How to Become a Stylist

Stylists provide professional advice to clients about their wardrobe choices according to the latest fashion trends and each client’s needs and preferences.

The details of the job vary by specialization, but all stylists have the same core duties:

• Communicating with clients: It’s important for stylists to be good communicators so that they can understand their clients’ desires and collaborate with designers and other creatives to execute them.
• Preparing for events: Stylists may need to source and procure clothing or lay out makeup before photo shoots or events, as well as quickly organize and store these items afterward in an easily accessible way.
• Sourcing products: Stylists are often responsible for finding and procuring various products. These can include shoes, clothing, and accessories.
• Understanding the industry: Stylists need to be up to date on the latest trends in their specialty while also having a thorough understanding of historical fashion trends and the ability to research them. It’s also important to know which styles work best for different body types and which color combinations go well together.

Beyond these core tasks, you’ll also have job-specific duties. You could find yourself tasked with heavy responsibilities, like fulfilling the role of creative director in overseeing all the various elements of a photo shoot—such as hair, makeup, wardrobe, set design, and even lighting.

In other cases, you could simply be helping one person pick out an outfit for a big event. What you’re expected to do (and who you work for) all comes down to the type of stylist you want to be. And there are a variety of options to choose from.

There are many different types of stylists, and each has unique responsibilities:

• Fashion stylists: These stylists work with models for photoshoots or fashion shows. They are often the ones setting fashion trends that others follow. Stylists who primarily focus on fashion shows are also known as runway or fashion show stylists.
• Wardrobe stylists: These professionals create a cohesive wardrobe for clients (rather than just selecting individual outfits).
• Celebrity stylists: These work one-on-one with celebrities to help them choose their outfits, both on a daily basis and for special events, such as movie premieres, awards shows, or media appearances.
• Personal stylist: These stylists help everyday people find clothing, shoes, and accessories that match their style and provide fashion advice.
• Editorial stylists: Magazines employ these stylists to collaborate with photographers, hair stylists, and creative directors. They often set up photo shoots for editorials.
• Commercial stylists: These work with designers, photographers, production houses, and agencies to style models specifically for ads for TV or print publications. They’re similar to product and e-commerce stylists, who work with companies and retailers to showcase clothing and accessories for sale (usually online).
• Television/movie stylists: As their name suggests, these professionals work with costume designers, directors, and producers to dress actors for TV and film. They may also style those who appear on TV professionally but aren’t actors, which includes news anchors, reporters, and reality TV stars.
• Retail stylist: Also called fashion consultants, these stylists work for retailers and luxury brands to guide and encourage customers to make a purchase by giving free consultations.

Styling is an incredibly broad field, and although some of these roles have overlap, there are key differences between them. These differences are important to consider since they’ll affect the requirements you need to meet, your job responsibilities, education requirements, and your earning potential.

Fashion stylist vs. personal stylist vs. celebrity stylist

Fashion stylists work in the fashion industry, often for fashion designers, advertising agencies, magazines, fashion houses, retailers, or TV and film production companies. Their job responsibilities are varied and complex, requiring a great deal of fashion knowledge and on-the-job training.

Personal stylists, on the other hand, work with everyday clients who want help with their wardrobes. This could mean overhauling their entire closets or just selecting a few outfits for special occasions. Overall, personal styling is a much easier field to break into than fashion styling.

Celebrity stylists fall into yet another category. Like personal stylists, they work one-on-one with individual clients—but instead of ordinary people, their clients are celebrities and high-profile figures. Like fashion stylists, they require extensive fashion knowledge and their styling projects can include major events and collaboration with other professionals in the fashion industry.

Because these different types of professionals serve different clientele, the process of becoming a personal stylist, for example, is different from the process of becoming a professional stylist who works for businesses and individuals in the fashion industry. In this article, we’ll mainly cover how to break into the fashion industry as a fashion stylist or stylist for celebrities.

If you love fashion and want to break into the industry as a stylist, there are a few key steps you’ll need to take to get started.

1. Choose a specialization

It’s important to choose a specialty early on in your career. This will help you focus your training and make it easier to find a job or market your skills to clients.

