Nowadays, personal stylists are a constant fixture of Hollywood and “they wield enormous power,” according to Marie Claire’s May 2008 (Aus Edition) in the article “Stylist to the Stars.”
Hollywood's super-stylist Rachel Zoe has become an icon in her own right. Billed by the Daily Mail as “the word’s most sought-after stylist,” she has a book, a TV show in the offing, and currently fronts a mobile phone campaign.
Stylists to the stars, such as Zoe, are as vital to some celebrities as their publicist; with their personal style guru dressing them for the red-carpet and creating their own individual “celebrity” look. According to Katherine Power, co-founder of WhoWhatWearDaily.com, “having a stylist has become as important as having a good publicist.” Many twenty-something celebs rely on them not just for style advice but for creating their own image-making wardrobe. Says actress and singer Lindsay Lohan, “Rachel Zoe is my stylist, but she's more like a personal shopper.”
Our Copycat Celebrity Culture
In today's world of copycat celebrity culture more and more young women are inspired not by runway models but by celebrity icons who follow fashion trends. Whether it’s Victoria Beckham, Mischa Barton, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan or Nicole Ritchie, the (over?) fascination with celebrities is on the increase. Online retailer Asos is well known for its fashion-forward shopping site where some products are categorized by designer “inspired” outfits ("select a celebrity" menu link) and are available to the masses at affordable prices.
Celebrities have substantial power when it comes to influencing trends. If a celebrity icon is seen sporting a favorite bag, this instantly becomes the “IT” bag of the season. Whilst glamazons such as Kate Moss can do no wrong in the eyes of the fashion world, (with her laid back, look-good-in-anything style), whether it is down to boosting self-confidence or just plain common sense, many famous faces that grace our movie screens and TV sets feel then need a little expert help.
Do-It-Yourself Style Guides
Great style advice is something we could all do with from time to time, whether you are a famous, runway model, movie star or plain-Jane. The plethora of DIY style guides currently on the market include The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia, A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style by Tim Gunn, What You Wear can Change Your Life by the UK's Trinny & Susannah, and Style A To Zoe: the Art of Fashion, Beauty, & Everything Glamour by Rachel Zoe and Rose Apodaca. Zoe’s book not only provides you with advice on how to be a glamazon, but gives helpful tips on make the most of yourself when having your photograph taken, how to look good at work and how to super-style your home. In praise of the book, editor of Harper's Bazaar, Glenda Bailey, enthuses, “Rachel not only invites you into her fantasy world, she gives you a practical, no-nonsense map on how to get there.”
Celebrities Replace Models in Glossy Magazines
The current celebrity-culture has also meant that celebrity faces are replacing models on the cover of the fashion magazines. Hollywood agent, Madeline Leonard, describes this as a “seismic shift.” Whether it is to sell clothes, cosmetics, fragrances, or magazines, advertisers and women’s glossies now heavily feature famous celebrities in the promotion of their products.
Increased PR for Fashion Designers
Personal stylists are essential not just for the women they dress but for fashion designers too. They bring invaluable publicity and kudos. According to Marie Claire, megastar Julie Robert's outfit at the 2001 Academy Awards was “worth around $25 million in public relations.” When stylist Phillip Bloch dressed Halle Berry at the 2002 Academy Awards in her scarlet satin Elie Saab gown, it put the Lebanese designer firmly on the map. Famous for dressing celebs such as Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Lopez, New York and L.A. stylist Andrea Liebermann’s choice of a deep-plunging green Versace gown, worn by Lopez at the 2000 Grammy Awards also made fashion history. This one dress succeeded in making the Latin-American goddess almost as well-known for the infamous navel-dipping neckline as for her shapely derriere.
Whilst we can't all afford hundreds to thousands of dollars a day for our own celebrity personal stylist, there is a huge number of what-to-wear guides (available in print and online) on how to improve your style.
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