Learn to be a Fashion Stylist With a Course in Fashion Styling

Want to Learn to be a Fashion Stylist? 

If you have a passion for fashion and would like to style people for a living, you should learn to be a fashion stylist. You can easily do this by doing a course in fashion styling. The course will deliver the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career as a stylist in an editorial or commercial setting. The course is most ideal for those who want to develop their fashion knowledge and expertise. Whether your interest lies in media, red carpet, editorial or commercial styling, the course will help you progress your expertise to a professional standard.  

What does a Fashion Stylist do? 

A fashion stylist designs the visual images that we see in magazine articles or videos in the music industry. They work for fashion houses, clothing brands and individuals. Their primary responsibilities include providing fashion guidance; choosing and co-ordinating outfits for actors in television and film or models in photo shoots; and choosing accessories and props and preparing them for shoots.  

Stylists can work in any of the following areas: e-commerce or online, personal, catwalk, photographic, product, still life, film or television industry and social media or blogging. Their work activities include keeping up to date with the changing and current trends in fashion and design, advising clients on fashion styling for visuals, purchasing props for shoots, supervising photo shoots and selecting the most appropriate pieces from ranges and collections for the shoot. Generally, the hours are long and irregular and often travel is required.  

A Brief History of Fashion Styling 

The initial stylists were editors who worked exclusively for fashion magazines. They would ‘edit’ the fashion and clothing pages and chose the designers to be featured in the magazine. Under the direction of the editor, there was the model and photographer. It was not uncommon in the 60s for models to do their own make-up and hair, as well as provide their own accessories for the photo shoots. It was during the 80s that the first freelance stylists appeared. New magazines came out which did not have permanent fashion staff. This gave freelance stylists the opportunity to showcase their talents without being tied to just one magazine. Ray Petri is considered by many to be the first stylist.  

He was well known in the 80s for his Buffalo style, an eclectic mix of ethic, urban, high fashion and sportswear. He used real people in photos rather than people of mixed race and models. He oversaw and did everything on the creation of a photograph, except capture the actual image. Unlike the stylists of today, Petri did not live long enough to become rich or even celebrated the way we idolise those today. However, his influence remains and even 20 years after his death, he is still considered the king. There was a time when stylists were all but invisible to the world beyond fashion’s inner circle. However, a growing shift in the fashion industry has given license to a special breed of visionaries, who are not just interpreters of fashion but oftentimes, originators.  

What Will I Learn? 

You can expect to learn about shape analysis and colour theory, understanding trends and capturing images. Students will explore makeup and hair, public relations and the role of social media and blogging. You will be able to advise your clients on makeup, colour and clothing to suit their personality and shape. The course will train you on colour analysis, makeup, body shape and style, seasonal fashion advice, full bridal services, blogging, men’s image, professional dressing and personal shopping.  

Career Opportunities 

A fashion stylist’s career involves a lot of glamour and therefore, is regarded as one of the most stylish career options to take up. One can work as a personal stylist, image consultant, fashion editor, wardrobe stylist, photo stylist, personal shopper, design coordinator, makeover stylist and celebrity stylist. Currently, the fashion world calls for numerous fashion stylists as a result of the constant requirement for skilled professionals in commercials, photo shoots, movies and other related settings.  

If you’re serious about learning to become a stylist, check out courses near you in the Nightcourses.co.uk national course finder.