The British College of Professional Styling’s Professional Photo, Film, TV & Personal Stylist’s Course changed my life and career direction. I graduated in marketing and was working in the industry when I just had a change of heart and decided I didn’t want to be in marketing anymore. My then manager kept making comments about how I dressed and suggested I look into styling.
I went on the internet and finally I found the British College of Professional Styling and applied straight away. I wanted to work in film as I thought it would be exciting and had no idea that this course would take me to my dream job.
I received the tutorials via email and did the course while working at my day job. The course allowed so much flexibility and I was able to learn at my own pace. I learnt a lot about styling and it was a lot of fun finding out about the background of styling and the many jobs that exist in the styling world. I learnt about body shapes, colour, styling for TV and film, styling for men, how to make websites, how to dress myself, editorials and many other aspects of styling.
It was also an affordable course and I was able to pay in instalments, making it easier to manage.
As I progressed through the course, the information opened up many possibilities for jobs in the styling world. I was extremely excited when I got on to the film and TV tutorial and decided there and then that I would be a costume designer. I knew nothing about costume design but that didn’t stop me. I read the tutorial about 20 times. I then looked up costume designers on the internet and started to re-read the course material to see what could link to this area of specialisation. I then used the tutorials to buy and build a kit that would help me become a costume designer.
I started this career change approximately 6 years ago and never thought I would make it to where I am today. The course helped me through the change of career as well as teaching skills to make it in the styling world.
Since completing the course, I have worked on many feature films, TV and commercials. I have worked on many genres, including period, drama, action and horror, and virtual reality (relatively new) for Derren Browns’ Ghost train and Rise of the Demon for Thorpe Park.
Very early on in my career change, I worked as an assistant on a few projects – sometimes for a very low fee. Then I said to myself that I wanted to run the department and took a leap and started designing for free. Now I am paid very well for my work. Money was not really my motivation, but I just wanted to learn something new and it all worked out in the end.
I continue referring to my tutorials and coursework for additional information. I really appreciate what the course has helped me achieve. I also appreciate all the staff and my tutor. Without this course and all the information I've gained, I would not be where I am today.
