stylist assisting 101

Hi, I’m Elysaveth, a fashion stylist, and I’m here to spill the tea, squeeze the juice, and kill the bill by giving you all the info you need before starting your styling journey!

Fashion Stylist is a job title that many seek out. It’s interesting, creative, and it sounds cool when someone asks what you do and you can say oh so casually, “I’m a stylist.” Like I don’t only dress cute, but I make sure other people dress cute. It’s just cool! Yet, a lot of people get stuck at the how. How do I become a fashion stylist? 

Lucky for you, your friendly neighborhood stylist is here to tell you just how I did it so that you can do the same. Our journeys will not be the same, but if I can give you a few tricks of the trade, why not? 

It’s important to understand how the styling world works before you jump in feet first. Besides general styling education, it’s important to know how a set or working with clients actually works in real life, in real time. A great way to do this is to be an assistant. 

What does an assistant do? An assistant essentially is there as support for the lead/main stylist in anything they may need on and off set in relation to the photoshoot or styling gig. For a campaign, this may mean that you’re helping the stylist in the mall or at PR rooms pulling and/or buying items for the photoshoot. You may be helping carry items, helping the stylist talk through her styling choices, or off on your own to pick up items according to the stylist’s instructions. After this you may help pack everything for the shoot, unpack at location, and steam and prepare all items to be put on models and shot. 

On set, you need to be attentive at all times, as the stylist may need you to wait for some jewelry to arrive, watch out for item flaws, or assist her or him in any way needed. This is also a great time to network and learn about your surroundings. Ask questions, be friendly and professional, and never take the stress of others personal (don’t worry, I’ll make a blog about this for sure!). 

Afterwards, the assisting can continue returning items to pristine condition, mailing items back to showrooms, and retagging and returning racks and racks of clothes. It’s a lot of work, but at the same time, this is the perfect situation to get hands-on experience while learning about the industry and its people. 

Assisting is always a great way to network! Because you’re working with “higher” people, you get access to great artists and connections that you may not have gotten access to as a starting out player. Take this opportunity to network! But remember that at the end of the day, you still are there to learn and provide assistance to your stylist. Don’t let your starry eyes get in the way of making a great impression and your learning. 

Let's talk about pay. Stylist assistants typically make between $0 and $250 a day, though some can earn more. This range is based on my experience and that of other assistants I’ve worked with in the Miami photoshoot styling sector. When you’re starting out, expect to be on the lower end of that scale, often working for free or for as little as $50 a day. As you network and build relationships with stylists, you’ll become their go-to assistant and see those bigger payouts.

There are a few ways stylists calculate pay. The most common is the day rate. This can vary widely, from a five-hour shoot to a twelve-hour marathon, but the rate remains fixed regardless of the shoot’s length. For larger productions like commercials and brand campaigns, stylists often have a budget for assistants, leading to higher pay—up to $250 a day in my experience. Smaller shoots are usually funded out of the stylist’s pocket, meaning lower pay. The least I’ve received for a day’s work, aside from working for free, was $30—a Venmo payment that almost brought me to tears.

Another payment method is hourly, typically used for smaller shoots or regular assistant gigs. I once worked with a stylist who did both personal and photoshoot styling. For big campaigns, I was paid a day rate, but for everything else, I was paid hourly. This setup is rare but it does happen; I would track my hours and bill her accordingly.

The last method is salary, often reserved for assistants working with bigger or celebrity stylists. This usually involves a mix of styling and personal tasks, and you’ll be paid a set amount at regular intervals.

Most assistant work is under the table, so expect to be paid in cash or via apps like Zelle, CashApp, Venmo, or PayPal. Make sure you have at least one of these applications set up.

One crucial tip: always ensure you get paid for your work. Ask for your pay at the end of the workday and follow up if necessary. You don’t have to be a pest, but remember that you deserve your cut for the job you’ve done. I’ve had people try to skip out on paying, and this can happen when you’re an established stylist too. The industry can be tricky, so don’t hesitate to stand up for yourself and claim what you’re owed.

How do you actually get into assisting? I’ll tell you how I did it. When I first started styling, all I wanted to do was to be on set. So I reached out to dozens of stylists asking for opportunities, and pretty much stalked their Instagrams until one of them posted about an assistant job opening they had. Not an official job, a day job. A literal 8 hour job. But that was it. That was all I needed. From there, I made a great impression which kept my work with her. When I worked for another stylist, it’s because I worked as a dresser for Miami Swim Week (from another time she just posted saying she needed dressers), and I reached out to her thanking her and asking her to remember me if she ever needed another assistant. She did!

Don’t be afraid to reach out to brands, to people “above you.” The worst they can say is no and then you both move on with your life. This is your dream, and you can’t be afraid of doors shutting or people saying no. So send the dm, send the email. You got this!

*A great tip is to follow @upnextdesigner on Instagram! He always posts when designers are looking for dressers and assistants for runway shows and it’s a great opportunity!

Starting your journey as a fashion stylist assistant can be challenging, but with the right knowledge and persistence, you’ll navigate the industry like a pro. Good luck!

-Elysaveth