Making an impact with a new client - Helen Robinett

The human eye relates to whatever it sees.  Making a good first impression with a new client is important.  You don’t get much time to get this right, so get skilled and take in some tips. You can manage the perceptions of others by the way you use contrast in your outfits.  This relates to how you mix individual pieces of clothing together.

The two crucial elements are:

1.    Your natural contrast levels – this is the relationship between your skin, hair and eyes; and
2.    The occasion – do you need to make a noticeable, strong impression or do you need to appear more relaxed and blend in?

There are two levels of contrast that you need to know about:

1.    High contrast:

• Suits individuals with strong colouring (dark hair, dark eyes, fair skin)
• Supports an occasion when you need to make a strong impression – an important business negotiation, meeting new clients, making a presentation. For legal issues, you can make a strong statement by wearing high contrast colours in the courtroom.
• Achieved by wearing a light shirt and dark jacket.  

2.    Low contrast

• Suits individuals with medium to light colouring (fair hair, light eyes, fair skin)
• Supports an occasion that requires a casual atmosphere or totally non-threatening environment. This contrast style is very supportive for medical staff, teachers and retail staff.
• Achieved by wearing a light to medium shirt and light to medium toned jacket.  

Spend as much as you can afford on the neutrals in your colour direction. These are the light and dark colours in your personal colour direction that are best for your basics – pants, skirts, jackets and suits. For most people these colours will include black, charcoal, navy, teal, chocolate, ivory or white. They are not memorable colours, so no-one remembers you wearing them a few times a week.  They will remember what you did with them and how they are worn.  These items will form the foundation of your wardrobe and need to be excellent quality.  It is always better to have two good suits than five sub-standard ones.

Mastering the Art of Illusion

Having an understanding of your personal colour and contrast levels is one thing; knowing how to create an illusion is quite another!  OK, here we go…

• The most effective slimming trick is to wear your designated colours. Choose a colour that flatters you and draws the eye up towards your face and away from your body.  Let’s face it – height is power. 
• Dress in one colour, preferably a neutral. And not hot pink or banana yellow! It just won’t have the same effect. Dressing in a neutral from head-to-toe has the effect of taking the eye up and down, slimming the body as opposed to taking it from side-to-side (hello waistline!) Tone in your shoes with the pants and jacket. This is called colour blocking and it works a treat.

Helen Robinett Director and Image Advisor, Image Quest


Helen is obsessive about helping people to feel fantastic about themselves. With a background of over 20 years in sales and marketing coupled with extensive experience advising leading corporate and individual clients, Helen understands why personal and professional image are key ingredients in business success. Helen works with clients to develop a comprehensive imagemanagement strategy and ensures that staff reflect the image and branding of the company. Helen is experienced in delivering dynamic presentations designed to inspire and enlighten. Popular topics include the importance of first impressions; managing perceptions of those around you; dressing for where you want to be; and effective wardrobe management. Helen is known for her warmth, humour and impactful style.


Her ability to maximize the potential look and feel of individual personalities and corporate cultures is second to none. Helen is recognized within government and corporate environments as the ‘go to’ person for customized image consulting. Clients who have experienced Helen’s magic touch often speak of having a new attitude and approach to their work and life. She is one of only four image professionals in Australia to achieve the designation of Certified Image Professional through the Association of Image Consultants International and has recently published a book on Personal Branding, Apprentice to Business Ace.


Helen is the President on the board for Try Youth and Community Services in Melbourne and facilitates the ‘Look good feel better’ program at the Freemasons Hospital for cancer patients. Helen can be contacted via www.imagequest.com.au  or helen@imagequest.com.au