MEET THE STYLIST: CALEY LAWSON

A Conversation with Caley Lawson: Celebrity Stylist

Hailing from the small town of Great Bend, Kansas, Caley Lawson has been a resident of Los Angeles for the past eight years. With a self-described aesthetic of “effortless chic,” Lawson loves to create a look for her clients that suggests an unstudied yet polished allure.

Prior to styling her own clients, Lawson was a student at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising where her specialization in product development allowed her to take classes in sewing, sketching, and textiles, laying a practical foundation for her later work in styling. A successful internship turned into a two-year job in PR with C&C California where, based on her talent for putting together outfits, Lawson was given the opportunity to style their campaigns. It was there that she experienced her “ah-hah” moment, and she has been styling ever since. Working under the tutelage of Tara Swennen and Elizabeth Saltzman, she honed her skills and helped bring to life some of celebrity fashion’s most recent iconic moments, from the red carpet looks of Gwyneth Paltrow to Kristen Stewart.

Although a modern, unfussy elegance is her calling card, Lawson seeks to arrive at a unique image with her client to suit his or her needs, whether it be the moody, edgy glamour of pop star Skylar Grey or the sophisticated, savvy elegance of model turned businesswoman Camila Alves. She understands the limitations of each job and at the same time is willing to explore the boundless possibilities that only a true artistic vision can intuit and create.

Tell us the story behind your favorite wardrobe item

Caley: I have a pair of Camilla Skovgaard booties that I absolutely love. They were a thank you gift from the designer herself!

What’s your most memorable ‘panic moment’?

Caley: One of my clients zipper busted right before the Golden Globes red carpet!

How did you recover from is gracefully?

Caley: I had to sew her into the dress. Later that night her boyfriend had to cut her out!

What is your favorite era for fashion?

Caley: I love the 20's. Everything was so flashy, regal and elegant.

What was your big break?

Caley: Still waiting for it - ha!

Whose closet would you most like to raid?

Caley: Gwyneth Paltrow