Although I would like to refrain from discussing gloomy topics, the fashion industry can't be excluded from the influence of the prevailing economic recession.

Since the beginning of the year, even famous brands have been unable to avoid the effects of the economic recession. There were fewer shows being held at the Paris and Milan collections, as some brands switched to exhibitions instead. So where do we stand in respect to fashion? Currently people are more than likely firmly tightening their purse strings. It is precisely for that reason that you need to be wise about shopping, avoiding making any mistakes and learning to make do with what is already in your wardrobe. While now is certainly the time to focus our fashion sense on withstanding the economic downturn, what about finding a way to enjoy fashion wisely with a little help from the professionals?

Based in Tokyo, The Top Notch Group provides personal fashion consulting services. In order to suggest styles that best suit a person's character, individuality and lifestyle, experts - Haruhi Otsuka and Pippa Griffiths - analyze colors, body shape and wardrobes in the client's home. The company also offers services that include accompanying the client when creating personal couture or going shopping - just like having your own personal fashion stylist!

Apart from concerns such as, "I always wear similar outfits," "I don't know which color suits me best," "I have so many clothes that I never wear" and "How can I get closer to my 'ideal image'?" there are many people who can't really enjoy shopping or fashion in Japan because of their intrinsic difference in body shape and/or dress size compared to those stocked in Japanese stores.

"Actually, I get a lot of questions such as 'Where can I shop for my size?' or concerns which focus too heavily I feel  on what is wrong with their bodies." Pippa, the Representative Director of The Top Notch Group, says, "We want to show people that dressing your best need not be difficult or expensive and within this process can help them think differently about themselves." As a self-proclaimed fashion addict, I decided to undergo counseling with The Top Notch Group in order to wash away some downturn blues and become a Recessionister!

This time, I decided to try three courses: Personal Color Consultation, an Image Shape-up and Wardrobe Workout.

We started with an interview session conducted by Pippa and Ms.Otsuka, It was rather like the detailed analysis a doctor at a hospital might provide! I answered questions related to my lifestyle, concerns over my body shape, my favorite colors, my favorite magazines and the image I would like to project. The next step was a color drape test, which involves a total of 120 colored drapes draped over the shoulders to check which colors best suited my skin tone. Female clients are required to remove make-up so that an accurate check of what colors suit the skin tone can be done. "Colors are made up of three elements of hue, brightness and vividness. For example there are numerous kinds of reds depending on the balance of these three elements. For that reason, checking each tone against the skin is important because you find out, whether that vivid red suits you better than a dull red. " says Ms. Otsuka. "It is important to know about colors, since a color that suits you makes you look healthier and more radiant. If you are wearing a color that suits you, you will look and feel more confident and glow - even without wearing rouge!If you wear a color that does not suit you, your skin will look dull!"

Drape colours are classified into four types, spring, summer, autumn and winter. Even similar colours may generate a completely different impression depending on their tone. The base color of your skin tone can either be yellow or blue. And this will  decide which classification you fall into. "When you buy a coat, suit or jacket, it is useful to know your base color," says Ms. Otsuka. In addition to knowing your base color, it is also important to know the colors that do not suit you. Incidentally, colors look the most natural and are accurate in day light at around 11 o'clock in the morning and my consultation was held at around that time. As the consultant holds each of the colored drapes against your face one after the other, she looks at your face and compares effects each makes. You gradually begin to see which color group suits you the best. Despite the fact that I always believed that I don't look good in light toned colors, I discovered that spring tones make my skin look the nicest - which was indeed unexpected. Ultimately, clients will be told which five colors that suit them best.

Knowing your skin base color is important for choosing accessories as well. Gold suits yellow-based skin tones. While silver and platinum are a good fit for blue-based skins. The advice Top Notch provides is detailed and specific to you. For example what kind of natural stones or materials for accessories are best for you and even advice on what colour nail polish for specific occasions or looks will work best with your coloring and ultimate image...

The colour analysis was then followed by the Image Shape-up course, which starts with a detailed analysis of your body shape. By taking measurements and undergoing counseling with Pippa, the closest body shape was chosen from a number of "ideal" body shape sketches. I found out that my body shape is very similar to the "Lean hourglass" body shape. Based on that classification, advice is given on what silhouettes best suit you and those that you should be avoided. As well as how to take advantage of your "assets" and how to conseal your "limitations". Everybody should know what makes them look good, especially with items they wear all the time-- for example the shape of the neckline,  the cut and detail of a skirt or pair of pants. As long as you know what best suits you, you won't fail to dress well, and of course, wear your current wardrobe well and to its full extent, way in to the future! Fashion advice can't get any better than this!

We next moved on to the Wardrobe Workout course. Advice is provided on how to make use of your current wardrobe - item by item - and what additional pieces can be added based on the analysis you have already received on color and body shape. I have a navy blouse that I once bought on impulse, but have always been puzzled as how to make it look good on me. With one piece of advice from Pippa - to use a belt - the blouse was reborn with new sophistication!

Pippa says that there is one vital thing that she wants clients to take away from her sessions "I really want my clients to learn to like themselves as they are, and to understand that we are all different and no one is perfect. Once engaged with this, I want them to explore their personal style themselves - confident in the knowledge they know the basics, ,and can start to have fun with clothing and fashion again." The Top Notch Group also offers services for men, which work to improve their image within a business or leisure-time setting.

Knowing yourself well forms the basis for any situation. It's wonderful to find out which colors and styles best suit you whoever you are. It not only enables you to shop wisely without making mistakes, but also makes you rediscover the joy of fashion! And a little joy is what we all need in these difficult times!