Course Contents

1. Introduction to Styling. So, you want to be a stylist? Styling defined. What you will do and how to explain it. The professional opportunities of a stylist revealed. What styling for fashion, wardrobe, catalogues, people, props, sets and runway shows actually means. Hear it from the experts. Fashion styling. Editorial, advertising. An overview. Wardrobe styling. Lifestyle photography, editorial, film and television. An introduction. Catalogue styling, what it involves and opportunities available. “Bread and butter” work. Personal styling. What an image consultant does. Prop and set styling. The flexible stylist. Show styling. The adrenaline rush. Learn from our experts. The evolution of fashion. Where fashion has come from to help you understand where it’s progressing and to anticipate where it may be heading. Assignment one.

2. Elements of Style and Trends. The vital role of a stylist to have an understanding of current fashion trends. Whether you plan to become a fashion, wardrobe or personal stylist your clients will expect you to develop a fresh and modern look. You don’t need to set the trends, but by learning to train your eye you will be able to notice the details that make a style or look distinctive. What makes a style right? The rules of visual balance that will make your looks work. All about accessories. The quickest way to make any outfit into a style statement. Learn how to name trends and style. Know what you’re talking about. Assessing styles and trends. Training your eye to notice the details and accurately define the features that make a style or look distinctive. Achieving visual balance. Symmetry, asymmetry and radial balance. Making trends. Using accessories and details to recreate a trend or start one of your own. Identifying and understanding styles and trends. Yes, a generalisation but a quick way to “get” a look. Glossary of clothing descriptions. Assignment two.

3. Styling specifics. The fashion stylist. The elusive work experience or internship and how to get it. The fashion stylist on shoot day. The assistant’s role on shoot day. Styling for advertising. Off-figure styling. What is it? The different methods stylist’s employ. Techniques and tricks of professionals. The new stylist and the new designer: Working together for success. The celebrity stylist. Attracting celebrities and high-end clientele. How to keep clients. Your fees. Politics and lessons learnt. The advantages and disadvantages of being a celebrity stylist. Tips to become a celebrity stylist. Some common questions about celebrity styling. Reality check. Assignment three.

4. Wardrobe styling for film, television and the theatre. Could you be a film and TV wardrobe stylist? Who does what in the wardrobe department? Roles of the crew in film and television production. The skills you need to work in wardrobe. Leave your Louboutin’s at home! Ways to get started. Behind the scenes of television: Understanding wardrobe continuity and its importance in television production. How to develop a character with wardrobe for film and TV. Creating character wardrobe in film and television. Tips for meeting wardrobe requirements on a small budget. Making wardrobe maintenance a habit. On-set etiquette. The quick change for theatre, live events and television. Wardrobe language. Wardrobe do’s and don’ts. Location considerations. Ask the director! Editorial wardrobe and lifestyle styling for photography. Sourcing and shopping methods explained. Important tips for borrowing merchandise and managing returns. Are you sold? Assignment four.

5. The flexible stylist. Making yourself available and willing to handle new and important areas of production. New roles explained. Interior styling. Creating atmospheres of aesthetic pleasure and intrigue. The tips and tricks that stylists use to make it happen. Food styling. How to become a food stylist. The role of a prop stylist in food photography. Trends in food photography. Production values: How to shoot commercial quality images. The areas you must consider. Kit suggestions. Visual merchandising and retail display. Designing and specifying backdrops, visual displays and lighting effects for drama and impact.

6. Do you know about fashion’s most influential designers? Styling 101. Your styling kit. Your basic styling necessities. The steamer. How to steam the top and lower half of an outfit (and all those extra pieces in between). Fitting clothing. Communicating effectively on-set. Stain removal tips and tricks for on-set. Avoiding a meltdown. Problems and solutions: An A to Z. Working with children. Working with animals. Career tips for stylists. What editors look for in a stylist. Your portfolio. How to create your portfolio. How to get your next job. Tips from a newly established stylist.

