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"There’s nothing like the start of a new decade to take control of your destiny and change your life for good”
Nicky Hambleton-Jones, TV Presenter, author, entrepreneur and perennial style maven is in Dorking. Nicky is here to tell us about the NHJ Style Academy she founded in 2008 and to visit some of our unique fashion boutiques.
Dressed in a killer combo of hot pink and electric blue topped off with her trademark Dior specs, Nicky, famous for Chanel 4’s Ten Years Younger has been helping women to look and feel great forever, she is quite simply, style gold dust.
“I love changing people’s lives. You cannot put a price on the journey involved on our course- it’s so much more than just a school,” explains Nicky. “What we provide is a transformational journey- it’s a relationship we build with a person.”
Nicky’s exclusive Personal Styling Courses run twice a year, March & October at her London based academy. The four-day course, personally run by Nicky herself, is designed to inject style into your life, career and wardrobe. Many of her graduates have gone on to run their own successful personal styling businesses.
“I love seeing people arrive on Day 1 and by the end of the week seeing a complete change in that individual. The course is hands-on and emotional, it allows you to rethink your identity, unpeel old ideas and we work together to rebuild, repackage; it’s completely supportive and nurturing.”
Recent graduate, Jules Viner credits her new-found career to Nicky's styling expertise. "The skills I learnt from the course have enabled me to step into a career in styling and I love it! The course is invaluable in it’s content and to be taught by Nicky herself is everything you think it’ll be and more!"
The courses have an impressively low student/ tutor ratio allowing for a cohesive class culture.
“NO ONE gets left in a corner- the four days allow you to become completely immersed in something beyond usual life as you know it.”
As Nicky talks animatedly about her students it’s clear to see, she loves what she does-
“I see leaps of change and thrive off of that. What we do is holistic and transformational.”
Whether you want to launch your own career or permanently resolve the ‘I have nothing to wear problem’ this course is going to change your life.
“The course is not just for would-be-stylists who want to launch a career. Many of my students have day jobs they’re happy in but want to learn more about styling for themselves and enjoy the experience- it’s probably the best therapy you’ll ever have!”
The paradox of choice can also apply to our body shape and skin tone – Am I a Winter Pear or a Summer Strawberry? Will I ever look good in yellow? Nicky gives us that knowing smile-
“The course isn’t about rules, DOs and DONTs; I encourage all opinion and creativity. For example, body shapes are guides not cookie cutters- we are looking for the curve, not the overall shape. With colour, I believe in knowing your palette but not following a set of rules. It’s too restrictive to work like that and there’s ways around it. My course is about cultivating the eye to be able to perfect an outfit that is gorgeous, but true to your style.”
As the coffee flows, we chat about the SS20 trends and Nicky’s fashion muses.
“My mum was always colour crazy, my house was a vision of colour and I think you are influenced by your surroundings. Being South African, I think it’s in my blood- it’s a colourful bright country.”
Nicky’s sartorial inspiration also comes from magazines –
“I adore those high-designer editorial shoots and take inspiration from the catwalk. I love fantasy fashion and if I could dress like Blair Eadie every day I would!”
We couldn’t agree more – Blair’s extraordinary sense of style has propelled her to universal fashionista status. Whether she’s strutting through the streets of Manhattan or rocking it on the red carpet she always looks UH-mazing.
Nicky too has that sixth sartorial sense; her natural styling finesse is palpable as she demonstrates how she loves to break down an outfit into something real and achievable.
“A red lip here, a thinner belt there… mmmm perhaps a hemmed ankle- it’s about tweaking the outfit to work for you.”
We’ve been talking, learning and laughing for ages. Nicky is everything we hoped she would be –interesting and interested, passionate and driven, funny and friendly.
After a whistle-stop tour of some of Dorking’s finest boutiques it’s time to head to the station.
Nicky’s natural zeal and high energy leaves it’s mark way after she returns back to London in time for school pick up… what a woman!
The next NHJ Style Academy Personal Styling Flagship Course is 17th – 20th March 2020 in central London. For a 10% DISCOUNT quote SURREY FRILLS when booking.
Call 020 3109 0388, email info@nhjstyle.com or go to www.nhjstyleacademy.com.
What does the Personal Stylist Course cover?
The foundations of style
Trends and how to use them
Women’s body shapes and how to dress them
How to do a bra fitting
Wardrobe essentials
How to successfully edit a wardrobe
Outfit planning
The importance of accessories
How to incorporate colour into a wardrobe
How to prepare for and manage a successful shopping day
How to use Instagram to raise your profile and your business
How to set up your own personal styling business and market yourself successfully
Certificate endorsed by Nicky Hambleton-Jones