Meet the Power Stylists Behind Hollywood’s Biggest Stars

In 2026, stylists are so much more than clothing consultants for red-carpet events. They’re orchestrating headline-grabbing street-style moments, planning for press tours that dominate the internet and stealthily shaping the cultural conversation.

We caught up with three of the hottest celebrity stylists around to discuss their ever-evolving roles.

The Household Name

Karla Welch

Karla Welch seeks out style everywhere she goes. “I can be just as inspired daydreaming on my couch as I am at a concert or the movies,” she says. The British Columbia-born stylist has become a leader in the world of celebrity dressing. Lorde, Matt Damon, Tessa Thompson, Justin and Hailey Bieber, even (reportedly) Kamala Harris... Welch has worked with them all. But to her, there is no aesthetic through line in this roster. “I think I’m known for really tapping into my clients’ individual styles,” she explains. “And for not being afraid to take risks.”

Her most memorable moments have been the times when she’s helped her clients mark a shift by preparing, sourcing and crafting an ensemble that sets them on a fresh career path. “It might not feel like anything besides a great, different look in the moment, but it can help define a new direction,” she says. Take Sarah Paulson, whom Welch has catapulted to always-best-dressed status, fashioning her in frothy statements with power-dressing codes peppered in. And Tracee Ellis Ross’s viral knack for maximalist colour-blocking? Welch is behind that, too.

Beyond red carpets, the L.A.-based stylist has her hand in commercial campaigns, working with labels like Loewe, Balenciaga and Calvin Klein to solidify a strong brand narrative. To her, collaborating with designers is the best part of the job. “I’m so grateful to be able to borrow their clothes and for the incredible community,” she reflects. As for her own signature look, Welch is often sporting a slicked-back French bob, minimal makeup and crisp menswear separates. It’s a polished, unfussy uniform—perfect for someone who answers when inspiration calls.

The Risk Taker

Danyul Brown

If anyone understands the appeal of the esoteric internet It girl, it’s stylist Danyul Brown. He’s the visionary behind Amelia Gray’s transformation from famous Hollywood daughter to street-style provocateur. With his help, the model has come to exemplify a certain subset of subversive glamour, stepping out in offbeat ensembles like dweeby Miu Miu sets and Gothic Balenciaga denim while courting controversy at the Met Gala in daring otherworldly designs. He’s also styled Gray’s camp-obsessed reality-royalty mom, Lisa Rinna, and Gen Z internet stars turned front-row figures like Emma Chamberlain and Alix Earle. Most recently, he put pop star Meghan Trainor in a beaded Loewe look for the cover of FASHION’s Winter 2026 issue.

For Brown, if an outfit sparks debate, all the better. “The people I work with love to push the boundaries and have fun with fashion, and I’m right there with them,” he says. After starting his career in London, Brown brought the British city’s experimental energy with him to Hollywood. “I like to work with talents who are ready for a reinvention, collaborating with them directly and helping them achieve goals they might not have thought were possible—like attending the Met Gala or being on the cover of a magazine.”

Today, Brown has a reputation for breaking convention. But it wasn’t until just a few months ago that he actually felt proud of himself. “I had a ‘come-to-Jesus moment’ recently,” he says, adding that he finally stepped back and took in his achievements. “We sometimes struggle to recognize our successes when we’re in the thick of it.” But this whirlwind pace is part of the job, and Brown still gets excited over each new project. “Every person has a different story to tell,” he reflects. “And I love finding a way to bring it to life.”

The Athlete Architect

Courtney Mays

It takes a special set of skills to turn a sports star into a fashion name of note. But that’s what stylist and menswear consultant Courtney Mays has built her career around. Working with A-list athletes like Olympic gold medallist Megan Rapinoe, NBA championship winner Kevin Love and basketball All-Star Chris Paul, Mays empowers her clients to push past their day-job uniforms. “I help athletes define their style so they can better reflect their identity off the court,” she explains.

Whether she’s outfitting Rapinoe in pleated Celine trousers or putting Paul in Louis Vuitton’s digital Damier motif, her resumé is a master class in convergence. “I sit at the intersection of fashion and sports: two industries that are just starting to learn how to work together,” she says. “Watching these spaces finally align and witnessing the greatness that happens there is always fun for me.” Plus, it turns athletes into certified celebrities, opening prestigious fashion doors.

For Mays, perhaps the most rewarding example of this impact was at the 2025 Met Gala, where she styled the attending members of the WNBA New York Liberty team. The dress code of sharp tailoring allowed Mays to lean into her penchant for classic menswear. “I love to reference styles from the past: suiting and accessories from the Harlem Renaissance, ’80s street style and Rat Pack tuxedos.” This sports-meets-luxury balance comes through in her own wardrobe. Rotating between blazers and hoodies, she often finishes her looks with an exaggerated top hat. As for her go-to style inspiration? “I feel creatively energized sitting with a glass of wine and watching people on the street,” she says. It figures: Both fashion and sports thrive off spectatorship.

This article first appeared in FASHION’s March 2026 issue. Read more stories from FASHION’s March 2026 issue here and subscribe to the print magazine here.