Fashion Stylist: How To Make Money as a Personal Stylist? (2023)

Fashion styling is a lucrative & exciting career option for individuals passionate about fashion & style. Becoming a Personal fashion stylist requires a combination of educational qualifications, essential skills & a solid portfolio. There are several ways to make extra money as a fashion stylist, including personal styling, editorial styling, brand partnerships, consulting for fashion brands & teaching fashion styling. Establishing a successful career as a fashion stylist requires networking, building relationships with clients & brands & continuously updating skills & knowledge. While there are challenges that come with the job, the rewards of a successful career in fashion styling are well worth the effort.

What is a Fashion Stylist?

A fashion stylist is a professional who works in the fashion industry & is responsible for creating & coordinating outfits & looks for clients, models, celebrities & fashion shoots. Fashion stylists work with clothing, accessories, makeup & hair to create a cohesive & visually appealing style that aligns with the client's preferences & the fashion shoot's theme or brand identity.

Fashion stylists can work in a variety of settings, including personal styling, editorial styling, brand partnerships, consulting for fashion brands & teaching fashion styling. Personal stylists work with individual clients to create their desired look, while editorial stylists work with publications such as magazines, newspapers & websites to create looks for fashion editorials & advertising campaigns. Brand partners work with fashion brands to create marketing campaigns & product launches, while fashion consultants provide expert advice & guidance to fashion brands.

To become a fashion stylist, one must have an eye for fashion, knowledge of fashion trends, strong communication & interpersonal skills & the ability to work under pressure & meet tight deadlines. A degree in fashion or related fields, such as design or art, can provide an edge in the highly competitive industry. And also building a portfolio of work & networking with other industry professionals can help aspiring fashion stylists gain exposure & establish a reputation in the industry.

How To Become a Fashion Stylist?

Becoming a fashion stylist requires a combination of educational qualifications, essential skills & a solid portfolio. While a degree in fashion is not always a requirement, having a formal education in fashion can provide an edge in this highly competitive industry. Fashion schools offer courses in fashion styling, fashion design, fashion merchandising & fashion marketing that can help aspiring fashion stylists develop skills & knowledge about fashion trends, styles, fabrics & designs.

In addition to formal education, essential skills required for a fashion stylist include a good sense of style, creativity, attention to detail, strong communication skills & the ability to work under pressure. Building a portfolio is also crucial to showcase your work & demonstrate your skills to potential clients and brands.

How To Establish a Successful Career as a Fashion Stylist?

Establishing a successful career as a fashion stylist requires networking & building relationships with clients and brands. You need to continuously update your skills & knowledge. Networking is essential to gain exposure, find potential clients & build relationships with other industry professionals. Attending fashion events, participating in fashion shows & collaborating with other creatives can help expand your network.

Building relationships with clients & brands is crucial to establish a loyal client base & securing repeat business. Maintaining excellent communication skills, meeting deadlines & delivering high-quality work can help build trust & credibility with clients and brands.

Continuously updating skills & knowledge is essential in the fast-paced & ever-changing fashion industry. Keeping up with fashion trends, new techniques & technologies can help fashion stylists stay competitive & relevant.

Challenges Faced by Personal Fashion Stylists:

Like any other industry, fashion styling comes with its own set of challenges. Finding clients, navigating the competitive industry & handling difficult clients are some of the challenges fashion stylists may face.

Finding clients as a new stylist can be challenging, as it requires building a reputation & establishing a portfolio. Networking & word of mouth can be helpful in securing new clients.
Navigating the competitive industry can also be a challenge, as there are many talented fashion stylists competing for similar projects. Staying true to your style & unique selling points can help set you apart from the competition.
Handling difficult clients is also a challenge that fashion stylists may face. Being professional, patient & understanding can help me navigate challenging situations & maintain a positive reputation.

10 Ways To Make Money as a Personal Fashion Stylist:

Fashion is a multi-billion dollar industry that continues to grow each year. With social media influencers & fashion bloggers setting the trend, people are becoming more conscious about their appearance & style. This has led to an increased demand for personal fashion stylists who can help people enhance their wardrobes & develop a unique style. Let's explore 10 unique ways you can make money as a personal fashion stylist.

Offer Personal Styling Services:

One of the most common ways to make money as a personal fashion stylist is by offering personal styling services to clients. You can charge clients by the hour or offer packages that include a certain number of styling sessions. This can be done in person or online, depending on your client's preferences.

Conduct Wardrobe Audits:

Another way to make money as a personal fashion stylist is by conducting wardrobe audits. This involves assessing a client's current wardrobe, identifying the gaps & creating a plan to fill those gaps. You can charge clients for the audit & offer additional services like personal shopping to help them fill their wardrobe gaps.

Personal Shopping Services:

Personal shopping is another lucrative way to make money as a personal fashion stylist. This involves shopping for clients and helping them select clothing & accessories that suit their style & body type. You can charge clients a commission on the items purchased or charge them by the hour.

Offer Virtual Styling Services:

With the rise of social media, virtual styling services have become increasingly popular. This involves offering styling services to clients through video chat or email. You can offer a variety of virtual services like virtual wardrobe audits, virtual personal shopping & virtual styling sessions.

Write a Fashion Blog:

If you have a passion for writing, starting a fashion blog can be a great way to make money as a personal fashion stylist. You can share your fashion tips, personal style, and product recommendations with your audience. You can earn money through sponsorships, affiliate marketing & advertising.

Create Online Courses:

Creating online courses is another way to make money as a personal fashion stylist. You can create courses on topics like personal styling, wardrobe organization & shopping on a budget. You can sell these courses on platforms like Udemy, Teachable & Skillshare.

Become a Fashion Influencer:

With the rise of social media, becoming a fashion influencer is another way to make money as a personal fashion stylist. You can build a following on platforms like Instagram, TikTok & YouTube by sharing your fashion tips & personal style. You can earn money through sponsorships, affiliate marketing & advertising.

Offer Styling Services to Corporates:

Apart from individuals, you can also offer styling services to corporates. This can include conducting workshops & seminars on professional dressing, personal branding & grooming. You can also offer styling services to executives & employees.

Sell Fashion Products:

If you have an eye for fashion, you can start your own fashion line or sell fashion products like jewelry, bags, or shoes. You can sell your products online through platforms like Etsy or create your own website.

Work with Fashion Brands:

You can also work with fashion brands as a personal fashion stylist. This can include collaborating with brands for photoshoots, styling models, or consulting on product development. You can also work with fashion magazines & fashion shows.

FAQs:

Q. Do I need a degree in fashion to become a stylist?

Ans. No, a degree in fashion is not always required, but it can provide an edge in this highly competitive industry.

Q. Can I work as a fashion stylist part-time?

Ans. Yes, fashion styling can be done on a part-time basis, depending on the project's scope & the client's needs.

Q. How do I find clients as a new stylist?

Ans. Networking, building a portfolio & word of mouth can be helpful in finding new clients as a new stylist.

Q. Can I specialize in a particular type of styling?

Ans. Yes, fashion stylists can specialize in a particular type of styling, such as personal styling, editorial styling, or brand partnerships.

Q. How much can I expect to earn as a fashion stylist?

Earnings for fashion stylists vary depending on experience, location & type of project. Personal stylists can charge an hourly rate or a session fee, while editorial stylists & brand partners can earn a percentage of the overall budget or a fee per project.