The morning after the Academy Awards marks the tip of the frenetic few months often called awards season. It’s no spa day for superstar stylists.
“I will be returning diamonds,” Shameelah Hicks, who attire Sinners star and greatest supporting actress nominee Wunmi Mosaku, tells Yahoo. “That is the very first thing I will do.”
Making certain a shopper’s purple carpet look is ideal from head to toe is important — and so is ensuring they’re having enjoyable in a high-fashion look, with no fake pas. However the “most disturbing factor,” palms down, is getting borrowed jewellery — typically price thousands and thousands — secured and returned correctly.
“As soon as every part is accounted for, I can lastly chill out,” she says.
Golden Globes, Actor Awards, BAFTAs, Critics Alternative Awards, nominee luncheons, picture ops and press days have been a blur. Now, the grand finale — the Oscars — arrives Sunday, with Conan O’Brien returning as host.
As you watch, bear in mind: Behind each dressed-to-the-nines star is a largely invisible staff ensuring every part is good. The purple carpet second lasts minutes, however preparation begins months earlier — and till stylists are not on the hook for one million {dollars}’ price of diamonds or a borrowed couture robe, the stress lingers.
“Anybody who says they don’t seem to be apprehensive … I do not know the way that is doable,” stylist Andrew Gelwicks tells Yahoo.
‘As soon as I see the picture … I can breathe’
Gelwicks has been styling Weapons actress and greatest supporting actress nominee Amy Madigan this season. She received on the Critics Alternative Awards and the Actor Awards.
“You set a lot vitality — mentally, bodily and emotionally — into each single look that you simply simply need it to go nicely,” he says. “You do not need a zipper to interrupt. There are such a lot of elements [at play].”
Neither Hicks nor Gelwicks usually walks the carpet with their purchasers. Celebrities typically prep in lodge rooms close to the venue, with glam groups arriving for hair and make-up. The costume or go well with, footwear and jewellery go on final.
“I finish on the lodge,” Gelwicks says. “As soon as they’re out the door and within the automobile, they’re on their very own. They’re with their publicists and staff.”
Mosaku’s stylist may exhale when she noticed this picture of the Sinners actress on the Golden Globes.
(Christopher Polk/2026GG by way of Getty Photographs)
Then comes the ready — refreshing Getty Photographs for pictures or protecting eyes glued on E!’s purple carpet protection.
“I am hoping that every part stays in place,” Hicks says. “It’s nerve-racking. However as soon as I see the picture, I am like, OK, I can breathe.”
Pregnant — however not the purpose
The stakes rise when an outfit carries additional narrative weight.
Mosaku successfully introduced her being pregnant in a sunny, form-fitting Matthew Reisman robe on the Globes.
“We have been like, ‘We won’t preserve concealing the being pregnant. When are we going to do that?’” Hicks says. “As a result of it was her choice, [she felt] that will be the right time. And yellow gave that golden glow.”
Since then, Mosaku has continued to glow in an array of seems whereas selecting up awards on the BAFTAs, NAACP Awards and the Actor Awards. However the being pregnant is just not the headline.
“The entire thing for us is just not solely to give attention to the bump,” Hicks says. “It is an addition. It’s vogue — and he or she occurs to be pregnant.”
Mosaku, on the BAFTA Movie Awards and the NAACP Awards, requested colourful robes that have been snug, and flats have been a should.
(Getty Photographs)
Practicality issues, too. Occasions can stretch six hours or extra.
“‘Coloration, consolation and sensible,’” have been Mosaku’s notes. “She’s like, ‘I do not wish to be in a costume I can not go pee in.’”
As Mosaku’s physique adjustments, so do the styling wants. Stretchy materials are a favourite, and flats are important.
“I obtained her into one heel this whole time,” Hicks says. “But it surely’s been a problem as a result of no one makes actually good flats. It’s been more durable to seek out flats than pregnancy-friendly [gowns].”
Tailor-made to her
Madigan’s type is distinct otherwise. She’s worn tailor-made fits virtually completely.
At the beginning of the season, she and Gelwicks determined to give attention to suiting and tailoring — bringing “one thing a bit bit totally different” to the carpet.
On the Globes, she wore Thom Browne. On the Critics Alternative, an embroidered all-denim look from Dior’s menswear assortment.
