The first and most important thing as a stylist is to create a styling kit. Include safety pins, glue drops, masking tape, regular tape, clamps, basic boob tape, nipple stickers, sewing thread and needle in basic black and white colours, and bobby pins. These items can be lifesavers during shoots for quick fixes and mishaps.
Secondly, it’s important to have a wide network of contacts, especially makeup artists and models who are willing to come at the last minute. This is crucial because there are often last-minute cancellations in the industry.
Study the brand you’re styling for thoroughly. Understand their needs, requirements, and primary focus. Familiarise yourself with their vision and style to align your work accordingly. A good stylist is adaptable and can mould their aesthetics according to the clients’ needs. They should be able to understand and execute the client’s vision while adding their own creative touch. Always ask your client as many questions as possible to ensure you deliver exactly what they need. This helps you understand their vision and expectations better.
Maintain a list of brands and local shopping places based on budgets to efficiently source items according to the clients’ needs and budgets, saving time. Time management is crucial. Request all product pictures that need to be shot beforehand to style them a day prior, optimising efficiency on the set.