This September, a school dedicated solely to training fashion stylists will open in the UK. The London College of Style was founded by stylist Wendy Elsmore and model/stylist Kate Smith. Between the two of them, they have over 15 years of experience in the industry and have worked with tons of major fashion magazines, celebrities, and brands.

We spoke to co-founder Kate Smith about the school. Kate and her biz partner Wendy started the school because they saw a need for a quality short-term professional vocational program for fashion styling. Students interested in the industry either had to go to two or three year university programs or to short weeklong seminars held by “celebrity stylists.”

So what does the program offer? There are two courses of study. One is a 12 week program in styling. It includes classes in garment construction, body shapes, business & marketing, and editorial styling, among many others. Among the experts who have committed to teach and lecture at the school are photographers, make-up artists, costume designers, stylists, and hairdressers. Class sizes will be small, ensuring that students get a lot of individual support. The 12-week styling program is ~£3400, or roughly $5,200.

There’s also a Retailers Visual Merchandising program where companies can train their employees. The school will analyze a brand and train the company stylists in the brand identity. Kate said that several companies have already committed employees to attend this program.

But most importantly, how will the London College of Style ensure that their graduates get work? Here’s the plan: Every student will receive a contact resource book at the end of the program. And each term, industry experts will assess the caliber of each student’s work and hopefully direct them to positions that match their talents. At the bare minimum, the critique and industry contacts the students get should be invaluable.

If you’re not in London, you can register for e-learning courses. Offsite students will receive the same lectures, information, and resource books as London students. Their work will be assessed by the same experts. The e-learning course is ~£880, or $1,320.

It’s nice work if you can get it. And Kate and Wendy think there’s a lot of it out there to be had.

“There is not a photo that goes to print that doesn’t use a stylist,” says Kate. “The fashion industry can be very closed, but there’s a hell of a lot of work out there if people want to find it.”

Want to apply? According to the website: “No prior qualifications are required for this course. However, a love of fashion and style is essential. Reading, writing and numeracy skills are required as students will be expected to actively present work to the group.”


Comments [11]

Are you aware that FIT has had a program for Fashion Styling for years?

i am sure that they are aware. however, since this is a new story, they are going to write about it!

Over fifteen years between the two of them. Wow.

Of course! This is a new program, new format. Hence: news.

That was my thought too, but I didn't want to seem snarky :) Thanks for bringin' the snark, MaraJade. Seriously though, if there is one thing I learned from my undergraduate program it is that the instructors make allllll the difference. Who are these folks that have a whopping 15 years of experience and why should I give them five grand?

I went back and looked at my materials. They each have “careers in the industry spanning 15 years.” Perhaps I worded it poorly. Regardless, I think the most important thing will be how many students get jobs once they leave the program. Healthy skepticism is good.

It just seems to bridge the gap between aspiring and actual procurement of work. IDK, though. I would hate for it to turn into something where any Joe Schmoe can go and say, 'I'm a stylist'. And, trust me, I've met too many to count.

i am expecting good design to this year.http://acaimaxcleansewarning.com

I would be very skeptical. You probably have a better chance of being a stylist with a Fashion Design degree, or, if you don't want that, developing contacts on your own.

Ehh..call me a skeptic, but so many people these days just think that fashion and styling are things that can be “poofed” learned and mastered so easily.

yeah…..Hence!!!! (I just wanted to quote “The House Bunny”)

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