
Misclassification of face shape (e.g. confusing heart shaped face with oblong face)
Inaccurate body measurements using AI body measurement tools
While AI tools may offer convenience, they should not replace trained professionals — especially when it comes to style, colour, and body shape.
Tools of the Trade: From Draping Boards to My Private Stylist
Stylists trained through Image Innovators gain access to a wide range of tools that enhance client service.
These include:
Draping boards for in-person colour consultations
Fabric boards and face boards for visual presentation
The My Private Stylist program with over 800 live images updated regularly
These tools allow stylists to:
Demonstrate clothing fits for different body shapes
Provide tailored advice on necklines, hem lengths, and cuts
Create fully personalized online style guides with lifetime access
Bulletproof tools like these form the backbone of successful styling services — allowing stylists to educate their clients, not just dress them.
Corporate Colour Presentations and Global Reach
Corporate colour presentations are an exciting arm of Image Innovators’ offerings. These sessions help clients refine their professional image and build confidence in high-visibility settings.
Clare notes that the style training and tools are now available in seven languages and used by active consultants in over 400 locations. This is a testament to how fashion stylist training has evolved beyond borders.
With online fashion stylist training, it's now possible to:
Train from anywhere in the world
Deliver services globally
Serve clients across industries, cultures, and age groups
Stephanie also facilitates corporate and conflict education workshops for organisations wanting to improve professional presence and internal dynamics.
Final Thoughts: The Art and Science of Styling
If you’re wondering how to be a fashion stylist, this episode makes it clear: it’s a learned craft that combines education, empathy, and evolving tools.
Key takeaways:
You don’t need to be born with style — it can be taught.
Success comes from a mix of fashion sense, people skills, and professional training.
AI colour analysis and body measurement tools are helpful, but not replacements for human insight.
Technology, like the virtual colours app and digital swatches, can enhance service delivery, not replace intuition.
"It's not something you're born with. It is something you can be taught." ~ Clare Maxfield
Most importantly, Clare encourages stylists to embrace education and ongoing development. Whether you're shopping with a client, helping them prep for TV, or building their confidence — your work as a stylist matters.
This episode is a reminder that styling is both an art and a science. And with the right mindset and training, it’s a career that can grow with you at every stage of life.
If you’re on a journey to grow your confidence or better align your personal image with your values, Bright Red also offers accountability coaching that supports real, lasting transformation. You can even book Stephanie as a speaker to bring these insights to your team, conference, or event.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the essential qualities of a successful fashion stylist?
A successful stylist needs more than a good eye for fashion. Empathy, strong communication, and the ability to understand a client's personality and lifestyle are just as important. Technical skills like colour theory and body shape analysis can be taught, but emotional intelligence helps a stylist stand out.
How do I become a certified image consultant?
You can become certified by enrolling in a reputable training program like the ones offered by Image Innovators. Their programs include lessons in colour analysis, personal styling, and client communication. Online training is also available, allowing for global access.
Is AI colour analysis accurate?
AI colour analysis tools are helpful, but not always accurate. They often struggle with nuance and may misclassify skin tone or face shape. While digital tools can assist, they should be used alongside professional judgement. Human insight remains crucial for accurate results.
What does colour analysis training include?
Colour analysis training typically involves understanding skin tone, hair colour, eye colour, and personality traits. It also includes hands-on tools like draping boards and digital swatches. Image Innovators offers over 40 lessons dedicated to this subject alone.
Can I become a stylist without a fashion degree?
Yes, many successful stylists start without formal fashion training. What matters most is passion, curiosity, and the willingness to learn. Image consulting is more about understanding people and applying structured frameworks than memorising runway trends.
What tools do professional stylists use?
Stylists use a combination of physical and digital tools such as draping boards, fabric boards, the My Private Stylist software, and colour fan decks. The virtual colours app by Image Innovators also allows stylists to deliver consultations remotely with impressive accuracy.
How important is personality in personal styling?
Personality plays a key role in how someone dresses and how they feel in their clothes. Stylists who can tune into this emotional layer can better recommend wardrobe choices that feel authentic and empowering to the client.
What services does Image Innovators provide for aspiring stylists?
Image Innovators offers comprehensive training, tools, and support for aspiring and experienced stylists. Services include online fashion stylist training, access to the virtual colours app, and resources like My Private Stylist.
What is the difference between an image consultant and a personal stylist?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, image consultants take a broader approach. They consider the client's personal brand, career goals, and lifestyle, whereas personal stylists may focus more on wardrobe and fashion trends. The best professionals integrate both perspectives.
