TRENDS

WHOSE STYLE IS IT ANYWAY? Facing the focus of the flashbulbs, celebrities have turned to stylists for help with their image. They’ve found sometimes it’s best not to ‘just be yourself’.

WORDS: JO BATES

hen she sashays down the red carpet, It is generally acknowledged that stars are styled for red-carpet ’s carefully styled image events but what is increasingly diffi cult to know is whose everyday is head-to-toe perfection. Left to her look is real and whose is under the infl uence of a stylist. The power own devices, however, her self-made of fashion, combined with a clever stylist, has never been greater looks have about as much charisma as a for the career minded and image conscious in royalty, right down hospital gown. When the Hollywood star to the budding starlet. goes casual, she looks like she’s stuck in Take, for example, the Duchess of Cornwall. It will come as no Wthe ’80s, and not in a quirky, ironic kind of way. It’s amazing the surprise that Moss tops the list of Tatler’s best-dressed in the UK but difference a stylist makes. Take note . who would’ve thought the Duchess would share the same rarefi ed It’s all very easy to snipe from the sidelines, though. When you’re mantel? Camilla is proof that fashion can be used to alter and under the spotlight everyone is waiting for you to put a pointy enhance your image – dramatically! Once criticised for having the shod foot wrong, when, in fact, it should have been a round toe. “stylistic punch of a dilapidated Yorkshire pudding”, the Duchess I guess it ires us that with access to the very best of fashion, celebs of Cornwall is now considered a style queen, or “new royal fashion still get it wrong, while lesser mortals on much lesser budgets can icon”, says Tatler. Yes, the Duchess, who is said to know what she dress themselves and look like stars – all on their own. There are some women who can do We know stars are styled for red-carpet no wrong and Kate Moss tops the list. She appears effortlessly stylish, looks events, but it’s increasingly difficult to great in anything she puts together and is a harbinger of trends. We love know whose everyday look is real. her because she not only makes the rules but breaks them. In New York at the AngloMania Costume likes and what suits her (latterly, perhaps), is now up there with the Institute Gala – the fashion party to top all fashion parties – she was iconic Moss. More than likely, she has the London couture house in a Burberry tuxedo jacket, leather drainpipes and stilettos, Robinson Valentine to thank for her refi ned, contemporary look while starlets and superstars stepped out in fl oor-length frocks. that has spawned the phrase “Camilla chic”. Moss – who recently said she will start her own fashion label You can safely bet the Americans are more likely than the Brits – directs her own fashion show and can take all the credit. But she to accessorise with an entourage of image makers, which is why

may be one of a dying breed. there’ll be no blunders for the likes of PHOTOGRAPHY: SNAPPER.

50 WALKING THE TALK Stylist Rachel Zoe (left) has a huge infl uence on her clients, such as Lindsay Lohan (right), including what they wear and, it would appear, how much they weigh. TRENDS

Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan or Mischa Barton. They all share the described as luxe boho, as worn by “her girls”. Her talents may same stylist – LA-based Rachel Zoe. It’s a little bit spooky that, at have turned trends but she’s wise enough to recognise that it’s just a distance, it would be diffi cult to tell Zoe and Richie apart. They a passing phase: “At the moment, this whole situation is just a trend, are both assisted blondes, precariously thin with stick arms and my look is just a trend and all trends pass,” she says. appear bug-like in their oversized sunnies. Other big-name Hollywood stylists include Phillip Bloch – the Richie’s new look couldn’t be any more of a departure from fi rst bonafi de celebrity stylist who paved the way for others such her Simple Life days and fondness for crop tops and sweat pants. as Jessica Paster, whose address book reads like an Oscars’ roll Now she’s considered such a stylish celebrity that Jimmy Choo has call, including , Julia Roberts, , Naomi COPY CATS

ATTACK OF THE CLONES: Stylist Rachel Zoe’s clients are easy to spot with their distinctive ‘luxe boho’ look. From Nicole Richie (far left) to Mischa Barton and Lindsay Lohan, the stylist seems to have no qualms about dressing her clients in the same clothes.

