School of Style

This month we slipped in yet another Class 3! This next one is on June 26th. We typically have one Class 3 per month but this month we have three on the calendar (June 11, 12, and 26) due to the high demand. There are only a few spaces left so if you are interested, please register now.

What is Class 3? This class is a portfolio building shoot day, in which students will have the opportunity to actually style their own fashion/editorial shoot! School Of Style will provide all necessary components to produce the photo shoot: a professional photographer, models, hair/makeup artists, location, prop kit, and clothing. Luke will be on set all day to supervise the shoot, and offer styling support and creative input, as needed. At the end of the shoot students will be provided with 4-5 high-quality images to add to, or start their own professional styling portfolio.

Class 3 shoots take place at Los Angeles’ premier style house, Chic Little Devil. Located in the fashion district of downtown LA, Chic Little Devil is LA’s largest style house with over 50,000 designer garments, accessories, and shoes from over 200 top designers. Prior to each class the expert staff at School Of Style will hand pick all wardrobe to be used during the Class 3 shoot.

This portfolio shoot is an extraordinary value to aspiring stylists, as well as established stylists alike. We have taken on the work of producing a shoot, so that you don’t have to! Organizing a test shoot on your own can be very expensive, stressful, and often results in poor quality images. A typical portfolio shoot can literally cost thousands of dollars. There are many expenses to consider, for example:

Photographer: $500-$1000
Photo assistants: $250 each
Models: $300-$500 each
Hair Stylist: $250-$400
Makeup Artist: $250-$400
Studio rental: $300-$500
Prop Kit: $200
Garment rack rental: $10 each

In addition to all of these production expenses, the most important element of any shoot is of course the clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories. Obtaining these items is perhaps the most difficult aspect of independently styling your own shoot. Some of the risks and challenges involved include: high rental fees, strict retail return policies, costs of damaged/used clothing, days and hours lost to prep and returns, and the frustration of being denied showroom samples due to a lack of a proper pull letter.

Class 3 is an amazing, one of a kind opportunity for anyone who wants to gain actual hands-on experience styling their own fashion shoot. This class is usually held the first Friday and Saturday of each month. Be sure to check the schedule for updates.

It’s that time again … Time to catch up with one of our awesome grads that is out there making it happen in the fashion world. Today we are playing Q&A with Amanda Lalique. Since graduating from School Of Style, Amanda has been working her little tail off on a variety of styling jobs. From commercials to editorials, celebrity styling to personal shopping — Amanda has been keeping busy since her days at SOS.

Find out what Amanda has been up to in our interview with her and also be sure to keep up with Amanda’s styling antics on her awesome blog.

School Of Style: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Amanda Lalique: My name is Amanda Lalique and I am originally from New York.   I have had a strong connection to fashion for as long as I could remember.  I love putting things together and helping people find their own true style.  Most of all I love being creative and express myself partly through fashion and art.

SOS: Did you have experience in the fashion industry before attending School Of Style?

AL: Yes.  I had done some freelance wardrobe styling on television shows, commercials, and editorial photo shoots.

SOS: When did you know you wanted to become a wardrobe stylist?

AL: About 5 years ago.

SOS: When did you graduate from School Of Style?

AL: December a couple years ago….

SOS: Which classes did you take?

AL: I took Luke’s first introductory class about styling

SOS: What was the most valuable thing you learned at School Of Style?

AL: I learned many, many useful tips about styling.  It is hard to narrow it down to the one most valuable, but overall I learned that styling is a field that’s more tangible than people think and that it’s better to share information with others!

SOS: What was the most shocking thing you learned?

AL: (hmm not really anything was shocking) sorry…..

SOS: Have you been able to find work since graduating from School Of Style?

AL: Yes I have found some opportunities and have created some on my own through my fashion blog and Facebook account.

SOS: Describe your ”style” as a stylist:

AL: My style is to listen to what a client wants and combine that with some new ideas to create their own personal style.  I  like a hands on approach with clients like personal shopping or helping them with their closet and teaching them ways to rock what they already have.  Also my philosophy is “I like what I like” no matter where it’s from, true style comes from within.

