While celebrities are often celebrated for their unique fashion sense, the truth is that their looks are meticulously crafted rather than spontaneously chosen.
Behind the scenes, celebrity stylists collaborate with top designers to piece together outfits that project a specific image. These stylists are pivotal in shaping public perceptions of their star clients.
Some stylists have achieved fame in their own right, such as Law Roach, recognized for his work with Zendaya and for his role as an ‘image architect’ for influential figures like Lauren Sanchez.
Many stylists, however, prefer to work discreetly, yet they are highly regarded for their ability to create flattering styles and set fashion trends rather than follow them.
Stylist Sarah shared a TikTok showing off celebrities ‘who switched stylists and got a rebrand’ and fans had much to say, with many coming after stylist-to-the-stars Kate Young.
Amid recent discussions, some have humorously suggested that renowned stylist Kate Young might need a stylist herself, while others have speculated that her styling choices have not evolved beyond the mid to late 2010s.
In this context, we explore some of the most unexpected and dramatic stylist changes in the celebrity world that have stirred both the fashion industry and fans, providing exclusive insights into these surprising transformations.
From the A-lister who allegedly had a massive falling out with the woman dressing her to a whole slew of celebs who started topping best dressed lists after the switch, these are the most surprising switch ups.
Margot Robbie: Kate Young to Andrew Mukamal
Margot Robbie’s styling switch took her from worst dressed lists to topping the best ones
Margot Robbie’s styling switch took her from worst dressed lists to topping the best ones. When Robbie, 35, started out in Hollywood, she was working with Kate Young, who fashion fans are quick to bash.
On a Reddit thread devoted to the trade, one person called Young’s looks for Robbie ‘criminal’ and said she ‘needs to be stopped.’
Online fashionistas questioned why the Aussie actress would be put in ensembles that look like sheets and curtains. One Reddit user proclaimed: ‘It takes real talent to make Margot Robbie look bad and Kate Young managed to do it for years.’
Robbie is now working with Andrew Mukamal, leading to the Barbie star becoming a constant best dressed list topper. Mukamal’s client list includes a who’s who of Hollywood’s it girls: Hailey Bieber, Mikey Madison, Zoe Kravitz, Billie Eilish and Lindsay Lohan.
Now, Robbie has branched out from exclusively wearing Chanel, which was a constant complaint when she was with Young. Recently, she has also worn Armani, edgy Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. Of course, she is still wearing plenty of Chanel but it is more popular than ever with Matthieu Blazy at the helm.
Mukamal, who was previously Kelly Cutrone’s assistant, and Robbie grew so close they even released the book Barbie: The World Tour together, which highlighted the work the duo did to recreate iconic looks from the doll.
Celebrity stylist Anna Lavo told the Daily Mail she believes this is the most impactful transformation, explaining that Mukamal’s ensembles during the Wuthering Heights press tour presented a ‘full shift’ and ‘everything just worked,’ as it did not feel ‘forced or overdone but still had a nostalgic reference.’
Selena Gomez: Kate Young to Erin Walsh
Fans rejoiced when Selena Gomez moved from Kate Young to Erin Walsh as the pop star immediately started wearing far more flattering ensembles
Selena Gomez had one of the most controversial stylist swaps as fans believe she massively upgraded her wardrobe following the monumental moment.
Gomez went from working with Young to Erin Walsh in the middle of 2023, who also styles Mindy Kaling, Alison Brie, Mariska Hargitay and Ariana DeBose.
Fans certainly took notice, with one praising: ‘I adore her style in recent years. She really suits the old-school Hollywood glam with modern twists.’ Another called the looks ‘beautiful and polished.’
‘Finally we can retire the sentiment that she’s allergic to slaying,’ a Reddit user quipped.
Not everyone despised Young’s looks. One commenter proclaimed that Young ‘dressed Selena in 2015 and 2016,’ which was ‘undoubtedly Selena’s best and most iconic fashion era.’
French fashion publicist Estelle Diafouka believes Gomez made the most necessary switch, telling the Daily Mail that she now looks like a ‘legitimate actress and producer’ instead of a former Disney star.
The fashion insider said the Only Murders in the Building actress appears ‘mature and chic’ while still looking her age.’
Diafouka felt Young’s looks were bland, adding that ‘the cuts were too straight and did not compliment her figure.
She believes celebrities stopped working with Young ‘out of fear of getting backlash,’ because clients were not getting positive feedback from fans and were ‘scared it would negatively impact their image.’