snapped her for its latest ad campaign. From tracky dacks to Jimmy Watts, as well as Kate Hudson, Kate Bosworth and Gwen Stefani. Choo – it’s amazing what looking great can do for your career, L’Wren Scott, Mick Jagger’s statuesque ex-model girlfriend, especially when you’ve done little else to warrant the attention. styles Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow If you are a celebrity on the rise or one who wants to stay at and . If Zoe is boho luxe, Scott’s signature is elegant the top, fashion is your fi rmest friend, linked arm in arm with your sophisticate and she regularly adorns her clients in Chanel, Dior and stylist. These days, the photos we pore over in the weekly magazines are as much about what the stars The photos we pore over in the weekly are wearing as who they’re with and what they are up to. You’ll magazines are as much about what the recognise the look Zoe’s proteges tote – you know the one; casual stars are wearing as what they’re up to. chic and signature accessories such as an It bag carried in the crook of the arm, blow-fl y sunnies Galliano. She was appointed style designer for this year’s Oscars, and hot shoes. Zoe’s best work is perhaps with Lohan, or maybe which meant she was responsible for the overall look of the event. it’s because the starlet seems to have more charisma to carry it Stylists also collaborate with designers to create gowns for the red off. She looks less clone-like than the others – sartorial with some carpet – as did Zoe with Calvin Klein for the dress element of attitude. wore to the premiere of Pride and Prejudice; and L’Wren Scott with Despite her “girls” tending towards a homogenised look, Zoe Olivier Theyskens of Rochas for the black strapless number Sarah is probably the most in-demand and infl uential stylist on earth. Jessica Parker wore to the Golden Globes.

The ex-fashion magazine editor is responsible for creating a trend Thanks to stylists and the power of fashion, celebrities have SNAPPER. PHOTOGRAPHY: BIG,

52 never looked better or shot to fame faster. But, in those who haven’t objectivity: “Someone who has never met you can look at you seen the light and are persistent in their ill-conceived outfi ts, there is objectively. I’m very straight forward and to the point because still plenty of fodder for the weeklies. that’s why they’ve hired me,” she explains. Meanwhile, we can all quake in fear as Helena Bonham Carter With that in mind, Vink goes through every item in the client’s unleashes her creativity on her new “sexy clothing range” called wardrobe, has them try everything on and explains why it works or Pantaloonies. The fi rst collection, which is tipped for sale at why it doesn’t. What remains are three piles – one to keep, one to Harrods, is Bloomin’ Bloomers – a range of Victorian camisoles throw out and clothes to be altered. and bloomers. Help, someone call a stylist! “It’s quite tiring for the client,” explains Vink, “but they get their STYLE STARS

STYLISTS TO THE STARS: Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman and Gwyneth Paltrow are all styled by L’Wren Scott for their high-profi le events. Stars such as , Kate Bosworth and Hilary Swank strut their stuff on the red carpet after they’ve been polished by Jessica Paster.

elebrity is still a fairly new phenomenon in New wardrobe done from top to bottom. They are left with good pieces Zealand and there is no such thing as a Rachel Zoe that work and from there I can see all the holes in the wardrobe.” in our midst. There are personalities linked to labels Vink lists common mistakes, such as fear of the unknown and – Petra Bagust wears Workshop, Kelly Swanson- a tendency towards repeat purchases (she discovered 17 light pink Roe wears Sabine and Charlotte Dawson and Kate cardigans in one woman’s wardrobe), that keep clients in a rut. CHawkesby have been linked to Trelise Cooper – but our celebs “They go with what is safe, they are too scared to go into other remain relatively un-styled. However, that shouldn’t stop you from stores, or they are just not sure. I have a good overall view of what’s looking fantastic and having your own star shine a little brighter. happening in the industry so I can advise on what will work within Ingrid Vink is a personal stylist, a magazine stylist and presenter their budget. I’ll compile a shopping list and they can either go out of the makeover TV show 10 Years Younger. The gorgeous, well- on their own and fi nd those things or make a time with me and we dressed blonde reworks the wardrobes and looks of clients who can go shopping together.” range from those in their early 20s, through to high-fl ying corporates Vink works to her clients’ individual needs, which may see her and mums returning to the workforce. visiting a businesswoman every fortnight to prepare her next 14 days’ Vink says a good personal stylist will incorporate current fashion worth of outfi ts or cultivating her wardrobe for the boardroom. trends with an understanding of body types and how clothes can “It’s really important for women to dress for their body type,” affect proportion and balance. she says. “It doesn’t help busty women to wear light, bright tops, After a wardrobe makeover, she says the boost to a client’s for example. If they are in a boardroom with men they need every confi dence is nothing short of “amazing”. “You see them blossom, advantage they can get. If they are putting together a $16 million they love it and get so much from it. If they’ve had no idea, it can deal, a cheap polyester top doesn’t help. Being up to date makes you be almost life altering.” look more switched on.” The advantage of the type of service that Vink provides is Doubtless, many of Hollywood’s leading starlets would agree. ✤

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