Working as a Personal Stylist
How to Have a Career as an Image Consultant in Women's Fashion
May 10, 2008
If you are fanatical about Fendi, gaga over Gucci or love Lanvin gowns and Louboutin shoes, then the chances are you adore fashion and everything glamour.
“Image consultants stress that they aren’t about showing people how to don the very latest trends, but about showing people how to present themselves to suit their age, shape, size, status and situation," says Barbara Off, of The Observer, Sunday January 19, 2003
According to the BBC’s article “Becoming a Stylist,” by Jay Hunt, traditionally a stylist would for newspapers, magazines, advertising agencies and work on a commercial, catwalk or magazine shoot. However, latterly more and more stylists choose to go freelance and work for individual clients.
The Role of the Personal Stylist
There are three main areas of career opportuntiies within the fashion industry, a fashion stylist, a celebrity stylist and a personal stylist. Whilst there is inevitably some overlap in all areas, the first two involve working on photo shoots and runway shows, whereas a personal, rather than a celebrity, stylist would concentrate more on image consulting, with individual clients who require an image overhaul and need help in developing a signature style.
If you are seriously considering a career as a stylist, then be warned that it is not all glamour and rubbing shoulders with celebrities or high-flying clients. The fashion world is a very cut-throat industry and only the toughest and most resilient are likely to survive.
If working as an image consultant /stylist from your own home then this involves giving wardrobe, style, hair and beauty advice and taking on the role of personal shopper. You are more likey to be dealing with regular individuals, from housewives to high-powered business women (rather than famous celebrities), and whilst the public recognition and financial rewards are not be as great , the personal rewards and satisfaction are the same.
Hunt warns that, in order to succeed, you need to have a real interest in fashion and its ever-changing trends. Obtain as much initial work experience as possible by working in stores or boutiques. Get as involved as you can in any opportunities to attend fashion shows and assisting any stylists, and keep up to date with seasonal trends.
Qualifications
There are degrees, foundation degrees and HNCs/HNDs and available in a variety of related areas such as fashion, beauty therapy and design. These obviously vary from country to country and university to university, so it is advisable to refer to the nearest relevant professional body for advice.
Alternatively, you can train as an image consultant or Style Coach™, by attending a short full and part-time course run by a registered training provider - recognized by relevant a professional body, such as the US based Association of Image Consultants (AIC) or Uk based Federation of Image Consultants (TFIC). The Style Coaching Institute™, also offers home study courses to student worldwide. At a higher level the TFIC in the UK offers a TFIC Masters Award in association with City and Guilds. On completion of your training you will have enough knowledge to assist you in setting up a business, working for a corporation or with individuals.
Advantages
- An image consultant or stylist is a very flexible career and one that you can take up at any age. In fact, there is particular demand for fashion advice for 40s, 50s and 60s, as older women want to look good for their age, given that they no longer have a body of a 20-year-old.!
- Being an Image consultant gives you the option to be independent, working from home or studio. You can organize hours to suit you, and are doing something which you love.
- The job has huge personal rewards as you are helping someone feel good about themselves and improving their image. Says Dorothy Murdoch of Absolute Image in Surrey, UK, “You see such a wonderful change in people. By improving someone’s look, you can really improve their whole outlook.”
Disadvantages
- The job can be stressful at times and you need to learn to work with all manner of people, some more demanding than others. Says Barbara Oaff of the Observer (19 January 2003), “At times pumping up someone’s ego can be emotionally draining.” As you need the people skills to be diplomatic and motivational, anyone with previous training in coaching or a background in psychology will find this vary useful when dealing with clients.
- If your work involves the role of personal shopper then retail therapy for 5-6 hours a day can be phsyicaly draining.
Personal Skills and Experience Required
- You need to be a people person, with good interpersonal skills, self motivated, with positive outlook. It is a question of relating to people whatever, their status, background and age.
- You should have a natural flair for color and style and a knowledge of ever changing fashion trends Tact and diplomacy are key requirement, along with the ability to persuade clients to follow your advice. If you are running your own business then you’ll also need to be well organized and a good administrator.
- If you have previous experience in retailing, fashion styling, design, health and beauty therapy, human resources and training, this would an advantage.
Reaping the Rewards
Training and becoming a stylist enables you to help people feel confident and happy about themselves and their image, as looking good also comes from within. According to The Style Coaching Institute ™, “A smile is the most attractive thing anyone can wear, something money can’t buy and shops don’t sell!” It can also be well paid, depending on the nature of your clients and the field you chose to specialize in. Someone starting out may expect to charge as little as £25 ($50) for a 1-hour session but according to Oaff, a more experienced professional can charge much more.
Working as an image consultant or stylist is something which you can do as a hobby, with family or friends; or as a full-blown career.
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