Do you have the urge to make over every person you meet? Can you visualize how to use different hairstyles, makeup, clothes, and accessories to change a person’s appearance? That’s great! Because stylists have to be good at styling people from head to toe. They are responsible for every aspect of a client’s look. Every detail counts when it comes to being a stylist.
The idea of revamping someone’s wardrobe may sound fun, but it’s a lot of work too. It’s not just about shopping and dressing people.
Name: Nick Wooster
Job: Creative advisor
CHANCES ARE THAT IF YOU SEARCH ONLINE FOR THE NAME NICK WOOSTER, YOU’LL FIND THOUSANDS OF IMAGES FOR THIS STYLE ICON. NOT ONLY IS HE A FAVORITE OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHERS AND BLOGGERS, HE’S REDEFINING MEN’S FASHION ONE COLLABORATION AT A TIME. RAISED IN SALINA, KANSAS, HE WENT TO WORK AT JOSEPH P. ROTH AND SONS CLOTHIERS, THE NICEST CLOTHING STORE IN TOWN, AT AGE SIXTEEN. AFTER EARNING A COLLEGE DEGREE IN JOURNALISM AND ADVERTISING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, HE MOVED TO NEW YORK CITY. WITH A FASHION CAREER SPANNING OVER THIRTY-FIVE YEARS, HE’S WORKED AS A DESIGN DIRECTOR FOR RALPH LAUREN, A FASHION DIRECTOR AT NEIMAN MARCUS AND AT BERGDORF GOODMAN, AND A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF TREND AND DESIGN AT JCPENNEY. HE’S WORN MANY HATS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND HAS USED EACH CREATIVE EXPERIENCE TO LAUNCH A NEW OPPORTUNITY.
When did you discover your love for fashion?
I got started in fashion because my mom said if I wanted nicer clothes, I’d have to earn the money to buy them myself, so I figured out a way to get a job at the nicest clothing store in town. I started working there when I was sixteen years old. It never occurred to me that there was a fashion business, just the clothing business. I wanted nice clothes—ergo I worked in the nicest clothing store.
How has the industry changed in the last thirty years?
The industry has completely changed. Wholesale companies have consolidated. Major department stores are now down to about four, so with the supply and the demand shrunken down, everything about the business has changed. It’s the era of the big conglomerates. In the old days, brands and designers sold to stores. Now everyone is in the retail business. In addition to the consolidation at the wholesale and retail levels, brands who used to only sell to third parties have become retailers themselves. Hence the rise of the vertical retailer. Gucci, Prada, and J.Crew all have their own stores.
What do you like most about your job?
Clothes. The only reason I’m interested in the fashion industry is purely selfish. I’m only interested in clothes, like when I’m working with product, working with designers, creating product, or buying product. That’s the point. Otherwise, it’s just paperwork.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Uncertainty. The uncertainty of the next step or what the newest job will be. When you consult with a number of companies, it’s like people in the entertainment industry. You are only as good as your last project. You never know what the next is going to be. In terms of challenges on a project, I think it’s personalities that are always the most challenging. The fashion industry is full of big personalities.
What has been one of the most exciting moments you have had since starting in this industry?
The actual moment was when I became the men’s fashion director for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. It was the job that I always wanted, and it took twenty-five years [since I first started working toward it] for it to happen, but it happened. I think that’s the message: don’t quit before the miracle. You have to work for things, and I think it’s a common misperception that things come easily to people. In the end, regardless of the industry, persistence pays off handsomely. In my case, that’s what happened.
How has social media changed the fashion industry?
Social media has changed the fashion industry the way color television has changed the entertainment industry. It’s yet another way to communicate ideas and a vision. A lot has been said, good and bad, about social media and the internet, but at the end of the day, television didn’t kill the radio. It just changed the way it’s consumed. I think it’s the same with social media. It’s just another way for more people to have information quickly. The business is relearning and rewiring itself to adapt to this reality.