7. Colour. How to assess your clients natural colouring. Colour analysis. Developing a colour palette to work with your client's natural tones. The colour wheel. Colour properties. How to develop a colour sense. Colour temperatures, warm and cool. Naming colours. Harmonious colours. Complementary colours. Colour schemes. Colour psychology. The language of colours. Physical effects of colour. Visual effects of colour, size and density. Using colour to disguise, emphasise or create special effects. The theory of seasonal colours. Working with black and white film. What a stylist needs to know. How to wear black and white. Discovering colour for yourself.  Behind every great outfit, there is an even better stylist. Assignment five.

8. Personal Styling. What exactly does as a “personal stylist” or “image consultant” do? Do you enjoy interacting with people? You will need good people-skills as a personal stylist. How to make your client feel comfortable, confident and fabulous. Ways to make them look the part. The importance of identifying a body shape and how to dress it. Developing a style. How to create a wardrobe that works for your client’s features and lifestyle. The secret of culling. Creating an effective and working wardrobe. Individual analysis. Personal styling. People skills. Features and proportions. Assessing their individual features and characteristics. Illusion dressing. Facial shapes. How the facial outlines and individual features determine facial shape. Hair. How hairstyles and colour can work for your client. Colour analysis. Developing a style. Developing a core wardrobe. Being honest and firm about what doesn’t work. The basics that every wardrobe must have. How to update a look with simple accessories. Accessories. Using details to create styles that are individual and up to the minute. Strategic planning. Transforming a wardrobe step-by-step without breaking the bank. How to look rich on a budget.  What clients want. People skills. How hairstyles and colour can work for your client. Great websites for personal stylists. Assignment six.

9. Male Makeovers. Body analysis. Dressing for work and leisure. Building a wardrobe that works with your client’s wardrobe. Colour and pattern. How to use to make an impact without overkill. How to tie a tie. Yes, there are rules. The classic tie styles. What works best when. The collar cut. Hair care for men. practical tips and advice for male clients on style, colour and maintenance. Skincare and grooming. Taking proper care of hands, nails and facial hair. Make up and grooming. The essentials of skincare. Identifying your client’s skin type and keeping it in the best condition. Getting the right tools. Selecting the right make-up and products. Applying make-up like a professional. Tips and techniques from the experts. Achieving balance. The bare essentials for when there’s no time to spare. A checklist. How to improvise. Your own "quick fix" solutions.

10. Communicating your Ideas. Mood and concept boards. Adapting traditional designer’s tools for visual communication. Testing ways to build practical experience along with your confidence and portfolio. Writing captions. How to record and format necessary details accurately. Fashion/figure illustration.

11. Introduction. The Internet: A vital tool for the freelance stylist. Promoting yourself and your business through the Internet. How to promote your freelance stylist business by creating your own blog. Tips for optimising your blog with search engines. A fashion blog leads to the Paris runway. Reasons why every online stylist should have an industry related blog. Marketing essentials. Your website. How to create your own website. How to build a website. Where professional styling can take you! Getting into print. Becoming a fashion writer. Your qualifications and career path. How to get started writing for fashion and beauty media. Final glossary for professional stylists! Assignment seven.

12. Business for stylists. Getting into and managing your styling business. Final thoughts. Marketing. The great secret! How to get booked and re-booked as a stylist. Characteristics of a great stylist. Final thoughts and advice for starting out. How to create your portfolio when you have no experience and you want some! The true cost of freelancing. Managing your freelance business. Business aspects. Invoicing. Pricing. Professional goals. Keeping records. Why you must market yourself as a stylist and how to do it. Marketing your business online. The “go-see”. Your go-see checklist. The keys to selling your styling skills. Presenting your ideas as a stylist. Your reason for professional styling. What to do from here. Course summary. Your checklist for ensuring success. Collating your portfolio. Assignment eight.

Course contents may vary from time to time at the discretion
of the Australian College of Professional Styling