What does a stylist actually do?

If to the fashion insiders the figure of the stylist appears totally transparent – in constant balance between showroom meetings and heavy luggage full of expensive dresses to carry around the world – for many this jobs is still quite mysterious. What does a stylist actually do? Why this name which has to do with style? Why the major fashion brands cannot live without them anymore?

To answer all these (licit) questions, we met Italian stylist Ramona Tabita, which counts on collaborations with the biggest national and international fashion magazines.

Eclectic character – she also deals with photography and writing – Ramona revealed us all the secrets to become a successful stylist. Check them out in our exclusive interview:

1. Hi Ramona, can you tell us a bit about your background? How did you become a stylist?

At 18 I left the village in Sicily where I was born and I moved to Rome to study art at the academy. In those years I was mainly involved in photography, and I was writing for various fashion magazines. I took care of the looks of the protagonists of my shoots and I had an archive of dresses I only used for my sets.  When the NABA of Milan chose me to receive a fashion scholarship after seeing my pictures, I realized that maybe styling was actually the highlight of my work, and that it could have become my profession. I had never stopped writing, and once arrived to Milan I started new editorial collaborations like the ones with La Pina from Radio Deejay and Vogue.it. I shot my first fashion editorials myself, then I started focusing only on the styling.

2. Tell us about your routine.

There are days when I work and there are days when I prepare the work, the latter are definitely heavier than the first. When I’m not shooting, I usually wake up at 7am. From that moment to 9:30 and or so, I write the credits of the clothes, I create mood boards and send emails to the press offices when the works out. The rest of the morning I stay home waiting for the deliveries of the clothes and I organize the returns of the ones I don’t need anymore. Usually I exploit lunch and dinner time for appointments with photographers, editors or brands. The first showroom meeting is always after 3pm, I don’t make more than 3 per day because I’m lazy. I make the most part of the choices while I'm around, directly Vogue.com. In the evening I do the last tests of the outfits on the floor before preparing the suitcases.

3. What is the most exciting part of your job?

I love living the set, I like to chat with the models, to know their stories, observe make-up artists and hair stylists at work, see how the passion of the whole team blends in what will become the final work.

4. Do you prefer working with boys or girls?

Undoubtedly girls, I find it more stimulating.

5. What are the beauty standards to make it in fashion in 2015?

More than purely aesthetic features, I believe that now you need personality also outside the set, you need a recognizable style and maybe even some unique aesthetic features but that is not enough! One of my favourite models who embodies all of this is Molly Bair.

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of working as a freelancer?

The only disadvantage for me at the moment is the organization of clothes. Since I don’t work in an office, I created a wardrobe space in my house, there are days when I have more than 50 bags of clothes. The advantages of being freelance are many, primarily being able to change team continuously and organizing my days in a more flexible way.

7. Can you reveal us the secrets for being a good stylist?

You have to love fashion. It can sound banal, I know. Often this work can be tough both physically and psychologically, but you have to find the strength in the small things, even a little detail. There are days when just touching a pair of Saint Laurent boots seen the week before at the show puts me in a good mood for a whole day.

8. Which advice would you give to the people who want to do your job?

I suggest to take the time that it’s needed, it’s a job that needs a long time to get the confidence of the press offices and the consideration of certain magazines. I advice to start assisting a stylist to learn from her experience.

9. If you weren’t a stylist you'd be...

A photographer.