Meet the Stylists
Doesn't Lisa Michelle Boyd look lovely in her Fendi? And Mary Alice Stephenson is a vision in that floor-length Vera Wang gown. So chic, so stylish...how come they make it look so easy? Answer: They're celebrity stylists. We challenged them to pull together dueling versions of three big spring trends: bold colors, florals, and metallics. The results: fun, fierce, and fabulous.
Mellow Yellow Goes Glam
Lisa Michelle Boyd outfits some of the most stunning women in Hollywood, including Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz, but for the first shot of the day, another powerhouse, Mary Alice Stephenson, gives Lisa Michelle a red carpet makeover. The stylist-turned-model loves this strapless Fendi pick for its '80s glamour. "It's like Dynasty done right." Cuff, Kara Ross. Shoes, Diego Dolcini.
The Metallic Woman
Now, makeup artist Nicole Bryl prepares Mary Alice to get into a gown Lisa Michelle picks out—a shimmering metallic Vera Wang.
The Trend: Bold Colors
"Women shouldn't be shy about wearing color—they'll stand out in a sea of navy and black," Lisa Michelle says. She eventually trades in the hat and lime green jacket on mother-of-two Wendy Duplessis for a yellow sequined cardigan, but all of these brights help Wendy fulfill her vow to break away from "mom" clothing clichés.
Let's Get Scissor Happy
Hairstylist George Oritz thinks bangs will liven up 26-year-old Christina Piechowski's look. She usually goes to the salon, just like the rest of us, but is a good sport and lets him snip away—right there at the shoot!
A Stylist's Job Is Never Done
On set, George continues to spray while Lisa Michelle fits Christina's dress. "Florals don't have to be bright or splashy," the stylist says. A shared color scheme is what makes these black-and-white prints work (the skirt has a bit of navy as well). Large, stylized blossoms in a dark palette turn out to be an apt choice for Christina, who routinely wears black.
Top, French Connection, $108. Skirt, Simply Vera Vera Wang, $58. Necklaces, Xunda. Cuff, Kara Ross. Belt, Chanel. Shoes, Marni.
The Man Behind the Camera
Not only do the stylists have the Hollywood touch. We landed Don Flood for this shoot. Don has photographed Beyoncé, Avril Lavigne, Alicia Keyes, Anne Hathaway and many more stars.
The Stylists' Jewels
Sometimes, there's no such thing as too many accessories. The necklace (bottom right) is Mary Alice's, which she chose to wear for the shoot. The remaining earrings and bracelets were on loan from jewelers all over the city and guarded by their very own security detail.
All Heels on Deck
Not all of these shoes are made for walking, but we can't help loving them. Ranging from $50 to more than $500, we know a great pair of heels may be all a woman needs to stay on trend without overhauling her entire wardrobe.
