What is a Fashion Stylist, what do they do and how do you become one?
What is a fashion stylist?
Fashion stylists are known for helping celebrities and other public figures look their best on the red carpet, in magazines, or on the runway. They help people to create looks that best fit their taste, their body type, their personality, and the event or place they are going to. They are paid to help others look good and feel comfortable.
They make sure clothing, hairstyles and accessories look right (and coordinate!) and that makeup is applied correctly. Their job is to analyze the clothes and accessories that they will be wearing and to make sure all the pieces work well together. You would think that this job is just common sense, but, in reality, there is a lot more to this job than you would think. Being a fashion stylist can be very time-consuming.
Fashion stylists are often employed by magazines and ad agencies to help fashion models, actors, musicians, and other celebrities create appropriate looks for photoshoots and public appearances. They also work with retail companies and other businesses and non-profit organizations to develop the perfect image for the company in question. They become a trusted resource for fashion advice and guidance. The fashion stylist’s job can be a balancing act due to the demands of clients, deadlines, and budget constraints. Some fashion stylists work for themselves or are self-employed. It’s an excellent choice for anyone who loves fashion and fashion trends and has an eye for style. They know the trends in fashion and how to mix and match clothes to create a look that is both stylish and flattering to a client’s body type. They are experts at knowing which items look best together and know how to put together a wardrobe that works together for multiple types of events. They are also experts at knowing what works and what doesn’t.
The job of a fashion stylist has a lot in common with that of a fashion photographer. They both help people to create an image that is consistent with a certain style and that will best capture the attention of their audience. For this reason, it is not uncommon for fashion stylists to work with the same photographers once they find one that matches their outlook and style. In effect, they are both parts of a team that works towards the same goal, when it comes to editorials and photoshoots.
A fashion stylist is also known as a fashion consultant, image consultant, image-maker, image developer, style consultant, and a wardrobe consultant.
What skills are needed to be a fashion stylist?
The skills needed to become a fashion stylist are many and varied. First and foremost, fashion stylists must be good with people. They must also be able to do their job under pressure, with little to no supervision. Fashion stylists must also have very good organizational skills. Clients want to look their best. They need to be able to make sure that the pieces being worn by a client are appropriate for the occasion they are going to be worn for.
They need to have a good eye for style and excellent communication and organizational skills to work in this fast-paced industry. If you want to master the art of being a fashion stylist, you are going to need an eye for style, as well as the ability to take direction from designers, models, and advertising campaigns. You will need to be not only a trendsetter who can work with emerging styles and find a way to make them work; but also need to understand trends and work with designers to pick the right outfits for each client. Your clients could be stars and other celebrities, so you need to be able to deal with a lot of personality types.
The best fashion stylists have a wide range of knowledge and can multitask, as they are often working with multiple clients at once.
A fashion stylist should be a good listener and have a keen sense of what looks good on a specific individual. They should be able to understand their client’s personal style and coordinate each look to reflect that style. They should have the ability to think on the spot, because it is pretty common for things to go wrong on the day, so a stylist will often need to adapt based on evolving circumstances on the day.
A successful fashion stylist has a wealth of fashion knowledge and strong organizational and communication skills. You’ll also need to keep track of your clients’ brands and have a good sense of what looks they’re trying to achieve for their careers. A successful fashion stylist should have an eye for detail and work well under pressure, as getting the right outfit for an event is not as easy as it sounds…
How do you become a fashion stylist?
There is no straightforward answer to this unfortunately, basically it depends…
There are many different methods and opportunities to break into fashion styling. Most aspiring fashion stylists start as assistants to established stylists, which allows them to learn the ropes and build their portfolios. One can also gain experience through internships with large fashion corporations or by working for a boutique or freelance stylists.
If you are currently studying fashion or a related subject, aspiring fashion stylists can learn about the clothing industry and the career path to becoming a fashion stylist through partnerships between schools and local designers.
While there’s usually no formalized education required to become a fashion stylist, as mentioned, most stylists learn their craft by working with other stylists or by apprenticing with an industry veteran. During this time, they’re honing their fashion sense, learning about fabrics and silhouettes, and establishing connections in the fashion world. While you can strike out on your own after completing an apprenticeship, becoming a freelancer, or starting your own business, most stylists find jobs at clothing retailers, styling fashion shows, or working for fashion magazines.