SOS: Is that different than your personal style? If so, describe your personal style:

AL: My personal style continues to evolve everyday as I do as a person.   It’s laid back, bohemian, chic, classic.  I prefer easy pieces with a bohemian flavor, neutral tones, and simple silhouettes.  Less is more most of the time :)

SOS: Who is your dream client?

AL: Someone who is open minded and not afraid to try new pieces and have fun with fashion.

SOS: Who are your favorite designers?

AL: I like many different designers such as Alexander Wang, Jenni Kayne,  Rag & Bone, Stella McCartney,  Alexander McQueen, and vintage finds by numerous designers.

SOS: Favorite trends?

AL: I love loose tunics, denim jeggings, lace, dark nails  (always have loved lace).

SOS: Trends you wish would die?

AL: Prairie skirts

SOS: What are your favorite places to shop?

AL: LF boutique, Crossroads, Rose Bowl, Forever 21, Madewell, and Shopbop.com.

SOS: Any tips you would like to share with other stylists who are just starting out?

AL: Be open, network, and don’t give up!  Go beyond your comfort zone and you will be surprised what great things can happen for you.

Fashion stylist, wardrobe stylist, or whatever you want to call it … It is one of the most sought after careers of the moment. And why shouldn’t it be? It’s a pretty sweet job. I mean you get to shop and hang out with beautiful people all day.

Of course, those aren’t the only reasons to consider wardrobe styling as a career. We have created a Top 10 List of Reasons Why Being a Stylist is the Best Job EVER! Check it out …

1.) Shopping, shopping, and more shopping! If you love to shop, then wardrobe styling is definitely the job for you. Your job is to shop. Shopping in department stores, showrooms, boutiques, costume houses … you get paid to be a shopping machine.

2.)  Beautiful clothes are your new best friends: As an aspiring wardrobe stylist you probably have spent most of your life drooling over fashion magazines and clothes that cost more than your rent. As as working stylist you will get to see and touch these beauties on a regular basis. Its a dream come true.

3.) Being your own boss (sorta): Gone are the days of having one big scary boss. When you are a stylist you are working for yourself. Sure you will have clients that act as your boss, but those are on a job by job basis. Being your own boss is a beautiful thing.

4.) Your workday is always different: No Groundhog Day here! When you are a stylist everyday is different. One day you may be working on a music video, another day you might be dressing models for a music video. Everyday is a surprise in this profession.

5.) Working with the beautiful, the talented, and the famous: Who needs stylists anyway? Celebrities, musicians, and models mostly. If you are a stylist guess who you will be interacting with at work … Exactly!

6.) Traveling: This all depends on your client, of course, but stylists tend to do a bit of traveling. New York, Japan, Los Angeles, Paris … you never know where you’ll end up for a job.

7.) Wave bye, bye to your boring desk job! If being chained to a desk is your biggest nightmare, then you will be happy to find out that you don’t have to spend too much time there. A lot of your job will involve being on set or in your car.

8.) Free clothes: We won’t lie, just because you are a stylist doesn’t means its going to be raining clothes 24/7 but occasionally the fashion fairy will drop a few treats in your closet.

9.) Backstage access to cool events: When you are dressing celebs and musicians you go where they go, which means backstage access to TV shows, concerts, and other cool events.

10.) Meeting new people: Like we mentioned earlier, your workday will always be different and that means meeting different people. Every job opens up the door for meeting new directors, photographers, makeup artists, hair people, models, celebrities, other stylists, and the list goes on …

As promised, here are the behind the scenes pics from our Class 3 on June 12th. Our student stylists really worked it out. They make us so proud …

Sometimes we like to think that we are the only stylists in the world (hehe). That obviously isn’t the case. There are a ton of very talented stylists out there in the world, which is why we decided to start a new column that highlights some of the stylists out there that we admire the most.

