The 25 Most Powerful Stylists in Hollywood

Kate Young

Why she matters: More than anyone else on this list, Young has hit home runs throughout the red-carpet season, from the Cannes Film Festival to the Oscars. While the stylist does consistently killer work with Portman, 34, and Michelle Williams, 35 — both always gamine, stylish and chic — this year, Young juggled many other clients, some established, some just getting started on the red-carpet ride. The stylist, who last topped THR's list in 2012, turned ingenue Dakota Johnson, 26, into a daring style star (no one's worn Gucci better), while turning out a sexy, sophisticated Gomez, 23.

Top looks: Johnson's blush Prada slip dress at the Black Mass premiere in Venice was pure '90s minimalism: "It's hard to pull back and do something so basic," says the Oxford-educated stylist. And along with Cate "the Great" Blanchett, 46, Robbie, 25, stole the Oscars in a fierce gold Tom Ford.

Cannes grand slam: While sending out both Portman and Rachel Weisz, 46, in a dazzling parade of gowns, Young also styled Miller for five major red-carpet premieres at the Grand Palais during her turn as a juror at the festival. Styles ranged from a caped Sonia Rykiel adorned with velvet stars to a Valentino Couture "kite" dress that Young deems her riskiest look of the year: "It was like a tiny harlequin scarf tied around the neck."

Social winner: "A sparkly, bright Calvin Klein dress with cutouts on Selena Gomez," says Young of an electric blue Grammys gown that grabbed more than 2.5 million likes on the singer's Instagram.

Cristina Ehrlich

Why she matters: Ehrlich, who has a rep for making fresh-faced actresses look like established stars, turned Room's Oscar winner Larson, 26, into an awards-season darling in Chanel, Celine and Jason Wu: "There are still so many looks we want to try. We're just getting warmed up."

Top looks: Larson and Ehrlich both tout the Golden Globes as a "special moment." The actress took home top honors in a slinky, gold-beaded Calvin Klein dress with daring cutouts. "It was the first time I've ever cried over a garment," says Larson about seeing 16 seamstresses hand-stitching the piece at the designer's New York studio. "I wanted something that felt very clean and simple," says Ehrlich, who first styled the 26-year-old for last year's Met Ball. Jokes Larson: "So we went with the sparkliest dress — and the most revealing thing I've ever worn." Another standout was the California native's vampy turn in ice blue Atelier Versace ("the epitome of modern, young, sexy and glamorous," says Ehrlich) at the SAG Awards — a look that was fitted just two hours before the show (Larson flew in that morning from Australia, where she was shooting Kong: Skull Island). Says Ehrlich of the crystal-accented dress with an Angelina Jolie "Jo-leg" slit: "It was a moody vibe."

Social winner: Larson posted a photo of herself on Instagram in her post-Oscar pink velvet Monse gown wearing Converse sneakers and eating an In-N-Out burger — to the liking of 99,000 followers.

See Brie Larson's best style moments from the past year.

Elizabeth Stewart

Why she matters: Stewart is Blanchett's not-so-secret weapon, ensuring the style icon sets trends and shatters expectations while landing the most coveted runway pieces for her A-list roster.

Top looks: Blanchett won the BAFTAs carpet in a feather embroidered Alexander McQueen. Also spectacular: her Giles ball gown with an abstract print at Cannes. Stewart's favorite? A Yacine Aoudi LBD with tattoo-inspired sleeves at the Carol premiere because, she says, "It involved discovering a new designer."

Risky red-carpet moment: "Only Rebel Wilson [36] has asked me to dress her in angel wings and a policeman's uniform that tears away to a T-shirt that reads, 'F— tha stripper police,' " says Stewart of the Pitch Perfect 2 actress' controversial getup at the VMAs.

Social winner: The Santa Monica-based stylist who has two teenage kids with her husband, TV writer-producer Rob Bragin, shared a sneak peek of Blanchett's megawatt Tiffany & Co. diamonds before the Oscars. The video garnered more than 15,000 likes on her Instagram page.

