Style Catalyst: Transforming Lives Through Coaching & Image
In a world where appearances often overshadow substance, reclaiming power and living authentically becomes an act of rebellion. As a Transformational Coach and Image Consultant, I specialize in helping you rewrite your narrative, infusing it with authenticity, fun, and flair. Let’s sprinkle a little Hollywood magic on your story and unleash the superstar within. Because life is too short for missed opportunities and boring outfits. Let’s make every moment count and celebrate the extraordinary journey that is uniquely yours!
How did you transition from a career in costume design to becoming a life coach?
For three glorious decades, I was a behind the scenes magician responsible for making sure that some of your favourite film and tv characters could tell you the stories you loved to watch. But as time passed, I found myself craving a new challenge, one that involved real life heroes and heroines. That’s when I began to trade my time on the film set floor and started acquiring knowledge and skills in areas such as psychology, communication, and coaching and exploring the subconscious through NLP mastery. And so I embarked on a whole new adventure.
I Had Passion for Personal Expression: As a costume designer, I developed a deep passion for personal expression through clothing and style. I thrived on the creative process of designing costumes that brought characters to life and conveyed emotion through visual storytelling.
I Recognized the Power of Image: Through my work in costume design, I am acutely aware of the transformative power of image and style. I have witnessed first-hand how clothing can influence perception, shape identity, and evoke emotion, both on stage and in real life. Did you know that it takes only 7 seconds to make 11 judgements about a person?? (more on that another time) but we ALL do it because it is innate and biological as a question of survival, of visibility and of acceptance. Our image matters.
I Wish to Make a Difference: I realized that my expertise in identity and image creation could be leveraged to help individuals not only look their best but also feel confident and empowered in their personal and professional lives. So, I decided to add this to my toolbox.
I Integrated my Skills: My transition from costume designer to NLP practitioner, Life coach and Image Consultant allowed me to integrate my creative talents with my passion for personal development. I found fulfilment in helping clients navigate life transitions, overcome self-doubt, and reclaim their personal identity.
For me it was natural evolution fuelled by my passion for creativity, personal expression, and making a positive difference in the lives of others. It’s so thrilling for me because I’ve found a meaningful way to empower individuals and help them expand their distinctive gifts and contributions to the world. My clients are fascinating and dynamic people who wish to make their mark and I get to help facilitate that! I can hardly believe my luck that my second career is even more satisfying than my first!
What unique perspective do you bring to your life coaching practice, given your background in Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and costume design?
I believe that I do bring a unique perspective to my practice that blends creativity, empathy, and practicality. Drawing on my training in NLP, I have a deep understanding of the power of language, mindset, and behaviour patterns in shaping our lives. I use techniques from NLP to help create lasting change instigated from the clients interior world.
Additionally, my experience in costume design has honed my eye for detail, aesthetics, and the transformative power of image. I recognize that our outward appearance is not just about surface-level aesthetics but also it must reflect our inner beliefs, values, and sense of self. Through the image consulting/ coaching combination I help my clients align their outward expression with their inner identity. It’s a powerful amalgamation!
I can combine these two worlds because I understand that true transformation requires a deep understanding of the individual, their unique experiences, and their goals for the future. Equally our relationship with our physical appearance can be complex, especially today and I have professional experience of how to create looks that help you to feel utterly and completely the very best version of yourself!
How do you help busy women navigate the complexities of life while maintaining grace and style?
Apart from my coaching and costume experience and expertise, I am also the mother of a young man with severe disabilities (cerebral palsy and autism). My journey as I navigated my career, his complex needs and my own life and relationships meant that I have had more challenges than you could shake a stick at! I understand trying to balance all aspects of one’s life whilst trying to keep perspective on what’s important. I also understand being an ambitious woman who is determined to try to excel in all aspects of her life. It’s not easy, but with good strategy I believe anything is possible!
So, let’s talk about the pressures of modern-day living. Especially for us ladies in the 30-50ish range. Between juggling career goals and keeping up with the latest TikTok trends, it’s almost enough to make you want to crawl back into bed with a tub of ice cream and a romcom marathon! So we must learn to navigate our way around these choppy waters. When self-doubt starts kicking in, it’s time to rearrange the mindset.
Additionally, my expertise in costume design allows me to help women cultivate a sense of style that reflects their unique identity and empowers them to show up confidently in all areas of their lives. Whether it’s finding the perfect outfit for a professional presentation or a stylish yet comfortable look for a busy day of meetings and errands, I provide practical guidance and support to help my clients feel their best in every situation.
However, beyond style, I help my clients develop strategies for managing their time, energy, and resources effectively. Time is one of our most precious assets and I am here to help women reclaim it! Life as a busy woman doesn’t mean sacrificing your identity.
