Now that summer is over, I interviewed a ton of interns to get our next batch in. Since we do a lot of fashion shows, I get a lot of resumes from students with dreams of becoming a celebrity stylist one day. So, I thought I’d put together this blog to offer my advice! Enjoy!
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Behind every fashionable and flawless celebrity is a celebrity stylist trained in the art of beauty. But how does one go from dreams of beauty school to primping the rich and famous before a red carpet event? It won’t happen overnight, but if your ultimate professional goal is to style the stars, following these five steps could put you in the fast lane for achieving success.
- Get an internship
Basia Richard—a celebrity stylist who has worked with Selena Gomez and Victoria Justice—advised getting an internship to work your way up. She told Teen Vogue, “A lot of this industry works by recommendations. The key is to develop a relationship with these stylists so they can recommend you.” Since celebrities are particularly cautious about inviting strangers to complete such a personal task, they’ll be more likely to hire you with the recommendation of a stylist whom they are already familiar with. An internship also helps you develop valuable on-the-job skills that can help set you apart in your future job search.
- Go to beauty school
Unless you’re one of the Jolie-Pitt kids, there is a 0% chance you’ll be hired as a celebrity stylist without some kind of formal training. Ideally, you should look for an institution that has celebrity stylist alumni and works closely with the entertainment industry. Choose a beauty school that has a supportive and ambitious career services program, like the Marinello Schools of Beauty, since this will help you network with the best in the industry. Research the latest celebrity beauty treatments and seek out certification programs to further improve your appeal as a celebrity stylist.
- Start working now
Most celebrity stylists have years of experience under their belt, but you can get similar results from simply practicing their stylists skills as a hobby. Study celebrity fashion religiously, memorizing the brand and style preferences of particular celebrities and comparing these with modern trends. Be proactive in your engagement with celebrity style, outlining detailed criticism of event looks and suggesting alternatives to more problematic aspects. Think deeply and artistically about how that celebrity’s aesthetic reflects their larger image in Hollywood and their unique personality.
- Keep a coffee handy
Although you might think celebrity life is all about indulging on the beach and counting your money, you will soon find that most celebrities stay busy from sun up to sun down. They’re expected to be up at the crack of dawn for early-morning rehearsals, on the set of Good Morning America by noon, at an autograph signing by five, and at dinner with a casting director by eight—all while looking your absolute best at all times. If you really want to be a celebrity stylist, you have to be willing work efficiently and focus under pressure. Gradually increasing the pace of your work now will help you get used to a hectic schedule. But for a little extra energy boost in the mean-time, be sure to stock up on Starbucks.
- Build your lookbook
Lookbook is a term used in the industry that refers to your portfolio complete with photographs of the work you’ve done as a stylist. An internship is a good opportunity to get some great shots for your collection, but you can be your own model or style your peers and personal clients. Network with other high-profile stylists through social media sites like Lookbook, Instagram, and Twitter, since this will help you develop your styling skills while getting your work out there. Ideally, you should also maintain a fashion blog where you develop and share your thoughts about celebrity fashion, since this will help you stay disciplined with your studying and showcase your expertise.
Which celebrity would you want to style? Comment below and let us know!