Once relegated to the background, these names now shape both the spectacle and the strategy of fame itself
A red-carpet look can make, break or relaunch a celebrity’s career, which is why the once-maligned celebrity stylist is now one of fashion’s most powerful players. In fact, awards shows have become as much fashion showcases as film honors – and the post-Oscars buzz in 2023 wasn’t just about who won, but about a stylist who stole the spotlight by quitting. When Hollywood’s most in-demand stylist, Law Roach, abruptly announced “RETIRED” on Instagram, it sent shockwaves through the industry. It was a dramatic reminder that stylists have become indispensable architects of celebrity image.
This evolution didn’t happen overnight. In the early 2000s, stylists like Rachel Zoe paved the way by turning backstage work into their own brand of fame. Zoe dressed starlets in her signature boho-glam looks and even landed a hit reality show The Rachel Zoe Project, earning a level of celebrity status separate from her work behind the scenes. As the internet and social media fueled a 24/7 obsession with what stars wear, stylists stepped into the limelight. What began as quiet, behind-the-scenes work has evolved into a cultural force—one that shapes not only how celebrities are seen, but how style itself is defined.
Law Roach
Dubbed the “image architect”, Law Roach has been a driving force behind some of the most talked-about looks of the past decade. He’s perhaps best known as Zendaya’s longtime stylist and creative partner, masterminding her evolution from Disney Channel alumna to bona fide fashion icon. Roach’s other high-profile clients have included Céline Dion, whose style renaissance in the late 2010s was largely credited to Roach’s vision, as well as stars like Naomi Campbell, Priyanka Chopra, and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Roach often pulls archival vintage pieces and bold silhouettes that turn his clients into style muses for a new generation. Whether it’s Zendaya channeling ’90s supermodels in archival Versace or Anya Taylor-Joy evoking Old Hollywood in Dior, Roach uses fashion to tell a story about the star. In 2023, he made his runway debut at the Hugo Boss show in Miami, stepping into the spotlight in a cream-colored suit just days after announcing his retirement from personal styling. This marked a significant shift in his career, transitioning him from a behind-the-scenes stylist to a prominent public figure. That same year, he styled Zendaya in a vintage Mugler robot suit for the London premiere of “Dune: Part Two,” a daring archival piece that became an instant internet sensation. Roach also brought his editorial vision to life by styling Naomi Campbell for her Spring/Summer 2025 i-D magazine cover, further cementing his influence beyond the red carpet. “I’m one of the only stylists that really, actually changes… the trajectory of people’s careers through fashion,” Roach told The Cut. Roach’s influence is so potent that his surprise “retirement” in 2023 – citing the politics and pressures of the industry – became a major fashion news story in its own right. Though he stepped back from personal styling, his legacy as an architect of show-stopping fashion moments endures.
Jahleel Weaver
Serving as Rihanna’s longtime stylist and now deputy creative director of her Fenty empire, Jahleel Weaver has been instrumental in shaping RiRi’s reputation as a fearless fashion icon. He’s had a hand in many viral, meme-making moments – for example, the glittering crystal-covered bodysuit Rihanna wore to Coachella 2017 that practically broke the internet. But perhaps Weaver’s most culture-shifting collaboration with Rihanna came during her pregnancy in 2022. Faced with dressing a mom-to-be known for pushing boundaries, Weaver tossed out the maternity wear playbook entirely. “The bump is now the focal point. This is her main attribute at the moment, and let’s just highlight it as best as possible,” he declared early on. Rihanna stepped out proudly on display in belly-baring crop tops, low-slung jeans, sheer gowns and jewel-encrusted belly chains. Each look made headlines for celebrating pregnancy as sexy and bold. “It’s been, probably, the most fun we’ve had with fashion, ever, in my time working with her,” Weaver said of their boundary-breaking experiment. Beyond maternity wear, Weaver continues to craft Rihanna’s headline-grabbing looks, from her bejeweled Pope-inspired Met Gala costume to the iconic Guo Pei yellow cape.