So, through personalized coaching sessions, I empower busy women to set boundaries, prioritize self-care, and cultivate a mindset of strong individuality, resilience and grace in the face of life’s challenges.
Ultimately, my goal is to help busy women navigate life with confidence, poise, and style, so they can show up as their best selves in every aspect of their lives. With my unique blend of skills and empathy I empower my clients to embrace their busy lives with grace and elegance, knowing that they have the tools and resources to thrive in any situation. My favourite saying is …
“When a busy woman thrives, magic really happens. Because thriving is not a luxury, it’s a birthright.”
What parallels can be drawn between your past career in the entertainment industry and your current role as a life coach?
So many! Firstly, establishing rapport with a client is imperative. In the costume world an actor may have only met me for ten minutes before I say, “Ok please take your clothes off and let’s start the fitting” so that really enhanced my ability to establish rapport, imagine!! Therefore, gaining a safe space of trust and communication almost instantaneously is a superpower of mine simply because I’ve had to do it so much! But what I mean in the context of coaching is…I establish a rapport with my client quickly and we will get straight down to the important stuff of life and the client needs to trust that they can reveal all that they need to, to create a new path or mindset or plan. Both roles involve tapping into creative expression to evoke emotion, tell stories, and inspire transformation.
Attention to detail is crucial in both costume design and coaching. Whether it’s selecting a multi layered outfit that will take a character on a journey or listening closely to a client’s words and body language to uncover underlying patterns and beliefs, I have an ability to notice and interpret subtle cues. I think this enhances my effectiveness as both a designer and a coach.
In both roles, empathy and understanding are essential. As a costume designer, I always empathized with characters’ journeys and emotions, translating their experiences into visual representations. Similarly, as a coach, I now empathize with clients’ challenges and aspirations, providing a supportive and non-judgmental space for them to explore their inner world and create positive change. In both careers being able to see potential and possibility is crucial.
In what ways do you leverage your skills in storytelling and empathy to empower your clients?
By combining storytelling with empathy, I empower my clients to rewrite their own narratives and embrace their roles as the heroes of their own journeys. Sometimes I may use allegory and archetypes, it can help them uncover their strengths, confront their challenges. Together, we co-create stories of growth, resilience, and transformation. This can also be done with guided visualisations, where my voice guides and the client’s imagination might reveal to them deeply seated ambitions and desires for their lives. It’s so exiting to reveal that our subconscious mind holds so many of the answers to our questions. When my clients connect with their own inner wisdom, seismic shifts can occur!!
How do you help individuals align their external image with their internal values and aspirations?
I begin by engaging my clients in deep introspection to uncover their core values, passions, and goals. Through questions and reflective exercises, and illuminating answers, I help them gain clarity on who they truly are and what they want to express to the world. Remember not all clients want the image part of the coaching, but I know that the way they go on to present themselves will have changed simply by renewed confidence.
However, if they do. We gain a clear understanding of their internal landscape; I assist my clients in translating their inner essence into outward expression. This involves exploring various aspects of their image, including clothing, Hair and Makeup, body language, and communication style. Together, we identify elements that resonate with their authentic selves and discard those that feel inauthentic or misaligned.
Drawing on my background in costume design, I can offer practical guidance on how to use clothing and style as tools for self-expression. I encourage my clients to experiment with different looks and aesthetics, empowering them to create a visual identity that reflects their unique personality and values. For example, we may play with words that resonate with a client such as elegant, or sharp or feminine might mean to them. For everyone its different. We play with ideas around which public figures you admire, and which characters exist within you, for example, are you hiding an inner romantic heroine or perhaps a rock star or a Lara Croft warrior! Or do you love certain eras for feminine style, The 30’s or 50’s or 80’s power woman? These are fun exercises that help a client figure out what they wish to express to the outside world, at work or in private.
We all have our hang-ups let’s face it!!…. I help my clients to get past these and lean into their most beautiful features and have fun doing so.
Throughout this process, I provide ongoing support and encouragement, helping my clients navigate any challenges or insecurities that may arise. I remind them that authenticity is the key to true confidence and that embracing their individuality is far more empowering than conforming to societal norms. There is always a way to express your personality and be dressed in appropriate attire.
By the end of our journey together, my clients emerge with a renewed sense of self-confidence and a clear understanding of how to authentically present themselves to the world. Thus, allowing them to show up confident, self-assured and ready to walk into a room and own it!!
What distinguishes your approach to life coaching from traditional methods?
Every Life Coach develops their own style and adapts it to the client. Ultimately, my approach to life coaching is dynamic, client-centred, and results-oriented. That’s not unusual but by blending elements of creativity, empathy, and narrative, I empower clients to embrace their authenticity, their uniqueness. My blend of skills and how I use them is what sets me apart. One of the key distinctions of my approach is the emphasis on creativity and self-expression. Building on my experience in costume design, I encourage clients to explore their unique identities and aspirations sometimes through the lens of personal style and image. By sometimes integrating elements of style and self-expression into the coaching process, clients are also able to tap into their creativity, enhance their self-awareness, and cultivate a deeper sense of authenticity and agency.
