Sussex Exclusive caught up with Michaela Sargeant recently and discovered that the power of colour in changing our mood and channelling our confidence is transformative. Michaela writes a monthly column on style and colour for Sussex Exclusive. Don’t miss her monthly tips if you want to boost your personal brand and confidence through what you wear and the colours you choose.
1. What inspired you to start your business?
I went through my own colour and style journey and found it transformational, not just in how I looked but how I felt. From that point on, helping others in the same way was on my radar, but always felt more like an ideal rather than something that could happen in reality. When my third child was born, maternity leave offered a rare opportunity to step back and reassess. It became a clear ‘now or never’ moment. I figure with this life, I’d rather try something and it didn’t work out than regret never trying – so I took the leap.
2. How do you arrive at a client’s perfect colours?
Through the process of colour analysis. This is where a client sits in front of a mirror with natural light and by tying a series of precision-dyed drapes around their neck and comparing the different colours, I observe what they are doing to the face. Every human being, regardless of skin colou,r fits into one of four categories, or “seasonal palettes.” We call these Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter and there are core differences between the characteristics and features of each colour palette. The right answer is all to do with the individual’s skin undertone. It’s not guesswork, it’s all science-based.
3. What reactions do you get after styling a client?
Clients often tell me they feel more like themselves once they start wearing the colours and styles that truly suit them. Starting with a few simple changes, confidence grows and compliments naturally follow. Words like “empowered” and “focused” come up frequently, and many say getting dressed and shopping becomes far more enjoyable because they know exactly what they’re looking for. A comment I hear time and again is how they wish they’d had this knowledge years earlier.
4. How do you balance the latest trends with a client’s wardrobe and your advice, which could mean a wardrobe makeover?
Trends can be useful, but they should never dictate how we dress. It’s helpful to know what’s likely to be out more in the shops so that clients can be aware of the trends that are going to work for them and the ones they can ignore. Many people fall into shopping trends because they feel they ‘should’, driven by a fashion industry focused on sales rather than celebrating individuality. My approach is about putting the client first, using trends as a tool rather than a rule. What suits one person won’t suit another — and that’s absolutely fine.
5. What is your stance on sustainable fashion?
Sustainability is a key part of why I do what I do. If you know the colours and styles that serve you best, you’re not going to waste time, money and energy on things that just end up gathering dust in the wardrobe. Cost per wear should be a consideration – it’s better to spend more on one well-made item that you know works and you’ll wear lots, than less on several cheaply produced items that you might wear a couple of times but don’t last through a wash cycle! Investing in quality over quantity ultimately supports a more considered and sustainable approach.
6. Should every woman have a little black dress?
Versatile wardrobe staples are important — pieces you can dress up or down and rely on time and again. However, the classic LBD isn’t right for everyone. Black doesn’t suit everyone, and a ‘little dress’ may not align with someone’s personal style. I believe we should feel amazing in everything we wear, not just one go-to outfit. The most attractive version of you is always the most authentic – so go for a chocolate brown dress or a trouser suit if they’re going to work better.
7. How can a woman experiment with colour if she’s nervous about wearing bold shades?
Many clients want to wear more colour but feel nervous because bolder shades naturally draw attention. The difference is between standing out for the wrong reasons and wearing colour with confidence. The starting point is colour analysis — once you know which shades truly suit you, bold colours stop feeling risky and start feeling empowering. With that certainty, colour becomes a tool for self-expression rather than something to shy away from, and you know what suits you.
8. What are your go-to colours?
I suit the Spring palette of colours. These are yellow-based colours that have clear, bright, light and warm tones. Personally, my go-to colours are probably a mix of my best neutrals – cream, honey, and oxford blue – and my best impact (aka WOW!) colours which include geranium red, coral, leaf green, hyacinth and aquamarine. One of the benefits of colour analysis is that everything within your palette works together, making getting dressed effortless – you don’t have to second-guess anymore – so I can combine any of my Spring colours and they will all go together. I also love wearing violet and tangerine.
9. Can colour choices influence how others perceive us?
Absolutely. Research shows certain colours trigger psychological responses, making people seem more dominant, approachable or competent. Red, for example, conveys passion, energy and power, while blue signals calmness, trust and professionalism. Beyond that, wearing shades that truly suit your complexion enhances freshness and harmony, which naturally boosts confidence. That confidence becomes visible to others, making your overall presence far more compelling and influential than colour alone could achieve.
10. How does running your own business compare to being employed?
Running my own business gives me complete control. I can focus on the areas that matter most, take a holiday when I want one, and set my own standards. I’m accountable only to myself and can market my business in the way that feels right. There’s no rigid procedure — I decide which opportunities to pursue, set my own boundaries, and shape the business around who I am. That freedom, creativity, and autonomy is something I totally love.
Style is so much more than clothes — it’s about confidence, self-expression, and enjoying the journey of getting to know yourself better. Helping clients discover their perfect colours and styles is incredibly rewarding, and seeing them grow in confidence and authenticity – seeing those dots connect – is what drives me. In my next column, I’ll share a story where a client learned what worked for her, leading to higher self-knowledge and enabling her to gain her power back on the shop floor.
About Michaela
Michaela Sargeant is a Colour and Image Consultant renowned for helping individuals and professionals to make confident and informed choices about how they present themselves. Through personalised colour analysis, image guidance and makeup advice, Michaela supports her clients in discovering the colours, styles and makeup tones that suit them best, helping align their appearance with who they are and how they want to be perceived. Her approach is thoughtful and practical, grounded in the belief that clarity in personal style reduces decision fatigue, builds confidence and allows people to show up more fully in their work and lives. Michaela lives in Horsham and works from her Horsham-based studio. Contact Michaela at michaela.sargeant@houseofcolour.co.uk or visit www.houseofcolour.co.uk