What advice would you give kids who are interested in a career in fashion?
Start now! By that I mean, the two things I require before I would even meet with someone is an active social media presence and experience working in retail. You have to be involved in retail, in my opinion, in order to be successful. Whether you’re a designer, a brand, another vertical, it doesn’t matter. It ultimately comes down to customers. The best idea isn’t a good idea if it doesn’t sell. The quicker you can understand that fashion is a business, the better off you’ll be, regardless of the field that is of interest to you.
Stylists need a lot of inspiration. Think of all the different clothes, shoes, and jewelry you see at the shopping mall. Now imagine having to pick from all of those items—and even more exciting, for a photo shoot. Stylists do this every day. They are excellent at looking through thousands of options to find that one perfect thing. Details are important if you want to survive as a stylist. You must be organized and always prepared. If styling is the gig for you, then here are some opportunities you might want to consider.
Editorial stylists often work for fashion magazines. They usually attend runway shows, meet with designers, and help choose the fashion themes for that month’s publication. After a theme is chosen, then a location has to be selected, models hired, travel plans made, and a photographer chosen. Not to mention all the choices around the dozens of clothing options, along with hats, sunglasses, jewelry, and shoes. An editorial stylist will often work with an assistant and some interns who help to gather everything for a photo shoot. The team has to overprepare for every photo shoot in case something goes wrong. For example, if it starts raining, the stylist will need to be prepared to add a raincoat and boots to the outfit instead of canceling the plans. It pays to be flexible in this job!
A celebrity or corporate stylist works for an individual. This includes putting together head-to-toe looks for red-carpet events, photo shoots, and company functions. This type of stylist is often called at the last minute because of a party or big event a client is attending. If you are going to be this type of stylist, you must have access to a lot of clothing options on short notice. Sometimes a client will hire a stylist to choose a daily wardrobe. That professional will buy everything from jeans, T-shirts, and evening wear to jewelry, purses, and shoes. A stylist helps the client create a unique clothing image.
Being a video stylist allows you to be part of different types of productions. You help models, actors, and singers choose wardrobes for commercials, music videos, and films. Wardrobe selection is usually only part of this job. Video stylists help hire staff and oversee models, makeup artists, hair stylists, and photographers during the taping. The hours are often long on filming days, but it’s exciting to see your work come alive on film!
A retail store has a lot of styling opportunities. Somebody has to put together the displays in every department. Some stores create window displays that are works of art. The Macy’s store in New York City has one of the most famous window displays in the world during the winter holidays. A personal shopper styles clients based on the clothing, shoes, and accessories available in the store where they work. They look for clothing based on the person’s needs and body type. Opportunities in retail stores vary based on the size of the store. Good customer service is key to being successful in this job.
Whatever your interests may be, there’s a styling opportunity for you. Stylists are used everywhere from television and live theater to music videos and personal shopping. A stylist’s job is not always glamorous. You may spend a lot of time hiring models, finding locations, tracking down accessories, and leaving messages for designers. Some days are just spent unpacking, packing, and shipping out clothes. It’s a big job that often involves a lot of people. For a stylist, it’s all about helping clients to look their best!
It’s a new era in fashion—there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers all together.
Name: Lauren Messiah
Job: Personal stylist
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU HAVE A HEAD FOR BUSINESS AND PASSION FOR FASHION? IF YOU’RE LAUREN MESSIAH, YOU BECOME A PERSONAL STYLIST. AFTER EARNING HER BFA IN FASHION DESIGN FROM VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, SHE WORKED FOR THE ONLINE MEDIA CORPORATION AOL AND IN HER FREE TIME DEVELOPED A VIRTUAL STYLING BLOG. SHE COMPLETED THE STYLING PROGRAM AT SCHOOL OF STYLE AND A TRAINING PROGRAM WITH STACY LONDON OF TLC’S WHAT NOT TO WEAR. NOW SHE IS A PERSONAL STYLIST, FASHION EXPERT, AND ON-AIR FASHION ADVISOR IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. SHE IS THE PRESIDENT AT THE SCHOOL OF STYLE. MAJOR RETAILERS LIKE MARSHALLS, TARGET, AND EBAY HAVE USED HER STYLING EXPERTISE. HER CLIENTS HAVE WALKED RED CARPETS AND ROCKED THE MTV MUSIC AWARDS.
