I used a celebrity stylist for my Oscars look – here’s how it comes together
When you get invited to the Oscars, it’s sensible to approach it as a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity to be at Hollywood’s biggest annual showbiz event.
But with a show ticket secured and lots of planning to do as a film journalist ahead of time, the other part of my brain was aware of another important question – on the most scrutinised red carpet in the world, what was I going to aware?
Compared to an actress or filmmaker, I live a very different life with far more limited means, no designer endorsement deal and no floor-length gowns in my wardrobe ready to wear at a moment’s notice.
Slightly overwhelmed at where to even start in finding a dress that was Academy Awards-worthy, I decided to call on the help of a celebrity stylist to get a taste at how the other half lives – and prepares – for a moment like this.
Scott Da Silva-Wells is a freelance stylist, designer and editor who began his career on a summer placement with James Yardley, who currently styles Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie.
He is well established on the UK circuit having served as a fashion assistant and an in-house stylist for some of the biggest women’s titles including OK! and Heat, working with TV stars including Vicky Pattinson and Craig Revel Horwood, before breaking out on his own.
Scott has also created bespoke looks for Love Island star Faye Winter for the National Television Awards and, most recently, Fleur East for this year’s Brit Awards – and now he has me, a pressed-for-time film journalist, more comfortable interviewing on the media line at these sorts of events than walking the red carpet myself.
We begin the process with a phone call, where we discuss my individual style and anything I’d like to avoid (neon colours, anything too thick for the California heat). I’ve also sent him over a couple of pictures of actresses whose style I like and red-carpet looks I’ve admired; Margot Robbie’s custom red Chanel dress from Wuthering Heights’ Paris premiere is one reference.
A day later Scott emails me with a virtual mood board comprised of dresses in the mix for my feedback – I rule out one, highlight my favourites and then he gets busy sourcing gowns for a fitting, which I attend the next week.
Not only is there a rack of dresses to try on (and one arrives while I’m there) but, as Scott is curating a look, he has shoes, bags and – heaps of – accessories laid out, and so we begin the process of trying things on.
As someone who wouldn’t normally take long to pull together an outfit, we discuss society’s judgement of women – and men – who spend hours curating their appearance.
‘Nowadays, you can come across arrogant or egotistical if you seem to be putting in that much time and effort,’ says Scott, but he’s unbothered by it.
‘The world is so dark at the moment, if that adds some light you should absolutely do it. Because, not to sound morbid, but we’re not here for long. You’ve got to live your best life, even if that means strutting down the street in a full sequin outfit! Why not?’
Who won at the Oscars 2026? Full list of winners
Best picture
One Battle After Another
Best director
Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
Best actress
Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Best actor
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Best supporting actor
Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
Best supporting actress
Amy Madigan – Weapons
Best casting
One Battle After Another
Adapted screenplay
One Battle After Another
Original screenplay
Sinners
Editing
One Battle After Another
Cinematography
Sinners
Production design
Frankenstein
Visual effects
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Costume design
Frankenstein
Makeup and hair
Frankenstein
Original score
Sinners
Original song
Golden from K-Pop Demon Hunters
Sound
F1
International feature
Sentimental Value
Documentary feature
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Documentary short
All the Empty Rooms
Animated feature
K-Pop Demon Hunters
Animated short
The Girl Who Cried Pearls
Live-action short
Tied: The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva
As a stylist, Scott is driven by the importance of collaboration with his clients rather than imposing his own taste.
‘I want you to feel like you and look your best self. And that’s what needs to come across when you’re working with someone; I don’t want to take someone’s style and put them in something that clearly isn’t theirs because confidence is key,’ he tells me.
It’s simple and it’s something I start to understand throughout the session: ‘If you feel confident in a look, everyone will know about it. If you don’t feel confident in a look, everyone will know about it.’
Scott’s mission is to elevate his client’s look in their own style but ‘sprinkle some magic dust’. However, he does allow a little wiggle room by presenting outfits at an ‘easy, medium and hard’ level.
‘Easy is what they’re happy with, we know it’s safe. Medium is pushing it a little bit, and then hard is throwing in a curve ball that they normally wouldn’t wear just to see their reaction.’
