Although formal credentials are not required to work as a fashion stylist, having a background in the fashion or appearance industry can greatly increase your chances of success. After working as a retail salesperson, studying fashion design, or establishing a career in the beauty industry, many people go on to become fashion stylists. There are some formal training programs that can help you learn how to become a stylist, but you can often get a lot of the information and experience you need by taking on increasingly responsible positions in the beauty or fashion industries.
If you’re interested in fashion, working as a retail clerk in a clothing store is one way to start your career as a fashion stylist. Concentrate on learning more about the clothing and accessory lines sold in your store and working closely with all of your customers to develop an understanding of what types of clothing suit different people and body types. Make your supervisors aware of your desire to work in the fashion industry, as this will aid you in your quest for advancement within your company. With enough experience, you might be able to work as a personal shopper or assist in the selection and putting together of outfits for fashion shows. After a while, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge necessary to establish your own fashion styling business.
Studying fashion design and sewing is another way to become a fashion stylist. Although fashion designers and stylists are not the same, your studies may provide you with valuable knowledge of clothing and the fashion industry. As a stylist, you’ll almost certainly need some basic tailoring and alterations skills, so taking sewing classes, even advanced sewing classes, is a good idea. If you work in the beauty industry as a hairstylist, aesthetician, or makeup artist, you might be able to transition into fashion styling by taking fashion merchandising classes or working in a retail clothing store. In fact, your current clients could be excellent candidates for your fashion consulting firm.
Developing good relationships with designers and clothing stores is another important aspect of your quest to become a fashion stylist. If you’re a new fashion stylist, you might find that smaller shops and new designers are more eager to collaborate with you than larger companies. As your reputation grows, you may find that more prestigious designers and boutiques are willing to collaborate with you and your clients.