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S T Y L I S T

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A Fashion Stylist provides visual solutions for the media and publications using fashion wardrobe and props. A fashion stylist can work for a designer, manufacturer, individuals (including celebrities), magazines, photographers, etc.. The stylist knows how the photographer likes to work and often acts as a muse to their creative talents. They also get to know the clients and by understanding their requirements, are able to select the most suitable accessories to compliment the garments and arrange them appropriately for the shoot. They create looks with their keenly developed eye for fashion, mixing the different clothing pieces and accessories to make a statement.

The Role Of A Fashion Stylist

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First and Foremost you must have a PASSION for FASHION. This might sound cliché but it is the key element in being successful in this in this industry. Knowing the various trends, being a multi-tasker and above all else fashion focused will enable you to do great things.

A stylist’s job is multifaceted. It’s not as simple as, shopping for clothes. The common misconception most people have about stylists is that clients hand over large amounts of money to them and they shop all day. A stylist is a problem solver, a go-getter and is very informed. It is the stylists job to know the current fashion trends and have the ability to predict the next fashion trends. The individual stylists develop a total look for a client and run errands to get all the pieces together, etc. A stylist has to be a problem solver.

Stylists need to be outgoing and personable and have the ability to work as a part of a team. The atmosphere on a shoot is often very tense and the ability to calm down situations and inject some humor is a very valuable asset.

How To Be Successful

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This is crucial to your styling career. You must develop a style of your own. You must be current, creative and well-groomed. In the beginning of your career, creative decisions makers will base a lot upon your image when deciding to hire you, especially when you don’t yet have a portfolio.

Your personal image and presence

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This first year of your career is probably the hardest.You might be juggling a day job while testing and working on your new career as a stylist. You must try and save as much money as possible so that you have a cushion, if and when you leave your day job. Remember freelancing means you might get a check the first month and the following week or two you might not have any gigs and, therefore money. You will need to budget yourself. Testing sometime requires that you spend some extra money on miscellaneous props, etc. So you have to allow for these unexpected expenses.

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• Fashion Styling is fun-filled, exciting world with its ups and downs. You have to be able to go with the flow

Tips fir the Stylist:• Make as many contacts as possible

• Build up a good portfolio gradually and be aelective about the quality of work included

• Be restrained in styling and echo the editorial as much as possible, where appropriate

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• Remove Tearsheet from magazine by bending the magazine at the seam (binding) and pulling the tearsheet out, be careful not to rip it.• Order a professional custom-made portfolio with your name and embossed on it.• Purchase a nylon carrying case for your portfolio so it doesn’t get damaged while being transported from one place to another.• Own and maintain a minimum of at least two portfolios.• Put copies of original and hard to come by tearsheets in your book (not original).• Replace worn and torn pages of your book as soon as they become noticeable.• Use Fed Ex DHL or Airborne to transport your portfolio.• Put a resume in your book for decision makers to review• Update old work with fresh tests and tearsheets often.

Portfolio Do’s

Portfolio Dont’s• Cut the heading off the top of a magazine and place it atop of a tearsheet to prove it came from a magazine• Leave scratched portfolio pages in your portfolio.• Send your portfolio to a client without a business card and/or promotional piece.• Send your portfolio to a client without proper labeling or identification.• Send out a portfolio full of hard to replace original prints and hard to come by tearsheets• Leave your portfolio in your car on hot days so that the pages get wrinkled from the heat.• Chop up prints to create what you THINK is an artsy presentation.

Prop Kit & Supplies• Slips (Half)- should have 3 nude and 3 black in 3 lengths (mini, knee, and calf). Used to fix sureness of garment or to add weight in windy situations. Size small.

• Bras & Thongs- Nude, sheer, seamless (ex. Calvin Klein) in size 34b and 34c. Thongs in small. No lace or design. You should have in case models have on the wrong undergarments.

• Bodystockings- Nude, sheer, and seamless. Size Small or 34b to add a thin layer of warmth.

• Butt Pads (Chicken Cutlets)- Silicone inserts to enhance the model bust.can get with or without nipples (doesnt matter) should have two pair. they are available in full insert, buy based on clientele.

• Shoulder Pads - Used in place of existing shoulder pads in garments or as needed to enhance shape of garment. Or use to stuff shoes if too big for model.

• Earring Converters- Used to make pierced earrings clip on’s

• Collapsible Rolling Rack

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• Iron- Non stick

• Sewing Kit- At your level of sewing.

• Scissors- 2 Pair 8 inches.

• Lint Tape/ Lint Brush

• Professional Steamer

• Masking Tape- Great for taping bottom of shoes.

• Double Sided Tape

• Straight Pins

• T Pins

• Safety Pins- NEVER USE OPEN-ENDED PINS ON PEOPLE

• Butterfly Clips & A Clamps.- Used to “take in” on models.

• Polaroid Camera- Used to take pictures of merchandise and for continuity.

• Shoe Horn

• Tag Attacher- Used to attach tags back on garments.

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Roles: