Kate Battrick
Fashion StylistAre you a graduate? If so, what did you study?
Politics, Philosophy and Economics BA.
Brief description of what you do.
I mainly do fashion styling for commercials- small productions, plus styling for press releases for specific retailers and garments. Also personal styling for clients and I teach at the Style Academy.
What is a standard day for you?
It is all so varied. For instance, today I am giving a talk, then afterwards I am meeting with a PR company who support Kit Kat, as they are doing makeovers in shopping centres across the UK and I am being hired to do a make over in a shopping centre in Birmingham, working with two assistants.
What skills have you come to rely on most in your position?
Being organised and thinking of creative solutions. You have to know your stuff, be an expert in your field. Also just try new things, and always keep up with everything – you can’t ever rest on your laurels.
If you had to pick one positive and one negative aspect of your job what would they be?
I work for myself, so I like my freedom and I love fashion, but it’s an industry where a lot of people have set themselves up as stylists these days, so you have to put a lot of effort and hours in for very little money to be in the in crowd, the clique. And know that there is always someone who will step over you to get there. The fashion industry is quite cut throat. Plus, sometimes clients can really annoy you.
How did you get into your role?
After graduating from my BA I did a graduate trainee scheme at Ogilvy and Mather. While I love advertising, I hated the male dominated world – the boys club so I moved on. At Ogilvy I was lucky enough to being doing something for Elle Magazine, so I wormed my way in there as a fashion assistant.
When I left Elle I worked in PR and marketing for years, then decided to set up on my own, and just went for it. I literally just built it up bit by bit. I knew what I had to do, and had the skills, but was still taking a risk.
Do you do any type of networking? If so, what?
I did a lot to start with, but I don’t now. I do it in spurts. There are business networks for fashion that takes place once a month. For styling you have to be prepared to put yourself out there, and flattery gets you everywhere.
Is there any advice that you would give students looking to get into your field?
Try and work within a company initially. If you can, get to work as a Fashion assistant on a magazine, or costume alterations, or as a photographers assistant. You need to get some training, to have a skill, something that gets you a platform to go into this field, to get you in a position to meet the right people. You need an angle. You need to make contacts so the more strings to your bow, the better.
