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Short course

Fashion Styling Online Short Course

Fashion Styling Online Short Course | Online
Discover the world of fashion styling. Develop skills in media analysis and image creation. Learn how to respond to commercial and creative briefs.

Next start months
September 2025
October 2025
November 2025
Tutor(s)
John W Noonan
Price
From £540.00

Course description

Course overview

This fashion styling short course will introduce you to the wonderful world of the fashion image while providing you with the knowledge and skills necessary for you to create your own. You'll learn about trends in contemporary fashion editorial styling, the day-to-day life of the fashion stylist and how this role has evolved in an ever-changing landscape.

During the course, you'll gain an understanding of the skills used by fashion stylists to find inspiration, research a story and answer commercial and creative briefs. The course covers everything from conceptual research to storyboarding and executing the story on set.

The course is highly practical, and each week you will meet online with your tutor and a small group of students, for discussions and presentations, and learn new skills and receive feedback on your assignment work. By the end of the course, you will grasp how to create your own professional fashion imagery for a range of contemporary clients. The course is taught by a freelance stylist, who is brimming with insider knowledge and practical tips on how to navigate this fast-paced industry.

Please note: for the one-week intensive version of this course, we recommend you set aside time to complete daily assignments in between each class.

Who this course is for

The course is ideal for individuals eager to learn about the creative world of fashion styling and how to navigate the industry. Perfect for anyone keen to begin their career as a fashion stylist or for photographers, editors, marketers or visual merchandisers desiring to widen their skill set.

Key information

Topics covered

  • The history of the fashion stylist
  • Where is styling used? Fashion, film and beyond
  • What makes a great fashion image? An introduction to the key stylists, photographers, and publications of today
  • Where you can find inspiration and how to interpret references
  • How fashion brands communicate their brand identity and messages through styling
  • The importance of the team and how to build connections
  • How to communicate with your commissioners and collaborators (Photographers, Editors, PRs, Model Agencies)
  • What's in my bag? The fashion stylist's essentials
  • Trends: What are they, how do we spot them, and can we predict them?
  • Best industry practice: how to pitch contemporary editorial concepts
  • A practical guide to working as a freelance stylist - lights camera action
  • Writing a CV, networking and the importance of work experience
  • How and build a styling portfolio in the digital era

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the key responsibilities of the fashion stylist in contemporary media
  • Have learnt how to pitch a fashion story to commissioning editors and how to tailor your proposals depending on the publication
  • Have expanded your knowledge of key industry professionals
  • Understand the importance of trends, how to spot them and integrate them into your work
  • Have an awareness of the different forms of inspiration and the ways to interpret them
  • Have gained insight into the importance of collaboration and the role of the fashion stylist within the on-set team
  • Have completed a range of industry style fashion styling briefs
  • Have an in-depth understanding of the planning and strategy involved in creating fashion campaigns and editorial stories, from conception and inspiration to carrying out on-site shoots
  • Have received insider tips and tricks from an industry expert alongside personal feedback on your weekly assignments from your tutor
  • Receive a digital badge and certificate of attendance

Materials

  • Pen and paper to take notes during live sessions

Please see our Guide to taking online short courses.

Tutor

John W Noonan

John William has been working at the forefront of fashion media for over twenty years. An industry professional, his work spans fashion writing, styling, creative direction, trend forecasting, photography and marketing. He launched London College of Fashion's print magazine 'Pigeons and Peacocks' in 2008 and continued to work as the Editor in Chief for the next five years. John William has also worked as an editor at Beauty Papers Magazine. Editorial experience includes: i-D, Vice, The Sunday Times.
Style, Paper, Nylon, Vogue and many more creative and independent magazines. For the past decade, John has been working as an Associate Lecturer at the London College of Fashion across a number of BA courses, as well as teaching a range of fashion media short courses.

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