So, you feel you have what it takes to become a successful fashion stylist? Styling is one of the most sought after careers in the fashion industry so itโs no surprise that many budding fashionistas would put styling on their list of dream jobโs. But where do you start? Below are five tips on how to make the first steps to achieving your dreams.
Educate yourself
The best way of getting one step closer to any job is to learn more about the industry and develop your skills, this is no exception when it comes to fashion styling. There are many courses related to fashion or styling and this is one of the best ways to really hone in on particular set of skills whilst developing new ones. There is so much more to styling than simply providing a personal shopping service so having knowledge about different fabrics, cuts, fits, trends and how the clothes are made can be extremely beneficial. You might even want to look into getting a fashion merchandising degree, to be trained on style and texture.
Put yourself out there
The internet is a great source of information but nothing beats first hand experience so you should try and attend any fashion related events (fashion week being a perfect example) whenever possible. Not only are events great for networking, but seeing upcoming trends and new collections in the flesh is your chance to see what’s hot, how the clothing moves on the body and what fabrics are being used. You also get the chance to see how the designers like to style their personal collections whilst being surrounded by the professionals you aspire to be one day.
Take advantage of social media
Not only is social media a great way of marketing yourself but when used properly it can help you stay up to date what’s happening in the industry. Use apps like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to follow designers, models and stylists and get an insight into what it is that theyโre currently loving. Following successful stylists or related companies online also allows you to see how they portray themselves on social media, what they are working on and what may be the next big trend. If you’re lucky you could also make connections that could become valuable in near future.
Network
Networking is so important, especially in the world of fashion. As you progress in the industry you will get the chance to meet so many new and interesting people, all of which could help you to reach your career goals. When it comes to meeting new people always remember to be yourself, try too hard and you may seem insincere. You should also stay professional and be honest with people about who you are and what you want to do. Treat others as you would like to be treated and offer people help if you feel you could be of assistance to them. Building professional relationships can take a while but keep at it and all of your hard work will pay off eventually.
Gain Experience
Whether it be working in retail or interning for a modelling agency gaining some sort of experience is key. Many of the most successful people in the fashion industry will have started their journey as an intern. A lot of internships are unpaid, but the experience and knowledge you receive for your hard work is second to none. The odds are that if you impress the company you could land yourself with a paid position afterwards as well as earning a glowing reference (which will definitely come in handy somewhere along the way). Treat your internship as an opportunity to show the fashion world what youโre made of, youโll meet new people, learn new skills and get first hand experience of what it’s like to work in the industry.
The best advice for achieving your goals is to stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize. Yes there will be many sleepless nights, early mornings and challenging times ahead but this will all be worth it in the end. Be persistent, work hard and your dreams of becoming a successful fashion stylist could become a reality.
