Do you have what it takes to become a fashion stylist? Is your fashion sense up to par? Do you think you can create fashionable looks for others? Are you up to date on all new trends?

A fashion stylist career may be a very lucrative job, but it is a bit more complex than just assessing a client's wardrobe and his or her image. First and foremost a stylist needs to have the passion for fashion. A stylist needs to know their client, and what makes them look good. They have to be able to enhance and emphasize the client's features if need be. A stylist must know what accessories the client should wear in relation to the wardrobe. They must also know what image to create dependent on the personality of the client, shape of the client, and be able to translate that image to what a photographer and or director may want. Some fashion stylists are also known as personal stylists and are often considered image makers.

Education and Training

Professional stylist are not required to have a formal education. That does not mean that it is not asked for by prospective clients. As a matter of fact a fashion design school degree will help the aspirant stylist gain skills through formal education. Clients actually prefer a stylist with a solid education on their belt. Fashion design schools offer an Associate's degree in fashion design or fashion merchandising. Many clients will also require that the aspirant stylist have field experience. This is not as hard as one may think; there are several options that may work to get that needed expertise.

1. Internships

2. Working as fashion assistant to a stylist

3. Training programs

4. Entry level

5. Create a portfolio

Employment and Salary

Most stylist work is freelance. A stylist career can lead you to a variety of places, but most common places where stylists are found are at video shoots, commercials, movie sets, and photo shoots. Stylists are independent, so it will be up to the aspiring stylist to create their clientele base, which is why referrals from other clients are crucial. Though not impossible, some stylists are employed by firms. Salaries are varied and this solely relies on experience. While an entry level stylist may start earning about £100 per day, an experience stylist could earn upwards of £75,000 per year. The salary is also based on where you are employed. Some stylists consider relocation due to more employment opportunities. Working in a small town may be good, but in order to become very successful, a stylist should seek employment in large cities like Miami, New York, Los Angeles. A stylist's work day will never be the same. Becoming a personal stylist is a very rewarding career but it will also be very stressful and demanding due to the very long hours and any form of self employment can mean you are at the call of your clients.

A fashion stylist is a very exciting and lucrative career as long as you have what it takes to be a trendsetter and have the ability to advise your clients.