Merging with existing thread on this topic.
Finding an agent who will rep you is a major challenge. (whether your are a photographer, stylist, makeup artist... pretty much all the same). It's different for us than for a model, who just has to have "the face and body" and can be coached to success by a good agent if she photographs well. To get an agent, you need to already have a serious book of paid work and editorials. So ... first you must make some headway in your career and be able to prove to a prospective agent that you are hire-able and skilled with the right contacts ... so that you are marketable to even more clients. It is sort of a "catch 22" ... you need to get work before you get an agent, and you need an agent in order to get work. Just how it is .....
And no ... it's not the agent that makes a difference in pulling wardrobe ... it's the gig. In other words, if the designer/shop will get publicity, they will consider lending wardrobe. So for a magazine editorial or sometimes an on line editorial, or a celebrity photo op (where they will be named) ... those are the most desirable situations for a designer or shop. For small shops and start up designers ... they may accept photos with usage rights to use them for their own advertising purposes. Usage rights must be personally granted by the photographer (not anyone else on the crew like the stylist) because he owns them, by law.
Go here for more information about pulling wardrobe:
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FASHION STYLISTS: CLOTHES AND CONNECTIONS!
Related to agency representation ... or not:
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Freelancers (Stylists, Makeup Artists, Photographers, etc.) - Marketing Yourself
And more information about creative agencies might be found in this main thread about becoming a Fashion Stylist ... a very long, multi part thread;
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All About Becoming a Fashion / Wardrobe Stylist You may wish to search the thread, when you are in it ... go to the nav bar above the posts, and typing in agent or agency ... there may be specific discussion about this topic.