How to Go About Becoming a Fashion Stylist

Fashion stylists, also called wardrobe consultants, dress celebrities and models.

Fashion stylists, also called wardrobe consultants, are people who dress celebrities and models, work with photographers to design and execute editorial layouts in fashion magazines, and also oversee the wardrobe choices for commercials, print ads and even music videos. Stylists work with clients to develop signature styles that highlight their client's personality and that are also appropriate for each event the client will be attending. Fashion stylists live in a high-paced environment where it is their responsibility to not only keep up with fashion trends, but to also be one step ahead of the upcoming trends.

Things You'll Need

• Residence in high fashion areas like Los Angeles or New York City
• Associate's Degree in fashion design or Bachelor's Degree in fashion related field
• Internships at design schools
• Entry-level position in fashion field
• Fashion style portfolio
• Networking capabilities

Instructions

1. Complete either a two-year Associate's Degree in an area involving the fashion industry or a four-year Bachelor's Degree. Areas of study can include fashion design, which will help you understand how clothing fits the body; fashion marketing to learn the business side of the industry; classes on how to market visual art.

2. Relocate to either Los Angeles, California or New York City. Unlike other types of applied art, to work in fashion you must live in the heart of the fashion capitals of America. Los Angeles is a good place to live if, as an aspiring stylist, you gravitate towards wanting to dress celebrities. New York City draws stylists who want to work with fashion designers and fashion magazines.

3. Intern with an established fashion stylist. These stylists often work with interns, offering either unpaid positions for a few months at a time or a low wage. The returns on this temporary lower income can be immense in the area of establishing connections in the fashion world. Often these stylists will hire their interns at the end of the internship or get them interviews with other stylists who are looking for competent employees.

4. Keep a book of every shoot you help style, whether your contributions are large or small. This book will become your business card. It is the single most important way you can represent yourself to potential employers.

5. Network within the place where you are interning, plus learn to see every social engagement, including dinners, parties, art openings and movie premiers both large and small as places to meet potential new clients.

6. Invest in a fashionable wardrobe that represents the type of client you are looking for and the type of fashion statement you are hoping to make. First impressions are a huge factor in the fashion stylist industry.

Tips & Warnings

• Never turn down a non-paying job at the beginning of your career, and never see a job as too small for you or beneath you. These types of jobs will always be potential opportunities to network.

• Do not spend money you cannot afford on clothes. Not all stylists dress their clients in high-end designers. Up-and-coming stylists rely on a mix of expensive designer clothing paired with vintage and even second-hand pieces. Your overall unique style will be judged more than if you are only wearing brand names.

References

• Fashion Schools: Fashion Careers
• Mama's a Rolling Stone Magazine: Become a Fashion Stylist, Pt. 1

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Stylecareer.com: How to Become a Stylist
• Degreedirectory.org: What Training is Necessary to Become a Fashion Stylist?
• Fabjob.com: Become an Image Consultant