Jennifer Lawrence: Kate Young to Jamie Mizrahi
Jennifer Lawrence went from girl next door to glam thanks to switching from Kate Young for Jamie Mizrahi
Jennifer Lawrence went from girl next door to glam thanks to switching from Young for Jamie Mizrahi. Mizrali also styles Adele, Mia Goth, Riley Keough and Maya Hawke.
When Lawrence was working with Young, one fan described her as ‘disappointing at big events.’
CFDA designer Marcia Sherrill told the Daily Mail that Young is ‘not talented,’ adding that while ‘everyone in our industry has the odd catastrophic failure, but Young has a knack’ for it.
‘I wonder as a designer if the designers themselves haven’t cringed themselves when they saw their looks on the wrong stars,’ Sherrill, who is behind accessories brand Sherrill & Bros, divulged.
Since the swap, J-Law, 35, has become a fashion icon and red carpet darling.
Vogue insisted she ‘perfected everywoman style’ and The Cut penned a primer on how to get her ‘cool mom style.’
Her street style is praised by fans on Reddit, who describe her as ‘main character in a romantic comedy’ and not having a ‘single bad look.’
Kim Kardashian: Monica Rose to Danielle Levi
Kim Kardashian and her longtime stylist Monica Rose famously had a messy falling out but many fans liked Rose’s looks far more than Danielle Levi’s edgier ensembles
Kim Kardashian and her longtime stylist Monica Rose famously had a messy falling out but many fans liked Rose’s looks far more than Danielle Levi’s edgier ensembles.
Keeping Up With the Kardashians fans believe that 2014 was the Skims founder’s ‘peak fashion era,’ describing her style as ‘natural, effortless and real.’
Fans believe Rose, 47, styling Kardashian, 45, was ‘iconic,’ and are not fans of Danielle Levi, who appears to also be working with North West.
Many have taken to Reddit to slam Levi, accusing her of not having a ‘true creative vision.’
The Kardashians all worked with Rose and stopped working with her simultaneously after a decade together, with rumors that Khloe Kardashian had threatened a lawsuit.
The reality star claimed that she stopped working with Rose years ago and that her now ex-husband Kanye West was responsible for her style transformation.
Lindsay Lohan: Law Roach to Andrew Mukamal
Law Roach has been a massive hit with celebrities like Zendaya but his fashion prowess did not work for Lindsay Lohan
Law Roach has been a massive hit with celebrities but his fashion prowess did not work for Lindsay Lohan.
When Lohan stepped out in the multicolored Akris pantsuit pictured above in 2022, Law was so excited he wrote on Instagram: ‘In case you missed it I styled an icon.’
Before Lohan and Roach teamed up, they had a bit of a public tiff regarding Zendaya, Roach’s most famous client.
In 2019, Zendaya hit the Met Gala red carpet wearing a Tommy Hilfiger light-up Cinderella gown with Roach by her side.
LiLo took to social media to slam the look and compare the Euphoria actress to Claire Danes, who opted for a similar style in 2016, tweeting, ‘@Clairedanes you wore this dress so beautifully, I don’t know why someone thinks that they can be more chic. Ever,’ and ‘Claire Danes did that with @zacposen already.’
Despite the quarrel, they worked together and many fashionistas adored their looks, although some found them to be unflattering.
Diafouka explained that Roach has been ‘accused of only being able to dress size 00 women and slender body types,’ which has led to ‘backlash on social media.’
Mukamal, however, is acing her glow up and the Mean Girls star often opts for method dressing that references her films and chooses flattering gowns over bold suiting.
Anne Hathaway: Law Roach to Erin Walsh
Anne Hathaway is another Law Roach defector who has had a glow up since they parted ways
Anne Hathaway is another Roach defector who has had a glow up since they parted ways.
Sherrill called Roach ‘the consummate stylist,’ but said he is ‘blinded sometimes by the gaspingly beautiful clothes and then tries to marry them to the wrong star.’
Designers are not ‘allowed to say no to the stylists as they wield all the power,’ Sherrill explained, describing them as ‘all-powerful but certainly not all-knowing.’
Lavo, who works with celebrities like Joey Essex, Meredith Marks and Haley Baylee, said when Hathaway worked with Roach her style did not feel ‘fully her’ and it was hard to see ‘the connection between the styling and who she is.’
Roach is described as helping Hathaway’s much lauded fashion evolution, but Erin Walsh is credited with her bombshell rebrand starting in 2022.
Walsh is behind the Devil Wears Prada 2 ensembles and has been called ‘the vision behind Hollywood’s best looks.’
Walsh has come out on top as Hollywood’s best stylist according to fans, who praise her ability to give stars a ‘fashion renaissance.’
