E-Stylist: how to pursue this career in the fashion industry
Are you passionate about the fashion industry and would you like to work as an E-Stylist? Discover how to pursue this career path!
At a time when online is one of the most important showcases for those in the fashion industry, the figure of the E-Stylist is gaining ground as a quick, innovative and accessible solution for anyone who wants to improve their personal style with the help of a professional but does not have time to physically go to the shop. We are talking, in fact, about a fashion consultant who works mainly online to help customers choose clothes and accessories suited to their needs. These professionals use digital platforms to offer customised consulting services, which may include:
- the creation of made-to-measure looks: they analyse the client’s preferences, physicality and needs in order to propose customised outfits;
- the selection of specific outfits for particular events: whether for ceremonies or important professional meetings, the E-Stylist suggests suitable clothes and accessories for every occasion;
- the guide on fashion purchases: the E-Stylist, able to anticipate the trends of the moment, helps the customer to choose garments that are up-to-date;
- the choice of ethical solutions: always updated on the topics of greatest interest to the public, this professional is also a valuable ally in the choice of eco-sustainable clothes and accessories. Thanks to their vast knowledge of sustainable fashion practices, in fact, they know how to propose alternatives with a reduced environmental impact, without compromising the style and quality of the solutions proposed.
The E-Stylist interacts with customers via video calls, emails, and social media, leveraging different digital tools to establish quick and direct contact with customers. This makes fashion consultancy accessible to anyone, wherever they are.
In addition to the traditional functions of consultant and personal shopper, the E-Stylist creates editorials and photographic services for the web, content designed to inspire customers – and potential ones – in their style choices. The editorials offer insights into the latest fashion trends as well as practical guides on how to correctly choose and wear clothes and accessories according to the styles of the moment. The photo shoots, whose pictures are often used to accompany the editorials or for lookbooks to be proposed to customers, are carried out in collaboration with make-up artists, photographers and other professionals.
Emerging as a successful E-Stylist is only possible by investing in a targeted training course. It is, in fact, necessary to attend university courses and Academic Masters focused on central themes such as fashion design, fashion styling and digital technologies applied to fashion. The next step is to identify internships or Junior E-Stylist roles at fashion houses or fashion e-commerce platforms to gain practical experience and useful contacts with industry professionals, working alongside other fashion stylists and art directors to develop an integrated vision.
Continuous training through specialisation programs, six-month courses, Academic Masters, or short courses dedicated to new trends represents added value. These programs guarantee specific skills and issue recognised certifications useful for enriching one’s cultural background and curriculum vitae.
Various specific skills and competencies are required of the E-Stylists, including:
- Creativity and good taste: they must always know how to choose garments and accessories that are not only trendy but also suitable for the individual style of each customer and the occasions on which they will be worn. Furthermore, they must know how to create surprising combinations;
- Deep knowledge of fashion and its trends: it is imperative that these professionals are always up-to-date on the fashion world by attending training and refresher courses, conferences and industry events. They must also follow all major fashion shows and have a solid background in fashion history;
- Communication skills: they must be able to effectively communicate their ideas to customers, actively listening to their needs and proposing clear solutions. They must also know how to present themselves online on specific sites and on social media, describing their services as clearly as possible.
- Predisposition to use different digital platforms: working online, these professionals must know how to exploit all the “digital showcases” at their disposal to reach the public. They must, therefore, create and constantly update their website and social channels so that they are full of quality content;
- Animate the fan base: their community is essential to fuel their profession; the E-Stylists will have to manage it in the best possible way to create engagement and promote their creative flair through posts, videos, stories, and interviews.
- Excellent time management and work organisation: they must know how to organise consultancy sessions, alternating them with the preparation of lookbooks and photo shoots, and faithfully respect the correct timing for each activity.
The E-stylist, a multifaceted figure in the fashion industry linked to the web, can work in different contexts. These include:
- Freelance: offers independent consulting services to private clients;
- E-commerce: provides fashion advice to those who buy on the website of the brand with which they collaborate;
- Fashion agencies: collaborates with other stylists on specific online projects for important fashion clients;
- Online media and publishing: produces editorials and photo shoots for fashion blogs and magazines.