Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013

This story first appeared in the March 29 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

At this year’s Oscars, a couple of darts stole the little gold man’s thunder. Anne Hathaway’s last-minute wardrobe swap to a pink satin Prada dress that accentuated certain points of her anatomy made her arrival the most-tweeted moment on the red carpet (#LesNipplerables) and got more attention in the days to follow than her supporting actress win. Despite this misstep, stylist Rachel Zoe (No. 3 on THR’s Power Stylist List) landed a win with her other Oscar client, best actress winner Jennifer Lawrence, whose intricate Dior Haute Couture gown wowed viewers (and caused a near face-plant as Lawrence walked up to the stage, though she recovered charmingly)

There’s no bigger or more ruthless meritocracy than a red carpet. Looks are instantly tweeted, Instagrammed, Pinterested, Facebooked and blogged as fashion cops and critics millions strong render their verdict on a star’s — and by extension, her stylist’s — choices. Having insinuated themselves into the national conversation, stylists also have become increasingly valued for their impact on a movie’s bottom line. Says Zoe Saldana, whose stylist, Petra Flannery, is No. 2 on THR’s list, “We’ve managed to convince a lot of directors who now have respect for what we put together and for Petra’s essential place in a huge press tour like Star Trek or Avatar.” When Saldana takes a memorable turn on the carpet, “Those directors are like, ‘Oh my God, Petra really knocked it out of the ball park,’ and you’re like, ‘Yeah, she did.’ She killed it, which is very important for me and for her and for selling a movie.”

These fashion forces work hard for the recognition, with a perfectionism and preparedness that isn’t always visible on the red carpet (and that’s the point). This year’s No. 1, Leslie Fremar, travels twice a month from her home in New York to Los Angeles for her clients. “I’m a little controlling,” she confesses. Newcomer Joseph Cassell (No. 13) notably landed his gig styling Taylor Swift by showing up for a steam-and-press job at a shoot with fully loaded clothing racks and accessory options for the singer. “I’m an organized hoarder,” he admits. “That’s the quote they’ll use for you,” Swift dryly follows up.

PHOTOS: The Looks That Made the List

In a town where careers rise and fall on the backs of celebrities, the pros who clothe (or bare) those well-toned backs hold more power than ever. As they hone clients’ fashion images, stylists are becoming big brands themselves, with designing gigs (No. 4 Kate Young debuts a Target evening collection in April), lucrative merchandising deals (No. 7 Cristina Ehrlich’s casual basics line is a hot seller for QVC) and reality TV platforms (for Zoe, No. 21 Johnny Wujek, No. 22 Brad Goreski, with more inevitably to come). Nearly half of the stylists on THR’s list have their own clothing or jewelry lines. “Stylists sell the idea that if a consumer buys the product, they become their client,” says Kent Belden, CEO of styling agency MMA. “Although we think it’s the celeb who makes the best-dressed list, it is really the stylist — and without almost any hesitation, their next big deal is being proposed.”

Edited by Carol McColgin and Merle Ginsberg; additional reporting and writing by Jane Carlson and Stacey Wilson.

Leslie Fremar

Image Credit: Ruven Afanador

WHY SHE MATTERS

Fremar has a near-flawless red-carpet track record, a fiercely loyal A-list clientele and long-term working relationships with some of the fashion industry’s most sought-after designers (hello, Raf Simons for Dior Couture’s history-making red-carpet debut!). Not to mention an uncanny ability to zero in on the gowns coming down the runway that will have lasting impact. “I stick to my instincts, and if something gets me really excited when I see it initially, I know it’s going to be a home run,” says Fremar.

CLIENTS

Julianne Moore, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Connelly

FASHION BIO

In a new era of stylists-turned-reality stars with TV camera crews constantly in tow, Fremar is refreshingly modest, easygoing and happy to let her clients do most of the shining. “Leslie is drama-free,” Moore tells THR. The Toronto-born New Yorker got her start at Vogue as Anna Wintour’s assistant and later fashion director Tonne Goodman’s assistant — and she’s rumored to be Lauren Weisberger’s inspiration for the No. 1 assistant in The Devil Wears Prada. “It was around 2003 that Vogue started putting celebrities on the covers, and I was the assistant on those shoots,” says Fremar, who liked the transition from models who would wear anything to actresses with opinions and concerns about how the dresses fit. From Vogue, Fremar went on to work as director of VIP relations at Prada, where she met Salma Hayek, who was wearing a custom Prada dress to the 2006 Oscars. Fremar left her Prada post when Hayek, a juror at the Cannes Film Festival, asked her to help pull together a glamorous wardrobe in less than two weeks. Hayek’s manager later introduced Fremar to Moore, and she’s been styling on her own ever since. Fremar shares a cozy-modern Tribeca loft with her financier partner and dad to her two little boys (“I just welcomed my second son four months ago,” she says).

