Insight into textiles part 4: Rebekah Roy, Stylist

Article Added: 10/12/2009 16:29:49
Rebekah Roy is a personal stylist who has worked with clients such as Nintendo, Virgin, Harvey Nichols, the Feeling, Little Boots, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Madness. We spoke to her to find out what her role entails and how you could follow in her footsteps…

HHT: How would you define your role?
RR: I’m a fashion stylist and consultant, which means I work with a variety of clients from styling shows at London Fashion Week, to working on editorials, to styling bands for videos.

HHT: What hours do you work?
RR: I never stop working.

HHT:  What is the best bit about your job?
RR: It’s constantly evolving. I get to work with some very talented people and visit places that I wouldn’t normally have access to.

HHT:  What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
RR: Being a freelancer is difficult for some people as you never know when or where you’ll be working next. After a while though, once you’re getting booked regularly not knowing where you’re working in a month doesn’t matter - something always comes up!

HHT: If someone reading this interview has ambitions to become a stylist what should they do? Would you recommend work experience, an apprenticeship or is it fairly easy to find a job?
RR: I think work experience is essential; it’s quite difficult to find a permanent job and most students coming out of school aren’t familiar with the practical side of styling.

HHT: Would you recommend doing further courses or is it best to get into the fashion world as soon as possible?
RR: It really depends on the person and what you’ve studied. If you haven’t studied fashion styling it might be worth your while to take a short course while looking for work experience.

HHT:  How important is your portfolio to your chances of getting a job?
RR: A portfolio is not necessary when you’re looking for work experience but it’s essential as a stylist. It’s your CV; it’s how you communicate your ideas as a stylist.

HHT: What is your advice for someone with a degree in fashion, but doesn’t know what to do with it?
RR: Try and gain as much experience in different areas of fashion as possible. I had one work experience person who studied fashion design and was assisting as a stylist and while doing this she discovered her real passion was fashion PR.

To read the previous features in our Insight into Textiles please click on the links below:
Part 1 - Stacey Harvey Brown, professional weaver
Part 2 - Jenny Lister, V&A Museum
Part 3 - Pip Cokaj, visual merchandiser for Debenhams

Photography used with thanks to Christopher Dadey