Wardrobe stylist
Encyclopedia
A wardrobe stylist is the job title of someone who selects the clothing for published editorial features, print or television
advertising campaigns, music videos, concert
performances, and any public appearances made by celebrities, models
or other public figures. Stylists are often part of a larger creative team assembled by the client, collaborating with the fashion designer, photographer/director
, hair stylist and makeup artist
to put together a particular look or theme for the specific project. A wardrobe stylist can also be referred to as a fashion stylist, fashion editor
, or celebrity stylist.
The job description varies greatly depending on the assignment. Stylists in the editorial and celebrity fields work primarily with designer samples, which are shown during fashion presentations and are lent to members of the fashion press during the 4-6 months before retail sales begin. High-level stylists may collaborate directly with designers to produce custom clothing for celebrity clients or editorials; this is common for celebrity stylists whose clients attend awards shows, and for fashion editors at top magazines. Stylists may also provide services such as personal shopping, restructuring a client's entire wardrobe, reorganizing a client's closet, or other duties relating to the client's personal lifestyle.
A wardrobe stylist is distinct from a costume designer
, the person who clothes fictional characters in film, television or theater.
A wardrobe stylist is distinct from an image consultant or a color consultant. A person can be a color consultant without knowing basic principles of line or style. An image consultant is an expert in both color and line and may work with business professionals or individuals, as opposed to celebrities in particular.
. Some are paid by the day, which is called a day rate. Editorial assignments tend to pay less money, while advertising campaigns, commercials, or spokesperson campaigns tend to pay the most. Some freelance fashion editors (stylists who work exclusively in producing editorial content) may receive a rate per page in a given publication; fashion editors typically negotiate this rate on a yearly basis, during which time the publication will assign a certain number of project pages to be completed. Stylists may also be paid a flat fee for the length of a project. This procedure is often called a buy out. Some stylists can be put on a monthly retainer
, in which they are paid a set fee for a period of time and are on call for the entire time period.
Wardrobe stylists are sometimes represented by agencies
that specialize in representing wardrobe stylists, hair stylists and makeup artists. When a wardrobe stylist is represented by an agency, the agency usually books all of their work or assignments for a fee, usually ranging between 10 and 20% of the stylist's fee. The agency ensures that the stylist's needs are met, typically guaranteeing that transportation, travel, and accommodations, all handled before the wardrobe stylist takes an assignment.
Agencies usually expedite the client's payment and make sure that the wardrobe stylist is paid in full within 30 to 60 days of completion of the assignment.
. Stylist assistants are typically hired by the day at a rate between $150 to $350 a day. Assistants' responsibilities can vary greatly depending on the stylist and the assignment. Some are hired only to perform physical labor, such as setting up for a client fitting or returning samples to a press showroom; others may help the stylist with selecting wardrobe options, preparing clients for public events, or any other task needed to complete an assignment.
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
advertising campaigns, music videos, concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
performances, and any public appearances made by celebrities, models
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
or other public figures. Stylists are often part of a larger creative team assembled by the client, collaborating with the fashion designer, photographer/director
Art director
The art director is a person who supervise the creative process of a design.The term 'art director' is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games....
, hair stylist and makeup artist
Makeup artist
thumb|[[Michelle Camaclang]], an international-certified professional makeup artistthumb|Special effects makeup techniquesA Make-up artist is an artist whose medium is the human body, applying makeup and prosthetics for theatrical, television, film, fashion, magazines and other similar productions...
to put together a particular look or theme for the specific project. A wardrobe stylist can also be referred to as a fashion stylist, fashion editor
Fashion journalism
Fashion journalism is an umbrella term used to describe all aspects of published fashion media. It includes fashion writers, fashion critics or fashion reporters...
, or celebrity stylist.
The job description varies greatly depending on the assignment. Stylists in the editorial and celebrity fields work primarily with designer samples, which are shown during fashion presentations and are lent to members of the fashion press during the 4-6 months before retail sales begin. High-level stylists may collaborate directly with designers to produce custom clothing for celebrity clients or editorials; this is common for celebrity stylists whose clients attend awards shows, and for fashion editors at top magazines. Stylists may also provide services such as personal shopping, restructuring a client's entire wardrobe, reorganizing a client's closet, or other duties relating to the client's personal lifestyle.
A wardrobe stylist is distinct from a costume designer
Costume Designer
A costume designer or costume mistress/master is a person whose responsibility is to design costumes for a film or stage production. He or she is considered an important part of the "production team", working alongside the director, scenic and lighting designers as well as the sound designer. The...