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LABELS SHE LOVES

Dior, Chanel, Stella McCartney, Lanvin and Versace

HER TOP LOOK

Moore in a standout canary yellow long- sleeved Dior Couture top and full circle-skirt at the Emmy Awards (look No. 1 in “The Looks That Made the List”). “It was very new — from Raf Simons’ first collection,” says Moore, who topped the night’s best-dressed lists. “It was a bold dress, and Leslie and I were lucky enough to get his first red-carpet appearance.” Adds Fremar, “I’m really thankful that I was able to be a part of that because it was a pivotal moment for Raf.” Other wow-worthy moments included Theron’s embroidered peplum Dior Couture gown with Harry Winston diamonds and Witherspoon’s custom-made cobalt Louis Vuitton with matching jewels at this year’s Academy Awards. “There’s a lot more preparation that goes into an Oscar dress — for a premiere you’re choosing something from the runway, but it’s different when you’re having things made from scratch,” says Fremar. “I was really happy with how Charlize’s and Reese’s dresses turned out.”

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

Fremar continues to design her own Fruit of the Loom line, sold exclusively at Bloomingdale’s — it started as stylish, affordable T-shirts because Fremar got tired of plunking down $500 for The Row tees. Now she’s adding leggings, cardigans, long-sleeved shirts and a few new dresses; the collection will be sold online starting in April.

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THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs
Petra Flannery

Image Credit: Olivia Malone

WHY SHE MATTERS

In addition to styling fashion’s cool girls — the ones everyone wants to dress like — Flannery always manages to surprise on the red carpet and prides herself on being anything but predictable: “When I look at dresses on Style.com, I’m thinking: 'What’s different? What’s the mark? And, where can we really stand apart?' I like things that are classic and elegant but with a little edge or some element that’s totally unique.”

CLIENTS

Zoe Saldana, Claire Danes, Emma Stone, Mila Kunis, Megan Fox, Faith Hill

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER TOP LOOK

Homeland winner Danes in a red-hot Versace gown at the Golden Globes — less than a month after the star gave birth to her son. “It was very down to the wire,” says Flannery of the jaw-dropping va-va-Versace results. "Claire didn’t try the dress on until the night before, so there was a lot of anticipation and asking, ‘Is it going to work out?’ But we pulled it off, and she looked incredible and felt incredible."

GETTING OSCAR GLAM

One night, two major looks. Saldana wasn’t always a fashionista: “Initially, Petra would tell me about designers, and I would go, ‘What?’ But I started learning about them and putting them on, and she created a little monster,” says the New York-raised actress. But when she walked the carpet at this year’s Academy Awards, she was dressed every bit the part in an ultra-high-fashion Alexis Mabille Couture gown with detailed applique, a satin belt and an ombre tiered hemline. “The belt was the cool factor,” notes Flannery. The Star Trek Into Darkness actress later changed into a black Givenchy halter gown for the Vanity Fair party at Sunset Towers. “Petra and I push each other in a good way. … I now wear pink,” says Saldana, who met the stylist when she moved to Los Angeles to start work on Avatar. Adds San Francisco-born, L.A.-based Flannery, “Yes, the New Yorker wears pink!”

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

Flannery teamed with Target in the summer as a guest editor for its online magazine, On the Dot, and she’s the fashion expert for Heidi Klum’s AOL channel.

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Rachel Zoe

WHY SHE MATTERS

In addition to redefining the field and becoming a celebrity in her own right (her Bravo reality show, The Rachel Zoe Project, is in its fifth season), Zoe outfitted Oscar’s two golden girls this year.

CLIENTS

Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Eva Mendes

HER NEW GET

In the fall, Zoe managed to nab the town’s most in-demand actress, Lawrence, just in time for her Silver Linings Playbook fashion tour de force, dressing her in dramatic Dior Couture with a sleek and modern hairdo at the Toronto International Film Festival.

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER TOP LOOKS

Lawrence in blush pink and white Dior Haute Couture with a delicate dripping of Chopard diamonds at the Oscars. “Every girl on the planet dreams of wearing a dress like that once in her lifetime,” says Zoe. Although Hathaway’s pale pink Prada at the Oscars received mixed reviews and resulted in “nipplegate,” the Les Miserables star’s strapless white Chanel Haute Couture at the Globes was timeless, elegant and tres chic. “Heaven,” says Zoe. “She was floating.”

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

What doesn’t Zoe do? She’s at work on her second book (2008’s Style A to Zoe was a New York Times best-seller), developing television shows with Rachel Zoe Productions and has launched Zoe Studio — deputizing her trained team members to extend her services to more clients. Her eponymous clothing line sells at Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom and has expanded to include shoes, handbags and jewelry. Says the prolific Zoe, “We don’t like to sit still at RZ Inc.!”
Kate Young

WHY SHE MATTERS

The only celebrity stylist repped by CAA, Young styled A-listers Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz through a tornado of a tour for Oz the Great and Powerful — and is about to go mass with a Target line.

