When a celebrity shows up to a red carpet event looking beautiful, we know that didn't all happen miraculously. Behind the scenes, it takes a village of makeup artists, hair experts, and celebrity stylists pulling gowns, shoes, and jewels to get to that final point. The journey, for some stylists, starts months in advance in the search for the perfect gown. Some fashion houses, like Givenchy, only dress one major star for an event (Meryl Streepreceived that honour in 2017 for the Golden Globes), so you can imagine the pressure stylists face when tracking down that "It" dress.
Instead of guessing what the life of a celebrity stylist is like though, we went straight to the source for answers. We tapped Hollywood power players Elizabeth Stewart and Micaela Erlanger for their insider celebrity styling secrets. Stewart (who dresses the likes of Viola Davis) and Erlanger (who works with Diane Kruger and Meryl Streep) both have a personal approach to tackling fashion dilemmas for clients, and they shared some fun insights with us. The next time you see a celebrity on the red carpet, you'll know exactly how everything was pulled off.
"One year, Cate Blanchett arrived the morning of the Oscars. Whatever year that was, you can look it up, she was eight months pregnant. Dries Van Noten made her dress and she didn't try it on till that morning — I'm not joking. It's insane, but it all worked out. So, you know, sometimes it's rushed, sometimes it's not." — Elizabeth Stewart
"This was a couple Oscars ago, but Jessica Chastain was in town and we said, "Let's make this really fun!" We got all our favorite snacks and champagne. It was just a really, really fun fitting." — Elizabeth Stewart
"Everyone [that I'm styling] has a custom dress that I started planning months ago, but that doesn't mean it works out because they often come in late. And, of course, there are backups. You don't need a backup if you have a backup, that's the general rule," — Elizabeth Stewart
"Wardrobe malfunctions are prevented far, far in advance. Everything is fitted and double checked and tried on several times before the big day. Nothing is left to chance. And then I have my massive styling kit. It is a duffle bag and it's full of every wardrobe solution and preventative measure you can imagine. There's always a backup of some kind [whether it's] a backup dress or a seamstress on hand to sew in someone. We leave nothing to chance." — Micaela Erlanger
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The Type of Measures Taken to Get a Dress Onto the Red Carpet
"Definitely transportation is something to be considered when a dress is picked. You don't want to show up all wrinkled, so laying down or reclining in a chair [are some options]. I really just choose dresses that hold up in a car. You don't want to be stressed out about if your dress will wrinkle. I like to alleviate any pressures my client might be feeling. The dress should not be a worry!" — Micaela Erlanger
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The Secret to Wearing Heels For Hours on End
Image Source: Getty / Alberto E. Rodriguez
"Viola [Davis] hates heels. She carries these rolled up flats and this spray called Still Standing – you spray it on your foot and it sort of numbs it and helps with high heel pain." — Elizabeth Stewart
"Platforms generally tend to be more comfortable. I try to look for a shoe that has a reasonable pitch. That's what determines the pressure that is put on the ball of the foot. Anything with a strap or support is comfortable. At the end of the day, you're generally not seeing the shoe under the dress, so you can do something slightly more supportive. You're on your feet for the entire night! It's a long day." — Micaela Erlanger
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What Celebrities Carry in Their Clutches on the Red Carpet
"The number one thing they need, if you talk to a makeup artist, is their lip-gloss or lipstick. They usually have an energy bar because the Oscars are really long and they're starving . . . Oh, and our IDs, you need your ID to get into the Oscars. No matter who you are." — Elizabeth Stewart
"It's a very simple answer: not much. You generally get your cellphone, ID, maybe a credit card or room key, and tube of lipstick and makeup compact. You're lucky if you get that all in. Otherwise, your date better have pockets. At this rate, we have to get away with the basics." — Micaela Erlanger
