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Costume designer vs fashion stylist

The differences between costume designers and fashion stylists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a costume designer and a fashion stylist. Additionally, a costume designer has an average salary of $54,229, which is higher than the $45,524 average annual salary of a fashion stylist.

The top three skills for a costume designer include costumes, make-up and costume shop. The most important skills for a fashion stylist are editorial photo shoots, product knowledge, and customer service.

Costume designer vs fashion stylist overview

Costume DesignerFashion Stylist
Yearly salary$54,229$45,524
Hourly rate$26.07$21.89
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs47,32313,031
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age3737
Years of experience66

Costume designer vs fashion stylist salary

Costume designers and fashion stylists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Costume DesignerFashion Stylist
Average salary$54,229$45,524
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $84,000Between $31,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CityCamarillo, CA-
Highest paying stateRhode Island-
Best paying companyPoly Prep Country Day School-
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between costume designer and fashion stylist education

There are a few differences between a costume designer and a fashion stylist in terms of educational background:

Costume DesignerFashion Stylist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeCornell UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Costume designer vs fashion stylist demographics

Here are the differences between costume designers' and fashion stylists' demographics:

Costume DesignerFashion Stylist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 19.3% Female, 80.7%Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 11.6% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 11.6% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage18%18%

Differences between costume designer and fashion stylist duties and responsibilities

Costume designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage all daily costume distributions and collection, laundering and maintenance/repair of costumes.
  • Develop marketing and brand awareness initiatives through social media outlets; create and manage company Facebook and Houzz profiles.
  • Design and sew children's Halloween costumes.
  • Contribute in production and on set as an assistant dressing the actors, maintaining the costumes, and setting up/organizing wardrobe.
  • Source cut and sew knits in NYC garment district.
  • Sketch, pattern and sew costume for cast including accessories.
  • Show more

Fashion stylist example responsibilities.

  • Manage cleaning up activities after hair care appointments by ensuring appropriate cleanliness and sterilization of cutting and trimming equipment.
  • Design the window display for spring & summer seasons.
  • Create inspiration boards and key stories for sketch reviews & new seasons.
  • Research trends for spring/ summer collection.
  • Create DJ playlist, slideshows & playbills.
  • Market brand through social media such as Instagram and Facebook
  • Show more

Costume designer vs fashion stylist skills

Common costume designer skills
  • Costumes, 27%
  • Make-Up, 9%
  • Costume Shop, 8%
  • Design Concepts, 8%
  • Character Development, 7%
  • Wardrobe, 5%
Common fashion stylist skills
  • Editorial Photo Shoots, 15%
  • Product Knowledge, 14%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Sales Floor, 12%
  • E-Commerce, 6%
  • Editorials, 5%

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