Helen Hutchinson's eye for style stood her in good stead for her career.

She laughs when she recalls being discouraged by her father from an initial ambition of becoming a hairdresser.

"In those days there wasn't as much money in it," says Helen.

After a few years working in offices and doing a business studies course, Helen followed her instincts and returned to college to study a HND in tailoring.

Her first venture after qualifying was a childrenswear business. She then moved into the retail industry as a garment technologist for a major chain.

Garment technologists, Helen says, check the clothes are created to the correct size and fit and ensure manufacturers meet the company's quality standards.

Working in the same role for a Shipley company which, at that time, was manufacturing for well-known labels such as Next, Planet and Windsmoor, meant relocating from her native Ormskirk, near Liverpool, to Yorkshire.

From there Helen landed the same role with Bradford-based mail order giant Grattan for seven years before redundancy forced her to work freelance.

Eventually she and a partner went into business, and their successful collaboration led to Helen designing and marketing clothing collections for independent retailers.

"It was unique because of my background in garment technology, which stood me in good stead for design. I wasn't formally trained as a designer but I think the talent must have been there so I incorporated it with my other experience from the clothing industry," she says.

They ran the business for seven years, during which time Helen was also working as a design director for her business partner's firm.

"I know the clothing industry inside out, upside down and roundabout, but it is a tough business. I was working down in London three or four days a week and it got to the stage where we had to shelve my business."

Inspired by celebrity stylists Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine - of What Not To Wear fame - Helen decided to re-train. Through Trinny and Susannah's website, she discovered the style consultancy course First Impressions and enrolled on an extensive programme which took her six months to complete.

The course covered all spheres of image, from wardrobe assessments to selecting colours to suit clients and personal shopping. She was used to fitting clothes on models but discovered it was completely different assessing someone on a personal level.

After qualifying from the course, Helen began testing her skills on family and friends. Recommendation led to regular clients and she's even had men seeking style inspiration.

"The great thing with men is they do exactly what you tell them to," says Helen. "Whatever advice you give them, they will take it. Women are a lot more complex; they tend to question things more and aren't so readily convinced."

I ask whether she's as straight-talking as Trinny and Susannah?

"Every client who walks through the door will say You aren't like Trinny and Susannah are you?'. I won't strip them down! You also have to be careful and choose your words because people are sensitive. Surely it's a great job getting paid to shop?

"I could do it all day long," laughs Helen. "You're going round the shops, helping to make people feel good and getting paid to do it. One client sent me a thank-you card and a bottle of wine. It's such a lovely feeling to make people feel good."

As well as personal shopping, Helen is also collaborating with a local interior design company helping to market their service among developers, so style is proving a very versatile career.

When asked what advice she would give to someone wanting to embark on a career like hers in style, she says: "I would say it's not easier than any other business you want to go into because you are self-employed and it does take a lot of hard work."

Helen advises to focus on business development and ensure you get the right qualifications.

Bradford College runs business courses. To find out more call (01274) 433333.