Let’s Talk About Money – Styling Rates, Finally Explained
The real rates in fashion styling – from £0 editorials to £5k red carpet looks
There was a time I thought asking about money made me sound ungrateful.
But through Stylist Elixir, I’ve had the privilege of speaking to stylists and assistants all over the world — and I kept hearing the same thing:
“I’d smile and nod when a stylist asked if I was ‘free to help on Tuesday’ — because I felt like you had to say yes to make it in this industry.”
Free being the key word here.
That often meant hopping on a bus at 5am, lugging suitcases heavier than your confidence, praying you weren’t late, and pretending you weren’t exhausted.
My story is slightly different — I got lucky.
I worked under one stylist, consistently, and he paid me properly.
No games. No vague promises of “exposure.” Just invoices paid on time and the quiet respect that this was a job, not a favour. That experience shaped everything I believed about how the industry could work.
I didn’t realise how rare it was until I started taking on my own clients.
Suddenly I was the one being asked to work for free.
Suddenly I was the one questioning:
How do I make this sustainable? How do I follow my dream and still pay my rent?
Fast forward to today — I get paid what I deserve, and I say no when it doesn’t work for me.
I’ve now mentored hundreds of creatives through Stylist Elixir, walking them step-by-step towards the rates they should be charging. And let me tell you — this entire conversation starts with knowledge.
So many people still gatekeep rates in this industry.
But we don’t need to do that anymore.
I kept hearing this through Stylist Elixir:
Unpaid shoot days.
Three-week prep with no contract.
“We’ll circle back on budget” emails that never circle back.
A stylist charging £1,200 — while their assistant gets £50 and a sandwich from Pret.
The truth is, for an industry that thrives on image, fashion has a very awkward relationship with reality — especially when it comes to what we’re actually paid.
So here it is.
The post that’s been sitting in my Notes app for months.
Maybe I was scared to share it. Maybe it just wasn’t time.
But now it is.
This is what you should be charging.
This is how you protect yourself.
This is what people are really getting paid in fashion — and how we can start changing that.
Before we begin, a quick but important disclaimer:
These figures are based on years of conversations with stylists, assistants, and creatives from around the world through Stylist Elixir — a mix of real experiences, private mentorships, assistant insights, and personal notes I’ve kept along the way. This is not a fixed rate card. It’s a reality check.
Use it as a guide when you are freelance. Ask your questions. Adjust based on your experience, the budget, and how much of your soul the job is trying to steal.
This breakdown is based on rates from Europe and North America. We're still gathering information from Asia, Australia, South America, and Africa to ensure future versions reflect a truly global industry. If you're a stylist working in any of these regions — we'd love to hear from you.
Covered in this Substack:
Editorial vs Advertorial clarification
Red carpet vs press days
Per look vs day rate
Campaigns vs e-comm styling
Personal styling structures
North America & Europe breakdowns
Buyouts and usage rights
Assistant fees