Lead Stylist

EXPRESS; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

EXPRESS is seeking a Lead Stylist located in Columbus, Ohio, with 5-7+ years of experience in fashion styling. This role is accountable for total brand styling, setting the overall styling vision across all touchpoints. The candidate should have extensive on-set photoshoot experience and a strong portfolio. A collaborative approach is essential to partner effectively with cross-functional teams. Excellent communication, creative vision, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are also required.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of experience in fashion styling.
• Retail, brand, and/or e-commerce styling experience strongly preferred.
• Extensive on-set photoshoot experience.

Responsibilities

• Own total brand styling direction and execution.
• Lead the execution of styling needs across all brand initiatives.
• Develop and execute styling directives for on-model e-commerce shoots.

Skills

Fashion styling

Excellent communication

Collaboration

Detail-oriented

Creative vision

Job description

About PHOENIX

PHOENIX Retail, LLC is a retail platform operating the Express and Bonobos brands worldwide.

About Express

Express is a multichannel apparel brand dedicated to a design philosophy rooted in modern, confident and effortless style whether dressing for work, everyday or special occasions. Since its launch in 1980, the brand has embraced a design philosophy rooted in modern, confident and effortless style. Express ensures you look and feel your best, wherever life takes you. The Company operates over 400 retail and outlet stores in the United States and Puerto Rico, the express.com online store and the Express mobile app.

Overview

The Lead Stylist is accountable for total brand styling, setting and executing the overall styling vision across all omnichannel touchpoints. This role owns the end-to-end styling direction and execution for the brand, including but not limited to brand campaigns, activations, ambassadors, creators, partnerships, and product‑level e‑commerce photography.

This is a highly hands‑on individual contributor role with responsibility for leading styling direction while providing day‑to‑day supervision and guidance to internal team members and freelance styling talent. The Lead Stylist leads the execution of brand styling across editorial, social, marketing, and e‑commerce content, ensuring fashion storytelling supports brand initiatives, seasonal strategies, and product priorities.

The role partners closely with Creative, Marketing, Design, Merchandising, and Production teams to ensure styling is cohesive, elevated, and relevant‑from initial concept through final execution–and reports into senior creative leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Owns total brand styling direction and execution, remaining deeply hands‑on while ensuring consistent application across campaigns, activations, ambassadors, creators, influencer partnerships, PR, events, and all e‑commerce photography.
• Leads the execution of seasonal, monthly, and ongoing styling needs across all brand, marketing, and e‑commerce initiatives.
• Partners closely with senior creative leadership to define and deliver seasonal fashion and styling direction in advance of campaign and content production.
• Ideates, conceptualizes, and presents a clear visual point of view through inspiration, mood boards, styling frameworks, and styled looks for leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Develops and personally executes comprehensive styling directives for on‑model e‑commerce and campaign shoots, including on‑set styling, fashion notes, casting guidance, grooming direction, and production references.
• Participates in and often leads fittings and on‑set styling for e‑commerce, campaign, and special production shoots.
• Provides on‑set, project‑based supervision and mentorship to internal stylists, styling assistants, and freelance talent, ensuring alignment to brand standards and creative direction.
• Ensures consistently high‑quality imagery that meets brand aesthetic standards across all channels.
• Partners with Sample Operations to oversee organization, tracking, and distribution of samples across photo studios, campaigns, influencer initiatives, PR, and events.
• Builds strong cross‑functional relationships and operates as a solution‑oriented collaborator across Creative, Marketing, Merchandising, Design, Visual, and Production teams.
• Maintains a high level of awareness of fashion, retail, and cultural trends, translating insights into relevant, brand‑appropriate styling direction.
• Maintains a strong understanding of the brand's aesthetic, seasonal priorities, and business needs, with the ability to adapt quickly in a fast‑moving environment.
• Performs additional duties as needed to support business and creative objectives.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 5‑7+ years of experience in fashion styling
• Retail, brand, and/or e‑commerce styling experience strongly preferred
• Extensive on‑set photoshoot experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead while remaining highly hands‑on in fittings, on‑set styling, and execution
• A well‑rounded portfolio showcasing both e‑commerce and marketing/campaign styling
• Previous experience at a fashion brand, luxury lifestyle brand, or creative agency preferred

Critical Skills & Attributes

• Strong ability to balance creative vision with strategic and business‑driven deliverables
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Proven collaborator with the ability to build effective cross‑functional partnerships
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, flexible, and self‑motivated
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment
• Strong work ethic with a high standard of professional integrity

Equal Opportunity Statement

An equal opportunity employer, PHOENIX does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or any other terms and conditions of employment hiring on the basis of any federal, state, or locally protected characteristic. PHOENIX only hires individuals authorized for employment in the United States. PHOENIX is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to search and apply for a job position due to a disability, please call 1‑800‑964‑9793 and say 'Associate Relations' or send an e‑mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.