CLIENTS

Williams, Weisz, Natalie Portman

HER TOP LOOK

Williams, at the Oz premiere in L.A., in a crystal-embellished white Prada dress with short sleeves and a daring leg reveal that would give Angelina Jolie’s right limb some competition. “I liked that it looked conservative [from the front] but then had a side-slit up to the waist,” says Young.

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER NEW GET

Rising star Sky Ferreira, 21, a singer-songwriter-model-actress, started working with Young this year. She was photographed sitting front row in an edgy yet ladylike leather top and pencil skirt at Givenchy’s show in Paris. Expect to see Ferreira stepping out in some of Young’s other go-to labels: Prada, Louis Vuitton, Jason Wu and Dior.

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

Young marked her sixth year as a stylist for designer pal Jason Wu’s runway at New York Fashion Week and is set to debut an evening collection for Target on April 14. The line includes special-occasion looks (a black-and-white strapless bow gown, a sparkly chartreuse minidress) and accessories; Williams complemented her Oz-premiere Prada with a Kate Young for Target black clutch. The Brooklyn-based former Vogue assistant also styles Portman’s Dior ads, Weisz’s Bulgari ads and the print campaign with Jennifer Aniston for hair-care brand Living Proof.
Elizabeth Stewart

WHY SHE MATTERS

Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain (also nominated last year) and red-carpet regular Amanda Seyfried kept Stewart’s work in the spotlight throughout awards season.

CLIENTS

Chastain, Seyfried, Cate Blanchett, Freida Pinto, Ginnifer Goodwin, Cody Horn, Salma Hayek, Julia Roberts

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

GETTING OSCAR GLAM

The former Women’s Wear Daily editor and stylist for The New York Times Magazine is no stranger to juggling multiple nominees; she styled The Help’s Chastain and Viola Davis in 2012. For the 2013 Oscars, Stewart spent months working with the London-based Alexander McQueen design team on a custom look for Seyfried. “It was exciting to see the lavender gown brought to life,” says Stewart of the delicate organza halter dress, which triggered Anne Hathaway’s last-minute switch from a similar Valentino to pink Prada. Zero Dark Thirty’s Chastain also looked gorgeous in a copper-hued Armani Prive strapless column that tailors were working on until 2 p.m. Oscar day. “It was so important to get a perfect fit since it was such a simple dress,” says Stewart, who did the majority of Chastain’s red-carpet fittings via Skype because the actress was kept in New York by her role in Broadway’s The Heiress.

LABELS SHE LOVES

Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler
Kemal Harris & Karla Welch

WHY THEY MATTER

The bicoastal styling duo — Harris is a New Yorker and Welch is an Angeleno, but both originally hail from Canada — shepherded Amy Poehler into standout territory and rocked arena stages with new clients Justin Bieber and Pink.

CLIENTS

Poehler, Bieber, Pink, Olivia Wilde, Hailee Steinfeld, Zooey Deschanel, Anna Paquin, Elisabeth Moss, Imogen Poots

THEIR NEW GETS

“We’ve ventured into pop-star land,” says Welch of their relationships with Bieber and Pink. Adds Harris, “We’ve been working with Justin on the whole Believe album and designed his entire world tour. We’ve also worked with Pink on The Truth About Love packaging, videos, press and some costumes for the tour.”

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

“OMG” MOMENT

“Amy wanted some quick changes a la SNL at the Globes,” says Welch of Poehler, who kicked off her hosting duties in a sexy Stella McCartney tuxedo (sans blouse) with Chopard diamonds and moved on to two more looks. “Scissors came out!”

THEIR SECRET WEAPON

“The $15 hand steamer from Bed Bath & Beyond is amazing,” says Welch. “We also use the stick-on bra from the Gap. It’s an essential.”

COUTURE CHALLENGES

“It’s easy to get dresses when you have a top girl who’s sample size,” says Welch. “I try to always request and be respectful of designers’ choices on whom they want to dress, but it’s nice when a fashion house that always says no finally says yes.”
Cristina Ehrlich

WHY SHE MATTERS

A styling veteran, Ehrlich is a rarity in that she juggles stylish Hollywood award winners such as Penelope Cruz and Amy Adams along with fashion “It” girls from Allison Williams to Jessica Pare. And credit Ehrlich for Tina Fey’s geek-to-chic makeover, including this year’s Golden Globes triumph, where the night’s co-host appeared in two custom L’Wren Scott gowns.

CLIENTS

Cruz, Adams, Williams, Pare, Fey, Kyra Sedgwick, Ashley Greene

HER NEW GIRL

Two type A’s are better than one: Ehrlich and Girls actress Williams immediately bonded when the rising starlet arrived with a binder in hand for their first meeting. “I showed her all of these things that I’d been pulling out of magazines for years,” says Williams. “She was very polite.” Williams’ dream was to wear Oscar de la Renta on the red carpet; Ehrlich cautioned her it could take a while to land the spoils of such a major designer. But with Ehrlich on the case, it happened after only three months. “Wearing the Oscar dress at the Emmys was really special,” says Williams of her sculpted emerald peplum gown.