When did you discover your love for fashion?
I’ve known since I was a little girl that I wanted to work in fashion. I started out by getting my BFA in fashion design at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts. After graduating I got that age-old reality check that just because you earn a degree doesn’t mean you’ll be the next Marc Jacobs. I moved back home and got a retail job at Betsey Johnson. Since I desperately wanted to move out of my parent’s house, I left that job and got a position as an executive assistant at AOL. Not exactly living the dream, but I took advantage of my downtime (those lulls in between scheduling appointments and fetching coffee) and started a blog where I styled people online. My blog opened a lot of doors for me. A powerful executive at AOL saw my blog and transferred me to Los Angeles to work on a new fashion-related project. I quickly entered the online fashion world, but after five or so years, I wanted more. I wanted to style real people instead of online people. So I quit my fancy internet job and struck out on my own as a stylist. I haven’t looked back since.
What do you like most about your job?
I’m about to sound really corny but being able to help people and truly change their lives simply by doing what I love to do. Most of the women I style are real women (noncelebrities), and shopping and getting dressed are a real chore. Whether it is due to the lack of time, insecurities, or feeling like they don’t deserve to look their best, they literally need someone to come in and help them with their style. Having a personal stylist doesn’t have to be some frivolous and material thing; it is really a tool to help women look and feel their best.
What was the most challenging part about starting your business?
The biggest challenge for me was in the beginning. I had to make some major life changes in order to pursue my career as a stylist. Working freelance as opposed to having a 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM job meant no more regular paychecks, no health insurance, moving into a cheaper apartment (with a roommate), and cutting out nonessential purchases. I went from making six figures to living off unemployment, and from having employees to working as someone’s intern. Of course I would totally do it all over again, but at the time it was a bit of a challenge.
What has been one of the most exciting moments you’ve had since you started styling?
I’ve been really fortunate to have such a multifaceted career that affords me so many exciting opportunities. The moment that stands out the most was my partnership with Westfield, Australia. Westfield Mall was doing a campaign where they had four stylists representing different parts of the world. I was chosen to represent the USA. I was flown to London to shoot three television commercials that aired in Australia. This was my first time ever on camera and my first time out of the country. Because of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I was featured in Marie Claire and Grazia. Talk about a pinch-me moment, especially since this happened so early in my career.
How do you balance your various roles as a stylist, blogger, brand ambassador, and writer?
My life is one big juggling act; sometimes I don’t even know how I do it. I am very type A and hyperorganized so keeping notebooks filled with to-do lists and ideas keeps me sane. I also have calendars everywhere with all of my deadlines and due dates. I am a workaholic, so I force myself to take breaks by scheduling “me time” into my calendar (told you I was type A). Pilates in the morning; walks with my dog, Yohji; and the occasional Netflix binge keep me sane.
What advice would you give kids who are interested in fashion styling and writing?
The advice I always give to my students is to stay devoted to your dream because this isn’t an overnight deal. Patience is key. Be a sponge and learn from the people who came before you by interning for and assisting them. There is a huge misconception about stylists; people seem to think that Rachel Zoe and June Ambrose, for example, became who they are overnight. They worked hard for years before getting those A-list clients, reality shows, book deals, and the like. Slow down—your big break is coming. Just enjoy the ride and learn everything you can along the way.
Styling is all about making people look their very best. The first step to doing this is knowing your clients and their body types. Different body shapes look better in different types of clothes. You want to make sure you emphasize a person’s best features. It’s more important to wear flattering clothes than to wear what’s trendy. The stylist’s job is to find a balance between what’s in style and what looks best on a client. The following are the five most common body shapes.
