A B O U T    T H E  I M A G E  D I R E C T O R

It’s an unlikely road from tomboy to one of Metro Washington, DC’s most fashionably dressed women, but Kara Allan has made the journey. A young girl who loved building forts and climbing trees, the “fabulous fashionista” is now Image Director of Kara Allan and Associates, LLC, her busy, eight-year-old image consulting business based in Fairfax, Virginia. The company specializes in servicing upscale clients with fashion and beauty services, and acts as a style concierge.

At twelve, Kara decided that she didn’t want her mother to dress her anymore and she became interested in trying on various looks, experimenting with makeup and saw how the transformation enabled her to actually become someone different. As a teenager, jobs at the local mall helped her focus on her emerging passion….fashion. While working at Express she keyed into and translated trends, fashion and style to “help people represent themselves, not just to push clothes on them.” While working on her marketing degree, she helped fellow classmates select job-hunting outfits to prepare for professional interviews.

After getting married, having children, and re-entering the job market with a stint in the unstylish field of law, Allan found her passionate love of fashion had not ceased. So, after getting laid off twice, she happened to read a piece in The Washington Post about Darlene Mathis, a local Image Consultant, and the emerging business of Image Consulting, she was hooked. After receiving her First Level Certification with the industry’s exclusive trade association, the Association of Image Consultants International, and advanced training at Body Beautiful Institute with Certified Image Master Carla Mathis, plus experience with both MAC Cosmetics and Christian Dior as a makeup artist, she was ready to launch her own company.

Now, Kara services VIP clients such as CEO’s, corporate professionals, lawyers, actors, entrepreneurs, former military personnel and others who are “fashion-challenged.” Kara Allan and Associates provides services such as personal shopping, closet organization, wardrobe styling, color consultation and body shape analysis, custom clothing for men and women, group shopping trips, couples styling, interview dressing and corporate image consulting. Her team consists of makeup artists, clothing, shoe and jewelry designers, hair stylists, manicurists, custom shape wear services and bridal beauty services.

Our mission is to inspire and educate our clients about how great they can look and feel in their clothes. We aspire to live out our purpose in Christ and express Him by using our abilities and talents to assist others to be their best and have positive interactions with those we come into contact with.

Kara Allan & Associates, LLC. is a collaboration between Kara and various other style professionals. Visit our partner's page to learn more. 

Call us 703-344-7345 or email at Kara@KaraAllan.com

T E S T I M O N I A L S

I pride myself at being the best at what I do because I change my client's lives for the better. But don't just take my word for it; listen to what they have to say.

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Working with Kara is like being mentored by the big sister that I never had. Kara offered me invaluable insight during a big transition in my career. Her consultations were always encouraging and informative. I have many interests, and Kara understands my goals and passions without judgement.  Kara is more like a life coach to me than a fashion consultant.  She was patient (and understanding) as she encouraged me to get rid of unworn clothes that I'd been dragging around and holding on to for years. The best part of the process is that she worked with my budget. Kara helped me to create a unique package that fit my needs and my pocket! By combining elements from different packages, she worked with me to develop a custom plan that was effective and affordable.  We set up a shopping schedule and payment plan that gave me time to build the capital that I needed. Kara fit my needs perfectly! I look forward to a lifelong relationship with Kara as I continue to focus progress and refine myself as a professional. 

Tricia H. Washington, DC

My business partner and I had Kara prepare us for our business photo shoot. She had just started an alliance with our photographer, Elizabeth Linares, and we were intrigued with the possibilities. Kara listened to our preferences and created a "look" that reflected our personalities in the best light! The photo shoot was a great success. She helped us look our best without looking artificial. I would highly recommend her services for business or pleasure!

Gloria B - Reston, VA
Real Estate Agent

Kara is a wonderful consultant who works in a very personable and professional manner. Prior to our meeting, she did a lot of research for what I would be looking for and came prepared and ready. She was very flexible on the meeting date and time and went out of her way to provide me with a service I appreciated. I would recommend Kara as a professional who can help other busy professionals tremendously! Thanks Kara, I look forward to working with you again soon!

Veronica I - Maryland
VBP OutSourcing, Inc

Kara transformed my wardrobe and my attitude about clothes. She gave me an education about how to dress for my personality and body type. I have received countless compliments about my new look. I would highly recommend Kara to anyone who wants to look great!

Mark A - Manassas, VA
Northrop Grumman

It was a pleasure working with Kara Allan and her partner Jessica (Hair Stylist) for my wedding day. I received many compliments on their work. They were easy to work with and had a flexible schedule. Also I learned so much about makeup and being a woman in business. Not only do I recommend her for wedding services, but also for her other services as well. I look forward to working with her again in some of her other services. 

Abby C - Alexandria, VA
Bride

I hired Kara to assist me with developing and honing a style for my work wardrobe. This is not my strong suit and although I knew I wanted help, I was not sure what sort of help I needed or even how to begin going about it. Kara was fantastic; she worked with me at my pace and helped me figure out what style I was looking to achieve. She was very knowledgeable when shopping with me, telling me why certain color, cuts, materials, and accessories looked good on me.

