Creativity is intelligence having fun – Albert Einstein
Creative people are often described as imaginative and open minded. This stands to reason as creativity often comes when we allow for new ideas and concepts to develop. When working as a stylist, being open minded and allowing your imagination to develop is crucial. In order to always have inspiration, you need to seek out new experiences; new experiences to learn, to see different styles, to gain exposure to different mediums and concepts, and to how others work. Observe and speak with as many creative people as you can. When you start to do this, you will naturally develop and expand your creativity beyond what you thought could be possible. This is a continuous process and every creative person, or anyone seeking to be more creative, must make this part of their everyday life.
Explore
Travel is great for inspiration. Learning about and being exposed to new cultures and traditions, can spark many ideas or teach you about age old principles that you were not previously aware of. The outdoors, nature and wildlife, are some of the greatest sources of inspiration particularly for the fashion industry. Many patterns, designs and aesthetic principles are derived from nature and therefore, creative people should make it their mission to explore as much of this earth as is possible!
Practice
Practice, practice, and then practice some more. To develop your craft, get as much experience as you possibly can and repeat each of these steps until you have your own efficient workflow, and have confidence in your creative ability. Allow your passion for it to drive you. Pursue new experiences and opportunities to learn. Make contacts and volunteer for work that will push you to think of new ideas. Ask questions when you find yourself with people who are more experienced and when you meet people you admire. Observe what others in your field do, and try to emulate the steps they took to succeed. If you get stuck, try to think what they would have done to find a solution, and then if you feel you are not ready for the next step yet then practice some more!
Develop your Creative Formula
Storyboarding and conceptualising are very important. In order to be able to tell a story with your styling, you first need to develop your creativity to find the means to tell that story. Start with the basics; research, look at photos and magazines, take what you need from them for inspiration, and then hunt for more. Create a mood board with all the ideas, then from there see what themes and concepts arise. Think about how you want to further develop those themes, or use them to hone your own creative vision. Put your design strategy on paper. Then start to build on your strategy step by step. Give this process sufficient time and do not be afraid to hone it, edit it, let it take a new direction, and even start from scratch again if required. If an idea comes, allow it to develop until you see an end vision, and even if it doesn’t work now, save it for later. It might be just what you need for another job and even if not, researching always provides more knowledge and developing your creativity is never a waste of time!
Find your niche and then step outside it
Styling it is about expression and creativity, but it also requires consistency. With each new experience, or new styling job, you want to demonstrate direction in your work. In order to always get better, and strengthen your expertise, you need to elevate your work as much as you possible in each job. If you have an idea that will mean doing something you have not done before, such as asking a couture designer for a piece, or designing and creating a garment completely on your own, then do it. Don’t settle for less that what is in your imagination, nor compromise on your vision. Once you get to a certain level and have some experience, then try to stretch yourself further. Do a stretch assignment with a team and photographer whose style is very unique or are very different to the others that you have worked with. Cultivate new opportunities for yourself that will allow you to step outside of your niche.
Work on your brand
Next, when you have a body of work, you need to let your book speak for your creativity. You need to know your brand, and what makes you unique. What does your portfolio say about you as a stylist; is your brand chic, always on trend, artistic, androgynous, sexy or edgy. Curate your images to show your best work. When on set, only bring items you really love to the shoot, and do not compromise. You need to be proud of every image and every look you create, as every item forms part of your brand.
Take Risks
Learn to take calculated risks. If you think something can work ,say so. Trust in your ideas and have the confidence to take risks with your work, even if they don’t always pay off. A quirky item of clothing, or a particular look might not make the final edit but equally it could become the centerpiece once on set once you share your creative vision with your client or the photographer. A unique concept or original idea can be the standout inspiration that you need for an assignment and this is exactly why you will get hired as a stylist; your imagination and foresight are your main assets in this industry. You are there to bring to life a picture that in the beginning some one else might not be able to see.
Don’t set limitations for yourself
Being creative is all about being resourceful and finding opportunities where others cannot. Do not be limited by resources, your finances, the budget, and your current location. These moments, when you think outside limitations, often offer the best opportunities to be creative. Think about what do you need to make your idea or concept work? How can you get what you need? Who is available that might help? What can you substitute for the expensive resource you need? What do you already have that i can use? Explore your network, ask others in your field if they can help, and don’t be afraid to ask others for what you need.
Ask for feedback
Lastly, always ask those around you for feedback and encourage them to voice their opinions about your work. Talk to those on set, ask questions and always be willing to improve. Your creativity is also key to getting an agent. Even if they don’t sign you, they can tell you where you are lacking, what your portfolio is missing, and what they need to see in order for you to reach a professional level.
Learn from this what your strengths and weaknesses are, and what others believe makes you unique. You can use this vital information not only to further develop your styling, but in the evolution of your personal brand.
Good luck!!