I am extremely instinctive as well and this is because I am fundamentally a creative thinker. Rules have never worked for me! I Always try to think outside of the box, and my clients are always guaranteed a bespoke programme!
Can you provide examples of how your clients have experienced transformation through your coaching?
Yes! Absolutely, here are three anecdotal stories of transformation.
From Invisibility to Confidence:
Sarah, a 38-year-old marketing executive, had always felt invisible in both her personal and professional life. Despite her talent and expertise, she struggled to assert herself and make her voice heard. Through my identity and image coaching, Sarah learned to embrace her unique qualities and express herself authentically. By refining her personal style and mastering the art of confident communication, she experienced a profound transformation. Today, Sarah exudes confidence in every aspect of her life, commanding attention and earning respect wherever she goes. It was a profound transformation.
Breaking Free from Self-Doubt:
Melissa a 45-year-old entrepreneur, was plagued by self-doubt and imposter syndrome, which hindered her ability to take risks and pursue her goals. Despite her achievements, she struggled to see herself as capable and worthy of success. With my guidance and support, Melissa embarked on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Through introspection and mindset shifts, she learned to challenge her limiting beliefs and embrace her inherent worth. Armed with newfound confidence and clarity, I then gave the newly empowered Melissa the style edit as well and she stepped right into her power and pursued his entrepreneurial dreams with so much confidence, passion and purpose! A changed Woman!
Reclaiming Personal Identity:
Emily, a 33-year-old stay-at-home mom, had lost touch with her personal identity amidst the demands of motherhood and family life. She yearned to rediscover her passions and reconnect with the vibrant woman she once was. She really wished to rediscover her ambitions and dynamism that she so missed. Through my identity and image coaching, Emily embarked on a journey of self-reclamation and reinvention. She explored her interests, rediscovered her strengths, and embraced her unique sense of style. Across the course of 90 days with my guidance, we set up a new weekly schedule for Emily and she learned to prioritize self-care and pursue her passions unapologetically. Today, she radiates joy and fulfilment, embodying the essence of empowered womanhood in all aspects of her life. It took adjustment, but she proved to herself, where there’s a will there’s a way!
There is no feeling better than seeing a client re-invent and go on to get so much more out of their life! Then the ripple effect of profound change on a client is that they go out into the world and create more change for the good of everyone else in their lives using their newly raised vibration and confidence.
How do you balance the elements of celebrity glamour with practical wisdom in your coaching practice?
While the glitz and glamor associated with celebrity status may capture attention, it’s the practical wisdom and depth of insight that truly drive transformation and empower clients to reach their fullest potential. Remember celebrities are humans just like us!
Now you may be wondering, how does dressing up Kim Cattrall as an ex-circus performer, or Antonio Banderas in a sexy tux to advertise his perfume brand, prepare me to coach Karen from HR through her mid-life crisis? Well, it’s all about the art of storytelling and self-expression. Just as I used to outfit characters to reflect their inner essence, I now help my clients find their own unique style and voice from the inside out.
In my approach, I honour the appeal of celebrity glamour while grounding my coaching practice in practical wisdom and real-world applicability. I understand that while the spotlight may shine bright, lasting change is cultivated through substance, authenticity, and actionable strategies. In the end we can all achieve celebrity glamour with the right tools and the right expertise.
Whether it’s through personalized coaching sessions, workshops, or online. In the workplace or in my private practise, I realise that people want to show more of their own style and individuality these days. As a costume designer I understand how to create these nuances perfectly. What’s more… it’s super fun! I think that fun is often overlooked as being a powerful instigator of change. When something is enjoyable, we are far more motivated let’s face it!!
In a world where appearances often overshadow substance, how do you help your clients reclaim their power and live authentically?
In a world where appearances often really do steal the show, I’m here to help my clients reclaim centre stage and live authentically with a little sprinkle of fun and flair!
From navigating career changes to rediscovering lost passions, every client brings their own unique story to the table-and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I adore a new script and all its amazing nuances. The story of every client holds untold amounts of fascination for me, and I see potential with every person that I meet. So, if you’re ready to trade your regular garb for something a little more fabulous and step into the spotlight of your own life. If you’re ready to see which path your incredible life will take you down next…I’m here to be your personal cheerleader, your guide through life challenges and your personal style whisperer. Because life is too short for missed opportunities and boring outfits!! I love to unveil my clients potential, reveal deepest desires and get them ready to set the world alight. I want to sprinkle a little Hollywood magic on your story and unleash the superstar within!
Anyone can find and follow me on social media: @image_identity_coach https://linktr.ee/image_creativity_coach
