Why Are Styling Services So Expensive?
This question is probably on your mind when considering hiring a stylist. You’re right, professional services can certainly come at a premium. You may even be wondering, how did they even come to this price, it seems so arbitrary?! I’m here to shed light on how a fashion stylist might develop their rate schedule. This should be a helpful guide for you in selecting someone who will be a good fit for your goals and budget, as well as for any aspiring stylists who are wondering how to price their services.
Experience, Experience, Experience
There’s no school to prepare for this...
The value of experience qualifies a professional for charging a higher rate. The largest asset a stylist has is his/her experience in the field, what they have learned through doing, and how they apply those skills to their client services. A stylist who has paid their dues (at least 5 years of experience) is going to price their services accordingly. Stylists who are new and just starting out, or just not as developed in their skill set, are more likely to charge on the lower end of the scale. It has taken me years to hone an effective process that I consider second to none.
Hidden Work
Spoiler alert...there’s A LOT!
If your client really knew how much work it takes to produce a wardrobe styling project, they might have a better understanding of the expense. Styling is filled with hidden work that the client isn’t aware of because it’s not part of the glamorous final reveal. Hours of research, scheduling, emails, texting and travel are built into each client project. If we quote a client that we will spend 3hrs on their prep work, we often spend at least 5-6hrs when factoring in set up, transit, orders, size changes and the many other details that we make sure are perfect before the client sees anything. The styling rate should build in for all of those incidentals. Behind the scenes work can be long, physically demanding and sometimes on a very short deadline.
Resources and Relationships
It’s who you know…
A stylist who has a great network of collaborators has a lot to offer their clients, and will reflect that in their pricing. In fashion, it’s all about getting what you want, when you want it. Timing is critical and no stylist can achieve that without a network of retailers, designers and support staff creating a seamless and timely experience for their client. These resources are built over time by the stylist proving themselves again and again that they are professionals and that they represent real clients. The more the stylist produces, the more access they receive to unique product and exclusive perks from retailers and designers. If your stylist offers a lot of access to these hidden opportunities, that increases the value of what they provide, which again, will be reflected in their pricing.
Professionalism
You get what you pay for….
A good working stylist will be organized, timely, knowledgeable, resourceful, reliable, creative and know they have a lot to offer their clients. There’s always the option of having a ‘friend with good taste’ help out at virtually no cost (I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard that one!) but there’s a big difference between a favor and a professional service. You’ll have a vastly different result from a pro who takes their role seriously, and there is tremendous value in that.
Creative Vision
The devil is in the details…
This really is the secret sauce and one of our core brand values. There are many stylists to choose from who charge a range of rates, but in the end each will produce a different result based on their taste level. You simply can’t teach this quality. Being able to determine the good from the bad, the relevant from the inappropriate, the chic from the trendy is the ‘magic’ of what a stylist will provide…and can make the difference between money well spent and an expensive mistake. If you value this quality, you should feel comfortable with paying the corresponding rate.
Hopefully this breakdown helps you understand what goes on behind the styling scenes contributing to the final cost.
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