Elizabeth Saltzman

Why she matters: Saltzman has an eye for sparking trends (see Paltrow's 2012 Tom Ford cape gown or Ronan's mixed-motif dress in Palm Springs) and never sticks to just one look. She transitioned the Brooklyn star, 21, from ethereal Grecian goddess at the Globes to the sultry green Calvin Klein sparkler at the Oscars. Of longtime client Paltrow, 43, who rocked a Valentino "Wonder Woman" mini at a Goop event, Saltzman says, "It's a good person who takes fashion risks and isn't afraid."

Top look: The call came from Calvin Klein in October offering to custom make an Oscar gown for the Brooklyn nominee. "We got a lot of pitches, but Francisco Costa just got it," says London-based Saltzman, a former Vanity Fair editor. Because of Ronan's New York rehearsal schedule for The Crucible, the stylist conducted the fitting at midnight before the Oscars: "Saoirse put on the emerald, and the room stopped — her mom, her aunt, her hairstylist, Adir. … You felt the oooh," recalls Saltzman. Adds Ronan of her carpet experience this past year: "Everything has felt like me but kind of pushing me out of my comfort zone."

Moment that made Ronan break a sweat: A sparkling but sheer Calvin Klein sheath for the Britannia Awards was a bit too revealing. "Elizabeth was with Bono and U2," says Ronan, who phoned the stylist from L.A. "I'm like, 'Don't worry, the nude shorts are great,' " recalls Saltzman of the undergarments. "They weren't," quips Ronan, who ended up in black boy shorts. The result, according to Saltzman, was "daring and a bit sexy."

See Saoirse Ronan's best style moments from the past year.

Victoria Sekrier

Why she matters: Swedish actress Vikander, 27, brought Louis Vuitton to the carpet for nearly every outing and surprised each time by projecting a no-fuss attitude amid the high fashion.

Top looks: The embellished black leather gown by Louis Vuitton that Vikander wore to the BAFTAs: "I can't remember ever seeing anyone in leather on the red carpet looking so glam and powerful," says Sekrier. Other talked-about moments include a patchwork sequined gown at the SAG Awards (a favorite look also cited by other stylists, including Saltzman, No. 4).

Social winner: One of the first to arrive on Oscar night, The Danish Girl nominee's dusty yellow pailette-encrusted Louis Vuitton gown went viral, becoming an Internet meme that compared the look to Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. "Breaking the Internet one dress at a time!" jokes the London-based stylist, who as a runway model walked for Prada, Alexander McQueen and Miu Miu and later assisted designer Anna Sui. Sekrier, who began styling Vikander in 2014, posted one of the Oscar dress memes on her Instagram, hashtagging it, #alwaysthebeauty #neverthebeast.

Ilaria Urbinati

Why she matters: The town's top guys — not to mention social media stars Nina Dobrev, 27, and Woodley, 24 — keep Urbinati on speed dial, knowing she can whip up a strong double-breasted tux or masterfully mix checks, pinstripes and dots.

Top looks: Cooper, 41, suited up in a three-piece Dolce & Gabbana with a dotted shirt and patterned tie ("All in the same color family," says Urbinati) for the New York premiere of Burnt. "People really flipped over it — it's fun when that happens with a men's look," says the L.A.-based stylist. Another standout was 33-year-old Lizzy Caplan's champagne-pink Donna Karan Atelier gown at the Met Ball with gold branch-like appliques and beading: "We touched on the theme ['China Through the Looking Glass'] without being too over-the-top," says Urbinati, who collaborated closely with the designer. "It was one of Donna's last gowns before she retired, so it has sentimental value."

New get: Before Urbinati met Mr. Robot star Rami Malek, 34, Urbinati recalls watching the USA Network drama and telling her husband and photographer, Eric Ray Davidson, "That's a Dior guy if I ever saw one." Fast-forward, and the first look that the ex-clothing buyer put on Malek was Dior in January. "It was meant to be," says the actor, 34. Urbinati admits everybody is a red-carpet critic — and easier on men: "There's a lot less scrutiny with a guy. Girls have it rough — I think mostly because people don't know what to call out with menswear."

See Rami Malek's best style moments from the past year.

