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The Top 10 Fashion Stylist in the World

The Top Ten Fashion Stylists in the World

Table of Contents

Introduction

“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”

– Rachel Zoe

While the business of fashion is a complex one intself, the measure of success is when it makes a connection with the end user. It all rests on the factor of the final narrative that tells the story of the designs and fashion. How the design speaks to the end consumer. And in this context comes into play the role of the fashion stylist. The art of fashion styling is an integral component of the fashion industry, as it acts as a bridge between the designers’ creations and the public eye. It translates the story of the brand from the point of view of the wearer.

It is the seamless translation of storytelling which encompasses the art and science of creating visually appealing looks that reflect the wearer’s personality, the brand’s identity, and current fashion trends.Thus, the fashion stylist plays a pivotal role in shaping fashion narratives, influencing public perception, and setting trends. Their expertise is sought after in various domains, including editorial shoots, advertising campaigns, and the ever-glamorous red-carpet events.

This blog will introduce to you the Top Ten Fashion Stylist in the World, having a glance at the world they encompass. The influence these creative visionaries exert goes extends beyond the runway, impacting popular culture and everyday fashion choices.

The Role of Fashion Stylist

The Fashion stylist is responsible for selecting clothing and accessories to create cohesive and stylish looks for their clients. Their work involves a keen understanding of fashion trends, color theory, body types, and the ability to tell a story through clothing. A competitive Fashion Stylist collaborate closely with designers, photographers, makeup artists, and clients to curate outfits that not only enhance the wearer’s appearance but also convey a specific message or theme.

They are pivotal in editorial fashion, celebrity styling, personal shopping, and corporate branding, ensuring that every look aligns with the intended aesthetic and occasion. The best fashion stylist are those who are visionary artists with an acute sense of detail, creativity, and an innate ability to anticipate and set trends.

1. Kate Young

Date of Birth (Age): February 8, 1975 (49)

Country of Origin: American

Years in Industry: 25+ years

Breakthrough Moment: Becoming Anna Wintour’s assistant at Vogue.

Best Known For: Red carpet styling.

Famous Clients: Margot Robbie, Selena Gomez, Dakota Johnson.

Style of Work: Kate Young is a renowned celebrity stylist celebrated for her meticulous, narrative-driven approach to fashion. Her working style involves creating mood boards and storylines to craft cohesive, character-inspired looks that resonate with her clients’ personalities. Young’s success is attributed to her ability to blend classic elegance with modern sensibilities, making her one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stylists.

She has collaborated with top designers such as Dior, Prada, and Saint Laurent, and has styled high-profile clients including Dakota Johnson, Selena Gomez, and Margot Robbie. Her influence extends beyond styling, having been named “The Most Powerful Fashion Stylist” by The Hollywood Reporter three times and “Stylist of the Year” by InStyle.

Instagram Handle: @kateyoung

2. Law Roach

Date of Birth (Age): July 20, 1978 (45)

Country of Origin: American

Years in Industry: 15+ years

Breakthrough Moment: Styling Zendaya for major red carpet events.

Best Known For: Bold, fashion-forward looks and transformations.

Famous Clients: Zendaya, Celine Dion, Anya Taylor-Joy.

Style of Work: Law Roach, renowned as an “image architect,” has revolutionized celebrity styling through his narrative-driven approach, often referred to as “method dressing.” By integrating themes from his clients’ roles and personas, he crafts ensembles that tell a story, exemplified by Zendaya’s red carpet appearances that mirror her film characters . Roach’s collaborations span high-profile clients like Zendaya, Céline Dion, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Kerry Washington .

His success is marked by several industry firsts: he was the first major Black celebrity stylist to style both magazine covers and red-carpet events, and the first stylist to sit front row at fashion shows alongside celebrities . In 2022, he received the inaugural Fashion Stylist Award from the CFDA, recognizing his innovative contributions to fashion . Roach’s journey from Chicago’s South Side to the pinnacle of fashion underscores his resilience and transformative impact on the industry.

Instagram Handle: @luxurylaw

3. Elizabeth Stewart

Date of Birth (Age): December 18, 1972 (51)

Country of Origin: American

Years in Industry: 25+ years

Breakthrough Moment: Working with high-profile clients like Cate Blanchett.

Best Known For: Classic yet contemporary styling.

Famous Clients: Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock.

