Glossary
Image Education

A few basic concepts relating to image management.

Image Management is the process of evaluating and controlling the impact of clothing and appearance, and resulting response on self and others. It is an effective way to improve body image and self image, increase self esteem, self confidence, credibility, and productivity. This is a concept unique to Conselle.

Basic Clothing Needs

1. Physical needs–for protection and presentation
2. Psychological needs–for mental and emotional stability
3. Social needs–for cultural or public acceptance and interaction
4. Aesthetic or artistic needs–for expression and reflection of the spirit

Clothing As A Resource refers to clothing and grooming aids as tools or resources that you can control and use to help you meet your needs and achieve your goals in life. This is the first of Conselle's 12 Wardrobe Strategies for men, women, and children.

Elements of Image
Those characteristics or traits that combine to create your personal appearance—that communicate to you and others.

1. Dress or clothing, including accessories
2. Grooming, including skin, hair, and nail care, and makeup for women
3. Body Language, including manners and etiquette

You cannot NOT communicate. Your dress, grooming, and body language are obvious to you and to others. You can't hide them. They communicate to you and to others. They influence or affect the way you think, the way you feel, the way you act, and the way others react. These are concepts forgotten by many.

Clothing communicates values. Values are those things you believe or feel are important in life. Values vary from culture to culture and generation to generation. Research confirms that your clothing values are consistent with your general values. Each choice of clothing, to buy or to wear, is the result of your values and reflects or communicates your values—or apparent values.

Clothing communicates personality traits. Personality traits are those specific behaviors or behavioral patterns present in people. Personality traits reflect you as an individual. Apparent personality traits vary from occasion to occasion. Research confirms that specific clothing traits relate to specific personality traits. Each choice of clothing, to buy or to wear, is the result of your personality and reflects or communicates your personality—or apparent personality.

Clothing communicates roles and goals. Roles refer to where you go and what you do there. Goals are those specific things that you want to accomplish or achieve in life. Roles and goals vary according to age, occasion, and culture. Research confirms that specific clothing traits can reflect or communicate your roles and goals. Each choice of clothing, to buy or to wear, is often related to your roles or goals, and can reflect or communicate your roles or goals—or apparent roles and goals.

The way you look–what you choose to wear, how you groom and carry yourself—affects the way you think, the way you feel, the way you act or behave, and the way others react or respond to you. This, in turn, affects your success in your various roles and the achievement of your goals.

Elements of Design
The art medium or tools you can use and manipulate to create the effect and the look you like–that communicate values, personality, roles, and goals.

1. Line
2. Shape, including space and form
3. Color, including light
4. Texture, including fabric and material
5. Pattern, including prints, stripes, and plaids

Principles of Design
The time-tested goals for using the art elements of design.

1. Balance
2. Proportion
3. Scale
4. Rhythm
5. Emphasis
6. Harmony and Unity

Visual Design In Dress is the process of manipulating the elements of design to create and coordinate clothing harmoniously. In terms of image management, the goal is to select clothing that will present you attractively, honestly, and appropriately.

Clothing As An Art Form refers to clothing as personal pieces of wearable art, with you as the artist who put the outfit or wardrobe together, and as part of the composition. You can't separate your head and body from the clothes, so we want them to combine to create an attractive and harmonious appearance, appropriate for you—your lifestyle and personal style. This is the second of Conselle's 12 Wardrobe Strategies for men, women, and children.

Wardrobe Strategies are the 12 processes you can rely on to create a wardrobe that works for you as an individual–that communicates to you and others what you intend, that presents you the way you want to be seen and remembered, to aid in the achievement of your goals. Conselle works with the Elements and Principles of Design in 12 wardrobe strategies that are complete, follow a natural and logical sequence, are easy to understand and apply.

Personal Benefits of Image Management

• Improved appearance and self-image,
• Improved communication,
• Increased confidence and capability,
• Increased credibility,
• Increased productivity,
• Save time, energy, and money,
• Simplify your life!

We invite you to learn more about Conselle's concepts and Wardrobe Strategies through our image management materials and programs. Image management works and it can be just plain fun in the process!

Visit the Conselle Bookstore and call, fax, or write Conselle for additional references or personalized information.

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