Leslie Fremar

Why she matters: She understands impact, as evidenced by the red-hot Theron, 40, in Dior Couture at the Oscars.

Top looks: For the Mad Max: Fury Road premiere at Cannes, attendee Moore, 55, wowed in a custom single-sleeved berry Givenchy, while Theron made a dramatic entrance in a canary yellow Dior Couture gown with a floor-sweeping train.

Rob Zangardi & Mariel Haenn

Why they matter: The duo delivers many of the town's most dramatic entrances (they love a gown train). They also handle a high volume of diverse work, from Spotlight nominee McAdams' jam-packed awards season to Stefani's and Lopez's weekly TV gigs.

Top looks: Shades of Blue star and producer Lopez, 46, was the epitome of old Hollywood glamour at the Globes in a mustard, caped Giambattista Valli Couture gown (with 200 carats of Harry Winston diamonds). Says Zangardi, "The unexpected color made it a huge hit." And all eyes were glued to The Voice coach Stefani, 46, while she was performing "Used to Love You" on the NBC show in Marchesa's ethereal white chiffon gown with feathers.

Red-carpet risk: The duo viewed the August Getty Atelier emerald dress McAdams, 37, wore on Oscar night as a gamble that paid off despite not being by "a typical Oscar designer. It was a very different look for Rachel," says Zangardi.

Social winner: Stefani (in a sheer, red Yanina Couture gown) and Blake Shelton, 39, made their first public appearance as a couple after the Oscars, drawing 136,339 likes on Instagram. Haenn describes Stefani's look as a "hint of 1950s glam but with a modern edge."

Karla Welch

Why she matters: Welch infuses her signature cool into a wide range of looks for clients — whether it's a glam Valentino veil for Wilde, 32, or a satin bomber jacket for Bieber, 22. She also plays to the fans, appeasing #Beliebers by putting the Purpose singer in a sharp Saint Laurent white jacket and tuxedo pants instead of his usual casual duds — and captioning the red-carpet photo, "Merry Christmas."

Top look: Nominated for producing short documentary Body Team 12, Wilde, Welch's longtime client, wanted to look elegant "but not too flashy" on the Oscar red carpet. A white Valentino Couture gown with pleats and a Neil Lane pearl choker hit the perfect note: "She felt like it was the kind of dress Katharine Hepburn would have worn," says Welch, who adds that she knew they had a hit when "people were texting me like crazy."

Red-carpet risk: Vinyl star Wilde took a dramatic turn in a caped Valentino gown with a Jennifer Behr netted veil for the HBO series premiere in New York.

Social winner: Unsurprisingly, Bieber's Grammys looks got lots of attention. The pop star (with his 6-year-old brother, Jaxon) posed backstage in a Saint Laurent satin leopard print bomber jacket and garnered more than 2.3 million likes on his Instagram.

Petra Flannery

Why she matters: The No. 1 stylist on THR's 2015 list had a less hectic 2016, with most of her fashionistas — Stone, 27, Saldana, 37, and Adams, 41 — sitting out awards season. But Flannery still managed to land fresh face Ridley while turning out chic (and surprisingly daring) looks for Carey Mulligan, 30, for Suffragette.

Top look: Flannery's newest get, Ridley, 23, was a hit in a modern Chanel Haute Couture dress with all-over floral embroidery on the Oscar carpet. The stylist paired the bespoke gown with Chanel Fine Jewelry and custom dyed Christian Louboutin heels, sealing the Star Wars: The Force Awakens actress' fashion "It" girl status.

Social winner: To kick off the Star Wars press tour in L.A., Ridley wore a custom backless tulle and lace Chloe with hand-embroidered polka dots that the Beverly Hills-based stylist describes as "romantic, youthful and fresh. It was a big coming-out moment for her." More than 98,000 likes graced Ridley's red-carpet post on Instagram, which the actress said made her feel "an incy bit like a princess."

Jill Lincoln & Jordan Johnson

Why they matter: It's been a year since the styling duo cut ties with Rachel Zoe (taking Lawrence, Garner, 43, Shipka, 16, and Sofia Vergara, 43, with them), and in that time they've proved their ability to consistently deliver the "wow" factor for their roster, particularly with Lawrence.

