Celebrity Stylist Micaela On Career And Style

by Heather Chadwell-Aminzadeh / Oct 10, 2024

Micaela’s work has been seen on the biggest red carpets around the globe and in the pages of top fashion publications worldwide. As one of the most sought-after Celebrity Stylists in the industry, Micaela’s unprecedented ascent to power stylist has been profiled by Vogue, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar and numerous other publications.

Below, she shares SENREVE styling tips, her most memorable red carpet moments, and career advice for anyone wanting to enter the fashion world. Prepare to be inspired.


On Her Career: 


What inspired you to pursue styling as a career?
I always knew that I wanted to work in fashion, but it wasn't until I was in college and I was interning for the magazines that I discovered what the role of a stylist was. And once I had been introduced to this world, it was very clear that it was going to be my path and what I was going to pursue. It was like I had found my calling.


Why did you decide to go back to school and pursue an MBA at Harvard Business School? 
I just completed my executive MBA at Harvard, which is something I'm very proud of. I decided to do this back in the pandemic. I've worked for myself for over 17 years & I have figured out how to run a small business, honestly, through trial and error. I really wanted to sort of underscore and formalize my skills, but furthermore, I saw an opportunity to do what I do as a stylist, which is the strategic brand positioning of talent and people. And I wanted to think about how I could apply that to the strategic brand positioning of products, things, services, etc. as I look to expand my career horizons. 


What was your “aha” moment in this industry, a moment when you felt like you were reaching your goals?
I've had a number of those “aha” moments. My earliest recollection would have been landing my first job with my mentor, Annabelle Tolman and years later, landing my first celebrity client with Michelle Dockery. To then landing the cover of the Hollywood Reporter as the most powerful stylist in Hollywood back in 2014. And since then, there have been other pivotal moments that I'm very proud of. Working with icons and the clients that I have, you know, still feels like pinch me moments. Working with these world famous photographers and styling global ad campaigns continues to inspire me. I have these “pinch me” moments all the time and I continue to feel that way, the work is very rewarding.


If you could give advice to someone who wants to be a stylist, what advice would you give?
Interning is the most valuable experience you can give yourself. It's how I got started. It's the easiest way to get your foot in your door and expose yourself and learn. I treated every opportunity like a job when I was an intern and really invested that time in myself and in my career. And so should you have the opportunity that affords you to in turn, do that and find yourself a mentor. Mentorship is so valuable and I speak from firsthand experience. I'm so grateful that I had a wonderful mentor that, you know, really guided me in my career path.

 


On Celebrity Styling: 


What has been one of your favorite all time looks that you’ve put together?
My proudest moment is Lupita Nyong’o in the Powder Blue Oscars dress that I co-designed with Prada. She won the Academy Award in that dress and it has gone down in history as one of the best dresses of all time, so I'm extraordinarily proud to have helped design that. And the moment just around her winning and wearing that was so special, it was much more than just the dress of course. Other highlights include the honor of working and styling Meryl Streep & Jared Leto, alongside many other incredible talents in the industry. 


What is your styling process like when you have clients with signature looks that are expected from them? How do you find inspiration when styling a client?
Styling a client is a very collaborative process. It's my job to elevate their image and some clients have a clearer, more refined eye naturally and some need a little bit more guidance. It's up to me as a stylist to interpret that and guide them to help cultivate it if there isn't a personal sense of style already. And if there is a sense of style, to help refine it and improve upon it so that we're really elevating their overall image. 


What are your thoughts on color analysis and do you like to use that as a jumping off point for styling clients?
To be honest, I've never done this, so I don't know how I feel about it. I love using color and I think that perhaps for me, it's innate as a stylist to know what colors work and don't work with clients, but I think it really is about sort of experimentation too. And seeing how you feel when you wear something.

 


On Fall Styling: 


How can people transition their wardrobe from one season to another without needing to buy an entire new wardrobe?
The easiest way to transition your wardrobe from one season to the next is with your accessories. I wrote a book on accessorizing called, How to Accessorize: The Perfect Finish to Every Outfit, so I am legitimately an accessories pro. I feel it is the easiest way to transform any outfit with minimal lift. So think of your bags and of course, SENREVE has amazing handbags to choose from. This really is my ethos, invest in your accessories. 


What trends have caught your eye during NYFW?
The trend I'm most excited about is this sort of Western trend. Ralph Lauren obviously does it very well and had a huge anniversary show this season. But, it's not just Ralph, we're seeing leathers and suede and fringe and turquoise and denim having a major place on the runways and I love it. It feels classic, and I'm all about classic timeless style. And so it's something that I'm certainly looking forward to embracing trend wise myself. 


How would you describe your personal style? 
I would say my personal style is classic, refined and a little bit playful.