How to Become a Celebrity Stylist

Becoming a high-powered celebrity fashion stylist is more than just selecting designer duds and jet-setting around the globe. As a critical member of a celebrity’s glam squad, you’ll be responsible for red carpet looks and a star’s overall fashion image. Fashion knowledge, relationship building and a professional demeanor are critical skills for any aspiring celebrity stylist.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide if your industry focus will be strictly wardrobe styling, fashion styling or a combination of both. Wardrobe stylists work exclusively with television, movies and advertising agencies. They pull together looks for fashion shows, commercials and the silver screen. Fashion stylists work with music videos, celebrities and fashion editorial. Most celebrity stylists have experience working both as wardrobe and fashion stylists. Celebrity stylists design looks for promotional tours, red carpet events, press junkets and television interviews. They are considered image makers who dress their clients for photo-ops and media appearances.

2. Find your style niche. What is your style point of view? The best celebrity fashion stylists from Rachel Zoe, Phillip Bloch and Patricia Field to June Ambrose and Dawn Haynes all have their own signature style. Develop your unique style calling card to separate yourself from the growing pack of up-and-coming celebrity stylists.

3. Get fashion training. Scour the fashion magazines for trends and designer style tips to build your knowledge base. It’s not necessary to obtain a fashion degree from a prestigious school like Parsons School of Design or F.I.T. in New York to get your start as a celebrity fashion stylist. But knowledge of fashion photography, how to put together a look, recent makeup and hair trends, and what clothes flatter all body types is crucial.

4. Volunteer for both fashion styling jobs and wardrobe assistant positions. A breadth of experience styling photo shoots, dressing movie characters and designing signature looks for emerging talent can give a new celebrity stylist-in-training a well-rounded approach to fashion styling. Build your fashion Rolodex fast with volunteer work and free style gigs.

5. Apply for an apprenticeship or fashion internship. Shadowing a well-connected stylist or an apprenticeship with an iconic fashion editor is essential. Fashion is fueled by relationships. To become a successful celebrity stylist, without any established connections with stars or star-makers, is virtually impossible.

6. Volunteer for unpaid positions to build your industry relationships and learn the fashion styling tricks of the trade. Before you attempt to approach a rising starlet or sign with a booking agency, you’ll need tear sheets and experience. A minimum of 2 years working with an established celebrity stylist or fashion editor is recommended.

7. Show off your fashion styling expertise with samples of your work. Build your portfolio with tear sheets and sample photo shoots. Your portfolio, resume and comp card should have pictures of your work and specifics about your experience. With the valuable insider relationships you’ve established as an intern or fashion apprentice, use the connections in your fashion Rolodex to shoot an imaginary spread.

8. Build relationships. Introduce yourself to managers, publicists, agents, hairstylists and make-up artists. Offer to boost their business with referrals and style recommendations. Making genuine connections with key members of a celebrity style posse can take you one step closer to styling the celebrity.

9. Style local celebrities in your town. You don’t have to live in Los Angeles and New York to become a celebrity stylist. Famous people are everywhere. Local celebrities, singers, producers, actors, writers, musicians and television personalities require style guidance. Make a list of local celebrities in your town and contact their representatives for styling work beyond Hollywood.

10. Get agency representation. The best way to score an awesome celebrity styling job is through a reputable agency. Day rates can range from $600 dollars for newbie fashion stylists to $6,000 for established celebrity stylists. Follow these tips as an emerging celebrity fashion stylist, and you’ll undoubtedly develop the business skills, connections and confidence to dress the A-list crowd.

Tips & Warnings

• Dress to impress. You’re a style architect. Dress like one. Celebrity fashion stylists use their own bodies as a stylish advertisement for their skills and fashion knowledge.
• Practice professional etiquette. Never ask for a celebrity client’s autograph or personal contact information. Don’t ever participate in gossip or trouble making. Above all, be discreet with any client’s personal information,

Who Can Help Sponsored

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[mechelepellebon]

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[jerseycam]

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