Top looks: The Joy star, 25, was the perfect balance of Dior lady and young and fresh in cherry-red couture with peekaboo side cutouts and a megawatt Chopard diamond bib necklace (156.77 carats) at the Globes. It was one of the strongest collaborations between the Dior ambassador and the fashion house. Also stellar was Lawrence's black spangled Dior dress with side chains (revealing serious side boob) at the Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2 premiere in London. And more elegant than ever was Garner in a single-shoulder black Atelier Versace gown at the Globes — her first major carpet outing since separating from Ben Affleck.

Social winner: The pair helped with Vergara's Palm Beach, Fla., nuptials to Magic Mike XXL's Joe Manganiello, 39. The Modern Family actress wore a custom Zuhair Murad Couture gown, which received 471,000 double taps on Instagram.

Micaela Erlanger

Why she matters: Erlanger styles seven Oscar winners, including triple winner Streep, 66. After helping put Nyong'o, 33, on the map in 2014, the N.Y.-based stylist continues to position new faces like Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Boyega, 23, and Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot, 30, while keeping her A-list stable up front in the style conversation.

Top look: Nyong'o shut down Cannes in an emerald Gucci gown and a vintage headband (reminiscent of the Fred Leighton one she wore when she won her 2014 Oscar). "Lupita brought that gown to life; everything was magical," recalls Erlanger of the look that created a social media frenzy — heightened by Nyong'o's full doughnut bun that earned its own hashtag #Fronut. Equally epic was Jared Leto's black Gucci tux with red piping, accessorized with a silk flower and velvet crystal snake slippers on Oscar night. Extra points? Leto brought the hot label's creative director Alessandro Michele as his plus-one.

Red-carpet risks: Both Nyong'o's ZAC Zac Posen (with 500 LED lights coded by 30 girls from the Made With Code program) for a Daily Show appearance and Boyega's three-piece purple Versace tux that he wore with a glove at Star Wars' L.A. premiere were outside the box. And Streep, 66, surprised fans when she rocked a sheer polka dot jumpsuit with cutouts on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon. "Meryl joined the #BalmainArmy," laughs Erlanger, a Parsons alum.

Brandon Maxwell

Why he matters: Gaga, 29, stole the spotlight at every major event, always in the most elegant of looks by her stylist-designer. And Gaga's large social footprint — 72 million Twitter and Instagram followers — means Maxwell's work is transmitted far and wide.

Top look: The Texas native, 31, favors the white jumpsuit-dress Gaga wore to the Oscars: "Growing up, the Oscars was my favorite day of the year, and I dreamed about having one of my designs on the carpet," says Maxwell, who created three looks for the nominee and performer. "It felt surreal."

Beyond the red carpet: New York-based Maxwell continues to style between designing his ready-to-wear sharply tailored suits and sculpted dresses that have been embraced by Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Lawrence. Gaga tells THR: "Brandon makes his collections like people make classic records. He doesn't put anything on top that takes away from what makes it distinctly graphic and memorable."

Jeanann Williams

Why she matters: Williams consistently delivers seriously mega-Watts glam, keeping her top client on best-dressed lists whenever the About Ray actress sets foot on a red carpet.

Top look: Williams calls Watts' gray, beaded Elie Saab Couture gown with feathered skirt and a Bulgari High Jewelry Collection diamond necklace at Cannes' opening ceremony "showstopping."

Red-carpet risk: Because partner Liev Schreiber's movie Spotlight was nominated, Watts, 47, let him pick the cobalt-violet Armani Prive dress with Swarovski crystals on Oscar morning. "It was a lot of sparkle for Naomi," says the N.Y.-based ex-fashion PR exec. "But it paid off. She was the perfect arm candy."

Jessica Paster

Why she matters: The veteran stylist still can be counted on to churn out buzzworthy glam for her leading ladies.

Top look: Game of Thrones' Heady, 42, in a wine-colored Zuhair Murad Couture ball gown at the Emmys is one of Paster's favorites: "We've never seen her look that way, ever." Blunt, 33, whom Paster has kept looking consistently chic for nearly a decade, grabbed attention in Cannes for wearing a body-skimming metallic Stella McCartney dress and jaw-dropping Anna Hu emeralds.

