From award show red carpets to magazine covers, movies and tv; we all love to see our favorite celebrities decked out in the latest styles. But have you ever wondered how some celebrities always seem to get it right when it comes to their look? I’ll tell you the secret: stylists! Behind every amazing celebrity outfit there is a brilliantly creative stylist dreaming up some fantastical fashion moment (like what the personal stylists at Dia & Co do for our community). So in honor of Black History Month, we are listing five celebrity stylists we admire who are responsible for the amazing looks on some celebs we love.
1. June Ambrose
June Ambrose is a veteran in the celebrity styling game. She’s an award-winning creative director, stylist and costume designer. She has left an undeniable mark on fashion and set the groundwork for a lot of the trends that still exist today. Remember that iconic 1997 Missy Elliot The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) video? You know the one where she wore the shiny puffer trash bag that inspired countless shiny plus size puffers—that was all June. Her work in that video made a statement for fashion, hip-hop, and plus-size women around the world.
2. Shiona Turini
Costume designer, stylist and consultant Shiona Turini is responsible for the looks on one of our favorite plus-size characters—Kelli on Insecure. As a costume designer on the hit show Shiona used wardrobe as an artistic statement to illustrate the emotional development of the characters and their journeys. In an interview with Bazaar Magazine she mentioned that she wanted the main plus size character on the show, Kelli’s wardrobe to represent her “joyous, vibrant personality.” We love to see plus size characters allowed to show up as full humans in a way that doesn’t focus on their size. Thank you Shiona.
3. Kelly Augustine
Celebrity stylist, content creator, media personality and lifestyle expert Kelly Augustine is no stranger to plus size fashion—in fact, she’s a pioneer. Kelly’s work as a stylist has been featured in Vanity Fair, The New York Times, Forbes and Parents just to name a few. And she’s styled some of the most notable plus size celebrities from Danielle Brooks, best known for her role as “Tasty” on Orange Is The New Black to Gabourey Sidibe, best known for her role as “Becky” on Empire. In her most recent project, Kelly was a judge on Thick House, a plus-size modeling competition alongside America’s Next Top Model’s Tocarra Jones and stylist EJ King. Kelly continues to be a champion for diversity and equity in the fashion space.
4. Mecca James Williams
Mecca James Williams is a renaissance woman of creativity and style. She is a stylist, editor, creative director and self proclaimed “full-figured woman” whose work has been seen everywhere from the cover of Vogue to Solange’s 2019 “When I Get Home” film. She’s also styled politician Stacy Abrams for Bustle’s “Rule Breaker” edition. And if you are looking for aspirational style moments her IG meccajw is a hub of inspiration.
5. Wayman Bannerman + Micah Mcdonald
Since they broke on to the Hollywood style scene in 2016 when they styled Tessa Thompson, this dynamic duo is responsible for the show stopping looks of major celebrities like Regina King and Jennifer Hudson. According to The Hollywood Reporter they served the top look of the decade in Regina King’s 2019 Oscar De La Renta Oscar outfit (she won that night!). This team is diversifying the face of the industry’s top tastemakers.
Want to feel like a celebrity and have a personal stylist help you curate your look? Try our Dia & Co’s personal styling service today.
