Do Professional Stylists Need a College Degree? (2024)

FAQs

Do Professional Stylists Need a College Degree? ›

In order to gain a licence as a hair stylist, most states require you to be at least 16, have a high school diploma or GED, and complete a state-licensed cosmetology program. It is important to check the licensing requirements in your state before selecting a school to complete your training.

You don't need a fashion degree to become a personal stylist there are some core competencies that you'll need to learn either through self-study or through a specialized training school such as The Style Academy International.

You don't need formal training or qualifications to become a stylist, but it can really help you in the early stages of your career. Understanding how the fashion industry works behind the scenes, the history of style, different types of fabrics and products can all come in useful in your work.

There are no formal education requirements for personal stylists and while many do have degrees they are often in an unrelated subject that was taken for a career in a different industry before the person decided to become a personal stylist.

You can obtain an associate degree at a community college or technical school for arts or design. These degree programs take two years on average to complete. Associate degree majors for fashion stylists include: Fashion styling.

The primary difference is that fashion styling is focused on making garments or accessories look good in an editorial feature, while personal styling is focused on creating a harmonious look tailored to the client's individual style and needs.

Being a stylist is a glamorous career, but it is also very demanding, as it requires a skill set that involves constant research, creativity and inspiration.

As a Personal Stylist, I make more money in a month than I did in an entire year at my 9-5. When you work for yourself as a Personal Stylist, the sky is the limit in terms of how much money you make.

Stay up to date – A job as a fashion stylist can be excellent for you if you have great communication skills, a passion for aesthetics, keep up with current fashion trends, are confident in your sense of style, and are prepared to work long hours for sometimes unappreciated work.

Is being a stylist worth it? ›

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a personal stylist is the opportunity to empower others through fashion. By helping your clients discover their personal style and feel confident in their appearance, you're not just dressing them; you're helping them to present the best version of themselves to the world.

They can specialize in a variety of different roles and types, such as editorial styling, celebrity styling, personal styling, costume styling, and commercial styling, to name a few.

Level up with a Diploma of Fashion Styling (10064NAT). It will take you 1 year to complete full-time, and while there are no minimum entry requirements you may need to submit an assessment task when you apply.

Fashion Styling is about creating outfits and fashion imagery based on a concept. Graduates will be fully trained to style, produce, and art direct for print and online fashion magazines, ad campaigns, commercials, e-commerce, look books, fashion shows, fashion videos, and personal clients.

Personal stylists typically work one-on-one with the client, while wardrobe stylists are often part of a larger creative team collaborating with a fashion designer, photographer, art director, hair stylist, and makeup artist to put together a particular look or theme for a specific project.