Among the many careers in fashion and textiles, the role of personal stylist or personal shopper is getting a lot of attention right now.
The personal shopper is not a fashion designer and does not take part in creating clothes. Instead, they are a fashion expert who helps clients choose clothing and accessories that enhance their beauty, body shape, and overall style.
This profession goes far beyond simple sales assistance: a personal stylist has the skills to advise on trends, personal image, and how to highlight individual features.
What does a personal stylist do?
A personal stylist (or personal shopper) guides clients through their shopping and advises them on outfit choices. They understand the basics of color analysis and know how to flatter every body shape while matching each client’s personality. They can help sort through a wardrobe before guiding clients in their shopping and look selection.
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Style and body shape analysis: They help identify the designs, cuts, and colors that are most flattering.
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Wardrobe sorting: They can review a client’s wardrobe and check each item to optimize existing outfits and suggest new ready-to-wear pieces and coordinated accessories.
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Shopping support: They select suitable pieces from new collections and guide purchases in private sales or boutiques.
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Personalized advice: They offer tips for mixing and matching clothes to create harmonious looks, based on current trends.
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Event preparation: Their expertise is sought for choosing outfits for special occasions (weddings, interviews, evenings out, etc.).
This profession isn’t limited to haute couture or luxury clients. In reality, it’s useful for anyone who wants to express their style, save time shopping, or simply feel better in their clothes. It’s accessible to individuals, celebrities, and professionals alike—anyone who wants to assert their status or manage their public image.
Personal stylist: Do you need to study at a design school or have at least a two-year degree?
If fashion is your passion and you feel capable of helping people find their style, you can become a personal stylist and makeover expert... even if, at first glance, these careers seem intimidating or you think you need specialized studies.
Becoming a personal shopper without a diploma is absolutely possible, but it requires passion, creativity, and plenty of perseverance. Here are a few steps to get there... and you won’t need to go to Paris to tour fashion or sewing schools!
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Develop your style and creativity: Success in fashion comes from a subtle blend of personal vision and hands-on skills. Get familiar with fabrics, colors, cuts, and trends to master the tools of the trade and know which products to suggest for each person. Don’t hesitate to join friends or family on shopping trips and coach them—it’s great practice!
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Self-learning: Many self-taught stylists have succeeded in fashion without formal training or haute couture school. Incredible designers like Coco Chanel or, more recently, Giorgio Armani started without a diploma, relying on their personal sense of design. If you’re motivated, nothing stops you from following in their footsteps! You can watch online tutorials, read books or magazines about fashion design, and observe trends to broaden your skills.
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Create a style portfolio: Even without a diploma, a personal album or blog showcasing your clothing selections—like an influencer or stylist—can convince a company of your intuition for trends, even just to land an internship or on-the-job training.
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Build your network: Connect remotely with other enthusiasts, use social media to explore every aspect of the fashion world, and, if you can, attend fashion events and meet stylists.
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Gain experience: Take a practical approach to this career if you’re passionate about it, for example by working in a fashion boutique or with a ready-to-wear brand to understand market expectations. Don’t focus too much on salary at first—the key is to build your confidence and take the leap!
You can also fast-track your journey and become a personal stylist right away by finding a job with a company that hires sales consultants. This will have you decoding trends and advising clients on their style, without needing a diploma.
A simple and practical solution is to choose the VDI status (independent home sales consultant) with a brand that supports your project.
Personal stylist: When should you choose VDI status?
Becoming a personal stylist or personal shopper as a VDI can be ideal for several reasons:
- Earn extra income
You can absolutely become a VDI alongside your current job if your schedule allows. You earn extra income from home through a professional activity you truly enjoy.
- Become independent without risk and manage your own schedule
Many people dream of starting their own business. However, the risks and lack of job security can be daunting. With VDI status, you have a real contract with the brand you work for and benefit from the social protection offered by the company.
- Make a career change
At some point in your life, you may want to change direction and finally do the job you’ve always dreamed of. VDI status is perfect for this, as it lets you try out the activity you love with no diploma required. Companies that recruit VDIs often offer training programs to introduce their home sales consultants to sales techniques.
Personal stylist as a VDI: what you need to know
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to work as a personal stylist with independent home sales consultant (VDI) status! This status allows you to work independently, from home or close by, while representing a clothing or accessories brand.
As a personal stylist with VDI status, you can:
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Advise your clients on their style and body shape.
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Organize home sales or private gatherings to present collections.
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Manage your schedule freely and work at your own pace.
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Benefit from training offered by some brands to refine your styling and sales skills.
This status is ideal for those who want to start without a diploma and test the activity before fully committing. It also offers a certain security, thanks to the contract-based status with your partner brand(s).
If you love fashion and want to help people find their style, this could be a fantastic opportunity!
As a personal stylist or personal shopper with VDI status, you offer your clients clothing from a single brand you’ve chosen. Make sure to work with a brand that resonates with you and shares your values.
With Elora, you enjoy a special relationship with your clients because you host small-group sales events—the perfect way to get to know them! In addition to body shape and color analysis, you need to understand your clients’ personalities and needs. You won’t suggest the same outfit to two women, even if they look alike, because their personalities, desires, and lifestyles are unique.
Support and training for VDIs
At Elora, we give our personal stylists all the keys to succeed. We offer them a comprehensive training program in sales techniques. We also provide resources to learn about color analysis and body shape study. Finally, we support and train them throughout their career with the company, and remote coaches are always available to answer their questions.