Red-Carpet Risk: Munn turned heads at Ride Along 2’s Miami premiere in an elaborately ruffled orange Balmain halter gown with sheer paneling. “As beautiful as it was I was nervous about the ruffles,” says Paster, who also outfitted the 35-year-old in tangerine Stella McCartney—sleek and single-shouldered—at the Oscars.

Nina and Clare Hallworth

Why they matter: Dunst's comeback for her critically acclaimed role on FX's Fargo also marked her return to the carpet. Whether in a silver-beaded Chanel tiered dress at the Critics' Choice Awards or a Valentino print at the AFIs, the 33-year-old always hit the mark.

Top look: Dunst's plunging black Valentino Haute Couture gown with vintage Fred Leighton jewels at the Globes was "dark, refined and nuanced," says Nina.

Red-carpet risks: The actress wore a bold Gucci dress with elaborate bird embroidery at the Midnight Special premiere during the Berlin Film Festival: "Bedazzled milkmaid is hard to pull off without the right fraulein," says Clare.

Beyond the red carpet: The L.A.-based twins still dabble on the big screen — their costumes can be seen in We're the Millers, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Horrible Bosses. The duo's other passion is helping private clients curate and purchase couture pieces for their wardrobe. Says Clare, "Nothing is as exciting as fittings surrounded by master seamstresses."

Wendi and Nicole Ferreira

Why they matter: The sisters had an eventful year with Pitch Perfect 2 director-producer Banks, 42, promoting the film, along with a whirlwind press tour for the final Hunger Games installment. The fierce, fashion-forward looks ranged from an open-front gown with pants to a romantic Elie Saab gown with an Effie Trinket-esque hairpiece.

Their top look: The styling duo held on to a lemon-hued Balmain cocktail dress with sheer inserts and Swarovski embellishments long before Banks donned it at the Magic Mike XXL L.A. premiere (she had a cameo). "We coveted the look for six months, trying to find the right place for it — the stars aligned, and it was perfect," says Wendi. Another career highlight in 2015 was wardrobing Cruise, 53, for his Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation world tour.

Social winner: Banks posted her post-Oscar, Grace Kelly-esque Ralph and Russo white-caped jumpsuit (with silver crystals and pearls) and racked up more than 39,000 likes on Instagram, which "had legs because so many people regrammed it," says Wendi.

Samantha McMillen

Why she matters: The versatile stylist had Oscar host Rock and Spotlight's Mark Ruffalo, 48, looking awards-season sharp as she furthered Heard's ascent to fashion-darling status.

Top look: McMillen says Heard, 29, was "head-to-toe perfect" for the Magic Mike XXL premiere in London, sporting a red Emilio Pucci with a black velvet bow, elaborately braided hair, extreme winged eye makeup and edgy jewels.

Beyond the red carpet: McMillen was called upon to style longtime client Depp's Dior Sauvage cologne ad campaign: "Johnny [52] is a great collaborator and fights for me to work on all of his nonfilm projects."

Penny Lovell

Why she matters: She embraces risk-taking opportunities, whether it's putting Kristen Wiig, 42, in a beaded Roland Mouret jumpsuit for the SAG Awards or sending Hathaway, 33, down the Met Gala carpet in a gold-hooded Ralph Lauren gown. "A hood is pretty unusual on a red carpet, but I love a good risk," says Lovell of the The Intern actress' look that topped Vogue's best dressed list.

Top look: For the 2015 Met Gala in New York, Byrne, 36, wowed in a plunging, laser-cut dark red Calvin Klein leather dress.

New get: The British stylist, who worked in-house doing PR for Burberry before eventually uprooting to Los Angeles, helped her newest client Wiig navigate through the major fashion capitals for Zoolander 2's international press tour. The comedian's looks ranged from embroidered Marc Jacobs lace in New York City to rainbow-hued Rosie Assoulin in Berlin, Wiig's top look to date.