Rihanna may be Weaver’s muse-in-chief, but she’s not the only star trusting his taste. Weaver’s work with Rihanna as well as pop chameleon Dua Lipa and breakout actress Taylor Russell has made him one to watch. Vogue included Weaver on its list of top stylists of 2024, praising his “pop star–worthy looks” heavy on lace, corsets, and unabashed sex appeal. With Dua Lipa, he’s delivered vampy ensembles that amplify her superstar aura, and with Bones and All star Taylor Russell, he’s crafted an elegant, risk-taking style narrative. Weaver’s knack for balancing edge and authenticity underscores why he’s a stylist in demand. His editorial prowess was on full display in 2025 when he styled Kim Kardashian for Perfect Magazine’s Issue 8.5, dubbed the “Kim-Zine.” Photographed by Steven Klein, the 34-page spread featured Kardashian in futuristic, high-glam looks from Valentino and Balenciaga, adorned with Swarovski jewelry, all set against the backdrop of her Malibu home. This collaboration highlighted Weaver’s ability to craft compelling visual narratives that resonate beyond the red carpet.
Kate Young
If you’ve admired the always-elegant looks of stars like Margot Robbie, Michelle Williams, Dakota Johnson, or Sophie Turner, chances are Kate Young was behind them. She’s a red-carpet kingmaker who has been named The Hollywood Reporter’s “Most Powerful Stylist” multiple times and her approach centers on immaculate polish and a deep knowledge of fashion history.
Young has dressed Margot Robbie in everything from Old Hollywood-inspired satin gowns to edgy, minimalist ensembles, carefully calibrating Robbie’s look to each film press tour or award show. (Robbie’s 2018 Oscars appearance in a white Chanel Haute Couture gown – with clean lines and a touch of ’90s supermodel vibe – was styled by Young and landed Margot on countless best-dressed lists.) With Dakota Johnson, Young leans into the actress’s romantic yet daring style, frequently incorporating Gucci’s whimsical designs to capitalize on Johnson’s role as a Gucci ambassador. And for Michelle Williams, Young has delivered refined, ethereal looks that suit Williams’ delicate features and indie sensibility. What ties these varied examples together is Young’s precise eye for the “right look for the right person.” She’s known to dip into vintage archives to find that perfect reference or to commission custom pieces that align with a star’s image. It’s no accident that many of her clients become brand ambassadors or fashion darlings; Young crafts their style in a way that luxury houses (and the public) find irresistible.
Karla Welch
One of the most respected names in the styling world, Karla Welch has built a career on savvy innovation and an intuitive understanding of how fashion can shape public perception. Her client list reads like a Hollywood who’s-who – Tracee Ellis Ross, Sarah Paulson, Olivia Wilde, Hailey Bieber, Justin Bieber, and many more. “When I started, celebrity stylists weren’t valued… You never got put on the campaigns or in the editorials,” Welch recalls of the early 2000s, “Now… stylists play a very strong hand in the making of fashion.” Her own career has been proof of that shift.
Take, for example, Welch’s hand in ushering in a “sleazecore” streetwear trend via client Justin Bieber. She threw out the pop star rulebook and put Bieber in oversize hoodies, baggy pants, and even hotel slippers – looks that got mocked at first, then imitated everywhere a few months later. “We would do something, get made fun of, and then in three to five months’ time, we’d see that look on the shop floor,” Welch recalls of Bieber’s much-copied casual style. In other words, she has repeatedly been ahead of the curve in shaping trends, whether it’s glamorous evening wear or everyday street fashion.
