Tools of the Trade: NYC Stylist Liz Teich



So, Liz, you have a fanny pack, or set pack. Can we see what’s in it?

Liz Teich: I resisted the fanny pack for years, because I didn’t want the touristy fanny pack. I chose to wear a cross body bag instead because that was different than what everybody else was wearing at the time. That was important for me, to do my own thing. But then I found this bag on a website called Posh Mark, which is a sight that resells designer pieces. It’s a really cool leather Frye bag, brand new, but now it’s nicely worn in. A lot of stylists I see wear something around their neck, or they’ll just put some clamps on their shirt, but it’s important to have as many tools as possible at my fingertips. I have a kit as well, but this holds the most important stuff that I need on hand. I can just whip out a clamp or a safety pin or - let’s see. [Starts digging in] I have wrinkle spray, static guard. 

A lot of stylists I see wear something around their neck, or they’ll just put some clamps on their shirt, but it’s important to have as many tools as possible at my fingertips.

This is a sponge to remove deodorant. I have hand sanitizer because I’m constantly touching people and a lot of times models have to share jewelry and earrings so clean the earrings off with that so they don’t get infected. Scissors are very very important. Tide Stick - which I typically don’t always use because it needs more maintenance (it could bleed and you have to put water on it), but I can’t tell you how many times people request it, so I keep it on hand. However, I also have these Tide pods which are really easy. It’s a one time use and you snap it, use it, throw it away. It’s pretty great. Of course my super stick tape, not just double stick tape - this will not not come off. I use it on myself when I have a low plunging dress on. It’s from Manhattan Wardrobe Supply, which is my greatest resource, and it’s their own product. I also always have sharpies to label my water. These here are Shout wipes, also highly requested and they don’t leave stains. This is one of my favorites [pulls out small scissors] - my fancy scissors. They’re only for threads.

TP: Oh my, they’re leopard!

LT: Yep, they’re thirty dollars and they’re my most prized possession in my kit. One time I had a prop stylist assistant use them on tape because she saw them lying around - I was livid! I also have the clamps that every stylist uses. I don’t really love using binder clips, I think they get bulky and annoying, but I have them in my kit because they’re great for boots. If you clamp them to the back of the boot and then take out the metal part, you just have this little black clamp on the back so you don’t see it. I use those for everything because they’re super strong, but this is my new thing, also from Manhattan Wardrobe Supply, these baby clamps. I work on a lot of shoots where you have to do it really quickly and they need the shot. So these are great because they’re so tiny.  A seamstress I work with, who is amazing, turned me on to them and they are just as strong as these [regular clamps] and they don’t leave as many dents. And then I have lots of different kinds of safety pins, black and silver, and lastly Burt’s Bees lip balm!

TP: You have a lot in that little bag! Thank you for sharing.


Read Liz's full interview here.