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

GETTING OSCAR GLAM

The Master nominee Adams saved the best for last this awards season, stepping out in a frothy dove-gray ballgown, also Oscar de la Renta, at the Oscars. Ehrlich also loved Williams’ cap-sleeve brocade Valentino gown for the Vanity Fair party. “It was pretty major.”

SECRET WEAPON

Bandages by Compeed to combat killer stilettos. “I discovered them in Europe,” says Ehrlich. “They’re like a second skin and really do protect the areas where blisters tend to form.”

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

CE by Cristina Ehrlich is sold exclusively on QVC; she’s also the brand ambassador for women’s apparel retailer Coldwater Creek and Pandora jewelry.
Rob Zangardi & Mariel Haenn

Image Credit: Art Streiber

WHY THEY MATTER

In addition to working with Jennifer Lopez and Gwen Stefani on red carpets, music videos, commercials and editorial, the duo also dresses TV’s most dangerous curves: Sofia Vergara’s and (new client alert) Kim Kardashian’s.

CLIENTS

Lopez, Stefani, Vergara, Kardashian, Lily Collins, Rachel McAdams, Shakira, Ciara

THEIR NEW GETS

Zangardi and Haenn, who met while working at MTV in New York in 2000, had an extraordinarily busy 2012. They started working with Stefani and No Doubt last spring and put together all of the band’s reunion tour looks, also styling the always trend-setting singer for the red carpet. The duo began working with Modern Family’s Vergara for awards season — in addition to styling her Pepsi and CoverGirl ads. They’re responsible for Shakira’s upcoming wardrobe on The Voice, and they very recently landed E!’s most famous Kardashian (and her baby bump). “We’ve only dressed Kim for one event so far, but we’re really excited for this upcoming year with her,” says Haenn.

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

THEIR TOP LOOK

Lopez turned heads as only she can do in a sexy nude Zuhair Murad gown with embroidered white sequins at the Golden Globes. “The dress just fit her perfectly, and it was a great combination of modern and old Hollywood,” says Haenn. “It looks like a complicated dress, but it was very easy for her to wear.”

MEGAWATT MOMENTS

“We like to go big or go home when it comes to our diamonds!” says Zangardi. Vergara dazzled in $8 million worth of Lorraine Schwartz jewels at the Globes, while Lopez rocked in $5 million worth of Norman Silverman jewels at the Grammys. “Jennifer wore a 50-carat diamond ring on American Idol last year, and the ring sold the following day to someone who was watching,” he adds.

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

They’re creative consultants for Lopez’s new perfume, Forever Glowing (her 19th fragrance), as well as her line for Kohl’s that includes everything from apparel to accessories to home goods to swimwear and luggage. Zangardi and Haenn also have dabbled in design, creating an “I Love Me” ring exclusively for L.A.’s Maxfield boutique that was spotted on Lopez, Stefani and Rihanna, and they’re developing a line of fine jewelry that’s slated to come out this year.

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Erin Walsh

WHY SHE MATTERS

Through a busy tour and Oscar campaign for Django Unchained, Walsh and her client Kerry Washington served up constant surprises — including a horse-print dress — and never played it safe.

CLIENTS

Washington, Kristen Wiig

FASHION BIO

The New York City-based stylist, who just signed on with styling agency The Wall Group, got her start assisting Vogue editor Phyllis Posnick. She was introduced to Scandal star Washington last spring by a mutual friend, Elle fashion director Samira Nasr (also a former boss). “It was a love connection,” jokes Walsh of her initial meeting with the actress. Adds Washington, “I feel like we are fashion twins that were separated at birth.”

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER TOP LOOK

“The pony dress!” says Walsh, referring to the theatrical white horse-patterned Giles gown that Washington wore to Django’s London premiere. “It was Django-inspired,” says Washington. “We always ask ourselves whether something’s a fashion moment — and we definitely like to think outside the box.” Other major style moments included the actress’ pink-and-aqua Oscar de la Renta with a rise-and-fall hemline at the NAACP Image Awards and her Oscar stunner: a custom coral-red Miu Miu gown with a heavy dose of Swarovski crystals.

HER STYLE ADDICTIONS

Spanx and shoe petals.

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

Walsh does editorial shoots for international editions of Vogue and styled Gwyneth Paltrow’s fragrance commercial for Hugo Boss.

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Jeanann Williams

WHY SHE MATTERS

In her first appearance on THR’s list, which comes on the heels of her first seven months as a full-time stylist, Williams whirled Naomi Watts through close to 150 looks.

