A fashion stylist helps to coordinate all of the parts of a fashion shoot or fashion showcase on the catwalk. In this capacity, a fashion stylist handles the interaction of the clothing with jewelry and other accessories, to make sure the look is as it should be. In a personal capacity, a fashion stylist may be hired to help a person pick out exactly the right look for them, and to help them find the right wardrobe and accessories. This sort of fashion stylist may often be referred to as a personal shopper, although their scope is somewhat more limited.

Most people choosing to pursue a career as a fashion stylist have an education in fashion design, as this gives them a strong foundation and understanding of the industry to work within. In some cases, however, a fashion stylist may be self-taught, or may have apprenticed with a fashion designer or another fashion stylist. Some stylists also come from a different design background, helping to hone their aesthetic eye, although not to directly teach them how it pertains to fashion styling.

The primary job of a fashion stylist is to make a person look and feel beautiful, and in the case of professional fashion styling, to make the clothing itself shine. Stylists do this through an understanding of up-to-the-minute trends in fashion, as well as the intricacies of design, color theory, and lighting. They must use a number of different fields in their work, to make sure that an outfit and accessories looks as good as it possibly can given the situation at hand. In a high-stress environment like a catwalk, this can be an intense job, and on a daily basis working with celebrities or the wealthy it can be a challenge to design wardrobes that innovate, excite, and can hold up to everyday wear and tear.

With the outward appearance of those in the public eye being such a key to keeping in the media’s good graces, most high-profile movie stars, business people, and politicians employ a fashion stylist to help them in special events, or even in their everyday fashion design. When a movie star walks down the red carpet, or when a foreign dignitary meets a head of state, it is very likely that a fashion stylist has helped them put together every part of their wardrobe, from the drape of the dress or hang of the suit, to the watches or earrings they wear as accessories. A good fashion stylist is a treasured commodity, as the best will take anyone and make them shine, choosing clothing and accessories that highlight the best features of the individual, and working with makeup and hair stylists to ensure they look at their best anytime they are in public.

In the world of high fashion, the fashion stylist also plays a key role. During photo shoots, or when a model walks down the catwalk, the clothing needs to look alluring and perfect, highlighting the trends of the season while differentiating itself from everything around. A good fashion stylist makes the best use of the model to showcase the clothing, and the best stylists are highly prized by designers, with many designers taking a part in the styling process as well.