Erin Walsh

Why she matters: She keeps Washington in looks that drive love-it-or-loathe-it buzz. Five clients attended the Met Ball — Parker, 50, in Philip Treacy; Washington, 39, in Prada; Maggie Gyllenhaal, 38, in Roland Mouret; Ruth Wilson, 34, in Oscar de la Renta; and Kristen Wiig, 42, in Prabal Gurung — which took place the day before she gave birth to her now 9-month-old daughter, Matilda. "She waited until everybody was out the door," jokes the stylist.

Top look: The Scandal star took a sexy turn at the Emmys in a metallic lace Marc Jacobs dress with a thigh-grazing slit. "It's mesh, so I felt the breeze in all kinds of places," says Washington of her look for the awards show that baked under triple-digit temps.

Red-carpet risk: On mixed reviews of Washington wearing leather Versace at the Oscars, N.Y.-based Walsh says: "We try to walk the line and experiment — isn't that part of the fun?"

Rebecca Corbin-Murray

Why she matters: Cinderella's breakout star James, 26, impressed in high-fashion, edgy florals that complemented the film's fairy-tale fare in a modern way.

Top look: The London-based stylist and her star turned heads with an embroidered white Alexander McQueen bustier dress at the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies premiere in L.A. "It was the perfect alchemy of modern, elegant and cool," says Corbin-Murray.

Social winner: For the L.A. premiere of Cinderella, James sported an embroidered sea-foam Elie Saab Haute Couture gown, "the epitome of every little girl's dream dress" that was adored by 36,000 Insta fans.

Ryan Hastings

Why he matters: Hastings has continually reinvented gothic-glam for Mara, 30.

Top looks: The actress stuck to her signature black-and-white look last year, from a white Olivier Theyskens for Rochas halter in Cannes to a black tiered Chanel Haute Couture dress at Carol's New York premiere.

Awards-season sum-up: Press-shy Hastings, a contributing stylist to Vanity Fair, explored a full range of softly dramatic, neutrally hued looks by Alexander McQueen, Valentino Couture and Givenchy for the Carol supporting actress nominee, with whom he has worked since 2011's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Tara Swennen

Why she matters: She wields access to the choicest Chanel couture well, transforming lady looks into edgy ones on Stewart, 25.

Top look: Stewart donned the ultimate LBD — in sculpturally draped, semi-transparent material — at Chanel's cruise collection show. "It was truly a work of art," says Swennen, who has worked with the star since Stewart was 14 years old.

Red-carpet risk: Stephen Khalil's post-Oscars gown for Ratajkowski, 24, was a retro bodysuit with a sheer skirt: "That took enormous courage to wear — she rocked it," says Swennen.

Beyond the red carpet: The L.A.-based stylist who assisted Rachel Zoe says she's an avid fan of interiors and has a "secret project in the pipeline" this year.

Cher Coulter

Why she matters: Coulter executes both bombshell (Mad Max: Fury Road's Huntington-Whiteley, 28) and edgy well. Her Grammys 2016 looks included a revealing Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture gown for Bella Hadid, 19.

Top look: Coulter started working with Versace in December to create the gold Globes gown worn by Huntington-Whiteley: "Seeing a client wear something truly reflective of their personality is hitting the jackpot," says Coulter.

Leesa Evans

Why she matters: The costume designer has helped Schumer, 34, move away from Trainwreck styles toward more classic silhouettes.

Top look: A simple white slip dress by Calvin Klein that the comic wore to Critics' Choice "was so effortless; you could tell she felt really great in it," says the Laguna Beach, Calif., native.

Red-carpet risk: An elegant black-and-white Prabal Gurung gown for the Globes was a "different silhouette," says the costume designer, whose work can be seen in Clueless (she served as the film's assistant costume designer) and most Judd Apatow films, including Trainwreck, where she met Schumer.

Beyond the red carpet: Working in the entertainment industry, "I realized there is a lack of confidence that is universal, regardless of size or age," says the Malibu-based stylist about Stylefund, a nonprofit started by the duo to help people use fashion to boost their confidence out in the workforce.

See Amy Schumer's best style moments from the past year.