Virtual awards shows are the new normal, but just because the events take place over a Zoom screen doesn’t mean celebrities (and the stylists behind them) are sacrificing traditional glamour. The Golden Globes, Emmys, and more are switching to digital-only formats as the COVID-19 pandemic continues (though select ceremonies, such as the Oscars, will go ahead with in-person events). And despite the lack of IRL red carpets, Hollywood stylists are still gearing up for a busy next few weeks, where they’ll be dressing their star clients for various digital cameos, and are thus faced with a unique challenge for the second year in a row—to bring glamour and fashion escapism to our lives strictly from the waist-up, or through a laptop screen.
This year, however, stylists feel more prepared and confident to do so. How do we know? Vogue called up some of Hollywood’s top dressers to discuss what they’ll be doing the same—and differently—this season.
It all starts with a Zoom fitting—which would have seemed a near-impossible feat circa 2019. Micaela Erlanger, who works with Lupita Nyong’o and Constance Wu, says, “Typically, we would be prepping months in advance, working with couture collections or with custom designs, and flying all over the world for fittings. This year, however, that is not the case.” If looks do need to be assessed on-site, however, Cristina Ehrlich, who dresses Rachel Brosnahan and Natasha Lyonne, says stylists will be ramping up safety protocols to do so. “Some stylists are going into little bubbles, getting tested, and only being around the person they’re working with, and going home,” she says. “Pandemic etiquette and safety are absolutely the top priority.”
Many say they’ve had to change their approach while pulling in looks for the virtual shows: It’s now less about head-to-toe dressing, more about what works visually from the waist-up. Wayman + Micah, the stylist duo who works with Tessa Thompson and Regina King, say they’ve learned what works well in a digital context, and plan to pull pieces accordingly. “We look for selects that will bring character to the digital frame,” says Micah McDonald. “We are definitely planning to explore new silhouettes and shapes.” Stars have begun nailing this approach to teleconference style; Hunter Schafer recently lit up a Zoom call in a shapely Yohji Yamamoto creation.