6 Celebrity Stylists Tell Us What It's Like to Dress Hollywood Stars From Home

Above: Stylist Anita Patrickson's Amanu mood board

PS: Have you discovered any new sources of inspiration during your time working from home?

AP: I've been working on my other business Amanu, a custom sandal brand where everything is made to order. We craft sandals in the old-fashioned way, by hand, using an ancient technique. While you can come into the West Hollywood studio for an in-person 30 minute session, we built a new customization process on our platform during the lockdown.

JE: If I wasn't on social media enough before, I've probably become even more reliant on it. Styling is such a visual medium, I don't know how things could have worked during a pandemic without scrolling through endless feeds of photos. I find inspiration from new accounts across all social media platforms. People hated Instagram's algorithm where new pictures show up in your feed, but I'm obsessed with it.

DT: I work with my husband Matteo and early on in lockdown we realised that this was going to be our reality for at least a year and decided to make big changes. We wanted to be in a less populated, more rural environment, so we traded in our big home in Beverly Hills (where, pre-COVID, we did fittings and entertained) for a house in Palm Springs, and a smaller place in Laurel Canyon for when we need to be in town. The positive for me has been spending more time outdoors by the pool, exercising, and hiking. I was working on a menswear line and a book before this happened, so I've been able to focus on that more.

SL: I run a cooking/food blog on the side and I've found that I get my best ideas when I'm cooking or in the midst of editing a video to post. Taking breaks is essential. Downtime is essential. Stepping away is essential. It gives your mind a moment to breathe and create fresh ideas.

KR: The first week of quarantine I purchased a sewing machine and set it up at my studio so I could still "go to work" each day. I would watch YouTube videos and FaceTime designer and tailor friends of mine with questions along the way. I have always known some sewing skills, but nothing extreme. I wanted to be able to learn some new skills during this time. I worked on redesigning some items I already had in my closet. Trying not to purchase any materials, I used tops I didn't want anymore for fabric and repurposed shoe bags from past purchases to make masks. I also ended up working on "My Covid Collection" of vintage blazers that I redesigned to make them a bit more modern and chic.

Above: Stylist Scot Louie working in his home space

PS: How do you envision the future of styling with fewer red carpets and events on the horizon?

SL: I'm really hopeful for a bright future for red carpets and events. I know we are still in the thick of it with COVID, but once those moments come around again, I'm envisioning it being better than before. I think this downtime is really giving creatives a lot of time to generate game plans.

JE: I have a feeling there will be more photo calls where there's an in-house photographer instead of red carpets where there are 30 photographers trying to get the same photo. Yes, there will be fewer events, but musicians have music to sell and actors have films and TV shows to promote. The world's not going to stop one day for COVID-19!

AP: I think budgets will be a lot smaller for a while. I think events might be much more streamlined — fewer stops on press tours, less travel, and more Zoom appearances. Whether studios will cover stylists' budgets for just a top and jewellery, I don't know. Red carpets though, on a large scale, will probably not happen for a while.

DT: I think it will be a year or more before things are back to how they were, but there will always be a demand for stylists. As long as celebrities have music, movies, and product to promote, they will want to look good. There is a limit to what you can do with what you have in your closet, and in my experience, if [celebrities] are working, they want their team to be working too.

KR: Production shoots will be stripped down to fewer people all wearing masks, disinfecting regularly, and keeping safe distances as much as possible. Since Nashville is opening back up, my team and I take our temperatures before seeing anyone and we make sure to sanitize and wash hands throughout the process. Some sets are hiring a person to manage and make sure everyone follows all the guidelines and safety measures.

Above: Stylist Charlie Brianna working on a Jumpman "In the House" project during quarantine

PS: How do you think a stylist's role will shift within the industry beyond 2020, if at all?

JE: No one technically needs a stylist ever, actually! But it can make your life easier and much chicer. I wouldn't say it's more important to have a stylist now because people are spending more time at home, but fashion always has been an extension of who you are, so if you want a good representation of yourself out there, you probably should work with a professional. Think of something as simple as receiving a package. You have to sit at home waiting for it since it needs a signature. Now multiply that by a few dozen, multiplied by the dozens of other tasks that need to get done, multiplied by the number of clients you have. It can be mind-boggling, so you need someone super organised to make it work.

SL: Stylists to a client are much more than your source of clothes. I'm a confidant to my clients; I'm a friend to my clients; I'm a part of the deciding factor for my clients . . . As far as transforming my business personally, I won't take any moment with my clients, team, or amazing assistants for granted ever again — including hugs; I haven't had a hug in almost five months.

AP: [In my opinion], styling has started to feel too contrived with so many events, and I like seeing someone's personal style. This break has allowed me to see authentic personal style shine through. All my clients have been dressing themselves and rediscovering pieces in [their] wardrobes for social media. However, I do think there is a very important place for stylists — finding cool, new designers for celebrities to wear and showcase, giving them the opportunity to express themselves without over-buying and over-consuming. I think we all need to be much more conscious of our sustainability practices. We have an enormous responsibility, and I do think that is something that will be a really meaningful and worthwhile change that we see.

CB: I think now, more than ever, there are so many layers of far more important things happening in the world today that what we're wearing for our quarantine social media posts should be the last of anyone's concern. I am truly inspired by the slow but steady change that I see happening in the world currently.

Although it saddens me that the 'awakening' had to occur under the circumstances of countless social injustices, it also inspires me because I finally see representation and equal rights having a chance to form in our industry. There's a lot of work to do to dismantle systemic racism, but I am hopeful that long-term change is possible.