Fashion Skills : Oh to be a Stylist . . .

I know some of the most major shows in Paris happened today, but right now I just wanted to ponder the skills needed to be a stylist.

I took out one of my new assistants today . . . remember flats from fashion week? Well I thought I'd show her the ropes.

Having already discussed stylists rage, today we learnt what else might useful if you were thinking of joining this magical occupation.

1. A sense of direction, map reading and underground/over-ground skills. 

How bizarre I hear you cry! Well today, while I hopped over to Hackney Wick, Flats somehow ended up in Colchester (yes I did just say Colchester). Once we were finally reunited in sunny Holborn, it took two of us and a stranger to direct us to Convent Garden as well as finding other show rooms! Definitely a  GPRS job!

2. Strength. Flats . . . Down to the gym with you! Build your muscles! Being a stylist, I have learnt that most of the job is carrying things around. Suitcases up and down station stairs and pulling along an obscene amount of clothing.

3. The ability to do suitcase three point turns in confined and crowded spaces. Not a transferable skill granted, but fun to annoy Londoners with none the less.

4. The ability to grit your teeth and smile. This however is something for every walk of life.

5. An assistant to cheer you up with funny stories of not managing some, one or any of the above!

Roll on tomorrow! - And if you are an assistant, buying your boss a cake is always a good way to make up! :-)

Fashion Bitch: Terminology - Stylist Rage

Phew, well even the title overwhelmed me a bit. Here at Fash Pack and in the fashion world in general, we have our own little language going on. Whether its the odd flippant phrase or even just a look, the codes of fashion are strict.

The first in this series of fashion phrases was coined by yours truly (though I don't know whether it has been copyrighted yet).

I christen it 'stylist rage'. This is a common occurrence amongst stylists, and usually results in the following circumstances:

1. The clothes that you want to call in for a shoot being 'unavailable', 'in production', 'in the showroom but not available to you, for no apparent reason', 'items arriving after the shoot' (which you then still have to take back).

2. Packing for a shoot. How best to pack it? What is the space like at the location? Do you need a rail? Steamer? Pins? Will it crease? Will it fit in the car? Have I forgotten anything?

3. People playing with your items on a shoot. Yes, team, I know it looks like I have a fancy dressing-up box, but this stuff is worth LOADS OF MONEY, STOP PLAYING!

4. Models. (Does this need an explanation?) No you can't smoke in the rain, in a ballgown, or eat pizza whilst wearing white. IT'S JUST NOT SMART!

5. Rain (after all who likes it?)

Well, there you have it. Stylist rage is serious and quite possibly an epidemic waiting to happen. Personally I live in stylist rage and it deeply affects the people that have to put up with me. But then again, I'd rather be a stylist with her rage than not a stylist at all.

Must go, I have an anger-management class to attend.