Another important aspect of accumulating and creating the database is actually making contact with each person and creating relationships with the important players in the fashion game. Meeting photographers and hair/makeup teams happens more organically on set. Saving these people’s info is also easier because a stylist can pull it from the call sheet. Developing relationships with showrooms, designer publicists, studio services, and boutique managers is a different story as these contacts must be found. Sometimes it is as easy as calling a corporate number and asking for the needed names, numbers, and emails or looking on the designer’s or store’s website. With very exclusive brands like Prada this info will not be given out by their reception over the phone or be listed on the company website. In these cases, I turn to thelookbook.com or modemonline.com. Thelookbook.com has a decent and usually updated listing of PR contacts for most designers. There is a monthly subscription ($12.99) but it’s totally worth it, especially at 2 am when a stylist needs to get a hold of KCD Paris about Balmain look #12 for the shoot tomorrow.

Thelookbook.com can be a lifesaver in those situations. Modemonline.com is free and has fashion contacts listed under their show section but it can be inaccurate.

When working with a new publicist, studio services, or a boutique for the first time, I advise the stylist and his/her assistant to meet with the new contact in person. I find it is much easier to create a dependable and professional relationship with these very important people when both of us can put a face with a name.

Without a thorough and detailed database, a stylist’s resources are limited, and he/she has to start from scratch contacting people on each job. I always work with my assistant team to make sure we update my database after every job. Otherwise, the update never seems to happen and the out-of-date contacts are useless on a stylist’s limited prep schedule. With the high turnover and the moving around that fashion folks do, it is so important to update often.

A complete and detailed database can also give a stylist a competitive advantage. Not only does the updated database save time and energy, it is also a valuable resource for fashion’s newest faces. When doing market work with my assistants and discovering new talent via showroom appointments or blog research, we always add the fresh talent to our database; this way when I am prepping the next job I can remember to pull in samples to mix with my old school favorites.

Essentially, the value of having an organized and detailed database is to make a stylist’s practice run smoother, so he/she can have a higher capacity to streamline jobs and create an advantage over the competition.

Having and using this valuable tool allow stylists to move toward their goals, crafting their voice in fashion, and creating successful careers!

Sally Lyndley is a fashion stylist and overall amazing person. You can see her work everywhere from LOVE magazine to Victoria Beckham.