“Amy actually has her personal aesthetic,” he says. “I would like these items to really feel intrinsically and authentically her.”
Amy Madigan — on the Oscars nominee lunch, the Critics Alternative Awards and the Golden Globes — in fits her stylist helped her decide.
(Getty Photographs)
On Gelwicks’s dream shopper record is greatest supporting actress nominee Elle Fanning, in addition to previous winners and Hollywood icons Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett.
“I all the time gravitate towards individuals who have a powerful sense of self,” he says. “These are ladies with very totally different types who actually admire vogue and elegance, even when it’s not essentially crucial factor of their lives.”
With so many large names in a single room, standing out isn’t any small feat.
“It goes again to instincts,” he says. “You may by no means absolutely predict what is going on to hit. I all the time simply should belief my intestine.”
Gelwicks says he by no means places his shopper in something “I am not 100% assured” about — and principally ignores social media commentary.
“There are just a few folks I actually care about what they assume,” he says.
The smallest star makes a giant impression
One of many awards season’s most memorable moments got here from one of many smallest stars.
Duke McCloud, 6, who performs Sarah Snook’s son on All Her Fault, delighted on the Globes carpet in a powder blue go well with and brooch, flashing the 6-7 gesture (when that was nonetheless in) for photographers. He went viral for his type and allure.
Stylist Lisa Cameron centered on two priorities: confidence and luxury.
“There’s not a ton of youngsters’ clothes manufacturers which might be well-made that make fits particular to the Golden Globes,” she tells Yahoo.
Tailoring is all the time key — Cameron additionally attire Duke’s older brother, Sprint — however this go well with, from KJ Children Couture Corp., arrived because the “dream state of affairs”: No alterations wanted.
Duke McCloud is aware of learn how to decorate at 6. When the kid actor obtained to his becoming, he went on to the equipment desk and picked a pocket sq..
(Jason Armond by way of Getty Photographs)
On the becoming, McCloud went straight to the equipment, selecting his pocket sq.. Cameron had sourced a classic brooch, pairing it with wingtip footwear.
“Black is all the time the go-to for males, however we needed to maintain the go well with enjoyable with the colour — and the double-breasted reduce made it extra subtle,” she says. “We elevated it [with accessories] so it seemed styled — not like he simply went to the mall and acquired a go well with.”
Cameron was “overwhelmed” by the viral response, together with best-dressed mentions from Vogue and GQ alongside A-listers.
“It introduced pleasure to my coronary heart,” she says.
How did the go well with survive a full evening out?
“He was in a position to preserve the go well with, so I didn’t get it again,” Cameron says. “But it surely really seemed fairly good. They stayed the entire evening and even attended an afterparty for a bit.”
Stair checks and survival kits
At occasions just like the Oscars, “it is all about being nimble,” Gelwicks says.
“Something can go improper,” Hicks provides — double-sided tape failing, a sew coming free, unintended stains from lipstick.
Her emergency package features a needle and thread, Shout wipes and make-up remover. A tailor stays on standby.
The Globes had a dramatic staircase this 12 months, requiring further prep for attendees — like Minnie Driver, one other Gelwicks shopper.
“With Minnie, we undoubtedly did some stair checks,” Gelwicks says. “A carpet just like the Globes is intimidating sufficient — then you definitely add stairs and heels.”
That staircase had nothing on Minnie Driver. She had practiced for that second.
(Amy Sussman by way of Getty Photographs)
The morning after
Whereas the celebrities might sleep within the day after the Oscars, stylists don’t.
As Hicks famous together with her diamond worries, it’s one other busy day: There are returns, journey residence and different purchasers to decorate for covers, premieres and press excursions.
Plus social media calls for.
“Folks wish to see the ‘prepare with me,’” Hicks says. “They need a have a look at the diamonds up shut, all of it.”
It is all within the particulars. A closeup of Mosaku’s Messika diamonds on the Globes.
(WWD by way of Getty Photographs)
After months of personal stress, there’s a fleeting second of public payoff.
“The day after is form of like a candy second, since you really feel such as you’ve simply put one thing out into the world,” Gelwicks says. “And it’s enjoyable to recap with the purchasers.”
He provides, “However on the similar time, you need to carry on chugging alongside.”
