MOST READ STYLE
This spring, Kate Young topped the list of Hollywood Reporter’s most influential stylists for the third year in a row. With clients like Dakota Johnson, Sienna Miller, Margot Robbie, Michelle Williams and Selena Gomez it’s no wonder. As of late, the former magazine editor is also collaborating with liqueur brand Maison St-Germain on a series of gorgeous installations involving hundreds of instagrammable elderflowers in New York City (June 21st) and L.A. (coming up on July 10th).
Inspired by the brand’s French 1920s heritage and surrealism, Young curated a captivating event including everything from light-up elderflowers to a whimsical gold bed used for photo ops. Up next? A beach party in L.A. at member's club Little Beach House Malibu with intuitive crystal readings and plenty of chic cocktails. En route to her next project, we talked to the superstylist about her nail color of choice, her favorite boutiques, the one thing she’d never wear, and more.
What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned about dressing people for real life versus dressing them for editorial photos?
One thing that I love for real life that I don’t think translates as well in photos is dresses with lace and nude chiffon underneath. It’s pretty and delicate in real life and in photos it often translates as thick and heavy. Some of the delicate details that make the most beautiful dresses you’ve ever seen in real life photograph as nothing. Those are always the dresses I tell people to wear to your friend’s wedding. But for a red carpet, it’s not good.
What is your favorite color combination in fashion?
I love red and pink together always, but I’m also super into yellow and brown.
What are your favorite shopping destinations?
I love The Line and The Row in L.A.
They’re both right across the street from each other, and both so chic. The Line is an immersive experience—everything is beautiful, and you kind of want to move in.
What’s your favorite trend at the moment?
I don’t think in terms of trends. When I worked in magazines, it was all about trends. Now, I have no idea. But I really like all the dresses [coming from couture houses] lately. There was a while where it wasn’t about "a good day dress," and I think it started with Harley Viera Newton's dresses—but now there’s Rouge and Realization Par, La Double J, Ganni. I feel like there’s a big movement towards pretty or cool dresses just for daywear.
What’s the one thing you’d never wear?
I don’t wear turquoise. It’s disgusting. I don’t have any logical reason for it; it’s just my pet peeve.
Heels or flats?
Both, I’m short so I don’t ever go out at night without heels, but I almost never wear heels during the day. I like to walk everywhere.
Favorite jeans?
I wear Khaite jeans—I love Re/Done too. I also have a personal love affair with Wrangler’s menswear cowboy fit jeans. They’re a high waisted flare, and they’re like $30.
Nail color of choice?
I wear one color always, called Brides to Be by Essie. It’s discontinued and I bought every bottle on the internet. When it’s gone, I don’t know what I’m going to do.
What’s the best piece of styling advice you have for everyday outfits?
I think the most important thing you can do that makes an immediate difference is to make sure your pant length and your shoes agree. I think people tend to split the difference between pants and you really shouldn’t. If you find a pair of trousers you love and you’re a person who wears both flats and heels, you should buy two pairs of pants and have one for heels and one for flats. The length of the trouser dictates whether or not it looks cool.
What’s your most memorable moment as a Hollywood stylist?
I did a line for Target eight years ago, and that was fun and amazing. We had a prom since it was all prom dresses and it was so fun.
