Fashion styling is often seen as a glamorous profession, but it comes with its challenges. Stylists face criticism when a celebrity’s look doesn’t impress, yet they rarely receive credit when things go well. The high expectations and lack of acknowledgment highlight the complexity of their role in the fashion industry. Renowned Pakistani fashion stylist, Tabesh Khoja, discusses the art of styling and its viability as a career path.
Styling has been gaining popularity in South Asia as a form of image building for celebrities. Some stars understand the importance of styling, especially those in show business who recognize its impact on their appearance across various media platforms. Styling is more than just picking outfits; it involves creating a polished look that represents the individual accurately for different events.
Publicists often reach out to stylists to help their clients look their best for various occasions. Styling is about more than just selecting clothes; it’s about portraying the right image for different platforms like magazines, fashion shoots, TV commercials, films, and red carpet appearances. Styling involves character building and ensuring that the client looks like the best version of themselves.
A common mistake that stars make on the red carpet is trying to imitate someone else’s style instead of embracing their uniqueness. Personalization and individuality are crucial in styling to create a look that suits the individual, not just a fashionable outfit. Stars need to understand and embrace their own style instead of copying others to make a lasting impact.
High fashion access doesn’t guarantee true style, as demonstrated by events like the Cannes Festival. Stars like Aishwarya Rai may not always hit the mark in terms of fashion, but their confidence and uniqueness compensate for any fashion missteps. Standout influencers like Nancy Gupta make an impact not just by wearing designer clothes but by showcasing their individual style and confidence.
Fashion events like IIFA in the UAE offer stylists like Tabesh Khoja a platform to showcase their skills and creativity. The experience of styling celebrities for such events can be rewarding, with stars like Arjun Rampal making a significant impact with their minimalist style. These events also offer learning opportunities for artists to develop their talent and sense of fashion.
The fashion styling industry has seen significant growth in recent years, making it a viable career option for many. While styling can be lucrative, success in this field comes with challenges like aligning creative visions and preferences with clients. Styling for television projects is especially demanding, requiring an in-depth understanding of scripts, character-building, and aligning with the director’s vision while considering the actor’s comfort and sensibility.
Styling for TV projects like “Gentleman” involves comprehensive preparation, including style direction and image consultation to align with the script and director’s vision. Styling different characters in a TV drama requires careful consideration to ensure each actor looks the part and fits the role they are portraying on screen. Attention to detail and understanding the character’s personality are crucial in creating impactful looks for television.
Top stars that Tabesh Khoja has styled include Yumna Zaidi, Bilal Abbas, and Sajal Aly. Looking ahead, he expresses a desire to style Diljit Dosanjh for his progressive approach to fashion and willingness to try new ideas. This highlights the stylist’s dedication to working with clients who are open to experimentation and who value individuality in their style choices.
