Becoming a clothing stylist requires passion and a natural talent for fashion. While formal training is not necessary, attending a reputable fashion or textiles program and obtaining an internship can lead to success. Aspiring stylists should think outside the box and stay up to date on trends, while building strong relationships with mentors and designers. Moving to a big city like New York or Los Angeles can also be beneficial.
Anyone who wants to become a clothing stylist – often referred to as a fashion stylist, clothing consultant or wardrobe consultant – probably wants to work in the heart of the fashion industry. Although job descriptions vary, a stylist often designs clothes for celebrities, models, and other public figures. Formal training is not necessary to become a clothing stylist, but a passion for the industry is. Fashion styling is a competitive industry and best for those with a natural talent for fashion.
While there is no right or wrong way to become a clothing stylist, there are paths that can lead a prospective stylist in the right direction. To be a successful fashion designer, a student might consider attending a university with a reputable fashion or textiles program. While earning these degrees, students often learn about the basics of the fashion industry, including its history and future. Practical tools – such as learning to sell yourself and using materials at work – can also be learned. Those with backgrounds in fashion marketing or textile management can be placed at the head of the line during the fashion internship season.
To become a clothing stylist, it is possible to first obtain an internship – either during school or after graduation – with a magazine, stylist or studio. Here, students will become familiar with fabrics and styles used by leading designers. Students learn to catalog and properly care for clothing. While these students should already have a knack for fashion, they will learn how seasoned professionals decide which props and props to use for photo shoots. Because print and TV/movie spots are often shot months ahead of time, stylists learn to stay ahead of current trends.
Having both a degree and an internship under your belt does not automatically mean that a student will become a clothing stylist. An aspiring stylist should think outside the box to get some awesome bonus materials for her resume. She should try freelance writing for some local fashion magazines. Designers are often better off if they team up with a student photographer and do a few fashion-centric photo shoots to create a portfolio. It also helps to do free or low cost jobs to build a customer base.
Aspiring clothing designers must be motivated. It’s a competitive business, easily weeding out those who just can’t seem to cut it. During an internship, students must ask questions and stay ahead of the game by requesting additional responsibilities. More importantly, they must build strong relationships with the designers and fashion editors they work with. Designers may need to use the insights of these mentors – or borrow clothes from them – later in their careers.
Clothing designers must always stay up to date on trends. They must continue to study the relationships of colors and patterns, and how they look on people of different ethnicities and shapes. A successful stylist knows how to hide body flaws and use accessories and props to her advantage. A budding stylist should consider working for a department store as a personal shopper or store designer early in their career. Stylists must learn when to push the envelope and when to be safe.
Finally, clothing designers may need to move to a big city. New York and Los Angeles are two potential hot spots for the fashion industry. Big name magazines and studios are a great place to learn and move up the career ladder.
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