Style of Work: Elizabeth Stewart’s working style is defined by her meticulous planning, timeless aesthetic, and close collaborations with both clients and designers. Known for creating elegant and powerful red carpet looks, she frequently partners with top fashion houses like Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, and Prada.

Her styling process includes in-person fittings and a strong emphasis on tailoring and underpinnings to ensure perfection. Stewart’s ability to understand her clients’ personalities—such as Cate Blanchett and Julia Roberts—has led to countless memorable fashion moments. With over 900,000 Instagram followers, her influence extends beyond the red carpet, marking her as one of the most respected and followed fashion stylist in the industry.

Instagram Handle: @elizabethstewart1

4. Petra Flannery

Date of Birth (Age): December 30, 1972 (51)

Country of Origin: American

Years in Industry: 20+ years

Breakthrough Moment: Styling Emma Stone for award shows.

Best Known For: Polished, timeless red carpet looks.

Famous Clients: Emma Stone, Amy Adams, Reese Witherspoon.

Style of Work: Petra Flannery is renowned for her polished, sophisticated styling that blends timeless elegance with modern flair. Known for her meticulous attention to detail and collaborative approach, she has crafted iconic red carpet looks for celebrities like Emma Stone, Reese Witherspoon, Zoe Saldana, Amy Adams, Claire Danes, and Renée Zellweger.

Flannery often collaborates with top fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Givenchy, and Chanel, creating custom ensembles that reflect her clients’ personalities and the event’s context. Her success is marked by accolades like being named Stylist of the Year by InStyle and topping The Hollywood Reporter’s list of Most Powerful Fashion Stylist. With over 100,000 Instagram followers, her influence extends beyond the red carpet, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after stylists.

Instagram Handle: @petraflannery

5. Maeve Reilly

Date of Birth (Age): June 10, 1987 (37)

Country of Origin: American

Years in Industry: 10+ years

Breakthrough Moment: Styling Hailey Bieber and gaining attention for her street style looks.

Best Known For: Edgy, modern, and street style influence.

Famous Clients: Hailey Bieber, Megan Fox, Lori Harvey.

Style of Work: Maeve Reilly’s working style is characterized by her edgy, tomboy-meets-luxury aesthetic, blending streetwear with high fashion to create accessible yet aspirational looks. She has styled celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Megan Fox, and Ciara, often incorporating pieces from brands such as Bottega Veneta, Mugler, and Jacquemus. Reilly’s success stems from her ability to craft outfits that resonate with real-life wearability while maintaining a high-fashion edge.

Her influence is evident in the widespread emulation of her clients’ styles, particularly Hailey Bieber’s street style, which has become a blueprint for many. Beyond styling, Reilly launched The Local Love Club, an athleisure line promoting kindness and anti-bullying initiatives, reflecting her commitment to positive messaging in fashion. With a substantial following on social media, she continues to shape contemporary fashion narratives.

Instagram Handle: @stylememaeve

6. Karla Welch

Date of Birth (Age): January 15, 1973 (51)

Country of Origin: Canadian

Years in Industry: 20+ years

Breakthrough Moment: Styling Justin Bieber and Tracee Ellis Ross.

Best Known For: Innovative, inclusive, and boundary-pushing styles.

Famous Clients: Justin Bieber, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sarah Paulson.

Style of Work:Karla Welch is celebrated for her strategic, narrative-driven styling that blends minimalism with bold statements, empowering clients to express authenticity through fashion. Her diverse clientele includes Tracee Ellis Ross, Sarah Paulson, Olivia Wilde, and Justin Bieber, reflecting her versatility across genders and genres. Welch frequently collaborates with brands like Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Levi’s, and Apple, and has styled campaigns for Dior and L’Oréal.

Beyond styling, she co-founded the Wishi app to democratize personal styling and launched xKarla, a fashion brand known for collaborations with Hanes and Levi’s. In 2020, she co-founded The Period Company, offering sustainable period underwear. With over 485,000 Instagram followers, Welch’s influence extends beyond the red carpet, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s most powerful Fashion stylist.

Instagram Handle: @karlawelchstylist

7. Rebecca Corbin-Murray

Date of Birth (Age): November 4, 1982 (41)

Country of Origin: British

Years in Industry: 15+ years

Breakthrough Moment: Styling Emma Watson and Sophie Turner.

Best Known For: Versatile and chic styling.

Famous Clients: Florence Pugh, Lily James, Gemma Chan.