She helped me meet my goal of stepping up my work wardrobe, including finding certain outfits for an upcoming business trip. She also helped me clean out my existing wardrobe and determine what items I needed to add (boots, a black bag, etc.) to transition my wardrobe from summer to fall. Not only was she helpful during our sessions but also I have been sticking to her guidance while out shopping by myself. Overall, it was a great investment not only for my career but also for me personally.

Rebecca M. - Reston, VA
Attorney

Unlike most women, I do not enjoy shopping! Nothing seemed to fit right and I felt frumpy in a lot of my clothes. But after my shopping trip with you, I feel more confident about finding styles that fit my body best, how to accentuate the positive and down play the not so positive. I love the clothes and so does my boyfriend, Manny. He also really likes the green faux wrap dress. Thank you so much. She picked great clothes. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on them. I also went on to order more clothes online from the great website she gave me.My co-workers are even starting to ask where I buy some of my clothes. That has never happened! But the icing on the cake is the great haircut I got from the salon you recommended. Please pass my thanks on to Erica for the great job she did with the cut and color. I had been in a hairstyle rut for 16 years and overnight the new hairdo changed everything. People say I look younger and that the cut updates my style. I am forever grateful for everything.

Andrea S - Alexandria, VA

"Kara is awesome! She came to my home and worked with me to narrow down my (ever so growing) closet to what "is" and "is not" important. After aking a good look at me, she politely and professionally explained how I gravitated to "safe" colors that did not complement my style at all. She pointed out the colors I should focus on and what to stay away from. Let me tell you that lesson alone has done wonders for me and I get complements all the time!

But that's not all,...next she taught me the very valuable lesson of only purchasing and keeping items in your closet that you either love or like a lot. Nothing else! Easy enough you may think as you read this. No, it's not...not at all.

Lastly, she pointed out what my best physical attributes were and taught e how properly play them up by purchasing clothes to complement those attributes not hide them. Kara, Thank you for your help! You Rock!!"

Michele - FL
Real Estate Agent

"A few weeks after my 30-something birthday, I decided that I wanted to launch a new event design company. I knew that my image was a key element to my success in that industry, so I went online in search of a stylist. Fortunately for me, I came across Kara Allan. Working with Kara has completely changed my iews on fashion, style, and my personal image. From our intital meeting, to her critique of my closet, to our shopping excursions, I have been overwhelmed with Kara's attentiveness, professionalism and knowledge. Not only do I feel my personal best whenever I am wearing one of the outfits that she put together for me, but I always get tons of compliments. Kara is a phenom--and she is a permanent member of my glam squad!"

Stefanie M - Upper Marlboro, MD

Kara is very good. I think the key words I would use to describe her would be: dependable, confident, and driven. She is customer oriented and works very closely with you to get the best results. I am still working with her and I have referred at least four of my friends to them. I found Kara through her website and it has been a great experience."

Mia C - Sterling, VA

I used Kara to shop for clothes for a head-shot I needed as an actor. She did really well with matching colors and making the outfits work. I found Kara while researching image consultants on the web prior to the shoot. I originally called another woman, at the time I was 23, and she referred me to Kara saying that they worked with all ages but were apt to younger audiences. So I went to the website and called. I have referred her to one of my other friends, who was in the market for help before a shoot too."

Tony R - Washington DC
Actor

So, you've just turned 30 and things are finally looking up - so why do you still keep dressing like a 20 year old? Time to call Kara Allan! When I turned 30 last year, I decided to celebrate by kicking it up a notch for my career and personal style. I called Kara and she immediately got to work, not only was she a great personal stylist, but I would dare to say she's a great style coach, too! I picked a 2-hour shopping package and met her at Tyson's on a Sunday afternoon.

When I got there, I'd found that she had gone to several stores ahead of me and picked out a massive amount of outfits! It was great - she picked out different cuts that I normally wouldn't try, but they worked! And she's not forceful, if you don't like it, she'll find something else. All in all, I had a great birthday experience and feel better about my career style overall. If you want to either kick it up a notch, buy an outfit for a special event or need a MAC makeup artist for your wedding, give Kara a call, she'll help you get it done, and done well. (Gentleman, aside from the MAC stuff, that includes you, too!)

Aisha J - Bowie, Maryland

The experience was wonderful. I had just turned 40 and needed to do something just for myself. For years, all my extra money had gone to bills and my child. Finally, I was in a position financially to relax and do something for me. Turning 40 is definitely a turning point in a woman's life.

The experience left me feeling rejuvenated and excited about myself and my looks. Shopping became an enjoyable experience for the first time in my life. I learned a lot about my body type and the styles and colors that flatter me the most. I will never forget this experience and recommend it to all. It's something I should have done years ago. Thanks Kara and Connie (I love my new hairdo too!)

Sandy S -Alexandria, VA

 
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