How to Be a Stylist: Karla Welch on a Career in Fashion Styling

Karla Welch is one of the fashion industry’s most high-profile stylists and creative directors. Her looks have been on display at Los Angeles red carpet events and New York fashion shows alike. Over the course of her fashion career, she’s styled dozens upon dozens of celebrities for magazine shoots as well.

A stylist is someone who ensures their clients are always on trend when it comes to the latest fashion designs. Every time you look at a fashion magazine photo shoot, see a celebrity appear on set at a talk show, or watch a major awards event or fashion show, it’s likely a stylist or personal shopper is responsible for the cultivated and creative looks. Staying up on trends and putting their own spin on them are the most essential elements of any stylist’s job description.

A fashion stylist’s job description is wide-ranging. Some of the typical tasks they will encounter include:

• Attending runway shows, brand showrooms, and various fashion industry events to keep apprised of the latest trends and styles.
• Researching the fashion of previous eras (via magazines, movies, or an old lookbook) to design a period-appropriate aesthetic.
• Sourcing clothing from a worldwide array of brands and manufacturers.
• Consulting models, photographers, hairstylists, makeup artists, costume designers, brand creative directors, and art directors, magazine editors, and film and TV directors.
• Working with public figures to craft a personal visual aesthetic. This may include personal shopping and serving in the role of a personal stylist.
• Assisting clothing buyers for major retail chains.

There are many different types of fashion styling you can choose from if you pursue a career path in fashion. Consider these three kinds of professional stylists:

1. 1. Celebrity stylists: Also known as wardrobe stylists, celebrity stylists use their years of experience in the fashion industry to dress the rich and famous. Celebrity styling services and individual stylists both focus on dressing celebrities, influencers, and other luminaries with an eye for their own personal styles as well as the latest trends.
2. 2. Editorial stylists: This type of stylist works with creative directors, fashion editors, hair stylists, and makeup artists to create spreads for fashion magazines and websites. The goal of photo shoots like these is to create a cohesive and coherent set of looks with the overall direction of the story the spread is telling.
3. 3. Personal stylists: Some fashion industry professionals might work for people besides famous celebrities. Lower-profile people might want to hire image consultants of this ilk to help them figure out what clothes to wear or hairstyle to try for an upcoming event. Some styling apps (including Karla Welch’s WISHI) help provide this service in an automated way.

Fashion stylists can be found working in all of the following contexts:

• On professional photoshoots
• On the set of print advertisements and televised commercials
• On the set of music videos
• On a political campaign, maintaining the candidate’s appearance
• In a TV newsroom
• Consulting a sports team on uniforms
• Advising a costume designer preparing for a movie or television show (in this role, they are often known as a “wardrobe stylist”)

These terms can be interchangeable, but that isn’t always the case. Take, for example, the different roles of a fashion editor and a stylist in a photoshoot:

• A fashion editor is responsible for the look and mood of the shoot; they’re the ones who choose a photographer, the clothing, the location, and the models. Learn more about how to become a fashion editor here.
• A stylist will also sometimes do all of this, but the term can also refer to someone who is choosing the clothing for a shoot or public appearance.

To become a stylist, you need fashion sense, interpersonal skills, and plenty of relevant experience. Here’s some career advice from stylist and creative director Karla Welch:

• Be upbeat. Karla believes communication skills are just as essential as cultivating a fashion skill set. “Energy is contagious, [and] styling is a service job,” she says. “Learn to be positive. Even if you don’t feel it inside, practice a can-do attitude.” As you improve your networking skills, you’ll start to bring in more potential clients.
• Learn about fashion. By studying pop culture, you can begin to develop your own personal style and help others develop theirs, too. “Being a stylist depends on references,” Karla says. “Watch movies, read books, go to museums. Have your reference points to show your boss. Inspire your team with new ideas. Remind them you have a point of view.” After learning the fundamentals, you can move on to putting your signature twist on them.
• Prepare to work hard. Karla thinks hard work and courage are essential to succeeding in your stylist job. “[There are] so many ways to get your foot in the door in this industry,” she says. “You just kinda have to be brave and willing to go for it, and, you know, willing to work your you-know-what off.” As you work your way to a full-time job in the fashion business, know you’ll need a lot of tenacity to kickstart your career.
• Start out as an assistant. Get some work experience by working with someone else who already has a client base. “The best way to find someone to assist is to see if they have internships,” Karla says. “Reach out to their agents. DM them. Do the work.” Before you get an internship, you can also try an entry-level job in fashion merchandising.
• Stay up on current trends. Keeping up with fashion trends is a full-time job in and of itself. “Styling is an incredibly fast-paced industry,” Karla says. “The more you learn, the faster you can work. Look at each task and think about the fastest way to get things done.” Keep up with all the latest trends, think about how you can put your twist on them, and show up to work ready to change things up the very next day.

Developing your fashion taste can go a long way toward building your confidence and helping you feel comfortable in your own skin. Discover Karla Welch’s approach to becoming a fashion stylist, building wardrobe essentials, and finding your personal style when you sign up for a MasterClass Annual Membership.