So You Want to Be a Stylist…
I am so honored to share that two of my amazing college professors from Northern Arizona University, Judith Everett and Kris Swanson recently asked me to contribute to the third edition of the text book that they wrote, Guide to Producing a Fashion Show.
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| Guide to Producing a Fashion Show {Third Edition}, Fairchild Publications |
I get emails and comments daily from aspiring fashion stylists, asking me advice on breaking into the fashion industry, and wondering how my career as a stylist began, so I wanted to share some info that {hopefully} is helpful! Here is a snippet of what I share in the book…
Styling is a Business
As a freelance stylist, you are running your own small business. There are specific skills that I learned in college and throughout my work experience that I use in my everyday business life, such as marketing, accounting, communication, merchandising, photography, art, and public speaking.
Strong Fashion Sense
Having a strong fashion sense is a huge part of being a great stylist, however, there is much more that goes into it. It really depends on the job and the client, and you must be able to shift your expertise to meet your client’s individual needs. Being a great stylist should never be about enforcing your fashion aesthetic onto someone else.
There are several other elements that go into being a great stylist, including:
- Dressing individuals according to their body type
- Sourcing clothing for specific client needs- knowing where to find what you are looking for
- Successfully shopping within a clients budget
- Finding balance between bringing out a clients strengths and taking them outside their comfort zone
Organization & Attention to Detail
Being organized and having a strong attention to detail are what shapes your business from day to day, not only while on a job, but in pre/post production.
- Scheduling of daily clients, meetings, fittings, and meeting deadlines
- Attention to detail while on set/being the photographer and art directors second pair of eyes
- Setting the tone for the organization of the shoot: having the clothing rack labeled and in order, to laying out shoes and accessories, keeping receipts, tags, and shopping bags organized and in tact for returns
- Pinning a garment onto a model, taping the bottom of shoes, keeping accessories separate in bags, and of course, putting your artistic touches onto the looks you are putting together
Design, Fabrications & History
Stylists are artists, so having a strong artistic perspective and being proficient in basic art and photography skills, and having an overall knowledge of fashion and all that encompasses:
- Design, merchandising, marketing, textiles, retail, and history
- General knowledge of clothing construction, draping, fabrications and textiles
- Proper fashion terminology when speaking to clients and designers
- Partnering with a client on marketing and selling their product
Customer Service & Communication
Effective communication skills are also essential in client relations. I am so thankful for my days working as a receptionist and in retail, because I use my customer service skills every day in my styling career. Stylists are constantly working with new creative personalities and must be able to mold to those personalities, interact graciously, communicate ideas/concepts eloquently, and establish trust that will allow the professional relationship to grow. Often times stylists are asked to speak as a fashion expert at fashion presentations and workshops, so being comfortable in front of an audience and public speaking is also important.
Many stylists get their start by working as an intern for a stylist, or at a fashion house, magazine, or PR agency. Also, assisting established stylists who you admire and who work in the niche you are interesting in is the absolute best way to get first hand experience. Often times, interns and assistants do not get paid at first, but if you have a great work ethic, work hard, and prove yourself to a stylist, they will continue to work with you on paid opportunities, and will recommend you to other stylists as well.
The biggest mistake that people make is calling themselves stylists when they actually have zero experience working as a stylist. Having a love for fashion or being a fashion writer/blogger does not make someone a stylist. There is a huge difference between writing about your love of fashion, and actually building a business as a stylist.
If you are interested in applying to work with me, please send me your cover letter and resume!
{on a personal note}
I believe that as children, our true talents definitely come to the surface in one way or another. My journey as a stylist began when I was 5 years old. I used to spend hours playing “photo shoot” by creating a photo studio in my bedroom, by tacking a white sheet to the wall and using my day bed as a sweep. I would pose my stuffed animals, then take pictures of them with my Fisher-Price camera.
This all came straight from my imagination. I could spend hours styling my dolls, playing dress up, and organizing my bedroom. I have always been drawn to fashion, photography, and other creative outlets. I am continuously growing, learning, and evolving as an artist. The process never ends!
Throughout high school and junior college I took fashion and photography courses, and received my B.S. in Merchandising, minor in Photography from Northern Arizona University. After graduation I moved to Los Angeles and completed a Visual Communications program at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), I was certain that I wanted to pursue styling as my career path, and upon graduation I landed my first job as a stylist.
