All About Becoming a Fashion / Wardrobe Stylist

[fashionrage]

Just wondering if there are any other costumers and/or stylists on the board. Would love to network with other stylists across the globe.

 

[LadyIllusion]

Hi Fashionrage - Im a stylist (Image Consultant) and i trained/qualified in April 03. Consultation includes - Make-up, colour analysis, women/mens bodyline analysis and style.

 

[fashionrage]

hey OGG, it's good to see another image forcaster (esp. in another part of the world). how long have you been styling (prior to training?) do you do mostly print, personal, film?

 

[Boudoir Belle]

this is interesting, what is it exactly that you do?

 

[purplelucrezia]

I'm interested in costume (for theatre, film, etc.), but since I'm not done school yet, I have not made up my mind. It would be helpful to hear from people who are involved in similar fields...Thanks...

 

[fashionrage]

i prefer print and video, but i have worked as an assistant in both theatre and film. but i just don't care for those too much. i like print because you get in-- get out then you are done.

BoudairBelle - a stylist and/or costumer is the person who pulls together the look for a film, theatre production, videos, photo shoots. Alot of stylist also do personal shopping and image consultanting.

 

[purplelucrezia]

That sounds quite interesting. Please, could you tell me, what does your job consist of exactly and what education did you need? (I am currently in university taking visual arts).

 

[LadyIllusion]

Fashionrage

Before i became an I.C i was a stay-at-home mum. I gave up work about 4 years ago because i was expecting my little man and wanted to be at home with him.

I had always loved fashion and really thought about what i wanted to do with my life- you know- a job i could still get excited about in 6 years time. I get bored very easily. I just thought it was perfect for me. I always knew it had to be creative whatever i did. I used to model as a teen - acting/dancing/singing after leaving college - got married- had children - free again to go and do what i really want.

I am still a newbie in this field and have only been working for roughly six months. As my husband is a football agent - i have worked with some of his players, consulting on a personal level(no one famous yet!) but it is a rewarding job. Lots of patience and organisational skills are vital.

I am now planning on doing a footwear design course (my ultimate career) and will incorporate the Image Consultancy role into my business when im established.

 

[fashionrage]

Alot stylists or costumers take merchandising courses, but there are some schools out there that offer courses in styling as well. I know MUD (the noteable makeup training school in California) offers a training course.

Here is description of their course:
The educational objective of this Program is to provide training to those individuals who seek employment as a fashion stylist. This Program is designed to make the student proficient in the make-up application, hairstyling, and wardrobe styling for models and performers. This Program teaches the skills and techniques necessary to meet the entry level requirements for work as a fashion stylist and make-up artist. This Program includes the Beauty Make-up, Studio Hairstyling, and Wardrobe Styling Courses, with the intent of providing the student a firm overview of the varying job demands of the fashion stylist and make-up artist in the fashion and print industries. A diploma is presented upon completion of this program.

 

[fashionrage]

sounds wonderful OGG. we are on the similiar tracks.

about 15 years ago I knew that styling/costuming was exactly what i wanted to do, but you know how it is when you are coming out of high school and your parents want you to go to college and get a real job...so i did. however, i have always been creative. i am a graphic designer and web developer (can i plug my work? www.eclecticsoul.com/folio), but it has not been fulfilling for me to be behind a computer the majority of my day, so about 6 months ago i decided to pursue what i originally set out to do -- STYLING! so far i have just been doing test shoots to build a great portfolio, but i am planning on leaving chicago soon to go to a better market (east coast or west coast -- haven't decided which yet), then i can finally give up the computer attachment.

 

[Scott]

Great to see some other stylists on here. As I too am embarking on the path of styling I find myself more attracted to print work(magazines),videos(perhaps) and fashion shows. I have no formal education but have been doing a great amount of experimental work alone since I was an adolescent. At the moment,I am mainly seeking assistance work in Europe,as I feel that's the area which I will feel most comfortable and will garner the most substance in my work(my heroes seem to be all European based and trained,you see)--since of course I do want to be a visualist,if you will.

Is there anybody that you guys have looked up to or count as influences on your careers. Melanie Ward,former editor at i-D and now editor at Bazaar,was the one who initially inspired me to do this on a visual level. Since I was already thinking of working in fashion and had no idea of what I would be good at I saw styling as the perfect medium for me. Nowadays,though,I consider Jane How as the first and foremost as perhaps the most visionary,imo. I also adore Haidee Findlay-Levin(who worked at Ruffo Research and most responsible for the talents she brought in to design) and Karl Plewka and count them as the ones who have had the greatest deal of influence on me.

 

[Boudoir Belle]

that sounds sooo interesting

 

[purplelucrezia]

Wow! Thanks for all the responces- it all sounds so interesting. I guess I will have to see how I like my costuming course next year...

 

[pinkcouture]

Very interesting topic!!I start fashion school in October and have lately been pondering what direction I want to take in the fashion field and I have been leaning more towards becoming a stylist..its great to see stylists here!

 

[smashinfashion]

i'm also going into styling. right now im setting up a test with a couple cute girls and a photographer friend but next time i think i'll take over the photography aspect. i hate not having total control of the image! anyway i'll post the photos when we're done.

 

[fashionrage]

i look forward to seeing them smashin.

my biggest problem when i test is finding a photographer that will have my vision. i decided to stick to photographers who are more eccentric like myself.

 

[Lena]

I've done styling for major fashion magazines, tv spots & fashion catalogs. I've also designed costumes for dance groups and i've done wardrobe design for the cinema. When i started this, there was no need for a formal education in order to be a stylist, you just needed some cool style of your own and to know people around (my first jobs were for the biggest models agency, they actually asked me to be a stylist and i was like.. what does a stylist do? i was so clueless)

In between i did design & history of costume studies so that helped me develop.
Tip: styling is quite a hard job that can get quite boring with time..

Currently i'm fashion consultant for a huge fabric manufacturing factory that exports for H&M, Top Shop, Zara, etc. It's fun, i love this. I also consult two young designers and two boutiques

Regarding photographers, try to ask collaborations with photography students and get models for free, just by contacting local agencies for new faces (they always need some new looks for their books )
Doing your own photography is clever, but it might create few practical problems once you try to do both for fashion magazines.. photographers might end up hating you if you do both.. since they might take this as if you are 'stealing their post' you understand what i mean right ?

good luck to all, feel free to ask me for any tips etc,

 

[kate]

I never knew there were so many on this board! Well silly me..this is The "Fashion" Spot. Anyway, this is all very interesting. Thanks to you all for sharing and I am looking forward to hearing more about your careers.

 

[purplelucrezia]

Lena- your job sounds absolutely fascinating! I would love to do something like that. Also, I do have a knowledge of historic costume and some experience in that field. (I have worked as a docent in a historic house, have participated in several historic reenactment activities and often research historic costumes in my free time.) Although I am only beginning, I have already had several people at my university recommend me to the costume design field. Next year, I plan on taking the historical costume course in my school's theatre department. Also, one of my dreams is to work for Zara one day. A job like yours sounds ideal for me and may even become my future field. I hope so anyway!

 

[TrailerCouture]

wow lena you have the coolest job in the world!!! Ive always dreamed of styling photo shoots for editoral lay outs or runway shows! I think style is something you are born with and cant necessarily aquire it from formal education, either you have it or you dont!