Fashion stylist at the fore

Rhea Pradhan says, “while fashion designers design clothes, fashion stylists make the clothes look fashionable and more appealing!”

Rhea has been working as a fashion-stylist in Nepal for around 8-years. She says, “I have worked with a fair amount of people, trends, and brands. But even after all these years, I believe people have yet to understand what a fashion stylist really does. But there have been a lot of changes in the fashion scene lately.”

She says that things are a lot better now with the younger generation showing much interest towards fashion. They have the energy, and also are very talented. “However, if we want people to take us seriously, I believe we need to act like professionals,” she says.

 Fashion stylists do not just style clothes but they have to manage aesthetics and make clothes visibly appealing. They take the clothes and turn it into an outfit.

Pradhan explains, “Working as a stylist there are a lot of things we have to manage. I have done model casting, fixed venues for shoots, and decided what type of hairstyle and makeup will look good.”

A fashion stylist may sound like a very glamorous job but the truth is they have to portray the brand in the right way and also think about what the clothes look like. Nepal is finally growing in the fashion world and there are a lot more local brands growing. But is it about the quality, or the quantity of brands?

Pradhan explains, “If we talk about local brands, it is really good that the numbers are growing. It not only increases the economy but also creates job opportunities. But since the lockdown, I have seen the growth of a number of clothing companies. It is a good thing but we also have to think about sustainability as well. There should be a lot more research on what will last and what will not.”

Fashion trends change all the time. Now the ’90s are back and if we look at street style, people are more into baggy jeans, skimpy tops, and tiny hand bags at present.

Pradhan says, “I am not against people following trends. But when it comes to fashion I do not think popular outfits are a true fashion trend. Fashion is all about experimenting and finding out what our real style is. There are different body types, so not all may look good in the clothes that are trending. I have only met a few people who truly love fashion and are open to experimenting.”

While the fashion world is growing and trends change, the clothes are getting more and more expensive.

So, how can we really afford such clothes and look good at the same time?

Pradhan who owns her own online thrift store ‘Thrifty Owl’ says, “If you ask me, I have always been supportive of sustainable fashion. Thrift is growing but there are some online stores that are only there for the name thrifting but sell retail clothes. And there are still many people in Nepal who are skeptical about buying second hand clothes. People feel okay using second-hand clothes from their sisters and brothers, but not buying them. However, I believe thrifting is more affordable.”

As a fashion stylist Pradhan adds, “Things have grown now, and people hire fashion stylists for music videos and photo-shoots. But for people to know what we actually do, it will take much more time.”

 She adds fashion stylists not only recreate outfits but we know what is trending in the market and what outfit will sell.