Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a fashion stylist? The truth is, every day is different – and that’s why it’s such a rewarding and dynamic job. For those of you interested in pursuing a styling career, I thought I would share a little insight into my daily patterns.

Regardless of the job I have lined up, I always start my morning with a warm glass of lemon water, followed by some exercise to energise me and free up the rest of the day for work. I catch up on my business emails and social media over breakfast and make a ‘To Do’ list for the morning. Then it’s time to get started!

As a fashion stylist I take on personal styling assignments, corporate and retail styling, and photoshoot styling. I also run several stylist training courses , which take between one and two days with preparation time either side. For personal styling assignments, I conduct a client consultation first so I can get a good idea of what they’re looking for. On the day of the styling session, I meet the client, guide them through body shape and colour assessments, help them understand and source clothing items that will look fantastic on them, and show them how to put together flattering outfits. A personal styling session can also be extended to include things like shopping within the client’s financial limitations, organizing their wardrobe and personal shopping, depending on their time and budget.

On a day where corporate styling is involved, I will arrive at the company in question early – it’s always better to be early! – and greet everyone. A big part of corporate styling is understanding the company’s message, so I do quite extensive research ahead of time to ensure I get the brief right. What is the industry? Who is the clientele? What does the company branding say about their values? During corporate styling sessions I cover office attire, hair and makeup, as well as grooming, communication and presentation. This a rounded package that aims to create polished, confident professionals who together build a unified image for the company. It’s always a fun and productive day, and it’s a great experience working with businesses in different sectors.

Styling photoshoots is different again, but likewise involves preparation prior to shoot day. The first step is getting a clear brief from the magazine or media company hiring you to style the shoot. You need to understand the context of the shoot, what ‘look’ they are seeking – for example, conservative, professional, casual, summery – and what the model’s look like (so you can assess their colours and body shape to choose appropriate clothing). Using this information, it’s time to visit some fashion stores and select outfits you know will look great. I always take extra care when borrowing garments for shoots – put them in a garment bag if they weren’t supplied in one, and keep them on a hangar until the shoot. On the day of shoot, steam or iron any creases in the outfits and hang them in order of the shot plan. Help the models get dressed, tuck in the clothing tags, and ensure the garments fit correctly – if anything needs adjusting, use your stylists kit to pin or tape accordingly. Make any last styling tweaks (tucking shirts in, rolling sleeves, adding belts and jewelry) and adjust the outfits once the models are in position. Work with the photographer to get the best out of the shots, then help the models with the next ‘look’, carefully hanging the previous garments back up.

Regardless of which styling session I’m working on, I make sure I have a good lunch and take a break in the middle of the day – even ten minutes will do. It’s important to give yourself that time to reset. And when the day’s over? I spend a couple of hours or going over emails, replying to consultation queries, working with my team on content for my business, and getting organized for the next day.

The best part about being a stylist? Getting to do what you love every day, and helping people feel happy and confident through what they wear and how they wear it. If you think a fashion styling could be for you, my Fashion Stylist Course provides all of the tools necessary for growing your career in this exciting industry. It’s never too late to start.