Equally disconcerting are the risks many now face in merely doing their job. In the context of a global pandemic, the proximity needed to tweak a look or apply makeup poses health risks. “This is a very intimate line of work,” explains Erlanger. “I’m hands-on with my clients; you’re constantly touching someone’s face or adjusting clothes on their body in these small spaces. I don’t think that is something that comes back quickly. Eventually, when there is a vaccine, I think people will feel much safer. Then they’ll be able to attend events again.”
In the interim, creative solutions are coming to the forefront. Namely, Zoom and FaceTime consultations where outfits are discussed in depth with corresponding photos shared in real time. “Everything came to a halt suddenly, and my work went from in-person fittings and events to virtual ones,” says Nicolas Bru, stylist to Shakira and Sofia Carson. “This is new territory for all of us, so we’re all having to adapt, which gives us this sense of unity, knowing that we are all in this together and trying to find the appropriate way to move forward.”
The events themselves have also moved online. Last week, the BET Awards broadcast consisted of livestreams and videos from the likes of Lizzo, Alicia Keys, and Beyoncé, all of whom were dressed to the nines. While it may seem easier to pull together a perfect look from the comfort of a celebrity home, the process is less straightforward than you might expect. “It has been challenging but also interesting to see the new, innovative ways people are creating content,” says Bru. “I think this will force us to prepare differently. For example, ensuring that clothing is sent with plenty of lead time, should any tailoring be necessary.” Once upon a time, alterations could be done on the fly. But without a stylist’s presence, the subtle changes that elevate a look from good to great have to occur remotely. “We’ve seen some amazing shoots that were done at home and completely socially distant,” Bru explains. “Ultimately people love fashion and want to see fashion.”
