Image via Complex Original
Celebrities may seem like they have it all, but just like us, they can't do everything on their own. When it comes to getting dressed, going shopping, or trying out a new trend, we're doing it solo dolo. But with fame and fortune? You can have your very own stylist.
Stylists have it harder than you think. It's not just picking the best of everything and throwing it all together. It's about getting to know your client's taste, comfort level, and personality, then finding the right pieces to display those qualities (while making him looking pretty good, too).
Ever wonder who makes LeBron James look on-trend at post-game conferences? Curious to know why Drake wore Dada in a music video? We have the info on some of the most important image consultants in pop culture right now. Meet the Stylists Behind Your Favorite Celebrities.
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Rachel Johnson
Clients: LeBron James, Amar'e Stoudemire, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh
More and more basketball players are getting noticed for their personal style off the court and it's not a coincidence. Every time LeBron James, Amar'e Stoudemire, or Chris Paul's post-conference outfits are praised, you can bet it was their stylist Rachel Johnson behind the look. It takes major skill to work current trends and classic suits on guys over 6 feet (Amar'e and Chris Bosh are damn near 7'!), so we respect Johnson's work and welcome the stylish change in the NBA.
Jenny Ricker
Clients: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zac Efron
Hollywood is all about image making, so it's important for actors who want leading roles to have swagger and rock aspirational clothes at all times. That's exactly Jenny Ricker's expertise. She keeps Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zac Efron (among many others) wearing the sharpest outfits. There's a reason why those two are always on best-dressed lists and it's all thanks to Ricker's impeccable taste.
Jasmine Benjamin
Client: Miguel
It's all about collaboration for Jasmine Benjamin and Miguel. The R&B singer has a knack for style, reaching for pieces from Saint Laurent and Versace, so it doesn't take much convincing for Jasmine to hand him edgy and riskier pieces to try.
What makes her work even cooler is that she can really personalize a look from head-to-toe for Miguel because he already has such a strong sense of personal style. Some stylists have to dress their clients in varying looks until they find one that works, but Jasmine knows exactly what will take Miguel's rockabilly fashion to the next level.
Calyann Barnett
Client: Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, Josh Smith
Calyann Barnett has been styling Dwyane Wade for over five years and there's a reason why she still has the job. One of the main reasons why we're fans of Barnett is because there's a purpose, other than looking good, behind her styling work. She once told MTV Style, "I don't think that if you win or lose, it should change how you dress, and I honestly think that the better you dress that day, the more likely you are to win." We totally agree.
Haley Wollens
Client: Drake
Remember when Drake lit the interwebs on fire with his throwback Dada 'fit? Haley Wollens is the downtown It girl/creative style maven behind that look—wacky socks and all. She's in with all the cool fashion scenes you can think of; she's styled lookbooks for Opening Ceremony, made indie-hipster headlines for her work for Blood Orange's music video, and created looks for quintessential cool girl M.I.A. Wollens is also the reason why Drake is wearing Hood by Air. They seem to have a really good rapport (and a really good attitude about the public's reaction to "The Dada"), so we're really excited to see what they have cookin' up next.
Marcus Paul
Client: Pusha T
Simply put, Marcus Paul of The Sartorial Collective has a lot of swag. Styling the already fashion-savvy Pusha T means Paul can put the rapper onto things that other guys won't pick up as quick. Pusha rocking Ale et Ange's deadstock fabric snapbacks? You can thank Paul for that. Rappers wearing Balmain shirts and Balenciaga sneakers? We're confident that Marcus influenced that wave from the very start.
Khalilah Williams-Webb
Client: Carmelo Anthony
Khalilah Williams-Webb is the third athlete stylist on our list. What can we say, the NBA Finals has us focusing on basketball around the clock. Williams-Webb started working with Carmelo Anthony in 2008. Melo also cut off his braids that same year. Both were signs of the dude letting go of his baggy aesthetic and dressing like a gentleman.
Williams-Webb isn't just about dressing Melo, she's also looking at the big picture. Williams-Webb, with fellow sports stylist Calyann Barnett, started a new fashion agency that consults professional athletes. You thought the handful of starters and Clyde Frazier were the only NBA players standing out? We're about to see way more ballers in designer threads next season.
Ugo Mozie
Client: Chris Brown
Ugo Mozie knows a lot about luxe fabrics like fur, suede, and of course, leather. That's why you'll see Chris Brown mixing textures and fabrics within one outfit. Sure, Mozie dresses Breezy in Lanvin suits and has the singer trying out new trends like longer T-shirt silhouettes, but he knows his streetwear too. Mozie, with Karrueche Tran, designs The Kill and also consults CB's own streetwear brand, Mechanical Dummy's Black Pyramid.
Michael Fisher
Client: Jonah Hill
The This Is the End star is one of our favorite comedic actors. We hit theatres to watch all his films, but we never checked for his style. That is until Michael Fisher worked some magic for the actor's red carpet appearances. It's difficult to dress well after going through a major change, such as a growth spurt or significant weight loss, but Hill and Fisher made the transition look effortless. You can see how much Jonah enjoys dressing up, and every comedian needs all the confidence he can get. Kudos to Fisher.
Marisa Flores
Client: Lil Wayne
Marisa Flores has been styling the incomparable Lil Wayne for six years. What's even more impressive is that anything she makes for Weezy, she can make for his fans by designing pieces for Trukfit. We've all questioned his out-of-this-world fashion choices over the years, but what we respect about the rapper's style is that every wacky item he wears, from his infamous leopard print jeggings to his neon green space boots, is intentional. If being a stylist means making sure a client's true personality shines through, then Flores is killing it.