Many of us have now seen the amazing “United Colors of Lupita” photograph of Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o’s recent red carpet choices.
Though it’s true that the stunning Nyong’o can pretty much pull off any colour, the breakout star admits that when it comes to fashion, she wasn’t always so red-carpet-ready.
‘Until all this, I hadn’t been a student of the fashion industry as a formal industry,’ Lupita told The Daily Beast. ‘I wasn’t the girl who bought the fashion magazines, I’d always just worn what appeals to me.’
The fashion world’s best, including designers such as Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, had solicited Nyong’o to wear their creations at the 86th Academy Awards, where the actress won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
But ultimately, Nyong’o stunned the world with an ethereal light blue custom Prada gown – a decision that probably was greatly influenced by the actress’ stylist Micaela Erlanger.
Meet Micaela Erlanger
“You can have anything you want in life, if you dress for it” – is Erlanger’s motto.
According to her website, Erlanger graduated from Parsons The New School for Design with her BA in Design and Management, but it was her six-year tenure as the Senior Stylist and Assistant to Annabel Tollman that she credits as the most significant training experience of her life and career.
The stylist is a self-proclaimed “vintage-a-holic, and glamour girl” Micaela’s clients include: Lupita Nyong’o, Michelle Dockery, Martha Plimpton and Winona Ryder.
So what makes Erlanger stand out in her super competitive industry?
‘My attention to detail, my ability to turn what for many is a dreaded task of getting dressed. I love taking away the anxiety and making it fun, not to mention, landing my clients on every best dressed list! It’s a combination of knowing how to be the problem solver and outfit maker,’ Erlanger told Parsons The New School for Design in a Q&A interview about the Power of Styling.
Styling Nyong’o for the 86th Academy Awards was actually the stylist’s first experience of Oscar dressing.
‘Sure, it’s set the bar really high and all eyes are on her, and as a result all eyes are on my work, but the success that we’ve had is because we’ve been trusting our gut and doing what we love … I’m so lucky that I have someone who I can dress who showcases wardrobe beautifully, but above and beyond, is a force to be reckoned with as an actress,’ Erlanger told People magazine.
Looks like the Nyong’o-Erlanger duo is shaping up to be fashion’s dream team!
PHOTO CREDITS: Facebook