Explore the evolution of celebrity stylists in Hollywood, from a luxury to a necessity. From Parisian influence to the rise of Hollywood style. Witness the transformation of red carpet fashion and the crucial role of stylists. Discover the behind-the-scenes world of celebrity styling and the influence on fashion trends.
The decline of the studio system in Hollywood led to actors needing to make their own wardrobe choices, leading to a period of casual dressing in the '60s and '70s.
The rise of celebrity stylist as a must-have accessory for A-list celebrities revolutionized the red carpet industry, shaping iconic looks.
Deep dives
The Rise of Celebrity Stylists
With the decline of the studio system in Hollywood, actors found themselves needing to fend for their own wardrobe choices. This led to a period of casual dressing in the '60s and '70s, where celebrities were criticized for their fashion choices. However, the '80s brought a return to glamour, with big shoulders and gowns becoming popular. This shift required stars to make more fashion decisions on their own, leading to some questionable outfit choices on the red carpet.
Entry of George Armani in Hollywood Fashion
George Armani revolutionized celebrity fashion by dressing actors in his signature loose linen suits in earth tones during the '80s. His unique style garnered attention and sales, especially after his suits were worn by Richard Gere in 'American Gigolo.' Armani's success highlighted the marketing power of celebrity endorsements in fashion, leading other designers to follow suit and attract stars to their brands.
Evolution Toward Stylist-Celebrity Partnerships
The demand for stylists increased as celebrities faced the challenge of navigating a plethora of fashion options and preparations for numerous events. Stylists like Rachel Zoe emerged as key figures in shaping celebrity looks, with a focus on individualized styles. The professionalization of celebrity styling transformed the industry, elevating the role of stylists in crafting iconic red carpet moments.
Behind-the-Scenes Realities of Celebrity Styling
The role of a celebrity stylist involves meticulous planning, extensive research, and meticulous attention to detail. Stylists like Jean Yang describe the demanding nature of the job, from scouting outfits to coordinating fittings and ensuring wardrobe diversity for diverse events. The profession requires a blend of creativity, strategic planning, and fashion expertise to curate compelling and distinctive looks for clients.
Like a manager or an agent or a publicist, a stylist has become a kind of must-have accessory for well-dressed, A-list celebrities. It’s just expected that they will have hired someone to select the clothes they’ll wear at public appearances. But this was not always the case.
In today’s episode, Avery Trufelman, host of Articles of Interest, will guide us through the collapse of a certain kind of Hollywood glamor; to the rise of a growing, financially rewarding relationship between fashion designers and celebrity culture; and then onto the explosion in red carpet events patrolled by fashion police that helped create this new occupation.
This episode was produced by Avery Trufelman and Evan Chung, who produces Decoder Ring with Willa Paskin, Katie Shepherd and Max Freedman. Derek John is Executive Producer. Merritt Jacob is Senior Technical Director.
If you haven’t yet, please subscribe and rate our feed in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. And even better, tell your friends.
If you’re a fan of the show, please sign up for Slate Plus. Members get to listen to Decoder Ring and all other Slate podcasts without any ads and have total access to Slate’s website. Your support is also crucial to our work. Go to Slate.com/decoderplus to join Slate Plus today.