Meet International Image Expert

Judith Rasband

An international authority on image consulting and management, Judith draws on decades of experience as a presenter, consultant, and coach to private individuals, civic, corporate, government, and academic organizations and associations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She takes her work seriously, addressing the sensitive, often emotional, issues of personal appearance, attitude, and etiquette. She is known to present more than 250 seminars in a single year.

judth pic
“Everyone agrees about the value of time management, money management, and maybe meal management, but most don’t even think about the value of clothing or wardrobe management, let alone image management. All are precious commodities or resources that need to be well managed to realize their value.”
-Judith

Certified Image Master (CIM)

Founder and CEO of the Institute of Image Management, Judith is a Certified Image Master (CIM) in the Association of Image Consultants International, one of the first awarded the achievement and one of only twenty in the world.

Judith earned a master’s degree specializing in the physical, psychological, social, and aesthetic aspects of dress and image. With a passion for the work, this dynamic image consulting professional has decades of experience in the field as fashion and image educator, author, columnist, speaker, consultant, stylist, consumer advocate, and video producer.

Judith’s Story

I didn’t set out to become an image consultant.

No. I was going to be a dancer. I was practiced in ballet, Broadway, and ballroom style dancing. During my teen years I was involved in classes, recitals, community and college theater productions. At 15 I was working in costumes and makeup. That experience taught me that clothing and grooming communicate—and the world is our stage.

The home arts were important to me

At 17 I modeled at the Grand Opening of the Portland Lloyd Center Mall, the very year that Nordstrom shoes store merged with Best fashion retailer. The uncles knew what they were doing. Shortly after, I moved to Utah to study dance under Willam Christensen at the University of Utah. My very first semester I tore tendons and ligaments away from my knee cap. That ended my dream—but by then I loved this beautiful mountain land called Utah and I wanted to stay in the sunshine all year ‘round.

The home arts were important to me

So I switched into Family and Consumer Science to study foods, clothing, interior decoration, child development, and home management. At 18 I developed the Cluster Concept of wardrobing. Upon graduation I was invited to teach the course in visual design in dress and wardrobing. My students wanted to learn. They were excited about what I was teaching them. I was hooked and knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. One husband, three children, and three moves later, we returned to this wonderful land called Utah. Within weeks I was invited to teach fashion, fitting, and wardrobing at Brigham Young University in their Department of Clothing and Textiles.

During those years I began to specialize in the psycho-social aspects of dress and image.

I developed the first course in the Behavioral Aspects of Clothing. Parents wanted me to do with them what I did in class for their children and that led to consulting and private classes. I was invited to write a weekly newspaper column about images, leading to a syndicated column for more than ten years. I was invited to co-author a book on pregnancy, my contribution being beauty and wardrobing—with lots of great pictures. It landed me on the Oprah talk-show.

People have asked me, “Judith, why didn’t you leverage being on Oprah?

”Easy answer. I had three little kids waiting for me at home. They were more important than “fame and fortune.” I didn’t however, waste my time. More books followed. I was invited to teach at academic, government, and corporate conferences, workshops, and expositions throughout America and Canada. I had weekly radio and television segments.

The image industry was born and I pioneered image education for consumers, customers, clients.

A Charter member of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI), in 1982 I offered the first consultant image education course titled, Educational-Training in Image Management Careers. It’s not enough to be “trained” in the field. Each client presents a different set of variables to recognize and decipher. Image Consultants must be fully educated to pull from the broad foundation of image information the specific applications that will work for the client. I continue run a full-service business, to consult with private clients and to teach seminars, retreats, and courses in image management, attracting students worldwide. My work to advance the image industry never ends. Curriculum partners now include India, China, and Mexico, keeping my creative output on high.

Wordfull workroom

Have rack will travel

The Cluster Concept works

My first published book

★★★★ BlockBuster Video

Image Consulting Corporate Clients

Judith has worked with a wide variety of corporate and association clients, using image as a branding tool. They include: Texaco, IBM, State Farm, Marriott Corporation, Century 21, AT&T, Bonneville Communications, Beneficial Financial, Procter & Gamble, the Dietetics Association, The Canadian Needlecraft Association, Madeleine Direct, Juvenile Courts of Utah, Talbots, Holy Cross Hospital, First Security Bank, Burda, Bernina of America, Arthur Andersen, U.S. Department of Education, and countless others.

Image Consulting Achievements, Awards, and Affiliations

  • Taught visual design in dress at the University of Utah and later at Brigham Young University for 12 years.
  • A member of the Association of Image Consultants International, Judith was awarded AICI’s Certified Image Master (CIM) status in 2000, one of the first to achieve this highest level of professionalism.
  • Judith was honored with the prestigious “IMMIE”, AICI’s Image Makers Merit of Industry Excellence award in the area of Education, identifying her as one of the top image professionals internationally.
  • Judith served on AICI’s International Board as VP Marketing, Advanced Education Chair, and Ethics Chair.
  • Past President of the Mountain West Chapter of AICI.
  • Fashion Education Director for the Tailored Apparel, Jewelry, and Accessories Council.
  • Fashion Education Director for the Men’s Apparel Alliance.
  • Member of the International Textiles & Apparel Association.
  • Member of the American Association of Family & Consumer Science, Certified.
  • Member of the Association of Design Professionals.
  • Member of the National Speakers Association, Mountain West Chapter.
  • Member of the International Society of Performance Improvement.
 
 

Corporate Clients

Publications & Appearances

Image Consulting Sponsored Seminars

Judith is a fun, energetic, and vivacious seminar presenter and an excellent example of a successful entrepreneur. “We have a lot of serious fun!” An entertaining and inspiring speaker, she brings humor and perspective to everyday image and wardrobe challenges. As an image management professional, she is an agent of change with practical and immediately applicable techniques and strategies for taking charge of appearance. Seminar participants appreciate her authentic concern for others. Her ability to zero in on the immediate needs of individuals results in outstanding levels of personal development and goal achievement. Judith makes a positive difference.

Image Consulting Publications and Appearances

Eager to reach more people with accurate image information, Judith is the author of text and trade books that include the Image Management Quick Reference Guide, Wardrobe Strategies, Fabulous Fit 2nd Edition, the industry bible Fitting and Pattern Alteration 3rd Edition, as well as the award winning classic videos LookChangers and Five Easy Pieces®. All are used in schools and universities and at Fashion Institute of Technology.

Her articles and quotes have appeared in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Men’s Health, Glamour, Shape, European Stars & Stripes, Threads, Woman’s Day, Family Circle, and Image Update as well as newspapers nationwide, landing her on television and radio shows such as Oprah, Today, Good Morning America, ABC News, and the BBC, as well as scores of regional news and talk shows.

Life Goes On

Judith grew up in Washington State and now resides in a land called Utah—at the base of a 12,000 foot mountain. With her husband, physicist Neil Rasband, she raised four children and delights in thirteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In her youth, Judi’s life revolved around theater and dance, interests which continue to bring her joy. She loves to travel, checking out interesting restaurants and historic homes worldwide. Asked when she plans to retire, she is quick to say, “Never! I’m going to live till I die!”