Our History | Style Directions

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Our History

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1991

Development of 'Personal Profile' - the first mail-order, computerised, style and colour analysis service in the UK.

Contract to train Principles Stores, UK

Fashion Shows for Harrods

Training for Monet Jewellery

1992

'Fashion Counsel' features launched in Woman's Journal - the first fashion advice coloumn in a best-selling UK magazine.

Staff training for Laura Ashley, UK

Tour of UK by Carol Spenser for Prima magazine

Customer Workshops for Estée Lauder

1993

Carol Spenser launches the first lifestyle makeovers on British TV with 'Style Counsel' on the BBC's 'Good Morning' programme.

Fashion Shows/Workshops for Selfridges, London

'Woman of our Time' seminars for Gucci

Makeovers for 'Clothes Show Live,' Birmingham

1994

Consultancy to design and give colour and bodyshape advice on Boots range of swimwear and cover-ups.

Colour Training for Elizabeth Arden

Style Consultancy for Grattan and Look Again catalogues

Carol Spenser nominated for 'Columnist of the Year' for 'Fashion Council'

1995

The first best-selling UK style book, 'Style Counsel' is launched selling over 10,000 copies in two months alone.

Launch of Couples' Makeovers on GMTV with Gary Hooker

Carol Spenser presents fashion on 'Capital Women' series, Carlton TV

Personal Styling course for London College of Fashion

1996

After the success of 'Style Counsel', WHSMith commission 'Wedding Style Counsel' to help brides plan their perfect wedding style.

Carol Spenser launches Debenhams Wedding Service

Fashion Shows for Wedding Exhibition, Olympia, London

Style Advice booklet and audio-tape for Weightwatchers, UK

1997

To cater for the two largest sections of the female market, 'Petite Style Counsel' and 'Slimline Style Counsel' are launched as mini-books.

Interactive Style/Colour website for Persil brands, across Europe

Carol Spenser tours Malaysia, Singapore (Sponsored by Tangs)

Carol Spenser gives Political Makeover advice, BBC2, Election Night

1998

Carol Spenser begins a series of TV programmes for Granada TV, commencing with 'The Makeover Show' with top designer, David Emmanuel.

Personal Shopper training programmer devised for Debenhams

Monthly Style Column launched for 'Slimming' magazine

Carol Spenser appointed Style Presenter for 'Open House' series, Channel 5

1999

The UK's first style-advice book for men, 'Style Directions for Men' is launched and becomes Carol's best-selling book!

Consultancy for Mothercare, magazine and website

Forum for 'Women in TV', Pearson TV

Carol Spenser presents 'Shop!' & 'Wedding Show', Granada TV

2000

Style and Colour Training for Amway (UK) consultants to promote the Artistry range of cosmetics, skincare, jewellery and perfumes.

Carol Spenser awarded TINA - highest award from The Federation of Image Consultants

Carol Spenser gives celeb style advice, 'Celebrity Frock Ups', Channel 4

www.styledirections.com launched - 1st UK interactive Style Advice website

2001

Style Directions launch a five-day Style Consultant training programme to train consultants in the UK and abroad in male and female styling methods/techniques.

Launch of 1-day Style Workshops for public

Launch of monthly stylespot for BBC radio

Style Directions books translated for Eastern Europe and China

2002

Alison Munford launches 'Personal Profile' software for consultants to use on laptop computers under licence from Style Directions.

Launch of 'Makeover-by-Mail' for Men

Monthly Style Advice for BBC.co.uk

Launch of Style Directions advice in Denmark

2003

Style Directions launch a 2-day Colour Consultants training programme to train consultants in the Colour Directions system of analysis and advice.

Style Workshops for Co-op Bank

Style Advice booklet for Breast Cancer Charity

Carol Spenser tour of Bulgaria

2004

Carol Spenser runs male and female style and grooming seminars at the Moda exhibition for fashion retailers at NEC, Birmingham

Style Consultancy for Kelloggs ('Drop a Jeans-Size' Launch)

Launch of Style Directions advice, South Africa

Fashion Advice for Orbit brand, Wrigleys

2005

Lucy Garrett offers Style Directions advice and shopping service to Virgin Atlantic customers in the Upper Class Lounges at Heathrow

Launch of Style Directions Business Seminars

Launch into transgender/transsexual market (NHS funded)

Style Directions launched in New Zealand & Spain

2006

Style Directions and Wendy Campbell launch a Beauticians Training programme to convert existing make-up artists/beauty salons to Colour Directions system

Style Directions advice launched in Scotland

Style Seminars, Delia Smith Restaurants

Carol Spenser tours Australia, New Zealand

2007

Carol Spenser records style advice and gives Personal Profiles as competition prizes to 60 radio stations throughout the UK

Launch of 'Pregnancy StyleProFile' for Bounty, UK

Lottery makeovers for Camelot UK

Carol Spenser Seminar at Jeunique Conference, Denmark with Else Gammelgaard Madsen

2008

Carol Spenser judges 'Strictly Come Dancing' competition of BBC TV and Radio presenters for the Children in Need event in Norwich

Development of 'Garment/Outfit Shapeline' system/symbols

Colour/Style Seminars at 'Glow' Belfast, Northern Ireland with Christine Rankin

Personal Shopper Training for T3 Heathrow Airport with Lucy Garrett

2009

Launch of Style Directions' new Outfit Shape system in J D Williams home-shopping catalogues, website and TV advertising

Glasses Advice for Spex4less.com and Specky4eyes.com

Launch of 'YourStyleFile' brand with 'Shapelines' System

Launch of 'That's My Style' catalogue with TV advertising with 'Shapelines' system

2010

Carol Spenser, assisted by Lucy Garrett, is appointed stylist/presenter on Channel 4's new 'Wedding House', TV programme featuring 32 real-life weddings

10th Birthday - Relaunch of styledirections.com!

Wedding Style Advice for Channel4Beauty.com

Launch of 'Colour Directions' Cosmetic Range

2011

Style Directions organises a national Wedding Competition with the Daily Mirror to win an entire wedding day to co-incide with the Royal Wedding week

Filming for MyFaceMyBody TV Series, SKY TV

Fashion Shows for Marks & Spencer (Isle of Man)

Hosting a Chinese fashion delegation at London Fashion Week for The English Manner