How to Become a Stylist

So, you’re thinking about becoming a stylist? Awesome choice! Styling is all about creativity, fashion, and helping people look and feel their best. Whether you want to style individuals, work in fashion editorials, or dress celebrities, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.

Which stylist would you like to become?

First, you should choose which styling profession you like more.

Personal Stylist
A personal stylist works with individual clients to help them develop their personal style. This involves creating outfits for everyday wear, special occasions, and professional settings. Personal stylists often work one-on-one with clients to understand their preferences, body type, and lifestyle to curate a wardrobe that reflects their personality and meets their needs.

Fashion Stylist 
Fashion stylists work primarily in the fashion industry, creating looks for photoshoots, fashion shows, and advertising campaigns. They collaborate with designers, photographers, makeup artists, and models to bring a creative vision to life. Fashion stylists need to have a keen eye for trends and an ability to conceptualize and execute visually compelling outfits.

Personal Shopper 
A personal shopper assists clients in purchasing clothing and accessories. This role involves understanding the client’s style, budget, and needs, then selecting and buying the appropriate items. Personal shoppers often work with busy professionals or individuals who want to revamp their wardrobe but lack the time or expertise to shop for themselves.

Celebrity Stylist
Celebrity stylists specialize in dressing high-profile clients, such as actors, musicians, and public figures, for events, appearances, and performances. This role requires a deep understanding of current fashion trends, the ability to source unique and designer pieces, and excellent interpersonal skills to manage the demands and preferences of high-profile clients. Celebrity stylists often work under tight deadlines and must be able to handle the pressure of high-stakes events like red carpet appearances.Each of these roles requires a unique set of skills and offers different challenges and rewards. Consider what excites you most about styling and where your strengths lie as you decide which path to pursue.

Step 1: Get to Know the Fashion World
First things first, dive into the fashion world. Read fashion magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle. Follow top stylists and fashion bloggers on social media, such as Rachel Zoe, Chiara Ferragni, and Aimee Song. Watch fashion shows from major brands during fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, New York, and London. You need to know what’s trending, what’s passé, and why certain styles work for different people.

Step 2: Educate Yourself
You don’t necessarily need a formal degree, but some education can be really helpful. Look for courses in fashion styling, fashion design, or even fashion merchandising.

For example, you can study in Italy online on a course “Personal Stylist. Image Consultant“offered by our school. You can study how to create style and wardrobe for people, how to make personal shopping and how to promote yourself.

Step 3: Start Gaining Experience
Experience is key in the styling world. Start by helping friends and family with their outfits. Volunteer to style for local fashion shows, small photoshoots, or even charity events. For example, you could offer to style models for a local boutique’s fashion show or collaborate with a photographer friend to create a themed photoshoot. This is where you’ll start building your portfolio – a collection of your best work to show potential clients or employers.

Step 4: Build a Portfolio
Your portfolio is like your styling resume. Include high-quality photos of the looks you’ve created, whether from photoshoots, fashion shows, or personal styling sessions. Make sure it showcases your range and versatility.

Step 5: Network, Network, Network
The fashion industry is all about who you know. Attend fashion events, join fashion groups on social media, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people in the industry. Networking can lead to collaborations, internships, and even job offers.

Step 6: Get Social
In today’s world, a strong social media presence is crucial. Create an Instagram account dedicated to your styling work. Post regularly and engage with your followers. You never know who might be watching and could become your next client.

Step 7: Look for Internships and Assistant Positions
Internships and assistant positions are great ways to get your foot in the door. You’ll learn from experienced stylists, gain valuable insights, and start building your professional reputation. Look for opportunities at fashion magazines, with established stylists, or at fashion houses. For example, you might intern with a well-known stylist or assist on set for a major fashion magazine’s photoshoot. These experiences can be invaluable for learning the ropes and making important industry connections.

Step 8: Develop Your Personal Style While it’s important to be versatile, having a unique personal style can make you stand out. Develop a signature look or aesthetic that people will recognize as your work. This doesn’t mean you can’t adapt to  different clients’ needs, but having a personal brand can be very powerful.

Step 9: Keep Learning and Stay Updated
Fashion is always evolving, so you should too. Keep learning about new trends, techniques, and technologies. Attend workshops, take online courses, and never stop improving your craft.

Step 10: Start Taking on Clients
Once you feel confident in your skills, start taking on clients. You can begin with friends and family, offering discounted rates to build up your experience and testimonials. As you gain confidence and referrals, you can start charging more and expanding your clientele.

Step 11: Consider Specializing
As you gain experience, you might find a particular area of styling that you love. Whether it’s personal styling, editorial work, or celebrity styling, specializing can help you become an expert in your niche and attract more clients in that area.

Step 12: Market Yourself
Don’t be shy about promoting your services. Use social media, create a website, and consider running ads. Word of mouth is powerful, but you’ll also need to put yourself out there to reach new clients.