Carlo Lucidi wrote:
Actually, what I always have in my special bag is:
- needles with many color yarns;
- pins and safety pins (different sizes);
- black marker;
- scissors (1 big and 1 small for thread);
- tape;
- universal glue;
- pampers nappies;
- polish for shoes.

this is the base kit I'd suggest, but it really depends on the specific set!

what do you use the nappies for?

Raw-Beauty wrote:
duct tape. it works wonders especially for last second patch doing runways!

I would like to hear that story. lol

Carlo Lucidi wrote:
Actually, what I always have in my special bag is:
- needles with many color yarns;
- pins and safety pins (different sizes);
- black marker;
- scissors (1 big and 1 small for thread);
- tape;
- universal glue;
- pampers wipes;
- polish for shoes.

this is the base kit I'd suggest, but it really depends on the specific set!

I think these items are great for a designer but they can spell disaster for a stylist who's pulling pieces. It's one thing if a designer decides to use a safety pin on a garment but I wouldn't dare put even a tiny whole in something I had to return. My logic is that it's my job to make clothing look good not to do anything that may alter or damage them.

OP I suggest the following:

wooden or plastic clothes pins
painters tape or Glad press and seal (for the bottoms of borrowed shoes)
panty liners
nail polish remover
clear nail polish (this can add a quick shine to the model's nails if they're unpainted or patch a run in panty hose)
clear or flesh tone band-aids (in addition to being used for first aid they can help prevent blisters in shoes that don't fit, and act as pasties)
baby oil gel
baby wipes
aspirins
hand sanitizer
lint brush
temporary hem tape, quick fix tape strips or double sided tape (this can quickly and temporarily shorten a too long pair of pants, close an unintentional gap in a blouse or keep a neckline down)

Tiffany_B wrote:
I think these items are great for a designer but they can spell disaster for a stylist who's pulling pieces. It's one thing if a designer decides to use a safety pin on a garment but I wouldn't dare put even a tiny whole in something I had to return. My logic is that it's my job to make clothing look good not to do anything that may alter or damage them.

sequins, beads & buttons can get torn off. threads & zippers get loose or fray. there are plenty of times when a quick repair is needed; either because of previous use or just from transport. we expect that they stylist will fix these things. great sewing skills are part of the job. their work should be undetectable.

generally a stylist has:

small sewing kit
spare buttons, hooks, fasteners
portable steamer
monofilament line
fishing weights
spools of wire
various types of tape
tube of dry cleaning paste
steam iron & portable ironing board
spritz water bottle
portable sewing machine
lint brushes
lint fuzz ball shaver
extension cord & power bar
headlamp
seam ripper
tailors awl
belt hole punch
various types of glue
hair dryer
colored pens
straight pins, safety pins, wig pins
panty liners (sanitary pads too)
shoulder pads
disposable underarm shields
surgical tape
leather/suede cleaner
anti static spray
portable work surface
extra garment bags & trash bags

Leonard Gee Photography wrote:
sequins, beads & buttons can get torn off. threads & zippers get loose or fray. there are plenty of times when a quick repair is needed; either because of previous use or just from transport. we expect that they stylist will fix these things. great sewing skills are part of the job. their work should be undetectable.

First, I have to question the quality of the garments you're dealing with or the level of care given to them. I've dealt with vintage pieces which are notoriously finicky but they came from collectors who took impeccable care of them or were purchased by me outright so I could make alterations, and I've had items transported in less than ideal conditions (think handmade corsets, one covered in feathers that was handed to me in a trash bag and then transported on the NYC subway system).

While you as a photographer may expect this, I know designers who would literally stab someone with a sewing needle if they went near their work with a needle and thread or any type of glue or safety pins. Great sewing skills are a nice perk for the job but hardly a necessity, and there is something to be said for respecting the items that you're entrusted with. It's one thing for me to use temporary non-staining hem tape to hem a pair of pants in the short term that are a little too long or so the cuffs won't drag during an outdoor shoot, it's something else entirely for me to use a fabric glue or a needle and thread in that same situation.

This may be because I work exclusively with indie designers and smaller brands and so the garments I have may literally be the only one of it's kind. Knowing this, I always check garments with designers before I leave their showrooms or the drop off point and in instances where this hasn't been possible in the past e.g. garments were mailed to me, I immediately informed them of any issues and asked how they wanted me to proceed.

OP unless you're using pieces that you've purchased or ones that come from your own closet always check with the designer before you make what you may consider even minor alterations.