The mirror

ABOUT EMMA

 

The Art of Being Seen

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Emma Pruen is a renowned image consultant and therapist who facilitates profound personal transformations at The French Retreat, the sanctuary she co-founded in South West France. Through her signature programme, The Mirror, Emma helps individuals reconcile their internal identity with their external presence, moving far beyond "fashion" to help clients reclaim their visibility and self-worth.

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A Legacy of Transformation

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Before establishing her retreat centre, Emma’s career was defined by a deep commitment to social change and female empowerment. As a high-level strategist for the Green Party, she served on the National Executive and acted as the Families and Children’s Spokesperson. During this time, she was a fierce campaigner against everyday sexism and the marginalisation of women over 50—issues that remain at the heart of her therapeutic image work today.

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Exploring the Human Potential

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Emma’s unique "inside-out" approach was honed during a decade spent at the forefront of the personal development movement. As the founder of Wave Magazine, she immersed herself in the study of what makes us tick, "sorting the wild from the weird" to find truly effective methods of human growth. This period of exploration followed a stint in journalism—a career move sparked by a life-altering journey through Tibet and India, which included a meeting with the Dalai Lama.

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The House of Colour Years

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Emma’s mastery of colour and style began in West London, where she ran a premier franchise for House of Colour. Trained by the legendary Carolyn Miller, Emma quickly moved from individual consultations to high-stakes corporate gigs for British Airways, Next, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Yet, despite the prestige of her corporate clients, her true calling was always found in the quiet, emotional breakthroughs—the moment a woman looks in the mirror and sees, for the first time, that she is not invisible, but "absolutely lovely."

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From Retail to Real Insight

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Emma’s journey into the power of image began as a rebellion against the emptiness of fast-paced retail. Though she started her career as a successful buyer for Marks & Spencer, she felt a calling for work that made a tangible difference in people’s lives. A serendipitous colour analysis class—which she initially attended with some professional scepticism—became the catalyst for her life’s work. It was the first time she felt truly seen, and she has spent the decades since ensuring her clients experience that same life-changing revelation.

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