All About Becoming a Fashion / Wardrobe Stylist

[StilistaxVita]

Becoming....

I'd love to get into fashion styling, but I think it's really about 'who you know' or starting really small on your own and building a portfolio for yourself. Which takes a lot of time, money and most of all dedication. I thought of applying to one of the big stores to start as a personal shopper, but even there you need experience. I know there's books out there on how to 'become' or 'get into' fashion styling, but I don't think I should have to find the answers in a book.

Any thoughts?

 

[BetteT]

I don't know why you think that you should not find answers in a book ... if not there, then where? Maybe I'm just misunderstanding your statement.

Of course, places like this forum can provide a lot in information if you read everything ... but it's all mixed up, not organized like it would be in a book. My thought is that you must search for information every where and read everything you can get your hands on to learn about this business. And the absolute best way to get up to speed would be to intern with a stylist and then begin assisting several stylists for pay. That kind of experience is really hard to get ... networking is the key.

There is one book you should seriously consider: 'The Hair Makeup & Fashion Styling Career Guide' by Crystal Wright who reps stylists and artists and has been in this biz for a long time. It's written for makeup artists, hair artists, and fashion stylists and it's mostly about the buisness end and how to market youself: networking, building a great protfolio, getting an agent, set ettiquette and ethics ...things like that. Not about the mechanics of styling. It has been used at FIDM in L.A. as their only text book in their fashion styling course. It's hard to find and often not current but it's the best I've found. You can go here and order it from the publisher: http://www.makeuphairandstyling.com/home/

 

[mishahoi]

I'm calling out for some help from some experienced stylists.... I have been styling for about a year, but I only work when I have free time inbetween classes and such. While I have some paid gigs, they are all with street label average-sized girls for mags or pro models who are sample size for test shots. I recently was asked by a pretty successful musician here to style for her... I'm not sure if its only for print, or for her performance or CD cover or music video or what.... we have similar style and ideas and she believes in my "eye" to find her ...and design....some great outfits but..... i'm afraid i am completely lacking in experience in this field. i am not an experienced enough seamstress to create something good enough for a big production either. and she's VERY small...not sample at all...think olsen twins... and i don't know if all this stuff will have to made especially for her or what... i know i can figure out something really great for her, but i'm afraid i may fail in execution since i have no idea what the protocol is here. i'm just asking for some direction!! this could be my big break... thankyou guys!!!

 

[Bixby]

I was wondering what you guys think...

There's an ad for "Professional Stylist/Sales" for a MaxMara boutique and it says they're looking for full and part-time stylists "with prior retail sales experience". I worked at Macy's over the Christmas season and I know that's not exactly what they're looking for (and I quit because I haaated working there) but I've always had good style and I know what will and will not look good on a person... and I was going to work there before but it didn't work with my school schedule... but I guess my question is what do you think of MaxMara? If it's a fun place to work then I won't have a problem dressing really nicely and handing in my resume. Althought iin this case I'm pretty sure stylist means sales associate but whatever. I love clothes.

 

[larichg]

Stylist

I want to be a stylist after I'm finished with school, so I was wondering if anyone knew any schools or classes not so far from Norway or in Norway?

Or are there other schools/classes that will get you an education so that you are qualified as a stylist?

 

[stylewhore]

so if i wanted to be a stylist and have a lot of retail experience and have a college degree how do i go about doing so? i live in miami, fl but am hopefully moving out to LA in Ca soon any ideas?

 

[BetteT]

I've given my thoughts earlier in this thread if you just go back and read everything, you should find it ... I'm a stylist in L.A. BTW.

 

[Bixby]

You've offered great advice, BetteT. Thanks for taking the time to reply to everyone.

 

[12-1DA]

first styling job! What to do?