CLIENTS

Watts, Emily Mortimer

“OMG” MOMENT

A week before the 2012 Venice Film Festival, when Watts needed a gown for the premiere of partner Liev Schreiber’s film The Reluctant Fundamentalist, she kept it in the family by phoning Williams, who has a daughter with Watts’ brother, Ben. “I was working and didn’t have time to do fittings,” recalls the actress. “Ten dresses arrived at my door, and I remember thinking, ‘Jeanann’s really good at this.’ ” Not long after that triumph — Watts hit the carpet in lacy Marchesa — Williams left her job at Manhattan fashion PR firm KCD to take up styling full time and hit the ground running to style Watts for multiple premieres and awards shows for The Impossible.

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER TOP LOOK

Watts tells THR it's the pale Marchesa gown she wore to the SAG Awards, but Williams adores the long-sleeved, open-back Bordeaux gown by Zac Posen from this year’s Golden Globes that earned the actress many rave reviews. “Naomi told me never to put anything red on a rack of options for red carpet, but I’ve put her in every shade close to red possible,” says Williams. “I’ll say it’s coral or deep wine or cinnamon — I’ve even Googled synonyms for ‘red.’ ”

GETTING OSCAR GLAM

Nominee Watts wowed in custom-sculpted gunmetal sequin Armani Prive. “It’s the grand finale. You need to have fun, and you definitely need a dress with the ‘wow’ factor,” says Williams, who also dressed Mortimer in Zac Posen deep-blue satin with architectural shoulders for the Vanity Fair party.

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Ryan Hastings

WHY HE MATTERS

The New York-based Hastings has a look that’s all his own — goth yet glamorous — and never shies from putting clients in cutting-edge fashions that feel like a breath of fresh air instead of yet another seen-it-before strapless gown.

CLIENTS

Rooney Mara, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HIS NEW GET

Much like his notoriously shy clients, Hastings avoids the limelight (he declined comment for this feature), and maybe that’s why his cool factor is through the roof. But we hear that he just landed Hollywood’s most celebrated gamine actress, Carey Mulligan, who’s gearing up to tour for The Great Gatsby.

HIS TOP LOOK

Side Effects actress Mara, who sticks with a mostly black-and-white palette, had a real "wow" moment at the film’s New York premiere, where she donned an ivory Alexander McQueen cape dress with elaborate velvet detailing.

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

Hastings recently signed on as a contributing stylist at Vanity Fair.
Samantha McMillen

WHY SHE MATTERS

McMillen balances an impressive roster of young talent (Elle and Dakota Fanning) with Hollywood royalty (Jodie Foster, Johnny Depp).

CLIENTS

The Fannings, Foster, Depp, Evan Rachel Wood, Dianna Agron, Diane Lane, Mark Wahlberg, Ryan Reynolds, Ashton Kutcher, Colin Firth

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER TOP LOOK

Elle Fanning in the finale gown from Chanel’s spring/summer 2012 runway at the Critics’ Choice Movie Awards. “It was literally a breath of fresh air with beautiful beaded blossoms and leaves on it,” says McMillen of the high-fashion floral applique dress, which also was perfectly age-appropriate for the 14-year-old actress.

COUTURE CHALLENGES

“There are only so many great dresses per season and endless amounts of awards shows,” says McMillen, a California native who handled VIP relations for Giorgio Armani before becoming a stylist. “The gowns are coming from all over the world, and organizing them to all come by your fitting date is a bit like air traffic control!”
Joseph Cassell

Image Credit: Rainer Hosch

WHY HE MATTERS

Cassell styles music’s most visible crossover phenomenon, Taylor Swift, for the red carpet, concert tours, album covers and advertising campaigns. He and Swift have moved into sophisticated territory for the 23-year-old star with daring looks like her custom wine-colored Donna Karan gown with sheer side panels for the Golden Globes.

FASHION BIO

In 2008, the former A&R director — who worked for several labels but left the music business to start an imaging and wardrobe services company — was asked to do a basic “steam and press” job for a young, rising country singer. The job wouldn’t pay much, his agent told him, but it might be good experience.

“Joseph arrived with a full wardrobe of options and shoes, which was a good thing because the stylist at the shoot had dropped the ball,” says Swift, who immediately hit it off with the unassuming overachiever. Cassell has been dressing her exclusively ever since.

“He’s always two steps ahead of me with whatever I need, whether it’s a lint roller, sunglasses, shoes," the singer says. "And he has a backup option and extra panels of material just to be safe!”

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HIS TOP LOOK

Swift in a sleek black Elie Saab gown with sheer panels at the 2013 Brit Awards.

“She rarely wears black for the red carpet, but this one dress popped out to me because it was sophisticated and a really good balance of covered-up but sexy,” says Cassell. “I also loved the gold belt because it showed off her teeny tiny waist.”

“OMG” MOMENT

The strap on Swift’s silk chiffon J. Mendel gown broke en route to the Grammys. “I had to sew it back on in the car,” says Cassell, who also uses every trick in the book to keep gowns from getting wrinkled. Says Swift, “There are times that he will have just steamed a dress and put me in it, and he’ll crank the seat all the way back in the car and make me lie down all the way to the event so it doesn’t wrinkle before I get to the red carpet.”

