Why Lucy’s in fashion and in vogue as a personal stylist
LOVE fashion? A career as a personal stylist might suit you.
There are no set requirements, but a fashion or retail qualification helps. Employers will expect you to have worked on the shop floor, as most stylists are recruited from experienced staff.
Lucy Knight, a personal stylist at John Lewis in the Westfield Shopping Centre, West London, says: ‘I love fashion and worked part- time at John Lewis in Nottingham during my PR and marketing degree. My manager suggested I try working as a personal stylist and I loved it.’
Lucy, 32, adds: ‘I see customers by appointment, either helping them solve a single fashion problem or with a bigger issue such as a wardrobe for a career change.
‘They fill in a form with their requirements and I call to get to know them better, so I can have some garments ready. It’s fun, as every customer is different.’
She advises others who want to try the career: ‘It helps to start on the shop floor so you get to know the clothes and customers.’
Cat Walford-Smith, development manager for personal styling at John Lewis, says: ‘We look for people with a passion for style and shopping; listening skills; and the ability to make customers feel great. We train stylists to use apps to keep in touch with customers and help them build a profile.’
Colleges offering fashion courses include the Fashion Retail Academy and London College of Fashion, but you can start on the shop floor and work your way up.
Pay starts at around £14,000, but can reach £25,000 or more for jobs in exclusive stores.
SEE arts.ac.uk/colleges/ london-college-of-fashion, fashionretailacademy.ac.uk