Hi!
I would like to ask you some advice:
I work as a scout at a modelagency in Amsterdam.
In the future I would like to be a fashionstylist.
I asked the director of the agency if I can do some styling to get some experience for the future already. A great idea he thinks!
I'm excited !
But now I am a bit confused how to get started. I already know which model I have to style first. And I drew some outfits to show my boss what ideas I have for her. I think he would like it though. I will keep it simple, because it's just a portfolio shoot.

How do you guys get started? And where do you get your shoes haha? Do I have to pay everything myself, or can I charge it with my boss?

I am a bit nervous because it will be my first time!

 

[12-1DA]

great thread btw

 

[Lena]

^ you dont have to buy a thing, just network with shoe shops/boutiques in your area and try to borrow the shoes you need for the day of the shooting but try not to destroy them at all..
you can offer one or two photos that include the shoes and offer this to the shoe shop as an 'exchange-favor'

good to speak with the people in the agency but you will also need to speak with the model (and the photographer) about the looks you plan to produce and also have some idea how a good book for her should look like
try to 'highlight' the models 'high points' eg neck, hands, legs, bust and work with this in mind while shooting

good luck, keep us posted

 

[wroughtstyle]

I am new to the site but all the comments are great, I have been doing this for about 6 months as well it take a patience person to aquire some nortiety you must be dilagent and squeeze in anyway you can, I have done a fashion show lots of trade for print and a pilot all for no money, but the exprience was well worth it I still completing my protfloio, but here are some free site to post your work on, www.myphotoalbum.com www.modelmayhem.com www.musecube.com and www.modelmingle.com check out the sites they provide information and jobs from all over it doesnt matter how many pics you have get out there. You can over dress but never over elegant "Coco Chanel"

 

[fashionbutterfly]

I have a question to everyone here..i want to become a fashion personal stylist(if its called that) which is basically helping clients figure out whats best for them?any tips?is this possible and what do i need to know?

and if i want to be a fashion assitstant in shows and botuiqes how should i get myself there and what tools do i need?

thank you waiting pateintly for ur answers

 

[Lena]

^ networking (and maybe assisting an 'established stylist' so you get some kind of experience and reputation) may be the only answer to what you have in mind

 

[issunn]

hi everyone, i am not really new to tfs, but i have been on and off reader. it always takes me a long time to catch up on all of the readings and most of the time, all of my questions are answered, BUT here goes:

i am an aspiring fashion stylist and trying to put together a portfolio. i would like some advice on what i should include in it? what does the industry like to see in these portfolios. i've done a few tests shoots, but i feel like they are not professional enough, but i am running low on cash and live in a town that pretty much has no exposure to fashion. i have done some textiles design and garment construction, but is that something i should include in a portfolio? also, how many pages is too little? or too much?

misiahoi - congrats on your encounter! i really hope its your big break as well!!!! i'll be heading to tokyo for the summer and i can't wait study the fashion scene there. do i need to know how to speak japanese fluently? i have been learning for about 2 years now and i am not fluent, but i pick up on convos ok i guess. can you give me some tips on how the tokyo fashion industry is like? what to do and what not to do? how interns work?

any advice is greatly appreciated!!! thank you! ~issunn

 

[fashionbutterfly]

^ networking (and maybe assisting an 'established stylist' so you get some kind of experience and reputation) may be the only answer to what you have in mind

thanx LEna but do you think i can make it without me having a certificate in fashion?and what if people ask me bout my education in fashion and i tell them i didnt study fashion wont it be a turn off for them to let me work for them?

 

[BetteT]

No one ever asks for a "certificate" ... at least in the US. In fact, if you go in with a certificate in hand, you could even be laughed at ... it's a sign of a rank amatuer who took some funky class. It really does not impress anyone in the biz to be honest. Sometimes a class can give you an understanding of what you will need to do ... but that's about it.

What they want to see is a dynamite protfolio, a strong resume and great referrences ... as well as an aesthetic that matches what they are looking for.

If you are just starting, and wanting to assist ... you must find a way to impress upon the stylist that you are willing to work hard physically. They won't really care if you have a fashion background or not. An assistant is there to do the grunt work, not any actually styling.

