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ADVICE #008
Delve into the world of fashion through candid conversations with seasoned professionals. In these short written interviews, we explore the wisdom garnered from their journeys, focusing on the advice they offer to aspiring students. Gain firsthand knowledge, tips, and guidance from those who have navigated the complexities of the fashion industry.
STYLE EXPERTISE MANAGER
Kris V. is a seasoned Style Expertise Manager renowned for his expertise in the luxury fashion industry. With a multifaceted role encompassing training, coaching, and business analysis, Kris plays a pivotal role in shaping the style narrative of a top-tier luxury brand.
Kris's journey into the world of styling is an unconventional one. Graduating with a degree in Biotechnology and Biomedical Science, Kris initially ventured into the fashion industry through part-time roles as a client advisor and visual merchandiser. It was during these formative years that he discovered his passion for human interaction and client relationships, ultimately leading him to carve a niche for himself in the realm of styling.
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Pursuing a career in fashion demands dedication, resilience, and a willingness to take on passion-driven opportunities, even if they require sacrifices such as long hours and unpaid internships. Find as many ways as possible to be exposed to fashion, and culture. ”
As a Style Expertise Manager, Kris's typical day is a whirlwind of activities, from imparting invaluable styling guidance to teams based on the brand's guidelines to delving deep into business analytics to identify areas for improvement. His keen eye for detail and innate sense of style allow him to bridge the gap between the brand's studio and the discerning clientele, ensuring a seamless portrayal of the brand's ethos across various platforms.
What advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to pursue a career in styling?
What advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to pursue a career in the luxury industry?
How important are your studies to work in the fashion industry?
In your opinion, what are some common misconceptions young professionals may have about working in styling?
What are the most popular types of stylist?
For those aspiring to enter the field of styling, my advice is to conduct thorough research on trend analysis, fashion history, and diverse aspects of fashion beyond styling itself. You should have a solid background on ‘theoretical’ fashion. But most important you need to be aware of what is happening in the world of arts, architecture, literature, culinary, interior design. As to know about styling you need to have a 360 view of what is happening around you. At the end of the day styling is about understanding the culture and effectively portraying it through clothes.
Entering the luxury industry requires a deep appreciation for quality over quantity and a genuine understanding of clients' needs and desires. You need to understand the mind set and have an eye for preciousness, you need to admire the product you are working with. Moreover, having a solid foundation in communication and relationship-building is paramount.
I believe that the most important when choosing what to study it’s your passion. As studying something of personal interest can be rewarding and stimulate growth. In terms of understanding the fashion industry landscape, is crucial for success, however this can be taught in school but also can be taught by working.
A common misconception about styling is that it's easy to learn quickly. In reality, it’s quite the opposite, it doesn’t happen overnight. Styling requires practice, experience, and a willingness to explore different styling approaches. It’s a profession that requires to learn by doing. My advice would be to seek as much diverse experience, as you can. This way you will be exposed to all the realms of styling and you will be able to see which one suits you best.
Brand styling
As an ‘in-house stylist’ need to embody your client’s style through the brand’s clothes, while maintaining and enhancing a brand's visual identity. You need to be relationship driven, understand your customers’ needs and the brand’s guidelines in order to create a cohesive but personalized journey.
Personal Styling
Personal stylists work one-on-one with clients to curate wardrobes that reflect their personal style, body type, and lifestyle. They offer advice on clothing choices, accessories, and overall image enhancement. It’s a similar role as the brand styling as you need to have a passion for customer relations. The big different is that you are not bound to work with just one brand.
Editorial Styling
Editorial stylists collaborate with photographers, art directors, and magazine editors to create visually compelling fashion stories for editorial spreads, fashion campaigns, and magazines. They conceptualize themes, select clothing and accessories, and style models for photo shoots. You need to have very good time management skills, multi-tasking, adaptability, resourcefulness, and work after hours.
Runway Styling
Runway stylists are responsible for coordinating and styling looks for fashion shows and runway presentations. They work closely with designers to interpret their vision, select clothing and accessories, and ensure cohesive and impactful runway presentations. The most key skills you will need is time management, resisting 12 hours shifts, eye for detail, travel, adaptability.
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