An apple-shaped body means a person is wider through the stomach and bust and narrower through the hips. Stylists use clothes to create a smaller waist. At the same time, they try to draw attention to their clients’ best body parts, like their great legs! Some good clothing styles for this shape are wrap dresses, wide-leg jeans, and structured jackets. Celebrities who look amazing with this body shape are Kate Winslet, Jennifer Hudson, and Drew Barrymore.
A pear-shaped (or triangle-shaped) body is wider at the hips than the shoulders. This is accented by a tiny waist and small arms. Stylists use clothes to show off the upper body and downplay the lower body. A shirt with a lot of details matched with a pair of straight-leg jeans will draw a person’s eye up. A maxidress is a great way to show off a small waist and shoulders. Celebrities who know how to rock this body shape are Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Kelly Clarkson.
Someone with a rectangular body has shoulders and hips that are almost the same width. This often creates an athletic look. A stylist’s job is to create curves by defining the waist with clothing. A pair of jeans with button-back pockets or a pencil skirt soften up this body shape. A belted sweater cinches in the waist and makes it look smaller. Celebrities who know how to accentuate this look are Cameron Diaz, Natalie Portman, and Gwen Stefani.
An hourglass body shape has hips the same width as the bust. This highly coveted body shape looks curvy because of the person’s small waist. Stylists play up this body shape with clothes that follow the natural curves of the body. They avoid anything that looks too boxy. Belted jackets and dresses show off the waist and show off the body’s curves. Celebrities who claim this shape are Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, and Marilyn Monroe.
An inverted triangle body (or wedge shape) features prominent shoulders. They are broader than the hips and can make a person look strong and athletic. Stylists will be looking for clothes that add more volume to their client’s hips to balance out the shoulders. Cargo pants or jeans with textured fabric are a good choice. They will want to keep the shoulder lines on shirts simple. No structured jackets or shoulder pads. Celebrity beauties with this body type include Cindy Crawford, Jennifer Garner, and Giselle Bündchen.
Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.
If you are interested in becoming a fashion stylist, then you’ve probably heard of Brad Goreski. His larger-than-life personality landed him an Old Navy commercial and his own show on Bravo called It’s a Brad, Brad World. He is known for his own personal style, along with dressing some of the hottest celebrities. Some of his A-list clients include: Minka Kelly, Jessica Alba, Stacy Keibler, and Demi Moore.
Born in 1977 in Ontario, Canada, Goreski loved looking through Vogue magazine as a teenager. He attended the University of Southern California and graduated with an art history degree. After internships with Vogue and W magazine, he got an assistant job with the West Coast division of Vogue. He became a household name when he began working for famous celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and appeared on her reality television show, The Rachel Zoe Project.
In 2011 he decided to strike out on his own and open his own business. His television show documented his business’s slow start, when he was styling out of his home’s garage, to his rise as a celebrity stylist working out of a beautiful office building. His approach to styling is to solve clients’ clothing issues. “One thing I have learned in this industry is that you cannot be part of the problem; you have to be part of the solution,” Goreski stated.10 His enthusiasm for his work keeps his list of clients growing. Look this guy up if you’re interested in reading his star-studded styling tips!
One of your jobs as a stylist is to always be prepared. You never know if you’re going to need to nip, tuck, or brush when you’re getting someone ready for a big event. The pros keep a bag of tools with them at all times to handle big and small emergencies. Here are some of their favorites:
Double-sided tape to hold garments in place
Scissors to cut any hanging threads
Camera to take pictures of the completed look
Baby powder to help with tight shoes
Lint rollers to clean garments
Pins to fix a garment
Clips, used in photo shoots to give clothes the illusion of a perfect fit
Stain remover to hide any marks
Assorted undergarments for a perfect and smooth fit
Plenty of backup clothes in case something goes wrong!