It's actually just hard labor ... carrying and lifting things and walking long distances with them and taking care of all the garments... pressing and steaming them. And you must be punctual, relieable and must learn to keep your mouth shut on shoots. You will probably be running errands a lot, so a reliable car is necessary.

What you will get in return is being able to watch the process unfold and maybe, with time the stylist might teach you a few things. And if he/she trusts you ... by not networking with his/her contacts they may eventually throw you a bone.

This is usually freelance work ... so you could actually assist more than one stylist at a time ... should you get lucky enough to impress a few of them. You will be called when needed ... with probably just a day or two notice and then the hours will be long ... up to 16 hours in a day at times.

Getting into styling is done by building a portfolio, working free to build your portfolio and hopefully working as an assistant and paying your dues. And by networking like crazy. People will hire you for gigs if they know you (or you have come recommended), like you and like your portfolio ... plain and simple.

If you read the previous pages (all of them), you'll see that I and others have pretty much outilined how we and others got into the biz. If you want to be a stylist, you must start to do your homework and reading all you can about it here is where you can start. If someone doesn't have the patience to read all of this information, then they don't have the attention to detail, and the ability to work the long, hard hours that it takes.

 

[BetteT]

issunn,

What goes in your portfolio depends on the market that you are working in. In other words, if you are in New York you need slightly edgy, editorial (think Elle and Vogue) looking spreads. If you work in Chicago ... probably you need stuff that looks much more commercial ... catalog types of things and lifestyle. L.A. is a cross between commercial stuff, like ads for jeans and lots of glamour ... like Maxim stuff. I choose not to do the Maxim type stuff and there's no haute couture here, so my portfolio is fairly "commercial" in look. So first, you must determine your market and what kind of work you will most likely get and suit the images to that.

Other than that, I've heard that you should not have a lot of isolated images ... unrelated to anything else. A stlylist may be called upon to put together a series of looks ... called a "story" or better described as a theme or concept. So having 4 to 6 related images in a row, will show your ability to work within a theme and make all the wardrobe work in some sort of related way. Such as a color story ... using one or two colors ... like black & white or all red, for example. Or focusing on a shape, such as the newer pouffy skirts ... or texture like tweed and fur or silks and satins ... or a setting like the jungle or an old west town in the desert. Things like that.

And they say that your best image should be on the first page and your next best on the last ... hopefully from different stories. To wow them when they open the book and to leave them something to remember you by.

Right now my portfolio is about 24 pages ... that's about 4 or 5 stories and a few other shots. My online portfolio is much more extensive.

The most important thing to know ... and this is soooo hard to do ... you never use a shot that isn't brilliant. You will be judged by your worst shot so it's better to have 4 to 10 great shots than 30 mediocre ones. You must learn to be very critical of the shots you pick. If the photography is so-so and the model less than agency standard ... don't use it. No matter how much you love the look. Move on and test some more until you get great stuff.

And no ... don't mix in your design and textile work. Use separate portfolios for those ... they sizes are different, anyway. It's not related to styling ... at least as far as potential clients go. Styling portfolios should be 9x12 or 11x14 and the prints should fill the page.

 

[issunn]

Thanks so much BetteT!!!
Those were extremely useful info. I understood everything you wrote clearly. I didn't even think to really ask about the size of the portfolio. I was planning on buying a 14x17, which would have been too big. I will definately separate my styling work from my design. Ok... now I can concentrate on specifics in the portfolio.

 

[zrzava]

Business advice

I wanted to chime in on the need for good business skills in the field of styling. All of my friends and I who style professionally have a big problem when it comes with negotiating payment. This is not the field to get into if you're strapped for cash as in many cases your client may not pay you until the job is published or until post-production is completed (in the case of some advertising jobs I've done). This makes for some nail-biting adventures come rent time!

Here's a link to an honest post I found from a fellow colleague about waiting on her money.

BetteT, Softgrey and others: How long do you normally wait before a client pays you?