Being a part of a fashion forward generation can be quite the task. To keep up with the forever changing trends, a person must be able to understand Fashion. To do this, there are Stylists. It’s probably one of the most appealing jobs to have these days. Celebrities and the richer section of society all require stylists. It isn’t something you can do away with it. It is now a necessity. It is a relatively new profession. But slowly gaining popularity.
So how does one become a stylist? You may be born with a good sense of fashion, but that doesn’t make you a stylist. It’s something you learn to do on a professional level. It’s no cake walk. In order to become a stylist, you must have a college degree in Fashion Design. Due to the high level of competition in the fashion industry, just a degree wouldn’t be sufficient. You need to have adequate contacts with the outside world in order to succeed. Advertising agencies, magazines, photographers and the likes all help you to become a stylist. Interning with a successful stylist is the ideal thing to do. It gives you great exposure to the fashion industry and the ever changing trends and it also teaches you how to cope with it. To become a really good stylist, experience is key. It helps you understand how clothing differs from one body type to another. Or what fabric looks better for what outfit and what colour would suit what skin tone. It’s a lot to take in.
Once you’ve managed to build up a contact base and had enough experience to last you a lifetime, you’re ready to go out and do it on your own. You need to find clients, and understand exactly what they need. Being a personal stylist is extremely hectic. You’re constantly on the clock, deciding what would be appropriate for your client. And if you’re client is a drama queen, then keeping a cool head is essential while on the job. It isn’t as glamorous as it looks.
A stylist requires good marketing skills. Only then can they succeed. Stylists coming from a business background, can use their marketing strategies to their utmost advantage. It helps increase client database.
A stylist is constantly surrounded by new people and interacting with them helps gain popularity. Hence, social skills are one of the main characteristics that make up a good stylist. You must be able to sell your personality in order to ensure that the client comes back for more.
Fashion trends change over night. If it’s floral today, it will be block tomorrow. Keep up. People in different fields have different needs. For instance, a music artist will want different things as compared to the CEO of a Multi National Company. A stylist must have complete knowledge about the needs and requirements of his/her clients.
So, there you go. It’s a lot harder than it actually sounds. But at the same time, it’s a really good career path for many. If you love shopping and fashion, this is the job for you.