Contrary to popular belief, celeb stylists aren’t competitive with each other. In fact, we’re all pretty good friends and support one another in this chaotic job we have.
Recently I learned my friend and blogger extraordinaire ElShane was behind Carly Rae Jepsen’s fresh and stylish tour looks.
ElShane and I met years ago while she was a fabulous NYC publicist for DVF and I was a baby editor at Elle. She’s now living in LA and tapping stars like Carly with her fashion magic wand. So I asked her to share the inside scoop on how to get Carly’s look.
Annie Ladino: How did you meet Carly Rae Jepsen?
ElShane: Pure electronic fate! Her manager had been following my blog and thought we’d be a perfect fit. With my eye for candy-colored, edgy-inspired looks, and Carly’s innately fun and fresh vibe, we joined forces to create epic greatness!
Annie: She’s been compared to Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin and I can see a little of that in her wardrobe. Do you have any influences when putting together her tour looks?
El: The best part of working with Carly is that she looks amazing in everything! We love mixing bright pop hues with hints of her whimsical, bohemian nature; it allows her to dive into her most creative, powerful self on stage.
Annie: What are your favorite designers for Carly?
El: Carly is the queen of street style; she can rock highs and lows effortlessly, creating looks her fans to aspire to wear. Brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, and TopShop are the perfect mix of feminine and rocker chic. We’ve also been experimenting with incredibly on-trend Australian brands like Finders Keepers and Zimmermann.
**Annie:**Most people don’t see the behind-the-scenes part of styling and are only exposed to the end product. I’m curious to know if there have been any wardrobe malfunctions or last-minute switches?
El: The job is never over until the final note is sung! With the introduction of chains, lace, and paillettes into performance looks, it’s pretty much a sure bet that something will go wrong right before stage time. Thankfully double-stick tape, safety pins, and miniature sewing kits are my three best friends.
**Annie:**From your blog we can all see how bold and fashion forward you are with your personal style. Personally, I admire how adventurous you are. Is there anything you shy away from on the red carpet with Carly or any of your clients?
El: Absolutely! For myself, I love experimenting with volume. Since I’m not in the spotlight, I can control what angles I’m shot from. A voluminous dress on the red carpet can be an instant fashion disaster if shot from the wrong angle. I do everything I can to keep pieces that are not 360-degree-angle friendly off of my clients!
**Annie:**Anything Carly’s exposed you to?
El: She taught me everything about personal character. Nice girls always finish first. She’s the real deal…
**Annie:**Anything in your prop kit you can’t live without?
El: My sewing kit. For a gal who majored in Journalism and History, I’ve pricked myself more times than not. But I can make a mean last minute hemline…
**Annie:**We know you’re a Shop It To Me girl, what’s been in your Salemail that you’d snap up for Carly Rae?
**El: **Check out my picks for Carly Rae below:
Clockwise from top-left: Rosamosario corset | Red Valentino skirt | Citizens of Humanity moto jacket | Dion Lee dress | rag & bone hat
