A stylist job is a new envy, but what does a stylist really do? Essentially they decide what a model or person wears, and HOW they wear it. A fashion stylist may also dress mannequins or retail store displays. Sourcing garments, accessories, and props are also a part of a fashion stylist’s job. Furthermore, fashion stylists advise fashion photographers on photographic locations, while selecting the proper models, makeup artists, and hairstylists for the overall aesthetic of a photoshoot.
Fashion stylists may also write fashion articles for publications, provide fashion direction to buyers, merchandisers, or designers, and attend fashion shows. Fashion stylists may act as freelancers or be employed by fashion publications, fashion houses, designers, or apparel companies. They may work in a variety of styling areas, such as editorial styling, commercial styling, television styling, wardrobe styling, celebrity styling, corporate styling, personal styling, catalog styling, and merchandise styling.
Stylist Different roles/categories
Editorial styling
Within the field of editorial styling, a fashion stylist may select items that will appear in fashion publications, publicity shoots, advertisements, movie posters, or album covers. The team would comprise of (photographer, hair, make up, etc.…) Once the “concept” for the shoot is finalized with the photographer, the stylist must then pull the clothing for the shoot. If an editorial spread was to have 6 pages and 5 outfits, then a stylist would normally pull at least ten outfits, probably more. It is important that there are alternatives if things don’t work out as planned. In order to pull the outfits, the stylist will consult lookbooks, contact PR’s and showrooms, and sometimes pull directly from stores.
Commercial fashion styling:
This involves the styling of actors, actresses, or models for commercial work, such as educational videos, film clips, or advertising commercials. A commercial fashion stylist will select garments and accessories, models, makeup stylists, and hairstylists, to coordinate with the aesthetic of the commercial shoot. A television fashion stylist will coordinate outfits and accessories for actors, news anchors, live broadcasts, and television cast members.
Brand consultancy:
This involves some brands hiring stylists either throughout the whole process, or bring in a stylist at the end of the collection process when most of the clothes have been designed, but they need someone to help “pull it together.” If the stylist is involved throughout the whole process, then the designer will show them ideas, and sketches and the stylist will give them input. This can also involve bringing in their own ideas, visual research, interesting garments they have found, etc… and show them to the design team. The stylist essentially becomes a part of the design team, but they don’t do any physical designs, they just give their ideas. The stylist who works on the show often also styles the photoshoot.
Celebrity styling:
A stylist can work with a celebrity on a regular basis (dressing her/him for day to day as well as events) or work with them simply for a special occasion, such as an event. Corporate fashion stylists may consult with companies on company uniforms and coordinate outfits for executives. When dressing a celebrity for an event, the stylist needs to consider the brand (does the celebrity have any brand relationships they need to support?), current trends, and what the message is, etc.…
Wardrobe fashion stylist:
Stylists May work within television, film, theater, or music productions. They may be responsible for selecting looks for actors, actresses, musicians, performers, or dancers. Generally, shops for clothing rather than make the costumes.
Personal fashion styling:
May work individually with clients to create outfits with existing clothing or purchase new garments and accessories for a client. independently. Personal help individuals shop, curate their closet and define/refine the client’s image.
Catalog fashion styling:
Catalog fashion stylist Will work with businesses or designers in order to develop product catalogs with the appropriately styled merchandise.
What it takes.
The next question is how does one get into styling?
Get a degree in fashion merchandising.
Getting a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising will help you make connections, score internships and, ultimately, get hired. As a fashion merchandising major, you’ll learn about design trends, product development, marketing, manufacturing and more. It’s a deep dive into the fashion industry that will open doors to becoming a stylist.
Internship
If you want to be a celebrity stylist, an internship at a fashion house or agency is a good place to start. A lot of this industry works by recommendations. Intern for a stylist, become their assistant. The key is to develop a relationship with these stylists so they can recommend you. Internships come from real, on-the-ground experience and a mentor who will show you the ropes.
Build your Lookbook
Start building your own portfolio. A lookbook is a collection of photos that showcase your work as a stylist, the purpose being to show off your styling skills in the hopes of building a bigger, and more high-profile, client base.
know the ins and outs of the fashion world.
Know the ins and outs of the fashion business. A fashion stylist always needs to be ahead of the up and coming trends in fashion. Go to fashion shows, Know your audience and truly understand what’s going on in the business.
Research research research.
Believe it or not, there is a lot out there that you don’t know. Research is your BFF. Research different looks, making appointments, gathering all the pieces for a look. The best stylist is also great at planning beforehand, anticipating needs and hiccups, and staying on top of what’s going on in the fashion and styling world through the web.
Baby Get ready to hustle.
Being a stylist is a job all of us definitely wouldn’t mind doing. But involves lots of hard work. A typical day could include anything from running around town preparing for red carpets events to working on press tours and magazine shoots, not to mention juggling a couple of clients’ clothes and accessories.
People skills
Even if you have the best eye in the world, it’s going to be tough finding and “pleasing” clients without solid people skills. To be a good stylist, you need to be able effectively to communicate with many different personality types… and be able to counsel others through their insecurities.
ultimately, you need to have a good eye, and that is something that cannot really be taught.
Credit:
- Searching for style
- teen vogue
- Ann Street Studio
- Photo by shattha pilabut from Pexels
- Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels
- laviebyck
