For those who have never fancied a 9-5 desk job and have instead preferred to work on something more creative, there are several options to choose from. There is a fashion stylist for one. This job role has an artistic bend and hence, is one that’s unlikely to become monotonous. Additionally, it is also quite rewarding in terms of pay.
What does a fashion stylist actually do?
We always wonder how celebrities are dressed to the tee. Their look rarely offers scope for criticism. While they do have a sense of fashion, there is always a fashion stylist working behind perfecting their look. A fashion stylist is one who works on improving outward appearances of individuals and objects. They are the ones crafting the fabulous looks we all emulate as the latest fashion trends.
There are different branches within this field. The first type of fashion stylist is a wardrobe stylist. The chief duty of this professional is to dress up individuals, including celebrities, high profile persons and performers for important social events such as press conferences, award nights and red carpet events. Wardrobe stylists also work in the entertainment industry dressing up actors for movies and television serials. There are art directors or fashion editors responsible for styling looks for advertising campaigns, magazine photo-shoots and look-books. Image consultants are also regarded as a type of fashion stylist. They work with common individuals and socialites to give them an image makeover.
Degrees and Training
There is no specific elective that will make you eligible for the job. Some background in fashion and design will help you work your way into the industry. An individual desiring to become a fashion stylist should have a Bachelor’s Degree in fashion styling, fashion design, costume design or marketing and merchandise.
The degrees and electives you might need to take also depend upon the area in which you intend to seek employment. If it is in marketing and merchandise, knowledge of business is a must. Selected fashion design degrees integrate some units of business management within the design course itself, dispensing with the need for a separate business course. It covers marketing, operations and administration.
A portfolio is a display of your talent. Hence, having one is important when you go looking for a job. Most often you will have to pay to get a portfolio done. You can create a portfolio free of cost by assisting a celebrity stylist on a project.
Other Skill Requirements
Training is one aspect of landing a job as a fashion stylist. However, there is a requirement for other skills and abilities that will help you grow and succeed in this career. The first is a good fashion sense. You should have good knowledge of clothing and fashion styles, fashion trends and elements of design. You should be able to match dresses for different figures and body proportions. Not only this, an aspiring fashion stylist should be able to co-ordinate clothing, hairstyle, makeup and accessories to create a complete look. It is also necessary to be creative and innovative. You should be imaginative to know what combination works the best. At the same time, you should be confident enough to showcase and market your work to others.
The ability to market oneself and products is essential in this field. You should be communicative and social in order to get clients for your business. Having a good referral network is very crucial.
The last and most important aspect about becoming a fashion stylist is asking how much do you get paid. Unlike other professionals, stylists do not charge by the hour. They have fixed day and half-day rates. The per-day rate can range between $200 and $800. The amount you can command is influenced by factors such as training, experience, popularity and the market. Celebrity fashion stylists earn a whopping $6000 per day. You can start by working as an assistant to a seasoned stylist and then go on to set up independent practice.