The Oscars may look effortless, but behind the scenes, stylists are sweating over diamonds, tape, and stains, with their clients’ careers on the line.
The Oscars represent the pinnacle of awards season, a months-long marathon that this year saw Sinners smash records with 16 nominations, a detail confirmed by Yahoo. But for the stylists behind the red carpet looks, the night is a high-stakes ballet of borrowed jewels, last-minute fixes, and personal client needs.
The Diamond Dilemma
For Shameelah Hicks, stylist to Sinners star and best supporting actress nominee Wunmi Mosaku, the first task after the Oscars will be returning millions in borrowed diamonds. “I’ll be returning diamonds,” Hicks says. “That’s the first thing I’ll do.” Ensuring a client’s look is perfect and secure tops the list, but the jewelry remains the biggest stressor. “Once everything is accounted for, I can finally relax,” she adds.
The Agonizing Wait
The awards season grind—spanning Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Critics Choice, and more—leaves stylists exhausted before the Oscars even begin. Neither Hicks nor Andrew Gelwicks, who dresses best supporting actress nominee Amy Madigan, typically walks the carpet with their clients. Instead, they wait in hotel rooms or studios, then spend the night refreshing photo feeds for the first glimpse of their work. “I’m hoping that everything stays in place,” Hicks says. “It’s nerve-racking. But once I see the photo, I’m like, OK, I can breathe.”
Pregnancy as Fashion Statement
When Mosaku effectively announced her pregnancy in a sunny, form-fitting Matthew Reisman gown at the Golden Globes, it was a deliberate choice by Hicks. “We were like, ‘We can’t keep concealing the pregnancy. When are we going to do this?’” Hicks recalls. “Because it was her decision, [she felt] that would be the perfect time. And yellow gave that golden glow.” Since then, Mosaku has continued to glow in colorful gowns at the BAFTAs, NAACP Awards, and Actor Awards. But the pregnancy is not the headline. “The whole thing for us is not solely to focus on the bump,” Hicks says. “It’s an addition. It’s fashion — and she happens to be pregnant.” Practicality matters: events can stretch six hours or more. “Color, comfort and practical” were Mosaku’s notes, including flats over heels. “I got her into one heel this entire time,” Hicks notes. “But it’s been harder to find flats than pregnancy-friendly gowns.”
Tailoring Over Gowns
Madigan’s style this season has been all about suits and tailoring. At the start of the season, she and Gelwicks decided to bring “something a little bit different” to the carpet. From Thom Browne at the Globes to an embroidered all-denim look from Dior’s menswear collection at Critics Choice, Madigan’s looks stand out. “Amy really has her own aesthetic,” Gelwicks says. “I want these pieces to feel intrinsically and authentically her.” On his dream client list are best supporting actress nominee Elle Fanning as well as icons Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett. “I always gravitate toward people who have a strong sense of self,” he explains. “These are women with very different styles who really appreciate fashion and style, even if it’s not necessarily the most important thing in their lives.”
Child Star Charm
One of the season’s breakout style moments came from six-year-old Duke McCloud, who plays Sarah Snook’s son on All Her Fault. His powder blue suit and vintage brooch at the Golden Globes went viral, earning best-dressed mentions from Vogue and GQ. Stylist Lisa Cameron focused on confidence and comfort. “There’s not a ton of kids’ clothing brands that are well-made that make suits specific to the Golden Globes,” she says. The suit from KJ Kids Couture Corp. arrived perfect—no alterations needed. At the fitting, Duke went straight to the accessories table and picked a pocket square. Cameron paired it with wingtip shoes. “Black is always the go-to for men, but we wanted to keep the suit fun with the color — and the double-breasted cut made it more sophisticated,” she says. “We elevated it [with accessories] so it looked styled — not like he just went to the mall and bought a suit.”
Emergency Protocols
For the Oscars, “it’s all about being nimble,” Gelwicks says. Stylists pack emergency kits that include:
- Needle and thread
- Shout wipes
- Makeup remover
- A tailor on standby
They also conduct “stair tests” for clients like Minnie Driver to navigate the Globes’ daunting staircase in heels, a feature that required additional prep, as confirmed by Yahoo. “A carpet like the Globes is intimidating enough — then you add stairs and heels,” Gelwicks explains.
Post-Oscars Reality
While celebrities may sleep in the day after the Oscars, stylists do not. As Hicks noted with her diamond worries, it’s another busy day: There are returns, travel home, and other clients to dress for covers, premieres, and press tours. Plus social media demands. “People want to see the ‘get ready with me,’” Hicks says. “They want a look at the diamonds up close, all of it.” After months of private pressure, there’s a fleeting moment of public payoff. “The day after is kind of like a sweet moment, because you feel like you’ve just put something out into the world,” Gelwicks says. “And it’s fun to recap with the clients. But at the same time, you have to keep on chugging along.”
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