What is a fashion magazine pull letter – and why you need it if you’re a Stylist

If you’re a stylist and you want to start working on editorials to get published in magazines, is absolutely fundamental you know what a pull letter is and why you need one before reaching out to designers and photographers to collaborate on an editorial project.

In fashion PR, a magazine pull letter (also known as a commission letter or a letter of responsibility or LOR for short) is what you need to borrow product samples for magazine shoots. A pull letter is a contract written by the magazine between the stylist, the magazine itself and the designer for an editorial. Getting a magazine pull letter is fundamental for freelance stylists and designers (especially new designers) as this will give them the opportunity to work on an editorial for the magazine and so getting their work (for the stylist) and products (for the designers) published.

Stylist uses the pull letter as an official document to ask for pieces for the editorial to the designer and it includes the shoot dates, story theme, publication date, editor’s contact, and sample return date. The pull letter makes the magazine responsible for replacing the clothes if something were to happen to the wardrobe during a shoot (that’s why magazines don’t give out pull letter to anyone) while if a stylist can’t get a pull letter, the burden of financial responsibility will rest solely on the stylist.

If you have other questions check out our consulting services or join our amazing community of girls in fashion for exclusive practical tips to get in fashion, networking opportunities and more!