Career as a fashion consultant; 4 steps to get started

Fashion consultants are professional stylists who work with individual clients to improve the way they style themselves - clothes, accessories and everything else. These consultants work with their customers to come up with clothing ideas that fit their customer’s fashion image. The most popular fashion consultants usually work with public figures, influencers, and businessmen, helping them to channel the right look or vibe that gels with their image or brand. As a fashion consultant, it is expected that you will have a sound understanding of various styles, from retro to contemporary, an understanding of what is trending, and of course, a keen eye for creative design.

If you think that that is the career you want to pursue, check out our 4 point guide that will set you on the right path.

4 step guide to becoming a fashion consultant

Step 1: Obtain a professional degree or a certificate

In the past many fashion consultants have started their professional career without a degree, but as time continues to progress many employers prefer having someone who at least holds a professional degree in fashion merchandising, fashion design, art and textile design or any other fashion-related field. As a fresher wanting to enter the field, you can earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or technical college to improve your chances. Look for courses that focus on fashion design, apparel and retail, brand development, fabric production, textile studies, and color theory.

Click here to check the top colleges in fashion designing

Step 2: Gain professional work experience in the form of internships

After or while completing a bachelors degree program, consider gaining work experience by applying for an internship. With more and more global brand stores opening up, fashion students these days have the opportunity to apply for retail and design internship programmes. In these programmes, you gain valuable insights and experience that helps you develop the required skills for succeeding in your career as a fashion consultant later. By applying for such internships, you can also meet professionals from other related industries and thereafter build strong networks that will support your career growth.

Step 3: Work on your networking skills beyond your college hours

The major purpose of networking is to build strong contacts, get familiar with leading industry acquaintances, develop new friendships as well as business partners. These new contacts will not only help you in progressing your career path quickly, but will also introduce you to the best practices of the industry. Once you’ve viewed it this way, you will also start to see the value of networking as a powerful tool.

To start networking, build connections with fashion industry professionals and learn from seasoned stalwarts, designers and consultants. This will greatly supplement what you pick up from your degree programme or internships. Ask questions in order to improve your attention to detail, customer relationships, and knowledge.

Step 4: Work on building a strong social media presence

Building a strong social media presence is crucial to communicate, understand and build trust before you initiate a direct relationship with any prospective client. Publishing your content online will not only allow more and more people to know and understand your work but will also take you one step ahead in winning your audience’s business. This will also demonstrate to the prospective client that you have a fair understanding of social media - one of the most powerful tools in the world of glamour and marketing today.

Fashion consultants are artists with creative expertise who provide people and brands with expert advice and recommendations on what to keep and what to remove from their wardrobes so as to be able to project the right social and public image. Do you think you have what it takes for the job? Then wait no more, and start your journey today.