Start by thinking about the different types of jobs a stylist can take on. For example, you could specialize in magazine photo shoots, music videos, or movies.

Find the niche that appeals most to you, but also think about the practicalities involved. If you have connections in the industry already or existing knowledge in a particular area from your work experience or education, then following these leads can help smooth the path toward becoming a professional stylist.

2. Consider getting a formal education in fashion

You don’t need any particular degrees or certifications to become a stylist, but having some sort of formal or informal training can give your career a boost.

Consider taking online courses in fashion or fashion styling. You could also explore programs in cosmetology or dressmaking. A fashion program can build your knowledge, and getting a certification can help you establish credibility as a stylist.

Even a simple online program that covers the basics required to start a career in the fashion industry can be a huge help. Some programs even offer access to internships and job opportunities, networking events, and continued education.

Fashion colleges

You could also pursue a formal degree in fashion. Here are the top fashion colleges in the US to look into:

• The Fashion Institute of Technology: Offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in fashion design as well as a bachelor’s in fabric styling.
• Parsons School of Design: Offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in fashion design and also provides internship opportunities.
• Savannah College of Art and Design: Offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fashion and a bachelor’s in fashion marketing and management.

If you intend to work independently as a freelance stylist, you may also want to study business—especially marketing, accounting, and business administration.

3. Develop the necessary skills

Whether you get formal training or not, you’ll need to develop certain skills in order to become a stylist. As you’d expect, you’ll need creativity, an eye for fashion and beauty, and a thorough knowledge of the industry. This includes knowledge of both historical and modern fashion trends.

But what you may not know is that stylists also require various business skills. If you plan to work as an independent contractor (as many stylists do), you’ll need to know how to advertise your services.

You’ll also need strong communication and networking skills. This is necessary for dealing with both your clients and other creatives and industry professionals. As in many industries, who you know (and what they think of you) will have a strong impact on your career.

4. Gain experience with an internship or assistant job

When you’re just starting out, getting experience should be a top priority. Stylists fulfil a highly complex and multifaceted role. While a course can help you get prepared, the only way to really understand the job and gain the practical skills needed to succeed is to learn from professionals who are already working in the industry.

There are a couple of ways to get professional styling experience:

• Get an internship: An internship or apprenticeship will allow you to gain work experience under a respected stylist, who can then recommend you to employers or clients when you strike out on your own.
• Become an assistant: Working as an assistant for an established stylist is much like having an internship, except it’s more likely to be a paid position (some internships are, but not the majority).

Working as an intern or assistant will give you the chance to learn more about the industry and what’s expected of you in your role as a stylist. You’ll fill in gaps in your knowledge and have someone to guide you as you assess your strongest and weakest skills. This also allows you to wait to take on the responsibility of having your own clients until you feel more confident in your abilities.

Where to find internships and entry-level jobs in fashion and styling

There are several websites that focus on the fashion and beauty industries that you can scour for opportunities. Here are a few examples:

• StyleCareers
• Fashionista (look at the Careers section)
• InternQueen

You can also find jobs on general-purpose job boards, such as LinkedIn and Indeed.

5. Create a portfolio

As you train, create an online portfolio of your work to showcase your talents. It should have the following traits:

• Simple layout: Keep the design of your portfolio tasteful and minimal to keep the focus on your work.
• Diverse projects: Avoid showing too many projects with the same style. Potential clients and employers want to see that you have a varied background with a variety of projects within your specialty.
• Relevant and recent work: Instead of including every project you’ve ever worked on, be selective about what you put in your portfolio. Make sure that the bulk of the projects are recent, and include work that shows off your signature style and technical skills.
• Favorable reviews: You can include reviews from satisfied clients to boost your credibility.
• Short explanations: For each project, give enough context for the viewer to understand your inspiration, vision, and execution, but keep it short and let the work speak for itself.

If your previous work experience is limited to assisting another stylist, it’s a good idea to check with them before including their work in your portfolio.

