Stylist

Stylists use their fashion knowledge to create appealing displays and outfits, accentuating the brand they work for and delivering a visual message

Working as a stylist, you'll follow a design brief and use your creative skills to produce visually appealing displays or outfits. Often for a fashion brand, retail chain or personal styling consultancy, but depending on your role it could be for film, television or theatre.

This is a fast-paced, high-pressure role that would suit someone who thrives on being busy, solving problems, collaborating with others, and using their creative flair.

Communication is key as you'll need to work with a variety of people and agencies to get the job done on time and to a consistently high standard.

Types of stylist

Stylists perform a vital role in the positive communication and promotion of a person, product or environment, often working in one of the following areas:

• catwalk
• celebrity or red carpet
• e-commerce/online
• personal
• photographic
• product
• social media
• still life
• TV and film wardrobe.

Responsibilities

As a stylist, you'll need to:

• work on both still life and model shoots
• assist on set during shoots including steaming, pinning and fitting clothes or products
• accurately follow styling guidelines
• work collaboratively with models, photographers, studio coordinators, content managers, producers and creative directors
• develop strong, up-to-date knowledge of designers, brands and trends
• achieve daily and weekly targets and deadlines
• ensure sets, mannequins, styling props and shoot areas are well maintained and tidy
• juggle working on ad-hoc projects with maintaining your core job role
• ensure sample stock is not mishandled
• provide expert knowledge on products and styling ensembles
• confidently merchandise products
• communicate workflow and discuss any issues with the senior stylist
• source and obtain clothes, products and accessories for use in shoots
• direct make-up and hair
• create mood boards
• source and cast models
• manage budgets and maintain records of samples and loans
• collaborate with influencers or content creators for campaign styling
• style looks specifically for digital platforms, including TikTok and Instagram.

Salary

• Employed junior stylists can expect to earn in the region of £18,000 to £20,000.
• Senior stylists earn higher salaries of between £23,000 and £30,000.
• Being a freelancer is very common in this industry, and as a freelancer you'll be paid either a daily or hourly rate. An assistant stylist can earn anything from £50 to £150 per day, but if paid hourly, this is in the region of £11 to £15 per hour.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Employed stylists usually work between the hours of 9am and 6pm. During seasonal peaks, and to meet deadlines, additional hours may be required. For example, evening and weekend work may be necessary during events such as fashion weeks or retail launches.

Part-time work is also possible.

As a freelancer, your hours will be more varied and therefore greater flexibility is required.

What to expect

• Most of the time you'll be studio based, but you may also spend time on location or travelling. Some of your working week may be spent at home or in the office.
• With the growth in e-commerce, an increasing number of stylist roles require those with experience and knowledge of social media and online retailing.
• Opportunities are mainly found in London and the South East, but retailers and studios do exist across the country.
• Working environments can be fast-paced and physically demanding, especially during shoots.

Qualifications

Academic qualifications are not as important as creative and practical skills. It's possible to become a stylist without a degree or HND.

However, some employers will require applicants to have studied towards a relevant qualification.

Several colleges and universities have a variety of two-year foundation degrees as well as three-year Bachelor programmes in subjects such as:

• fashion communication and styling
• fashion image making and styling
• fashion product and promotion
• fashion styling and creative direction
• fashion styling and production
• interior styling and design.

Other acceptable and relevant subjects include art, photography and visual merchandising.

Short courses in personal styling, fashion media or editorial styling can also help you build experience and a portfolio.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• an eye for visual composition and proportion
• commercial awareness including a good knowledge of designers, brands and trends
• the ability to meet deadlines
• an excellent work ethic and can-do attitude
• an exceptional eye for detail
• a positive, proactive and assertive approach
• initiative, idea generation and problem-solving skills
• strong communication skills
• the ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively in a team
• competent numerical skills
• organisation, time-management and project-management skills
• the ability to multitask
• general knowledge of photography and lighting
• the ability to deliver exceptional customer service
• experience of using social media
• IT literacy including the ability to use InDesign, Photoshop, Capture One and Microsoft
• flair and individuality.

Work experience

Competition for styling opportunities is fierce, so relevant experience is essential. Many employers will require at least one or two years' experience in a retail or studio environment. Experience of styling products, merchandise and interiors at fashion shoots or personal styling is highly desirable and could be gained during placements and internships or through a part or full-time job.

Get involved with student magazines, fashion shoots and films and start your own style blog. Building a strong network is important, as stylists often need to contact PR agents and brand showrooms to borrow clothes or products for a shoot. Employers will want to see a portfolio, which could include uploaded images or a personal website.

Internships provide valuable experience, networking opportunities and sometimes lead to job offers. The fashion industry used to rely heavily on unpaid internships, but this has changed dramatically, and unpaid roles are now rare. Most interns are now paid at least the National Minimum Wage.

Employers

There is a strong demand for stylists within:

• image production teams
• large retailers
• the fashion and music industry
• magazines and PR events
• fashion styling agencies
• online marketplaces and content platforms
• social media management companies.

Look for job vacancies at:

• BoF Careers
• Drapers jobs
• Fashion Workie
• Fashion United

Professional development

The main route for progression within this industry is through increased experience, knowledge and reputation. There are some professional courses available to further enhance your skills, or to help you specialise or broaden your skill base. Some of these are offered by the Fashion Retail Academy.

A small number of graduate diploma and Masters courses are offered by universities across the country, in subjects such as fashion media styling and creative direction.

Continued self-promotion through digital platforms or portfolio websites is an essential activity for freelancers.

Career prospects

As a freelancer, you'll need to ensure that you're always on the lookout for the next opportunity. Maintain good relationships with editors, producers, photographers and directors. Be proactive and seek out opportunities rather than waiting for the phone to ring.

Most stylists start as an assistant stylist or shoot coordinator and, with several years' experience, gain promotion to a senior stylist position.

Once you have built up a good reputation you may choose to set up your own business or consultancy.

You may also move into roles such as:

• art director
• brand development
• creative consultant
• fashion editor or other related roles within writing and editing
• image consultancy
• trend forecasting.