Awards season may be Hollywood’s most glamorous stretch of the year, but the real action isn’t happening on the red carpet — it’s happening long before it. In fittings, showroom pulls, and late-night group chats, stylists are quietly deciding what culture will obsess over next. While actors accept trophies, stylists shape the images that live forever.
Once considered background players, stylists are now among fashion’s most influential figures. A single awards-night look can reboot a career, elevate a designer, or subtly reset the aesthetic conversation. In an era where every appearance is instantly screenshotted and archived, stylists aren’t just dressing celebrities — they’re shaping fashion history in real time.
Maeve Reilly
Few understand that power better than Maeve Reilly, whose fingerprints are all over modern celebrity style. Best known for crafting Hailey Bieber’s sleek, body-con minimalist aesthetic, Reilly has helped define the current era of clean silhouettes and confident sex appeal.
Her work with Megan Fox — high-glam, unapologetically provocative — proves her range. Reilly knows when understatement sells and when spectacle lands harder, a balance that has made her one of the most influential stylists of the past decade.
Danielle Goldberg
If Reilly represents fashion’s cool-girl confidence, Danielle Goldberg is its quiet authority. Goldberg works closely with Laura Harrier, shaping a red-carpet identity rooted in polish, intelligence, and ease. Her client list also includes Greta Lee, Ayo Edebiri, and Kaia Gerber, all of whom consistently deliver looks that feel modern without chasing trends.
During awards season, Goldberg’s styling often cuts through the noise — proof that restraint, when done right, can be just as commanding as couture theatrics.
Law Roach
Then there’s Law Roach, the stylist who turned red-carpet dressing into storytelling. His work with Zendaya redefined what awards fashion could be: cinematic, referential, and culturally sharp. Each look felt intentional, almost narrative-driven, elevating fashion beyond decoration.
Though Roach briefly stepped back from full-time styling, his selective return only reinforced his influence. The industry still operates in his shadow — risk-taking, meaning, and drama now feel like the baseline.
Jason Bolden
On the menswear side, Jason Bolden has quietly reshaped expectations. Styling Michael B. Jordan, Cynthia Erivo, Yara Shahidi, and Vanessa Hudgens, Bolden brings sophistication without stiffness.
His looks expand the vocabulary of red-carpet dressing — especially for men — pushing beyond predictable tuxedos while remaining timeless rather than trendy.
Karla Welch
Adding a sharper, fashion-forward edge is Karla Welch, whose client list includes Tracee Ellis Ross, Sarah Paulson, Justin Bieber, and Olivia Wilde. Welch’s approach favors strong silhouettes, confident tailoring, and a sense of individuality that reads instantly modern.
She’s particularly adept at mixing high fashion with personal expression — whether that means bold color, unexpected proportion, or quietly subversive styling choices. In a sea of gowns and tuxedos, Welch’s work often feels the most intentional.
Kate Young
Rounding out this power circle is Kate Young, whose client list reads like an awards-season shortlist: Michelle Williams, Margot Robbie, Selena Gomez, and Dakota Johnson. Young’s power lies in precision.
She understands when fashion should enhance rather than dominate, a skill that made Margot Robbie’s Barbie press-tour wardrobe both nostalgic and wildly effective. Her work proves that the most impactful looks aren’t always the loudest — they’re the smartest.
What unites these stylists isn’t just access to celebrities or couture. It’s proximity to culture itself. They are translators between fashion houses and fame, turning runway ideas into moments that resonate far beyond the carpet. In a season defined by spectacle, they know exactly when to whisper — and when to make history.
The trophies go home with the stars. The cultural impact? That belongs to the stylists.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA USA.
READ MORE