, the person who clothes fictional characters in film, television or theater.
A wardrobe stylist is distinct from an image consultant or a color consultant. A person can be a color consultant without knowing basic principles of line or style. An image consultant is an expert in both color and line and may work with business professionals or individuals, as opposed to celebrities in particular.
Business arrangements
Wardrobe stylists can be paid in several different ways. Some are paid an hourly wageWage
A wage is a compensation, usually financial, received by workers in exchange for their labor.Compensation in terms of wages is given to workers and compensation in terms of salary is given to employees...
. Some are paid by the day, which is called a day rate. Editorial assignments tend to pay less money, while advertising campaigns, commercials, or spokesperson campaigns tend to pay the most. Some freelance fashion editors (stylists who work exclusively in producing editorial content) may receive a rate per page in a given publication; fashion editors typically negotiate this rate on a yearly basis, during which time the publication will assign a certain number of project pages to be completed. Stylists may also be paid a flat fee for the length of a project. This procedure is often called a buy out. Some stylists can be put on a monthly retainer
Advance payment
An advance payment, or simply an advance, is the part of a contractually due sum that is paid in advance for goods or services, while the balance included in the invoice will only follow the delivery. It is called a prepaid expense in accrual accounting.-See also:*Advance against royalties*Pay or...
, in which they are paid a set fee for a period of time and are on call for the entire time period.
Wardrobe stylists are sometimes represented by agencies
Talent agent
A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, film directors, musicians, models, producers, professional athletes, writers and other people in various entertainment businesses. Having an agent is not required, but does help the artist in getting jobs...
that specialize in representing wardrobe stylists, hair stylists and makeup artists. When a wardrobe stylist is represented by an agency, the agency usually books all of their work or assignments for a fee, usually ranging between 10 and 20% of the stylist's fee. The agency ensures that the stylist's needs are met, typically guaranteeing that transportation, travel, and accommodations, all handled before the wardrobe stylist takes an assignment.
Agencies usually expedite the client's payment and make sure that the wardrobe stylist is paid in full within 30 to 60 days of completion of the assignment.
Training
Some schools now offer courses in becoming a wardrobe stylist, but there are no specific educational requirements for the position. Most stylists acquire professional skills and knowledge by assisting other, established stylists, in a system similar to apprenticeshipApprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
. Stylist assistants are typically hired by the day at a rate between $150 to $350 a day. Assistants' responsibilities can vary greatly depending on the stylist and the assignment. Some are hired only to perform physical labor, such as setting up for a client fitting or returning samples to a press showroom; others may help the stylist with selecting wardrobe options, preparing clients for public events, or any other task needed to complete an assignment.
List of notable wardrobe stylists
- Clinton KellyClinton Kelly (TV personality)Clinton Kelly is an American fashion consultant and media personality best known for his role as co-host on What Not to Wear, a reality program that features fashion makeovers. He shares on-air duties with Stacy London. Kelly started his career as a freelance writer for several fashion magazines...
- Carson KressleyCarson KressleyCarson Lee Kressley was the fashion expert on the American television program Queer Eye, where he was one of the show's "Fab Five" members. He is also the motivational host of the TV show How to Look Good Naked.-Biography:...
- Rachel ZoeRachel ZoeRachel Zoe Rosenzweig , also known as Rachel Zoe, is an American fashion stylist best known for working with celebrities, fashion houses, beauty firms, advertising agencies, and magazine editors. In 2008, the first season of her Bravo reality television series The Rachel Zoe Project debuted...
- Stacy LondonStacy LondonStacy London is an American fashion consultant and media personality known primarily for her role as co-host on What Not to Wear, a reality program that features makeovers. After graduating from Vassar College, London started her career as a fashion editor at Vogue and transitioned into being a...
- Genny B.Geneva BellGeneva Bell best known as Fab Genny B. is a Freelance Writer, an Internet Marketer, and South Florida based Fashion Stylist best known for working with celebrities, fashion houses, celebrity photographers, beauty firms, renowned fashion designers, advertising agencies, and magazine editors.-Early...
- GK ReidGK ReidGK Reid is an American fashion stylist best known for his fashion styling work with celebrities and top fashion photographers, as well as for creating his own designs.-Career:...
- Gok WanGok WanGok Wan is a British fashion consultant, author and television presenter of British Chinese heritage. He is known for his appearances on many television programmes , for providing fashion advice to celebrities and for contributing his views to fashion magazines published internationally.-Early...