Secrets of Stylists – Book Review

With experience in the field of fashion from being a part of the staff at Harper’s Bazaar, Seventeen, Mirabella, Vanity Fair, Elle, Allure and currently the fashion director at Us Weekly, Sasha Charnin Morrison reveals the behind the scenes secrets to what it takes to be a successful celebrity stylist in her recently released book Secrets of Stylists: An Insider’s Guide to Styling the Stars.

Being introduced to the seductive world of fashion at an early age (observing a Vogue photo shoot in Union Square photographed by Chris von Waigenheim), she immediately became smitten and was even so lucky as to be invited to visit the one and only Vogue fashion closet while she was still in school. How is that for after school one-of-a-kind memories?

With her vast knowledge of the behind the scenes culture and tough clientele demands, Morrison tells it like it is, removes the rose-colored glasses many are wearing as they watch The Rachel Zoe Project, and allows the stylists in the business currently share their own individual stories of what a stylist’s life is really like.

With Q & A’s with Robert Verdi, Monica Rose, Lee Harris, Deborah Wahnin, Penny Lovell (stylist of Ginnifer Goodwin), Lori Goldstein, just to name a few, she allows the experts to shed some light on where they find inspiration, lessons they’ve learned and tips for being successful.

Full of images of well-dressed stars and the transformation a knowledgeable stylist can create, this book is completely hands-on for those up and coming stylists as it includes an entire chapter to what every stylist should pack to handle any emergency that might arise, how to organize all of the incoming merchandise, how to create an inspiration board and most importantly where to find the clothes you covet to clothe your clients.

While so many of us enjoy gazing at the gorgeous gowns and ensembles as they make their way down the runway, not all of us want to be a stylist, but we must keep in mind that we are the stylist for ourselves every day. Thankfully, Morrison keeps that in mind as she includes an article written by Adam Glassman (the Creative Director of O Magazine) on page 125 that will speak to each one of us.

Overall, an in-depth book that is certain to be a resource for anyone pondering their future in the fashion industry or simply wanting to look stunning and confident in the clothes she wears.

Secrets of Stylists: An Insider’s Guide to Styling the Stars
Author: Sasha Charnin Morrison
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Pages: 176
Price: $16.47 (Amazon)
Click here to order or learn more