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Fashion designer vs wardrobe stylist

The differences between fashion designers and wardrobe 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 fashion designer and a wardrobe stylist. Additionally, a fashion designer has an average salary of $54,265, which is higher than the $38,080 average annual salary of a wardrobe stylist.

The top three skills for a fashion designer include fashion design, sketch and apparel. The most important skills for a wardrobe stylist are photo shoots, on-set, and music videos.

Fashion designer vs wardrobe stylist overview

Fashion DesignerWardrobe Stylist
Yearly salary$54,265$38,080
Hourly rate$26.09$18.31
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs49,47612,526
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age3737
Years of experience66

Fashion designer vs wardrobe stylist salary

Fashion designers and wardrobe stylists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fashion DesignerWardrobe Stylist
Average salary$54,265$38,080
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $78,000Between $24,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateNevada-
Best paying companyRalph Lauren-
Best paying industryRetail-

Differences between fashion designer and wardrobe stylist education

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

Fashion DesignerWardrobe Stylist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorGraphic DesignSpecialized Sales And Merchandising
Most common collegeCornell UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Fashion designer vs wardrobe stylist demographics

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

Fashion DesignerWardrobe Stylist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 17.3% Female, 82.7%Male, 20.6% Female, 79.4%
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 fashion designer and wardrobe stylist duties and responsibilities

Fashion designer example responsibilities.

  • Customize technical packages with POM specifications, manage grading standards, assisting in costing the BOM, etc.
  • Manage and facilitate fittings and quick changes, organizing wardrobe, transferring and directing costumes to desire locations.
  • Develop marketing and brand awareness initiatives through social media outlets; create and manage company Facebook and Houzz profiles.
  • Create packages containing new design ideas, swatches of fabrics and embroideries, pictures, cad and presentations.
  • Key player in implementation of PLM system.
  • Design and develop a variety of apparel, including menswear and women's clothing, for various purposes and client types.
  • Show more

Wardrobe stylist example responsibilities.

  • Achieve strong product images styling kids, women's, and mens apparel including accessories.
  • Manage cleaning up activities after hair care appointments by ensuring appropriate cleanliness and sterilization of cutting and trimming equipment.
  • Consult with models on make-up application before and during show.
  • Prep merchandise using a variety of tools (e.g., steamers, irons, clamps).
  • Perform operational store functions such as providing merchandise and cosmetology expertise to customers, maintaining a synergistic environment and professionalism.
  • Provide research and materials to Copywriting staff.

Fashion designer vs wardrobe stylist skills

Common fashion designer skills
  • Fashion Design, 14%
  • Sketch, 12%
  • Apparel, 6%
  • Design Concepts, 5%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%
  • CAD, 4%
Common wardrobe stylist skills
  • Photo Shoots, 23%
  • On-Set, 20%
  • Music Videos, 10%
  • Fashion Shows, 7%
  • Sales Floor, 7%
  • Product Knowledge, 4%

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