Q. What type of woman generally contacts you? Who is your client?
A. While there are some women out there who love to shop and enjoy putting a wardrobe together, there is a large number of women who feel overwhelmed and sometimes even clueless about what looks good on them. They feel left out and frustrated by the amount of money they waste on clothes they never wear. That’s my client—someone who needs a little extra support because she either does not like to, does not want to, or does not know how to create a look she loves. Typically, she is between the ages of 40 and 65 but, in reality, she spans all ages.
Q. Why and when did you choose veganism?
A. While I have not eaten red meat for more than 25 years, it was only 4 years ago (2005) that I became a vegan. Like so many others (who don’t know that they don’t know!), I had no idea the amount of abuse and torture inflicted on animals just so that we can eat and wear them. Once I began to learn about the horrors of animal agriculture (actually, it was the direct link between dairy and the veal industry that really did it), I went vegan that minute and never looked back!
Q. Ginger, since you started your business 22 years ago, obviously all your clients are not vegan. In what ways does your veganism influence interactions with these clients?
A. My goal is to educate the people who want to know more (it is a lost cause to try to tell anyone anything who doesn't care) about how animals are used in not only our food but also the clothing and personal care products we use. Since this information is not readily available, most people are completely unaware of how their seemingly simple and basic choices can so negatively impact the lives of many, many animals.I can show them how easy it is to make other (cruelty-free) choices and still feel stylish and pulled together -- and I like to be a walking example of this way of living.This allows me to combine my two greatest passions -- style and animal compassion.
Q. What if a client is seeking help with improving communication skills or self-confidence. Do you provide guidance in this area?
A. Not directly, although when someone feels good about how she looks it automatically increases her self-esteem and level of confidence.
Q. Most treasured items in your wardrobe?
A. My Joseph Ribkoff jackets and my new Matt & Nat handbags in a variety of pretty colors.
Q. Describe your style in one word.
A. Elegant
Q. When did you become interested in fashion?
A. I had always had an interest in makeup and fashion – not that you would have known it to look at me years ago. I was a teenager in the 1970’s – arguably the ugliest decade in fashion history (almost no one looked good!). I continued to explore my own personal style for years and finally, when I was nearly 30 years old, I heard about a 3-day seminar on image consulting (this was way before anyone had ever heard of the profession) and I decided to take it. That was it. I started my business immediately and never looked back.
Q. Do you have any teleclasses or workshops scheduled?
A. I regularly offer a workshop called “Totally You: Discover your own fabulously authentic style” which helps women identify who they are a deep level so they can dress authentically and with their own personal style.
I will be scheduling (later this spring) a vegan teleclass hidden animal abuse in our cosmetics and personal care products.
Mid-late June I will be introducing my new personal style home study program “Who Taught You How To Dress? Your guide to undressing old beliefs, recognizing your inner beauty and creating a fashion statement that is truly your own”
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Ginger Burr is the past President of the New England Chapter of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) and has served on the AICI's International Board as the Vice President of Member Communications. Ginger is also a past President of the Boston Wedding Group.
Total Image Consultants
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