Do you believe style is more than just the clothes we wear? Perhaps Personal Styling is the perfect career for you!Read on to find out exactly what an Personal Stylist does, or take the quiz to discover which career in styling suits you best.
“I think people believe that Stylists just completely impose their will and style on a blank slate but that really isn’t the case. You meet someone, you recognise what their taste is and then you channel it.”
Elizabeth Stewart, Red Carpet Stylist
What is a Personal Stylist?
Even as one of the fastest-growing professions in the fashion industry, the question of what Personal Styling entails is still a common one. A lot of this comes down to the variety of the role, with so many career paths available in the field. Most commonly, Personal Stylists offer a service to help people rediscover (or discover for the first time) their personal style through wardrobe edits, style consultations and shopping sessions.
What qualities do Personal Stylists need?
It goes without saying that a Personal Stylist needs to have an interest in the world of fashion. Generally, that’s where most people start before narrowing that down to a career in styling. But it really is only one part of what makes up a successful stylist.
Curiosity
Curiosity is an essential word here at ASI, and it’s a trait that you need for your course that will carry through into your career. Being curious about everything is key, from what’s currently trending to really understanding your clients and the brief at hand.
Empathy
ASI founder, Lauren Di Bartolo, says that empathy is one of the most important qualities of a Personal Stylist – and something which often gets overlooked. ”If you think about the heart of what we do as stylists, we are working with people. Whether that’s a model on their first photoshoot or whether that’s a client who’s undergone real transformation and change… So if we turn up with empathy and real understanding then we’re always going to achieve a more successful outcome.”
What are the opportunities in Personal Styling?
What opportunities aren’t there? The skills of a Personal Stylist are in demand across the industry, with new career pathways only increasing alongside the constantly changing digital landscape. Here are just a few:
- Personal Stylist and Professional Shopper (in-person or virtual)
- In-store Stylist
- Red carpet and celebrity Stylist
- Styling workshops and events
- Style content creator
How to become a Personal Stylist
Starting can be the most overwhelming part, which is why all our courses provide you with the skills, knowledge and framework to get started in your dream career. No matter which level you choose, you’ll learn the psychology of human behaviour and how that underpins our personal style, as well as apply these skills by conducting practical exercises using ASI’s own Styling Success Systems – so you can graduate and enter the industry having already styled your first client!
