Building a career as a stylist...

As a stylist, you are responsible for the visual aesthetic of a model, actor, musician etc. It's one of the most important parts of the creative industry, it's all around us, in our favourite movies and on the red carpet. In terms of movies, what the characters are wearing can make or break a film. We see that in films such as Challengers, The Great Gatsby and Barbie, the visual aesthetic is highly important and it is what keeps the legacy of a film going. I asked a film student how important they thought styling was in the success of a film. She states " Styling is key to building visual characterisation and associates for the audience. Not only does it add to existing details of characters, but can introduce new characters through visual shorthand" I must agree, a character in pointed sunglasses, sharp heels and red lipstick already communicates so much. More nuanced and subtle ideas can be communicated, and the fit of clothes can additionally be so important. A character in a dress too loose and mismatched accessories tells the audience this isn't how they normally dress or what they may feel comfortable in. She finalised her previous statement " Visual language is at the foundation of filmmaking."

Someone we all adore, Zendaya, has a track record of never missing with any of her red-carpet looks. Her very well-known stylist, Law Roach continues to bring it to the table! Every single one of her movie premiers is followed with looks that match the film to its core.

Law Roach has been Zendaya's stylist for 13 years. Beginning his career in a vintage boutique. He later moved to Los Angeles where he was introduced to Zendaya and they've been an iconic duo ever since. He also became the co-director of her clothing line 'Daya'.

Kate Young.

Kate is a stylist based in New York.

Her clientele includes some of the most influential women on the planet. Dakota Johnson, Sophie Turner, Margot Robbie. As well as served for brands such as Dior, Victoria's Secret and Cover Girl. Before this success she worked as a fashion editor at Large for Interview and has styled covers for I-D magazine, Porter, InStyle, the list goes on. It goes without saying that her CV is one of the most impressive in the business. Her looks tend to be classy and feminine with a hint of strength and power.

How did she do it??

The best advice I could give would be to put yourself out there, dont be shy to show people in the industry what you are capable of.

In the words of British Vogue, many celebrity stylists we see today spent years interning for anyone they can, getting as much experience and gaining as many contacts as possible until they 'made it'. I believe hard work and passion for fashion are the most important things to find success in the styling world.

The Met Gala. ( aka the fashion Olympics )

For those who don't know the Met Gala is an annual fashion event. It works as a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute held in Manhattan New York, organised by Vogues' editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. Each year a new theme is released and the most famous people in the world get together on the red carpet - it's any fashion girls' Super Bowl. The event highlights the intricacies of stylists' work. This year's theme was Garden of Time which allowed stylists to dive into the archives to appreciate fashion from time ago. One of my favourite themes to date!

Some of my favourite looks from the 2024 Met Gala...

Bibliography:

Nast, C. (n.d.). Met Gala 2024. [online] British Vogue. Available at: https://www.vogue.co.uk/tags/met-ball [Accessed 10 May 2024].

‌Law Roach | #BoF500 | The Business of Fashion (2019). Law Roach is part of the BoF 500. [online] The Business of Fashion. Available at: https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/law-roach.

‌Nast, C. (2018). How To Become A Celebrity Stylist. [online] British Vogue. Available at: https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/how-to-become-a-celebrity-stylist.

‌www.thewallgroup.com. (n.d.). Kate Young | The Wall Group. [online] Available at: https://www.thewallgroup.com/artist/kate-young.

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