Style of Work: ChatGPT said:

Rebecca Corbin-Murray is a London and Los Angeles-based stylist renowned for her meticulous, narrative-driven approach to red carpet fashion. Known for her polished romantic aesthetic, she collaborates closely with clients like Lily James, Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, and Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, tailoring each look to reflect their unique personalities and the event’s context. Her styling process involves detailed planning, including mood boards, multiple fittings, and “standing practice” to ensure clients exude confidence on the red carpet .

Corbin-Murray frequently works with luxury brands such as Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Oscar de la Renta, and Ralph & Russo, creating memorable moments like Gemma Chan’s 2019 Oscars appearance in a fuchsia Valentino couture gown . Her success is marked by her ability to blend glamour with personal expression, making her one of the most sought-after fashion stylist in Hollywood.

Instagram Handle: @rebeccacorbinmurray

8. Erin Walsh

Date of Birth (Age): April 10, 1981 (43)

Country of Origin: American

Years in Industry: 15+ years

Breakthrough Moment: Styling Sarah Jessica Parker.

Best Known For: Feminine, romantic, and detail-oriented style.

Famous Clients: Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, Sarah Jessica Parker.

Style of Work: Erin Walsh is a Los Angeles-based celebrity stylist and creative director known for her transformative approach to fashion. Her client roster includes Anne Hathaway, Selena Gomez, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kerry Washington, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Walsh’s styling philosophy emphasizes authenticity and empowerment, aiming to help clients express their true selves through their wardrobe choices. She has worked on high-profile campaigns for brands such as Bulgari, Shiseido, Neiman Marcus, and Apple Music.

In addition to her styling work, Walsh co-founded SBJCT Journal, an activism-focused digital platform that features extraordinary individuals and the subjects that move them. Her influence in the fashion industry is further highlighted by her inclusion in The Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of “25 Most Powerful Fashion Stylist.”

Instagram Handle: @erinwalshnyc

9. Ilaria Urbinati

Date of Birth (Age): September 16, 1980 (43)

Country of Origin: Italian-American

Years in Industry: 15+ years

Breakthrough Moment: Styling Bradley Cooper for award shows.

Best Known For: Menswear expertise and stylish edge.

Famous Clients: Rami Malek, Bradley Cooper, Donald Glover.

Style of Work: Ilaria Urbinati is a leading celebrity stylist specializing in men’s fashion, known for her bold use of color, innovative combinations, and expert tailoring that highlight each client’s unique style. Based between Los Angeles and Brooklyn, she styles high-profile clients like Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Chris Evans, blending comfort with cutting-edge design.

Urbinati has also launched the “Strong Suit” collection with Nordstrom and co-founded the men’s lifestyle platform LeoEdit.com, reflecting her broader influence beyond styling. Her visionary approach and industry impact have earned her a spot on The Hollywood Reporter’s list of Most Powerful Fashion Stylist.

Instagram Handle: @ilariaurbinati

10. Chloe Hartstein

Date of Birth (Age): August 25, 1985 (38)

Country of Origin: American

Years in Industry: 10+ years

Breakthrough Moment: Styling Billie Eilish’s unique looks.

Best Known For: Avant-garde, unique, and standout ensembles.

Famous Clients: Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Anya Taylor-Joy.

Style of Work: Chloe Hartstein is a New York City–based fashion stylist and consultant, known for her editorial and red carpet work with A-list clients such as Adam Driver, Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Chris Rock, and Antoni Porowski. After beginning her career assisting stylist Samantha McMillen, Hartstein established herself independently, collaborating with renowned photographers like Tom Munro, Rankin, and Jake Chessum.

Her styling has been featured in major publications including Vogue, Interview Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar UK, The Guardian, and New York Magazine. Represented by The Wall Group, she continues to shape the fashion landscape with her distinctive approach to celebrity styling.

Instagram Handle: @chloehartstein

Conclusion

Fashion styling is more than just putting together outfits; it is an art form that combines creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of fashion. The best fashion stylist in the world, such as Kate Young, Law Roach, and Elizabeth Stewart, have made significant impacts through their visionary work and have become influential figures in the industry.

Their ability to create iconic looks that resonate with audiences globally underscores the importance of fashion stylists in shaping both individual and collective fashion identities. As fashion continues to evolve, these stylists remain at the forefront, guiding and inspiring the industry with their innovative and timeless styles. Do let us know which other fashion stylist you think should be included in this list and share with us your favourite fashion moment created by them.