Our first stylist is Monica Rose. You have probably seen Monica’s handiwork without even knowing it, as Monica dresses one of the most well known families in Hollywood … the Kardashian family. Monica is also known for styling the gang for the E! Channel’s Daily 10 television show.

Here is one of our favorite images from Monica’s portfolio.

To see Monica’s complete portfolio, visit her site and to find out what she is loving right now, check out her blog.

During this weekend’s portfolio/shoot classes, we decided to throw a bit of competition into the mix. We Love Colors was kind enough to donate some great looking tights and socks for the students to style with. The students who participated really shocked us with some of the rad stuff they came up with.

Here are some behind the scenes pictures of the students workin’ it with We Love Colors hosiery. The final images will be ready soon. The hottest student styled outfit wins a gift certificate to We Love Colors.

The hosiery

We had a pretty intense weekend here at School Of Style with two Class 3’s in a row.  With Class 3 on Friday and on Saturday (we usually have Class 3 on Saturday only). The student stylists were fantastic and we of course had a ton of fun. Check out the pictures from Friday’s class below. Be sure to stay tuned for pictures from Saturday’s Class 3 too.

So you’ve finally landed a job as an assistant stylist or as an intern for a stylist, congratulations! You might go in thinking that being an assistant or an intern is a walk in the park. We are here to tell you that isn’t the case. One misstep can lead into one of three things: 1.) getting yelled and screamed at 2.) getting fired on the spot or 3.) never getting called by that stylist ever again.

It’s a harsh truth, but it’s the truth all the same. Another truth is  your job is very important. It is important to the key stylist and it is important to building your career as a stylist.

With that being said, here are the Top 10 Ways to Get Fired as an assistant stylist/ intern. If you do the opposite of this list, you should be alright.

1.) Be late: It’s definitely a pet peeve of ours! Even if your key stylist is 20 minutes late (they usually will be) you should be on time. In fact, you should probably be a few minutes early.

2.) Dress like a tramp: Nothing says rookie like a girl in 6 inch heels. Nothing says disrespectful like a girl showing a ton of cleavage. Dressing like a skankity ho is not only uncomfortable (being a stylist is a very physical job), it is a real turn off to your key stylist … especially if she is older and less hot than you are.

3.) Network above your level: Bad move here!! It’s great to network on set, its how you build contacts to grow your career. However, networking with people that your key stylist should be networking with is grounds for immediate dismissal. Network with the other assistants, let your key handle schmoozing with the big dogs.

4.) Don’t answer your cell phone: When your phone rings, you best be answering it. We don’t care if you are in the bathroom or on the other line. If your key is calling, you answer!!

5.) Have a cell phone without email capabilities: Have a phone without the ability to receive email? Bye. It’s that simple. As as stylist you will be doing the majority of your work away from your desk. It is important that you bring the desk to you via a phone with email capabilities. Blackberry or iPhone? Whatever. Just get one that works.

6.) Flirt with everyone: Sure some of the best romances blossom on set but that doesn’t give you a free pass to flirtatiousville.  You are at work to work. End of story.

7.) Be loud on set: So important. As as assistant/intern you need to be like a little ghost … a very helpful ghost that only appears and makes sounds when asked to. On set there is no time for loudness and excessive talking. Don’t do it.

8.) Have a car without GPS: Key stylist: “Do you have GPS?” Assistant stylist: “Yes, on my phone.” WRONG ANSWER!! You’ve got to have GPS in your car. It’s one of the most handy tools for a stylist and yes, key stylists will ask if you have one before hiring you.

9.) Try and take credit for your key stylists work: Its common for the assistant to style a killer look that brings on a brigade of accolades. Wouldn’t it be great if you take the credit for it? It would be great but you can’t. Its a tough pill to swallow but get used to it and NEVER ever take credit … the credit always goes to the key.

10.) Lose your receipts, paperwork, or clothing: As an assistant you need to be an organization machine. Losing things will be a one-way ticket to getting screamed at like a child. Make copies of things, staple things to your body … whatever it takes, just don’t lose things.