How to become A Fashion Stylist

Fashion Stylists use their creative genius and fashion judgment to ensure the individual, fashion house, or brand they espouse has an extraordinary appeal.

• Wardrobe Stylist
• Celebrity Stylist
• Fashion Editor

What do Fashion Stylists do?

A Fashion Stylist would typically need to:

• Channel their creative vision and unique style to help actors and models set trends, collaborate with brands and shoot magazine covers
• Source and cast models; assist on set during shoots with steaming, pinning and fitting clothes or accessories
• Source and obtain clothes, products and accessories for use in shoots; ensure proper handling of sample stock
• Offer expert advice on products and styling ensembles; market appropriate products
• Direct make-up and hairstyling; create mood boards
• Collaborate with fashion designers, photographers, studio coordinators, content managers, producers and creative directors in shaping the vision
• Ensure the sets, mannequins, styling props and shoot areas are orderly and well maintained
• Coordinate shoots, monitor the entire process and discuss any issues with the senior stylist
• Stay abreast of current fashion and design trends while setting their own

Although the central part of your workday will be studio-based, you may also spend time on location or travelling for meetings and photoshoots. International travel is quite common. You can find retailers and studios throughout the country, but most opportunities can be found in major fashion hubs.

Generally, employed Stylists have a regular work schedule from 9-6 with longer hours during seasonal peaks and project deadlines. Freelancers have more varied hours and need to be appropriately flexible.

Finding a job in this highly competitive industry can be challenging. Fashion Stylists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly and leveraging social media. Most probably, you will juggle working on ad-hoc projects while playing your core job role to perfection. Part-time work is a viable option. 

Fashion Stylists are generally employed by:

• Image Production Teams
• Large Retailers
• The Fashion & Music Industries
• Magazines
• PR Event Management Companies

Professional associations and organisations, such as the World Fashion Association, are crucial for Fashion Stylists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• A high-stress work environment can have adverse effects on one’s professional relationships and reputation
• Going over budget can prove expensive in terms of losing clients and failure to be reimbursed
• Failure to meet client’s expectations of identifying current fashion trends and realising them effectively
• Freelancing comes with its fair share of job insecurity  
• Successful juggling of more than one client at a time requires genius organisational skills

The fashion industry is synonymous with intense competition; any experience you can garner will help you stay ahead in the game. Most employers require at least one or two years of experience in a retail or studio environment. Many Fashion Stylists begin their careers as assistant stylists or shoot coordinators.

Internships, summer placements and part-time/full-time jobs with clothing manufacturers or the retail clothing sector will help you gain highly desirable familiarity with styling products, merchandise and interiors at fashion shoots or personal styling. Solid networking opportunities and employment offers are valuable by-products of such experiences.

Internships may last anywhere between a month to a year and come with a minimum wage.

Volunteer to work with student magazines, fashion shoots and films. Start your own style blog. Build a strong network comprising public relations agents and brand showrooms that can lend you clothes, products or accessories for a shoot. Employees will also be keen to see samples of your work via a portfolio, uploaded images or a website.

Read about the profession and interview/job shadow experts working in the fashion industry to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Creative and practical skills will stand you in better stead than academic qualifications.

However, employers increasingly prefer candidates who have a two-year foundation/associate degree or a three/four-year bachelor’s degree in fashion communication & styling, fashion image making & styling, fashion product & promotion, fashion styling & creative direction, fashion styling & production or interior styling & design from accredited colleges and universities.

Ideally, the programs should cover sketching, fashion illustration, clothing construction, fashion show production, tailoring, pattern drafting, CAD (computer-aided design), silk screening, block-printing, visual merchandising, fashion business and product development. Some programs may also offer courses in digital studio, drawing studio and art design.

Apart from courses in fashion design/merchandising/technology, you can also pursue a degree in art, photography and visual merchandising.

Focus on art, photography, mathematics and English in high school.

Certification in InDesign, Photoshop, Capture One and Microsoft from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market, increase your chances of advancement, and allow you to become an independent consultant.

A combination of education, experience, and testing is generally required to gain certification, though requirements differ from region to region.

The number of bookings they get, the quality of their clients, the photographer’s reputation, the nature of the assignments, a steady work schedule and incrementally higher fees define the career progression of a Fashion Stylist.

Some stylists begin their career with lower-end catalogues before working their way up to working in high fashion. The quality of the merchandise and the client are standard benchmarks of career movement in an upward direction. 

Frequently, Fashion Stylists accept assignments with no significant increase in pay if it means the opportunity to work with reputed photographers and other notable players in the fashion industry. Such tasks pave the way to becoming Senior Stylists who may become Art Directors and Fashion Editors. 

Increased knowledge, experience and reputation may empower you to set up your own business or consultancy.

Candidates with a strong sense of fashion, excellent communication skills and a nose for networking will have the best job prospects.

The road to success as a Fashion Stylist is built on productive relationships with editors, producers, photographers and directors. Be proactive and on the lookout for plum opportunities. Attend various fashion and trade shows to research the latest trends and styles and add to your contacts list.

In addition, take advantage of diploma and Masters courses in fashion media styling and creative direction to help you specialise or broaden your skill base. Growth in e-commerce highlights the need to further your knowledge and experience in social media and online retailing.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Fashion Stylist build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

The Inspiration And The Expression

Fashion Stylists may look toward music, film and regular people for inspiration. Couple that with outstanding creative ability and good visualisation skills - and you have a genius who can imagine the final product even before the client gets dressed as per their recommendations.

Everything To Include In A Resume

A photoshoot primarily helps show the photographer and the model or star being photographed in the best light. However, Fashion Stylists garner their fair share of fame from a photoshoot.

What else helps showcase your experience would be an accurate description of your knowledge of the product being sold, customer service skills, sales floor & e-commerce management, social media presence, personal style, art direction, fashion show production, creative concepts, fashion styling and store management.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Fashion Stylists have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time Fashion Stylist has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

High heels are nothing new to the world. In the 18th century, they were fashionable even for children.

Fashion Stylists use clothes and accessories to send explicit visual messages that are universally appealing.

“People will stare. Make it worth their while.”

Harry Winston