The Finishing Touch

A Lesson in Accessorizing with Stylist MICAELA ERLANGER

Stylist to the stars Micaela Erlanger knows that adding the right accessories is the key to creating a great look. In her first book, she takes the guesswork out of choosing what to pair with different items in your wardrobe by providing a simple formula to follow. She offers readers the same style advice that she gives to her clients, which includes a roster of accomplished actresses like Michelle Dockery and Lupita Nyong’o. We spoke with the stylist about how she started in the industry and the moment that changed everything.

Can you tell us about your beginnings in New York and Los Angeles?

I went to college at Parsons and each semester I interned. My focus was to receive a well-rounded education and to get as much experience in the field as possible. I thought I wanted to work at a magazine but when I graduated, all of the publications were firing and no one was hiring—the economy had crashed, so I had to get creative. I ended up interning with Annabel Tollman, the late stylist, who became my mentor.

After my internship, I moved to Los Angeles for about a year, where I gave costume design a try. I bought a one-way ticket to California and had a whole coming of age experience there. I had to jump into the deep end—it was really sink or swim. I gave it my all and that same costume designer I assisted asked me to come back to New York to work on another project. During my time in LA, I had stayed in touch with Annabel—I missed the energy of Manhattan, the fashion and celebrity styling. I moved back and the timing was right; Annabel ended up hiring me and I worked with her for more than five years, until I landed my first client, Michelle Dockery.

Being a stylist is hard work and the fashion world can be challenging, plus you took a huge leap in starting your own business with only one client. How did you do it?

I went through a very difficult time when Annabel passed away very unexpectedly. I had one client to my name but I had a lot of really great relationships that I had established over the years, in addition to having a great support system. Michelle ended up introducing me to Lupita [Nyong'o]—I had no idea that things were going to turn out the way they did.

TIBI SKIRT AND TOP, available at tibi.com; ZOJA EARRINGS, available at zojastudio.com; LIZZIE FORTUNATO NECKLACE, available at lizziefortunato.com; HUGO MATHA BAG, available at garmentory.com

CIENNE JACKET AND SKIRT, available at ciennenewyork.com; TIBI BOOTS, available at tibi.com; LIZZIE FORTUNATO EARRINGS, available at lizziefortunato.com; SASKIA DIEZ HAIR TIE, available at saskia-diez.com; TRADEMARK BAG, available at trade-mark.com

ELEANOR BALFOUR SUIT, available at eleanorbalfour.com; MNZ BELT, available at mnzstore.com; PICHULIK EARRINGS, available at int.pichulik.com; LIZZIE FORTUNATO BRACELET, available at lizziefortunato.com; SARAH'S BAG BY SARAH BEYDOUN BAG, available at shop.sarahsbag.com

When it came to starting my business, I decided that I had to go for it and any opportunity that presented itself to me, I was going to do my very best—I did everything from being a messenger to styling clients. Little did I know that I was going to be working with such extraordinary women. Over the years, I have built my business on my reputation and the work I produced, but it was not easy—there were many ups and downs and a tremendous amount of sadness and grief that I experienced around that same time. There was a great deal of risk but an incredible amount of reward that I never could have predicted. I think that sometimes you have to believe in yourself and no matter how scary it might feel, taking that leap is all that matters. You just don't know what is on the other side unless you go for it. There were many sleepless nights but it was worth it in the end.

Walk us through a typical day as a stylist.

Every day is unpredictable! Most days start really early for me, typically around 6 a.m. because I’m working across all time zones. I’ll either have calls or emails from Europe to start and I usually end work around 9 p.m. because of my clients in LA. My days involve a lot of creativity, including brainstorming, making Pinterest boards and combing through Vogue Runway and the recent collections. I have calls with designers and publicists and I’m also talking with my clients about their upcoming schedules and what I envision them wearing. There are many emails that flood my inbox and the work that goes into getting the clothes is a feat unto itself. I am lucky to have an extraordinary team to be able to help alleviate that, but it's a lot of negotiating for the perfect dress. There are of course some dull tasks like expense reports or calling messengers, but for the most part, every day holds something new and fun. I love what I do.

You dressed Lupita Nyong’o in Prada when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Did you have any indication that moment was going to be so impactful?

No, there was no predicting any of it, I was just focused on getting the best dress for my client and creating something that we were all excited about. You can’t plan these moments and say that you are going to create an iconic moment and then poof, it happens. There are so many variables and factors. We were so collaborative across her entire press tour, from hair and makeup to her dress and jewelry. There were all of the right ingredients.

What was your reaction to her win?

I was elated, I remember crying and jumping up and down. I was so proud of my friend and what she had accomplished and what we had all been working towards together. Shortly thereafter, I was featured on the cover of the Hollywood Reporter as the third most powerful stylist in Hollywood. I was only 28 years old. It was a special moment in my life that I will cherish forever.

In your book, you provide an easy guide to looking your best by choosing the right accessories. What are some key takeaways that readers can benefit from?

I think the biggest is that fashion should be empowering and if you look good, you will feel good because that radiates. Confidence that comes from within can start as simply as putting on some accessories. It doesn’t have to be daunting or overly complicated. I realized that after styling for many years, oftentimes my clients would ask, 'How did you think to put that together?' or 'Why did you put that shoe with that bag?' —it dawned on me that this might be an area people really struggle with when getting dressed. I wanted to dial it down into basic formulas with pretty illustrations and give people tips on how to get dressed from head to toe. I also wanted to answer questions that someone might want to ask but may be too embarrassed to ask.

What are some new trends that have caught your eye?

I’m loving the PVC trend that we are seeing for fall; it’s a bit of a '90s throwback, whether it is incorporated into a shoe, belt or even handbag. I also love that big statement earrings are having a moment. You can just throw them on with a t-shirt and your look is instantly transformed.

Where do you look to get inspired?

I am inspired by life and my experiences, whether that be looking at street style, art, watching a film that evokes a certain feeling and even what my peers are doing. It all ties together because getting dressed is also about telling a story; it’s up to you to curate what that story looks like.

DONNA ZHONG BLAZER, available at donnazhong.com; RHIÉ SKIRT, available at rhiestudio.com; PICHULIK RING, available at int.pichulik.com; LIZZIE FORTUNATO NECKLACE, available at lizziefortunato.com; LIZZIE FORTUNATO EARRINGS, available at lizziefortunato.com

MNZ JACKET, available at mnzstore.com; MOUNSER EARRINGS, available at mounser.com

Interview by Alison Engstrom

Photographed by Polina Protodyakonov

Styled by Ana Tess

Portrait Courtesy of Micaela Erlanger

Model Annika Thorelli at SUPREME

Hair and Makeup by Daria Kruchinina

Assistant Nick Watson