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The all important assisting path to becoming a stylist

By Jen Bishop โ€ข 3 Comments

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All images styled by Noรซl Coughlan

Not a week goes by when the latest crop of wannabe stylists don’t come searching for a job or work experience via our jobs board. Styling is a job that it seems everyone thinks they want or could be great at. Few realise the hard work involved and the persistence required to break into this very competitive industry.

Photo by Annette O'Brien
Photo by Annette O’Brien for Merci Perci

Today, we chat to Noรซl Coughlan about how she did it and the all important path to becoming a fully fledged stylist. This means assisting and learning from those who’ve been there and done it, often for no pay.

NC Interior Profile Pic

Noรซl’s background was a varied one and it was after working in fashion for many years that she came to study interior design and decoration. “During my studies, I was lucky enough to be introduced to Julia Green (of Greenhouse Interiors) through a mutual friend and from here I began assisting her on various jobs. It was this encounter which put me on the styling path. I never imagined that four years later Iโ€™d be working full time with Greenhouse Interiors and running my own design practice.”

BrentRosenberg_2IA
Photo by Annette O’Brien for Brent Rosenberg

While the work involved in assisting was what she expected, the reality of styling came as a a bit of a rude awakening. “Styling is such a glamorous word and evokes thoughts of cruisey days fluffing about, playing with cushions and beautiful things. Although this is partly true, it is damn hard work. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes before a photo shoot even comes to fruition. Creating concepts, sourcing props, locations, client meetings. There is a myriad of things that need to be considered before shoot day arrives.” It didn’t put Noรซl off though because of two important things: she wasn’t afraid of hard work and she absolutely loved what she was doing.

“When you truly love what you do, it’s absolutely worth it.” And assisting is without doubt the best way to learn the ropes. “Hands-on experience is the only way to really understand the wonderful world of styling. It really is a different world to what most people imagine. Learning from experienced stylists is invaluable, and oh so important. There are so many tricks of the trade which you learn along the way โ€“ so many so, that I am still learning!”

SOW edited for IA 2 (1 of 1)
Photo by Cricket Studio for Society of Wanderers

While many stylists will work with a variety of assistants trying to gain experience, not all of them will get offered a job, like Noรซl did with Julia. So how can you make the best impression? “Being passionate, committed, hard working and trustworthy,” says Noรซl. “Staying grounded and humble will also take you a long way in this industry.”

Another important relationship, other than the one with your stylist mentor, is the one you have with your photographer.ย “You can have all the ideas in the world, but if you do not have a photographer who understands your aesthetic and vision you really have nothing,” Noรซl says. “Building a strong relationship with a photographer will enable you to work as a team and achieve some absolute beauty. Annette Oโ€™Brien and Cricket Studio are my two photographic creative geniuses. They know how to take my vision and turn it into magic.”

Noรซl notes it’s really important to be individual and follow your own style, rather than getting caught up in trends, which can easily happen. This will set you apart from the rest, andย perseverance is key. “If you want something badly enough, keep at it!”

Photo by Armelle Habib
Photo by Armelle Habib for Antoinette Ferwerda

Noรซl assisted for about two years before sheย felt she had built up enough knowledge, experience and confidence to take on her own styling projects. “Knowing that Julia had 100% confidence in me, gave me the confidence to jump in and go for it! Itโ€™s so nice to receive recognition for my own projects.” Noรซlย now also trades under NC Interiors, her own design and styling practice, which launched its new website just this week.

Check out Noรซl’s websiteย or follow her on Instagram.

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September 8, 2016

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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarFiona Copley says

    September 8, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    Can I ask where the wallpaper in the second last image came from? It’s lovely!

    Reply
    • AvatarSarah says

      September 9, 2016 at 7:37 pm

      It’s an Ellie Cashman wallpaper Fiona. We’ve used one of her designs before and they’re absolutely amazing in real life.

      Reply
      • AvatarSarah says

        September 9, 2016 at 7:38 pm

        I think it’s this design…

        https://www.elliecashmandesign.com/floral-wallpaper/still-life-with-shadows-blue-wallpaper

        Reply

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