THEY WILL NEVER EVER, EVER

The triple-platinum singer, whose Red tour kicks off March 13, isn’t a fan of denim jackets, wedge shoes, jumpsuits or anything with spikes or studs. Says Swift, “I don’t want people to ever mistake my shoes for weapons.”
Jen Rade

WHY SHE MATTERS

Angelina Jolie’s right leg has been on hiatus, but anytime Rade’s longtime client steps out on the red carpet, it’s a moment.

CLIENTS

Jolie, Jenna Fischer, Jennifer Morrison, Maya Rudolph

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER TOP LOOK

Fischer in glittering black-and-gold Jenny Packham at the SAG Awards. “She looked so happy on the red carpet! Her smile was everything I want as a stylist,” says Rade. “And she made some best-dressed lists.” Less formal, but ladylike chic to the max, was Jolie’s charcoal Atelier Versace at the American Society of Cinematographers Awards.

HER SECRET WEAPON

BlingGuard BlingWraps. The transparent tape comes in handy when megawatt cocktail rings need to be resized instantly.

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

The Philadelphia native, who started off directing music videos and TV commercials, has her own line with QVC, Edge by Jen Rade. Her chiffon maxi dresses sold out in two minutes. She’s also a spokesperson for T.J.Maxx and Marshalls.
Jessica Paster

WHY SHE MATTERS

California girl Paster is one of the originals; she helped invent styling as a career. And she’s turned cool Brit Emily Blunt from T-shirt girl to certified fashionista.

CLIENTS

Blunt, Miranda Kerr, Abbie Cornish, Jordana Brewster, Felicity Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Andrea Riseborough

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER TOP LOOK

Paster adored Riseborough’s canary-yellow Vivienne Westwood Couture, paired with a black clutch and matching black-lacquer nail polish, at the BAFTAs: “Some people wanted to say, ‘Oh my God, she looks like a bumblebee,’ but you know what? She looked like a chic bumblebee.” Salmon Fishing in the Yemen nominee Blunt also stood out in an embroidered gold Michael Kors gown with cutout sides at the Golden Globes.

GETTING OSCAR GLAM

Some stylists feel intense pressure before the Oscars, but not this red-carpet veteran, who has been styling for 17 years. “There are about 20 events leading up to the Academy Awards, so you pretty much have it down by then,” says Paster, who dressed Kerr in a smoky gray plunging Valentino for the Vanity Fair party.

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

Paster is chief stylist for the members-only online shoe boutique JustFab.com and also works with TheOutnet.com (the designer discount spinoff of Net- a-Porter.com), offering shoppers insider tips on topics such as the top five things to toss in your evening clutch.
L'Wren Scott

Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images

WHY SHE MATTERS

Mick Jagger’s Utah-born significant other has styled leading ladies from the late Elizabeth Taylor to Julianne Moore to Sarah Jessica Parker during her two-decade-plus career. And despite transitioning to full-time fashion design, she maintains one A-list client — hey, if you’ve got Nicole Kidman, who else do you need?

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER TOP LOOK

Scott put the Paperboy nominee in midnight-blue Vivienne Westwood Couture with bright green Fred Leighton drop earrings for the SAG Awards. She dressed Kidman in one of her own designs, a slinky black-and-gold sequin gown, for Oscar night.

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

Scott coordinated Jagger’s wardrobe for The Rolling Stones’ 50 and Counting tour. Her ultra-feminine clothing line, a favorite of Michelle Obama and SJP, continues to expand with eyewear, handbags and a limited-edition fragrance, L’Wren Scott, which is exclusive to Barneys New York.
Penny Lovell

WHY SHE MATTERS

Lovell has a killer eye for breakout talent — in clients and designers — and a knack for smart risks (think Rose Byrne’s white Elie Saab Couture jumpsuit at the 2012 SAG Awards).

CLIENTS

Byrne, Bella Heathcote, Mary Elizabeth Winstead

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER NEW GET

Heathcote, the Aussie actress who appeared alongside Johnny Depp in Dark Shadows, is a rising fashion star. She teamed up with Lovell less than a year ago and has since worn vintage-inspired Chanel Couture to the Vanity Fair Oscar party, a standout graphic Mary Katrantzou print and an elaborate floral and paillette-embroidered Gucci dress that cemented her as a red-carpet darling.

LABELS SHE LOVES

“I love all of Chanel,” says Lovell. "Even the pieces that aren’t wearable on a red carpet are an inspiration." She’s also a fan of Roksanda Ilincic, 2012’s Red Carpet Award winner at the British Fashion Awards. “Roksanda makes women look so effortless and cool yet sexy, which isn’t easy, but she nails it.”