6. Build a network

While you’re developing your skills and gaining experience, you can make connections with other stylists and fashion industry professionals and build a reputation among potential clients. Having an established network will help you secure your first job as an independent stylist.

There are a few ways to do this:

• Attend events: Participate in or volunteer at conferences, workshops, and seminars in the fashion industry. Introduce yourself to people and exchange business cards, then follow up with them afterward.
• Use social media: Follow your favorite stylists, models, or brands on Instagram or LinkedIn. Engage with their content by liking it and commenting. After a while, reach out with a direct message.
• Send cold emails: If there’s a certain designer or editor you’ve always wanted to work with, don’t be afraid to contact them via email. Let them know that you admire their work and point out any mutual connections you share. Ask if they’ll take a look at your portfolio and keep you in mind for any future opportunities, but don’t be pushy.

7. Choose whether to freelance or apply for jobs

Before you start looking for work as a stylist, you’ll need to decide whether you want to be a freelancer or an employee.

There are several benefits to being a freelancer, including the freedom to pick your clients and set your own schedule, as well as unlimited income potential—you can charge whatever people are willing to pay. That said, going at it alone is also a lot more work, since you’ll be responsible for your own marketing, health insurance, taxes, and so on.

If you decide you want the stability that comes with employment, you can choose a company based on your specialty and area of interest:

• Agencies: While most agencies are limited to major fashion cities, they have wide networks and opportunities for growth. Research the agencies you’d like to work for and contact an agent via email or phone to set up an interview and show your portfolio.
• Studios: If you’ve made connections with designers who work out of studios, contact them to see if they know of any available positions for stylists. You can also search for studio jobs online and apply that way.
• Fashion magazines: Contact your favorite fashion magazines to ask about employment opportunities. You may have to begin as an intern or in an entry-level position and work your way up.

8. Promote your services

Whether you choose self-employment or traditional employment, you’ll need to establish an online presence to promote yourself and stay connected with your network. You should have:

• A website or blog: Setting up a website is a great way to spread the word about your services. It can also host your portfolio.
• Social media accounts: Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube can help you reach potential clients. You can collaborate with other stylists to widen your audience.

Becoming a stylist can be an incredibly rewarding career path for those who are ambitious and love fashion, but it’s a highly competitive industry. Most people need to put in a lot of work to succeed, so you’ll be better off pursuing a stylist career as a full-time gig than a side hustle (unless you already work in the fashion industry).

With that said, there are plenty of benefits to the job. For example, you don’t necessarily need any degree or certification, and startup costs are low. It’s also a good way to make a living in fashion, and each day will be different from the next.

How much does a stylist make?

How much money you can make as a stylist varies depending on your chosen specialty, your clientele, and your geographical area. According to Indeed, traditionally employed stylists average $16.57 per hour or $55,717 per year. 1

It’s harder to estimate average rates for freelance stylists, since they set their own rates, which means the range of possible incomes is very wide. In the beginning, you’ll probably make something comparable to what traditionally employed stylists earn, but if your career really takes off, the sky’s the limit.

Alternatives to becoming a stylist

If you’re not sure about becoming a stylist but still want to pursue a career in a related field, consider these similar jobs in the fashion industry:

• Personal shopper: Help clients select and purchase clothing and accessories that suit their style.
• Fashion designer: Design your own clothing and accessories for others to make and wear.
• Fashion editor: Determine the look and mood of photoshoots by choosing a photographer, the clothing, the location, and the models.
• Hairstylist: Do hair for a living, providing services like cutting, coloring, bleaching, styling, and performing chemical alterations.
• Makeup artist: Serve everyday people who want professional makeup for a big event (like a wedding, prom, or party) or do makeup for celebrities, actors, actresses, or models.
• Fashion marketing specialist or merchandiser: Market and promote various products and brands in the fashion world.
• Fashion blogger or influencer: Share fashion advice, trends, and your personal style with your online followers.

If you decide to get into one of these side hustles, follow essentially the same process we outlined above—get the necessary training and skills, develop a solid portfolio, and find clients. With a little talent and a lot of hard work, you’ll be sure to succeed.