Welch’s signature might be her versatility. One awards season, she might have Ruth Negga in a Victorian-inspired, high-neck Valentino, and the next day put Hailey Bieber in minimalist Calvin Klein. What ties her work together is narrative purpose – each look fits the client’s persona and the moment’s message. With Olivia Wilde, Welch’s styling helped signal Wilde’s transition from actress to director and serious Hollywood player (that glittering Gucci was a notice me moment that landed Wilde on fashion radar and even led to brand partnerships). With Tracee Ellis Ross, Welch leans into bold colors and avant-garde shapes that celebrate Ross’s confident individuality. Every outfit has a job to do. Perhaps that’s why beyond dressing celebrities, Welch has branched into designing and activism through style – creating a line of gender-neutral basics, co-founding a period underwear company, and even launching a styling app to bring her expertise to the masses. Despite juggling multiple endeavors, Welch remains grounded in a clear philosophy: fashion should empower. She champions diversity on the red carpet and embraces the fact that in 2023, we’re seeing more body types, ages and backgrounds in the spotlight than ever. Streaming TV stars, pop rebels, veteran actors – they all get to shine now. “It’s an amazingly different landscape than it was 20 years ago… we’re seeing different bodies, different ages and different energies on the red carpet,” Welch notes, applauding how much more inclusive and authentic celebrity style has become.
Dani Michelle
On the other end of the style spectrum is Dani Michelle, the stylist behind many of today’s high-profile “It-girls.” Her clients include fashion-forward celebs like Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber, as well as breakout stars like Daisy Edgar-Jones. Dani Michelle’s hallmark is a minimalist yet glamorous look: clean lines, muted palettes, and sharp tailoring, punctuated with an edgy or skin-baring twist for drama.
With her close friend and client Hailey Bieber, Dani has perfected the art of the “model off-duty” ensemble – oversized blazers, straight-leg trousers, and 90s-inspired mini dresses are the blueprint. Hailey’s highly replicated street style (biker shorts and blazers, boxy cropped jackets with baggy jeans, etc.) often has Dani’s fingerprints on it. For supermodel Kendall Jenner, Dani Michelle has crafted red-carpet moments that align with Kendall’s sleek aesthetic. One headline-grabbing example was Kendall’s archival Givenchy gown worn to the Met Gala, a dress that had never been shown before until Dani pulled it from the archives. She’s also adept at tapping into trends like the resurgence of boho chic – for Daisy Edgar-Jones, Dani orchestrated a viral bohemian moment with a flowing Chloé dress that signaled the actress’s emergence as a new fashion muse.
Dani Michelle’s influence is felt on social media feeds daily. Her clients are among those paparazzi catch regularly in covetable “casual” outfits that fans then scramble to copy. The stylist’s own formula of “quiet luxury” has effectively set the tone for contemporary celebrity style, where looking effortless is key. It’s a calculated nonchalance that requires a sharp eye – and Dani has it. No surprise, then, that she’s often cited as one of the top stylists of the moment. In an image-driven era, she ensures her A-list clients always look on-trend but never like they’re trying too hard – a balance that defines modern glamour.
For all the dazzling looks and Instagram glory, life as a celebrity stylist isn’t all Louboutins and champagne. It’s a high-pressure, physically demanding profession that comes with unique challenges. “I think the biggest challenge is so many people, so few looks,” Karla Welch says, summing up the stylist’s dilemma in today’s crowded celebrity landscape. In the age of peak content, there are more events, more stars to dress, and oddly fewer truly knockout gowns to go around (partly because fashion houses have shifted focus to casual wear, leaving stylists scrambling to find or custom-make couture-worthy pieces).
In essence, the role of a stylist is evolving from behind-the-scenes costumer to full-fledged creative director of a star’s image. Many stylists have follower counts that rival minor celebrities – and they engage directly with fans who want to peek behind the curtain of celebrity style. This direct line to the public means a talented stylist can build their own brand and influence trends at large, not just via clients. At the same time, the profession is opening up and diversifying. Young stylists from different backgrounds are breaking in, bringing fresh perspectives that challenge the old fashion norms. There’s a push for more inclusion, and stylists are helping lead that charge by showcasing a wider array of beauty on the red carpet. Karla Welch, for one, welcomes this democratization: “Streaming has opened up a huge area of inclusion, where we’re seeing different bodies, different ages and different energies on the red carpet… It’s really cool.”
As stylists continue to champion authenticity, we’ll likely see celebrities developing even more personal style identities rather than playing it safe. The public’s appetite for fashion storytelling only grows – and stylists are pulling the strings.