“OMG” MOMENT

Lovell’s longtime client Byrne had a gown fitting, selected a winner and had it tailored in her hotel room — while she was in hair and makeup — less than three hours before she stepped onto the red carpet at this year’s SAG Awards. “Rose flew in the morning of the show, right off of a three-week press tour,” says Lovell, who dressed the I Give It a Year actress in a ruffled floral Valentino gown with Van Cleef & Arpels diamonds and a satin Jimmy Choo clutch. “We had jewelry, shoes and clutch options for three different dresses.”
Camilla Pole

WHY SHE MATTERS

Pole puts Keira Knightley in truly high-fashion looks that are hard to pull off yet, in the stylist’s able hands, look effortless. She has the vision and the clout to put new and unknown designers on the map.

HER TOP LOOK

Pretty much every outfit from the couture-packed Anna Karenina worldwide premieres and press tour, including Chanel, Valentino and Elie Saab. Pole does have special affection for the mint-green embroidered dress (with pockets) that Erdem custom-designed for Knightley to wear to the film’s Los Angeles opening. “Keira looked beautiful and felt comfortable wearing it — the ultimate feat,” says Pole.

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

LABELS SHE LOVES

Pole tends to favor new talent; her current obsession is London-based Simone Rocha. She’s also a fan of designers that perfectly balance “modernity and femininity,” such as Christopher Kane and Balenciaga, but declares that Celine is her “ultimate addiction.”

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

The Brit, who studied at Central Saint Martins and worked at magazines before becoming a stylist, continues to collaborate with British Harper’s Bazaar and a few international editions of Vogue.
Jeanne Yang

WHY SHE MATTERS

She built her fashion CV into a brand partnership with client Katie Holmes and is the style mind behind many of Hollywood’s best-dressed men.

CLIENTS

Holmes, Milla Jovovich, Andrew Garfield, Bryan Cranston, Christian Bale, Robert Downey Jr., Tobey Maguire

HER TOP LOOK

A newly single Holmes looking sexy in a violet crushed-velvet dress by Tom Ford with sheer illusion panels at a New York charity gala.

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

LABELS SHE LOVES

Yang favors the clean and classic design sensibilities of Cedric Charlier and Giulietta. “I like no-nonsense styles,” says the stylist, who also dresses female clients in her label, Holmes & Yang.

SECRET WEAPON

Herban Essentials peppermint wipes. “They’re a great pick-me-up for the client and myself after a long day of shooting,” says Yang.

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

Holmes and Yang came out strong with its first presentation for editors and buyers during New York Fashion Week in September, despite the actress’ roller-coaster year. “It was a thrilling experience,” says Yang. “[InStyle managing editor] Ariel Foxman tweeted about one look, ‘Don’t you want this dress in your wardrobe?’ ”
Ilaria Urbinati

WHY SHE MATTERS

Urbinati dressed 21 people during Oscar week, including Silver Linings Playbook nominee Bradley Cooper, Zero Dark Thirty’s Jason Clarke and The Vampire Diaries’ Nina Dobrev — phew!

CLIENTS

Cooper, Clarke, Dobrev, Armie Hammer, Krysten Ritter, Chris Evans, Ian Somerhalder, Joel Edgerton

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER FASHION BIO

Born in Rome and raised in Paris, Urbinati got her start in fashion at 18, working for her aunt, designer Laura Urbinati, as a buyer for her West Hollywood boutique. She co-owns L.A.’s hip men’s boutique Confederacy with Danny Masterson.

LABELS SHE LOVES

“I love the romantics like Elie Saab and Valentino and all-American classics like Donna Karan and Oscar de la Renta, but I also love an edgier look from Proenza Schouler, Carven or Jason Wu.”

HER TOP LOOKS

Dobrev in a hot-pink Elie Saab belted gown at the SAG Awards (“A little sporty but bright and youthful,” says Urbinati) and Cooper in a cool, modern midnight-blue Tom Ford tuxedo at the SAGs.
Johnny Wujek

WHY HE MATTERS

He’s the king of pop-rock couture.

CLIENTS

Katy Perry, Kate Mara, Amber Heard

FASHION BIO

You can trace the birth of Wujek’s styling career to a fateful meeting with Perry more than a decade ago at a party where the one-time model and future pop star would cement their envelope-pushing partnership. “I loved her look at the Grammys this year,” the Michigan native says of Perry’s cleavage-bearing mint-green Gucci gown. “It fit her perfectly in every way.”

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HIS DIVERSE ROSTER

Wujek revels in the dimensional canvas of his client list. “Katy is sexy glam with a splash of humor, Kate is classic-chic clean, and Amber is straight-up seductress,” he says.

LABELS HE LOVES

McQueen, Dolce, Givenchy, Giles and Chanel

GETTING OSCAR GLAM

Social media has added another layer of mania to styling Hollywood’s big night, says Wujek: “You wear a dress, it’s online instantly, and the world is commenting. But I love the challenge.”

