25. Stars and their Stylists

Dress sense is a funny thing.

I remember once thinking I looked banging in a red crepe de chine spaghetti strap Maxi which was paired with a matching red feather boa and crystal earrings. It was the 90's, and by all accounts received excellent commentary in-spite of the fact that at the last minute I decided to add a miniature diamante bindi to my forehead. Jeans to my highschool formal? I live to tell the tale.

Stars however, appreciating the fact that their appearance at the Oscars will be a representation of themselves on an international stage employ stylists, which regardless of their dress sense on day's off, is a way of telling the world they're the front-runners in fashion so well worth the dollars spent.

That said, employing someone to over-haul your style comes at a pretty penny. At around $5,000 - $10,000 per job, a celebrity stylists remuneration is enough to make any one of us want to quit our day jobs. I know for a fact one diva touring Australia this year has demanded a rate of $3000 per day for her stylist plus the cost of flights, hotels and clothes.

So who are these nameless faces? Often red carpet celebs will have on hand practically a roll-call of credits for their dress, shoes, bag and jewels, however it's almost a given that akin to some of the work we're seeing done on celebrity faces, admitting to having a stylist is as much of a fashion faux pax as admitting to a facelift.

Here at Daily Gloss we've listed 3 2012 Celebrity Oscar Stylists. Their clients, their history and how they came to be power brokers of style, controlling red-carpet fashion for A list clients. I for one will never have a stylist although in spite of all the seemingly ridiculous closet choices it doesn't stop me from vying to be one, and those inappropriate outfits still roll on and on.

Penny Lovell for Ginnifer Goodwin InStyle November 2010

1. Penny Lovell

Sporting similar brown bangs to her star client Rose Byrne, Penny worked as an assistant to the Fashion Director at Elle whilst freelancing for Conde Nast Traveller and Harvey Nicolls before a move to LA in 2003. In a recent interview with Madison the stylist is quoted as saying, 'For as long as I can remember, I've always been buying things from the Red Cross or Vinnie's. My mum used to think I was crazy and now I get to do it for real.

Clients include: Ginnifer Goodwin, Keira Knightley, Diane Kruger, Rose Byrne, Patrick Dempsey, Casey Affleck

2. Elizabeth Stewart

Based in LA and having worked in the style department of the NY times - for 10 years, as well as the Paris editor for W and WWD. Stewart, 47 seems as much of a risk taker with her clients couture as she is with her own dress. Styling her clients in Givenchy, Alexander McQueen and Chanel, the stylist achieves a notable balance between elegant and edge.

Clients include: Cate Blanchett, Freida Pinto, Amanda Seyfried, January Jones, Kristen Davis, Viola Davis, Michelle Williams

3. Kate Young

Beginning her career at Vogue as an assistant 'for a million years', stylist Kate Young's most recent accomplishment includes flying the flag in a position recently held by Anna Dello Russo as the editor-at-large for Macy's INC collection. Favouring Givenchy, Jason Wu, Erdem and Celine, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Kate sits at #2 of Hollywoods most powerful celebrity stylists.

Clients include: Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams, Rachel McAdams, Selma Blair, Alicia Keys, Rachel Weisz, Diane Kruger

Written by A L F I E A N D E L L E for Daily Gloss