No offence to all the celebrity stylists out there ( and non- celebrity ones as well.....lol)

I just want to understand what it means when someone calls them self a stylist in an African or Nigerian context

I understand that you make people look good

But how is that different from someone who owns a boutique and sells clothes?

When celebrities say they only work with one stylist what do they mean?

Is that the same as having a personal tailor?

I know that some of the clothes these people wear are ready made

So does that mean the celebrity gives stylist money to buy the dress

OR the less believable option that they get the clothes on credit and hope the celebrity will pay back later??

In this present day Naija, very unlikely , people naturally find it hard to pay back stuff given on credit ( yes even celebrities)


How on earth does a stylist make money?? Is is just another name for tailor / boutique owner??

Just curious. Sensible replies welcome. Cheers

Onyinyechimara: No offence to all the celebrity stylists out there ( and non- celebrity ones as well.....lol)

I just want to understand what it means when someone calls them self a stylist in an African or Nigerian context

I understand that you make people look good

But how is that different from someone who owns a boutique and sells clothes?

When celebrities say they only work with one stylist what do they mean?

Is that the same as having a personal tailor?

I know that some of the clothes these people wear are ready made

So does that mean the celebrity gives stylist money to buy the dress

OR the less believable option that they get the clothes on credit and hope the celebrity will pay back later??

In this present day Naija, very unlikely , people naturally find it hard to pay back stuff given on credit ( yes even celebrities)


How on earth does a stylist make money?? Is is just another name for tailor / boutique owner??

Just curious. Sensible replies welcome. Cheers

Ok First off ,there are different types of stylists . E.g Hair stylist (caters for your hair) ,and you have the Personal stylist who most of the time, is in charge of both wardrobe ,make-up ,and hair for their clients (celebrity or non-celebrity clients)

Many times you tend to see people dressing for an event/occasion with out putting into consideration the ''dress code'' for that particular event.
For instance...You've been invited to a presidential Ball or Dinner,whether you are a celebrity or a street walker ,you're not expected to be seen in skinny jeans,or a skimpy night out dress.
Or the event could be a black tie event and you are showing up in a double breasted business suit and long tie,or posing with your half buttoned up coloured shirt and no tie... yeeaa.. i'm talking to you guys,male ,men,(shakes head... ). You need to get with the program.Not all suits are for every occasion.

Now, if you do ask a fashion designer to send you an outfit for that occasion ,you have to have it in mind that the designer may send you an outfit they either want to promote,or something that is unique to your sense of style,and this is where your personal stylist comes in .

The PERSONAL STYLIST works with an outfit by providing the right co-ordination ,the personal stylist will pick the right shoes for the dress, the personal stylist will work with your demands and pick certain items you want to go with the dress he or she has picked up for you from the designers,the personal stylist will go with your mood for the night,or for that particular occasion .( For instance if you're looking to have your hair dyed red or dyed blonde for the event ,the PS will find a good hair stylist to give you the right shade of hair colour that will compliment your skin tone,eyes, and even the colour of dress you have picked) with out creating a hot mess.

If you are looking to show off some skin(for the ladies) while still wearing an eye catching dress , the PS will ensure you are showing the right amount of skin in the right places with out going over board, that is why you tend to see some clothes on the run-way by designers but when you see the same dress/outfit on a celebrity ,it has been altered .The PS picks up the dress from the designers,the client puts it on and then the PS Job is to see where the dress is less flattering on the client and then have the dress sent back for modification.

When picking a dress or having one made ,the PS ensures that his/her client is dressed ''age appropriately'', If you are attending your daughter's/Son's graduation,the job of the PS is to find an outfit (whether from your closet,designer outlets e.t.c) that will be age appropriate for you (you don't want to take all the spot light by being the one people are congratulating at the graduation). Or it may be that you have been chosen to give a speech at conference/symposium,and you can't seem to distinguish between a formal or a semi-formal outfit for this,This is the Job of the PS.

This is just a tip of the ice berg when it comes to the Job Description of a PS. A Personal stylist's job is quite tasking, because you don't just slap on an outfit on your clients body,you are working with every thing in mind- Your clients figure,colour,height,mood, and the event itself before you begin to work on a dress in order to achieve a flawless look for your client.

Lastly the PS is paid for their job by the client , this could be by the hour or as agreed or negotiated between both parties. The Client is financially responsible for any purchase made ,be it the dress, shoes, or even the fees of others like the make up artist e.t.c.

https://www.nairaland.com/1236692/what-not-wear-wedding

^^^thank you so much for that. Such a detailed write up

Are you a stylist yourself?

Is it a rewarding job/ hobby in this present day Nigeria?

Onyinyechimara: ^^^thank you so much for that. Such a detailed write up

Are you a stylist yourself?

Is it a rewarding job/ hobby in this present day Nigeria?

Seems to me like u r actually lukn to make d@ a career for urself lol! Plz don't if u don't know what it entails cos it is an ART

sisi london:

Seems to me like u r actually lukn to make d@ a career for urself lol! Plz don't if u don't know what it entails cos it is an ART

More importantly you have to be passionate about being a PS,(i.e being creative with clothes,colours and accessories).

i have come to realise that most stylists who have really made it in their career as a PS was through their various work and display on the celebrity figures and non celeb clients. In other words ,if as a PS you have transformed or styled someone whom everyone sees their outfit as breathe taking , then your work will evidently speak for itself hence the more exposure you get and of course more jobs for you.

Having said this , some stylist often start off styling them selves and making every thing they have work. From old sweaters , ripped jeans , grandma's scarf ( which could be regarded as vintage), in fact anything. In this case you could refer to this particular stylist as being talented and having a raw natural talent at making any clothes look beautiful on any body,No matter the challenge ( body type , colour of the clothes e.t.c) any form of challenge.


@OP

To answer your question .
i love styling people , but its just a hobby, ( still have my day job ),some times i get paid for it and most times its a favour. Being the last of 6 kids i had a lot of ''hand me downs '' which i often converted to look great on me ,making my siblings wonder what they were thinking when they got rid of their clothes by giving them to me in the first place

Well i would listen to sisi london's advice if you are about to take this up as a full career, the prospects of making it profitably are so-so, especially here n Nigeria, i would suggest you start off part time if you already have a job or you're still in school.

Finally ... It is very rewarding , for me , i just like to see opulence and that is the satisfaction i get.
people admiring your clients and at the beautiful piece of work on display ,and knowing it was you who accomplished all that.

Hmmmm..........cool stuf

Sounds easy ... but trust me, its not. You just have to love the job,have a passion for it to get it done.


Louise Roe.
One of the Personal Stylist i admire, she gives a lot of advice on how to co-ordinate your outfits.