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

He stars alongside Tyra Banks as a creative consultant for photo shoots on America’s Next Top Model, which returns this summer for its 20th cycle on The CW.
Brad Goreski

WHY HE MATTERS

The bow-tie-loving reality star just kicked off the second season of his Bravo show, It’s a Brad, Brad World and showed amazing range on the red carpet this season, from a statuesque Stacy Keibler to expectant mom Jenna Dewan-Tatum.

CLIENTS

Keibler, Dewan-Tatum, Jessica Alba, Demi Moore, Christina Ricci, Rashida Jones

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HIS TOP LOOK

It’s a tie between Alba in Oscar de la Renta’s coral mermaid-silhouette bombshell gown at the Golden Globes and Keibler in Naeem Khan’s deco-style beaded dress at the Oscars. “They’re both very glamorous but so different,” says Goreski.

GETTING OSCAR GLAM

Goreski, who also dressed Dewan-Tatum for Hollywood’s most fabulous night, admits that there’s a lot of pressure to find the right dress. “You want people to see your client in a fresh way," he says, "and you definitely want to top what you’ve previously done.”

POST-ZOE LIFE

The preppy yet flashy pro, who got his start working for Rachel Zoe, remains a brand stylist for Kate Spade and recently signed on as Old Navy’s style attendant, a role that will have him doling out fashion advice to the masses.
Cher Coulter

WHY SHE MATTERS

She styles some of the most ubiquitous fashion plates on the carpet, yet gives each a unique, distinct look.

CLIENTS

Kate Bosworth, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Nicole Richie, Sienna Miller, Orlando Bloom

FASHION BIO

The U.K. native got a very early start in the business — age 15, to be exact — as a booker for ID magazine and runway-show dresser for designers such as Hermes. She studied fashion design at St. Albans and Southend College in London, where Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen were among her fellow students.

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

LABELS SHE LOVES

“I love color and texture,” she says. “I’m a huge fan of Preen, Erdem, Christopher Kane and my perennial favorites, Givenchy and Proenza Schouler.”

HER TOP LOOK

Huntington-Whiteley’s leggy-glam Saint Laurent gown at the Golden Globes. “The black chiffon was such a fresh look for the carpet, and her hair and makeup were perfect,” says Coulter. “Young, clean but sophisticated.” Bosworth’s pale mint-and-pink Giambattista Valli minidress at the Vanity Fair party was a sexy hit.

BEYOND THE RED CARPET

She recently partnered with AG Jeans for their new Stylist Series. “I’m very proud of the pieces we created,” says Coulter, who also works with online curator/retailer JewelMint.

HER SECRET WEAPON

“My kit would not be complete without my hole-punch for adding extra notches to shoe straps and belts.”
Tara Swennen

WHY SHE MATTERS

In addition to keeping Twihards everywhere happy with Kristen Stewart’s edgy looks, Swennen dresses some of television’s top-rated ladies.

CLIENTS

Stewart, Julie Bowen, Connie Britton, Kaley Cuoco

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HER TOP LOOK

Modern Family’s Bowen in a highlighter-yellow Monique Lhuillier gown at the Emmys. “The neon color was so fun,” says Swennen. The Costume Designers Guild member, who assisted mega-stylists Andrea Lieberman and Rachel Zoe before going solo, also dressed Stewart in a series of cutting-edge styles for Twilight: Breaking Dawn — Part 2 worldwide press tour. The star’s racy-lacy looks by Zuhair Murad for the film’s Los Angeles and London premieres garnered a lot of attention.

“OMG” MOMENT

“My curveball this year was at the Oscars when I found out Kristen needed to use crutches!” says Swennen. “I spent the morning of the awards show searching for appropriate flats for her injured foot.” The solution: Bloch silver ballet flats.

HER SECRET WEAPON

Nippies Skin nipple covers. “I discovered these reusable adhesive pasties," she says. "They’re my new wardrobe-malfunction-proof trick for sheer clothing.”
Lee Harris

WHY HE MATTERS

With the fierce looks he creates for 67-year-old Helen Mirren, Harris proves there’s no age limit on sexy chic.

CLIENTS

Mirren, Lucy Liu, Jane Krakowski

PHOTOS: THR's 25 Most Powerful Stylists 2013: The Photographs

HIS NEW GET

Pre-Globes, Harris got the call to start working with Mirren, and he ended up dressing her for the Golden Globes, the Palm Springs International Film Festival and her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. “My goal was to steer her into strong colors and more modern designs,” says Harris, who put the star in an elegant yet edgy black-and-gold Badgley Mischka gown and a striking red Escada number. Mission accomplished.

HIS TOP LOOK

Liu in Atelier Versace at the Primetime Emmy Awards. “It’s the only time I’ve sent an actress out with needle-nose pliers and wire clippers in addition to Top Stick and safety pins in her emergency kit,” says Harris of the silver chain mail gown.

HIS SECRET WEAPON

Belts. “I probably have more than 200 belts that I’ve amassed over the years,” says Harris, who met longtime clients Liu and Krakowski when he worked as a wardrobe shopper for Ally McBeal. “Who doesn’t want a little nip at the waist?”