Evergreen Awards has recognized The Style Academy International® as Best Online Color Analysis Training of 2026, highlighting its contribution to professional styling education through accessible online learning and career-focused training. Founded by Louisa Gabriel in 2017, the Academy has developed from a single personal styling program into an international education business serving aspiring and established personal stylists, virtual stylists, image consultants, and color analysts.
The recognition comes as the Academy marks its ninth anniversary in September 2026, reflecting nearly a decade of developing educational programs and supporting students as they pursue professional opportunities in the styling industry. Today, the business operates in both the United Kingdom and the United States and has welcomed students and graduates from more than 100 countries.
Its development reflects a broader approach to styling education that combines technical knowledge, practical application, and the business skills required to work professionally with clients.
From a Personal Styling Course to an International Education Business
When Louisa Gabriel established The Style Academy International in 2017, the business began with one personal styling program. Her goal was to create an accessible route for individuals interested in developing the knowledge and practical skills needed to work as professional stylists.
Over the following years, the Academy expanded its educational offerings to address different areas of the styling profession. Its current programs cover personal styling, virtual styling, color analysis, and the business development skills needed to build a styling career.
The Academy now serves people at different stages of professional development. Some students are entering the industry for the first time, while others already work in styling, beauty, fashion, or image consulting and want to expand their services.
Its certificate programs are CPD accredited through The CPD Group, providing an independently assessed professional development framework for its educational offerings.
In September 2026, Gabriel reflected on the company’s growth and its international community in an article celebrating nine years of The Style Academy International. The milestone represents the evolution of a small online training operation into a broader professional education platform.
Inside the Color Consultant Certificate Program
The Style Academy International’s Color Consultant Certificate Program is an online course designed for aspiring color consultants and professionals looking to expand their styling services. Students learn color theory, color psychology, undertones, the 12-season color analysis system, professional draping techniques, personalized color palettes, and client consultation skills.
The program welcomes beginners, personal stylists, image consultants, makeup artists, hair professionals, and individuals considering a career change. No previous color analysis qualifications are required. Further details are available in the Academy’s Color Consultant Certificate Program FAQ.
Practical Learning Through Flexible Online Education
Delivered through an online learning platform, the program includes approximately 45 hours of video lessons, downloadable resources, quizzes, practical exercises, and tutor feedback. Most students complete it within four to six weeks, with the flexibility to study at their own pace.
The training covers both in-person and virtual color consultations, helping students understand professional techniques and how to apply them when working with clients.
Certification and Professional Development
The Color Consultant Certificate Program provides an optional certification pathway for students who wish to demonstrate their practical knowledge and skills.
To earn the Certified Color Consultant designation from The Style Academy International, students must successfully complete three practical exercises, a multiple-choice examination, and a final practical assessment.
Those who meet the assessment requirements receive a digital certificate and a Certified Color Consultant logo they can use across professional websites, social media profiles, email signatures, and marketing materials.
This structure distinguishes course participation from successful completion of the professional certification requirements. Students can undertake the training to deepen their personal knowledge, while those seeking professional certification can complete the additional assessments.
The Academy’s wider certificate offerings are CPD accredited through The CPD Group, supporting its focus on structured professional development and continuing education.
Building a Styling Career Beyond Technical Skills
A defining aspect of Gabriel’s approach to education is the belief that technical styling knowledge alone is not enough to establish a sustainable professional career.
Her experience includes building a six-figure personal styling business, which helped shape the Academy’s emphasis on combining creative and technical skills with business knowledge.
Professional stylists must understand more than color, clothing, and appearance. They also need to develop client communication, service development, pricing, marketing, branding, and business management skills.
The Style Academy International incorporates this wider perspective into its educational platform. Its programs and supplementary resources are intended to help students understand how professional styling knowledge can translate into services and business opportunities.
Color analysis, for example, can operate as an independent service or complement personal styling, image consulting, makeup artistry, hairdressing, beauty therapy, fashion retail, and personal shopping.
For existing professionals, the training offers an opportunity to broaden their service offerings. For career changers and beginners, it provides a structured introduction to a specialized area of the styling industry.
A Global Community With Continued Educational Support
The Style Academy International has welcomed students and graduates from more than 100 countries. Operating in both the United Kingdom and the United States, the Academy supports its international community through online learning, a private Facebook group, and lifetime access to course materials.
In 2020, Louisa Gabriel launched The Business of Style podcast, covering topics such as marketing, pricing, client development, and business growth for styling professionals. These resources extend the Academy’s support beyond certification and encourage continued professional development.
Continuing the Next Chapter of Styling Education
As The Style Academy International moves beyond its ninth year, it remains focused on developing practical, relevant, and accessible education for people pursuing professional opportunities in styling.
Recognition from the Evergreen Awards adds to the Academy’s history of industry acknowledgment, including being named Best Personal Styling School Online 2025 by Best of Best Review.
For Gabriel, the company’s continued development reflects the importance of adapting education alongside changes in the styling profession, technology, and the ways professionals connect with clients.
The Academy’s combination of specialist certification programs, business education, and international student support provides a foundation for individuals looking to enter the industry or strengthen their existing professional services.
More information about its programs and educational resources is available through The Style Academy International’s official website.
About The Style Academy International®
Founded in 2017 by Louisa Gabriel, The Style Academy International® is an international online education business specializing in personal styling, virtual styling, color analysis, and professional development for styling entrepreneurs. With business operations in the United Kingdom and the United States, the Academy has welcomed students and graduates from more than 100 countries. Its certificate programs are CPD accredited through The CPD Group. The Academy also produces The Business of Style podcast, providing additional education on entrepreneurship and business development within the styling industry.
The Academy also shares educational updates, styling industry information, and professional development content through its Instagram community and Facebook page, extending its engagement with aspiring and established styling professionals beyond the online classroom. You can email directly to [email protected].