A fashion shot arranged by Dinh Van Hieu, founder of Moc Stylist

Part of an emerging profession, stylists in Vietnam link every aspect of the fashion industry.

outfit for the right occasion is what makes a good stylist and people with an aesthetic flare can now make a good living doing one of today’s most “in vogue” jobs.

Stylists prove that the best clothes are more than just a cover-up. They consult on how to best spend a budget to make a desired impression, distilling the desired look from the latest trends.

Stylists work across the whole fashion industry connecting designers with celebrities retailers, and customers. Designers need stylists to make the models and the clothes resonate together; create a buzz on the runway, and turn fantasy into reality on the pages of fashion magazines.

Dinh Van Hieu, founder of Moc Stylist and art director of VNC Co. Ltd, works in a fledgling Vietnamese profession.

“In Vietnam, anyone can be a stylist, because there aren’t any professional schools. To be a stylist you need knowledge of fashion and art. Some stylists have backgrounds in photography, hair design or make-up,” says Hieu.

According to Thy, a noted stylist in Ho Chi Minh City, the entry point for newcomers into the industry here is often as a wardrobe consultant for celebrities.

“After that, stylists start working to script photography shoots. Some people that have experience in stage production transfer to this job,” Thy says.

In her book “The Pocket Stylist,” Kendall Farr, a fashion stylist and former Harper’s Bazaar fashion editor, says stylists study women’s bodies, fabrics, styles and fit to create beautiful images for the camera.

“I wear many hats. As a freelance fashion editor… I conceive of a story idea… and choose the best clothes and accessories to illustrate the idea. I then choose the photographer, the hair-and-make-up team, and the models that will make it all come alive on the page.”

“Even when all you see on your screen is a flash of a neckline or a quick glimpse of an outfit, it is the result of racks of clothing options that have been considered by the team… ” Farr wrote.

The first stylists in Vietnam were foreigners or overseas Vietnamese like Henri Hubert, Thanh Truc, J. Sarah, and Nenny, and recently, locals such as painter Tu Phuong Thao and designer Van Thanh Cong switched professions to consult on fashion shoots. And more are making the change, like up-and-coming singers Huynh Minh Thuy, Nguyen Thuy Linh, and Mi Tran.

Are you a stylist?

Stylists don’t just need good taste, there is a lot of work and know-how involved in coordinating color and style with different body types. The ability to communicate is essential for stylists to work with clients, to compromise between their own opinions and the client’s needs.

“The greatest difficulty is creating your own individual style. New ideas are always needed to avoid being accused of copying. The ability to captivate and create trends is also important,” Hieu says.

There are no formal educational requirements, but taking classes in fashion and business or being an apprentice to someone established are helpful. With salaries from US$35,000- 150,000 per year it’s an attractive job to have.

Reported by Diem Thu