A day in the life of a fashion stylist

I thought I'd share my experience of working behind the scenes as a stylist at New Zealand's biggest event in the fashion calendar - NZ Fashion Week (NZFW).  Over the course of the week, I spent three days backstage right among the hustle and bustle of event producers, designers, makeup artists, hairdressers and volunteers, who all play a key part in creating such a large scale and professional event.

To give you a little taster here is a day snapshot of what I got up too/a day in the life of a fashion stylist:

Thursday early morning, I collect garments from one of the labels showing later that afternoon.   It's pouring with rain but I make it across town. The garments were boxed up luckily and I had several boxes of different shoes.   I drop the items off at the Viaduct Events Centre - homebase of Fashion Week, then make a mad dash in a cab to catch the 9.30am runway show for Knufferman.  A glass of bubbles and a few sweet canapes later I rush back to base.

I was thrown straight into the backstage area of the second runway space 'The Tent'.   Here, I grab a model run sheet and make sure all the models know their place in line.  I look over the models to ensure there is nothing funny going on with their outfits, a shoe undone, or a loose thread, no bunching, no underwear under fitted dresses.   It's loud and the models are talking over each other you can feel the anxiety or is that excitement?!  Probably both!   Twenty minutes later, the show is over.

I spend time speaking with key people, getting an understanding of how the shows are put together, I tidy, I help where needed.

Early afternoon I prepare for one of the evening shows racking up the garments, working out the running order and fitting the models.   This took a lot longer than first anticipated as the models were slightly different sizes and we needed to make the garments suit the various body shapes as best possible.   Steaming and ironing the pieces, working out the accessories, and creating individual running orders per model to ensure everyone knew what they would be wearing and when.  When the time comes, racks are rolled into place, models dressed and the show commences.  One vital job is to ensure those models heading out twice on the runway get my help in changing into their next outfit - it's rush, rush, rush but they are pros, they know the drill.

After a day on my feet it's time for home to get ready to do it all again the next day.

Styling for Television on NZs Family Feud

I'm excited to be working as the Assistant Stylist for the new game show Family Feud on TV3.   We are a few weeks into it and I am loving meeting all the contestants and helping them look their best for their TV debut!  It's great to be working with some very cool people in the big wide world of television!   Good luck to all who get through!   As host Dai Henwood says, 'get your feud on!'.  See more on Facebook.

Fashion Fairground styling services in Auckland

Fashion Fairground is a fashion styling service offering a unique and fresh perspective to clients. We cater to everyone, including pregnant and post-baby body shapes, delivering honest advice and direction.  Our approach means you can work with us for as much or as little as you need.

• Understand your body shape and how to best complement it.
• Learn how to dress your pregnancy bump and post baby body.
• Guided shopping (including online and recycled options).
• Find the perfect outfit for that special occasion.
• Create a new style/image.
• Advice on career dressing.

Our simple step-by-step process allows you to work with us for as much or as little as you need:

1. Consultation - An initial meeting enables us to get a sense of your lifestyle, body shape, what you want to achieve, your pain points and budget for your new image/wardrobe.  A written brief forms the basis for further discussion.  (Free, max 1.5hrs)
2. Wardrobe Edit - A full wardrobe edit (including accessories and footwear) to assess what works for your body shape and colour, where you have gaps, and what needs updating. ($80p/h, min 1 hr)
3. Recommendation - Based on the information gained from the initial consultation and from the assessment of your wardrobe edit, a concept board is created which recommends an appropriate style and some key pieces to achieve your look. ($80)
4. Guided Shopping - A guided shopping session taking direction from your concept board and budget. This can include online shopping. ($80p/hr, min 2 hrs)
5. Mix and Match (optional) - In this final step we provide guidance on how to wear new pieces with your existing wardrobe to create even more outfit options for you. Photographs are taken to capture your new looks. ($80p/hr, min 1 hr)

To check out a selection of past styling projects check out our Pinterest board here.

Please contact Stacey on Auckland, 0210 297 9065 or fashionfairground@gmail.com for further information or to make an appointment.

Fashion Fairground Launches Personal Styling Service

I’m excited to announce that after a year and a half of working on various voluntary styling projects, I have decided to take the next step by offering my services professionally as a personal fashion stylist under my blog name Fashion Fairground.

Having had requests from various people over the years and now armed with experience gained in editorial, costume, television and personal styling, I’ve decided it’s time to offer my advice in a more serious manner.

Like booking a hair stylist, engaging the services of a fashion stylist should be just as accessible. The aim of Fashion Fairground’s styling service is to bring a fresh perspective to clients providing honest advice and direction while allowing them to choose as much or as little guidance as they need, to their budget and time frames.

Added to this, I now have an understanding of dressing a pregnant body shape so this will also be a focus of my work.

Please share this post with those you feel would be interested in hearing about this new service. 

Thank you!