By the end of our appointment, we have narrowed it down to two dresses, with shoes, bag and jewellery picked out. They are quite contrasting in looks but both channel the classic Hollywood style I’ve always admired – and seems particularly fitting for the Oscars. After all, when in Rome…
I decide to leave it to fate to decide the dress as I need a different size (one of Scott’s main struggles with sourcing women’s fashion is the sizing inconsistencies). We’ll be meeting again two days later in Dress 2 Party’s London boutique.
As a stylist, Scott works with brands directly, describing the sorts of looks clients are after or even sending them links to dresses he’s found that could be perfect. He then loans them free of charge with the agreement that the outfit will be showcased and tagged by the celebrity, giving the brand exposure publicity.
Celebrity Stylist Q&A: Scott Da Silva-Wells
Favourite brands to work with for red carpet outfits?
Dress 2 Party is a brand I recently came across; their craftsmanship, fabrics and details are beautiful and are always super flattering and tasteful. Another brand for special occasions is Karen Millen, as well as Monsoon, Phase Eight and Asos’s recently launched premium label Arrange. And of course there’s rental services like HURR, My Wardrobe HQ and By Rotation, which provide designer outfits for a fraction of the retail cost.
For shoes, Sole Bliss is a brilliant brand loved by celebrities, including Dame Helen Mirren. Steve Madden is always a go-to for sparkling statement moments or classic styles too.
Dream celebrities to dress?
Rihanna, Cynthia Erivo, Kerry Washington, Teyana Taylor, Margot Robbie, Olivia Dean, Kate Hudson.
Most memorable red carpet fashion moments?
Ariana Grande at the Oscars in 2025, Lupita Nyong’o at the 2014 Oscars, Kate Middleton at the No Time to Die premiere in 2021 and Rihanna’s white outfit at Cannes in 2017 – basically anything of Rihanna’s!
Piece of advice you give to all clients?
Get your clothes tailored.
Favourite trend?
You cannot go wrong with a pinstripe shirt and a good pair of wide leg trousers – it’s just easy. People also refer to me as the Co-Ord King. It sounds so magazine of me, but you get so much cost per wear because they can be worn together or separately and it’s like different outfits!
Trickiest trend?
Underwear as outerwear can be hard as you either have that iconic 90s red carpet look or you literally look like you just stepped out in your lingerie.
Ambition for the future?
To either dress or make something for someone for the Met Gala. One day, I would also love to have my own brand, but I see it sitting in more of a custom space than on the high street so I can stay hands-on.
After the event, the garments are returned to the brand, including other samples he may have sourced for a client to try. The only time anything might need to be bought outright is if it’s something very specific or can’t be loaned. Occasionally a deposit may be required, which will be released after the item is returned.
‘When it comes to pulling looks from brands, it’s mostly done on who you know,’ shares Scott. ‘That means a lot in this industry. There’s definitely still a weird hierarchy, people say like The Devil Wears Prada, and it needs to change.’
With my final fitting done – and a quick trip to the tailor for some temporary alterations – Scott furnishes me with a couple of back-up bracelet and earring options, plus safety pins and tape for any emergencies on the day.
My final hurdle is finding a bag that will fit the dress and serve as my hand luggage after the garment bag measures too large. While I hope there could be leeway on a flight to LAX two days before the Oscars, my airline’s strict rules in this case suggest it’s not worth trying to blag it… especially when flying economy.
Once Sunday dawns, and with my credentials picked up, it’s time to get ready and then take a short Uber ride to the cordoned-off street entrance to the Oscars, which is still about six blocks down on Hollywood Blvd from Ovation Hollywood and the Dolby Theatre.
Following a car search, ID check and digital pass scanning, we’ve been warned it could take around 30 minutes to walk the red carpet, between guests, media and everyone (understandably) wanting to get photos.
Both on the carpet and during the drinks reception, my dress is complimented several times and serves as a starting point to various conversations with a film producer and a soon-to-be Oscar winner.
But perhaps the highest compliment for Scott’s work is the car full of local LA girls who wind down their windows to yell excitedly about the dress to me as I wait to cross the road back to my hotel in the early hours the following morning.
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