The Hollywood Reporter’s annual Power Stylists issue is out. Three years ago, in this very issue, it was Zoe Saldana who gave us a quote that I use often, especially when actresses complain about #AskHerMore and having to talk about their clothes on a red carpet:

“(My stylist Petra Flannery and I have) managed to convince a lot of directors who now have respect for what we put together and for Petra’s essential place in a huge press tour like Star Trek or Avatar.” When Saldana takes a memorable turn on the carpet, “Those directors are like, ‘Oh my God, Petra really knocked it out of the ball park,’ and you’re like, ‘Yeah, she did.’ She killed it, which is very important for me and for her and for selling a movie.”

Right. Exactly.

But a couple of months ago, during award season and the campaign, actresses again were bristling about the fashion question. Including eventual Best Actress Brie Larson who got kinda… condescending?... at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon about a dress question. Keep in mind, at this point, she’d already been asked a couple of questions about the film. But as you can see in this video, there’s a tone. Like it was not a good use of her time to be talking about her dress.

AND YET…

Isn’t this Brie Larson on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter for their issue… ABOUT CLOTHES!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brie is then quoted in this piece about how she cried over her Golden Globes dress. So, yeah, are you sure we shouldn’t be asking about the clothes? Even though the stylists are insisting that when it comes to the clothes, “There's a strategy behind every look."

Indeed, the head of the agency that represents the most powerful stylists in the business acknowledges here that the clothes are involved in the business:

"Perception is reality in this business. By pairing the right individuals in this always-on media environment, our stylists can change public opinion, attract opportunities and help their clients be the best versions of themselves."

The clothes, then, are part of the work. The clothes help them GET WORK. So the bitching about being asked about the clothes? Make up your f-cking minds.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s stylist, Elizabeth Saltzman, is ranked #4 on the list this year. G showed up to support Elizabeth last night at an event to celebrate the list in Hollywood. And, well, we’ve gone back to pink. More specifically we’ve gone back to a pink jumpsuit. You remember what happened last time she wore a pink jumpsuit? It didn’t work out so well for her.

 


This time is a slight improvement, I guess, but, um, not by much. From some angles, it’s atrocious. Like here… OH MY GOD:

 


You know why she does this though? It’s because even though we’re flirting with camel toe and weird gunty proportions, she’s made it so that no one’s talking about anything else. And that’s what clothes do for these people: they make it so they are talked about – which is, basically, all they exist for.

Click here for more on the Power Stylists at THR.