On Monday, February 10th, Branch, the exclusive private members club perched on the 6th floor of the Park Terrace Hotel, hosted an intimate evening with celebrity stylist Micaela Erlanger.
Titled “The Business of Style: Crafting Images and Creating Stars,” the event offered a rare glimpse behind the curtain of celebrity styling, red-carpet moments, and the art of shaping cultural influence.
Micaela wore a crisp white Miu Miu jacket that perfectly encapsulated the elegance and creativity she brings to her work.
Micaela Erlanger, whose illustrious clientele includes icons like Meryl Streep, Lupita Nyong’o, and Kelly Clarkson, shared her journey and the evolution of her craft in a captivating conversation. The invite-only soirée attracted a chic assembly of Branch members, journalists, and influencers, who gathered to enjoy cocktails and absorb Micaela’s insights. The evening seamlessly blended storytelling with style, as Micaela revealed the strategic thinking and creativity behind crafting iconic looks.
Micaela reflected on her career-defining work with Lupita Nyong’o, introduced through her first client, Michelle Dockery, Micaela described the experience as a “blank canvas” opportunity. At the time, Lupita was relatively unknown, with a minor role in an indie film that would later become the award-winning 12 Years a Slave. Micaela recalled the exhilaration and pressure of introducing Lupita to the world during her breakout year. “I had one shot to prove I belonged here,” she shared.
Micaela’s approach to styling Lupita was both meticulous and visionary. She deliberately avoided repeating designers or colors, crafting a vibrant “rainbow” of looks that captivated the public and sparked widespread conversation. This strategy not only highlighted Lupita’s versatility but also established enduring relationships with top designers. The result was Lupita’s meteoric rise to fame, marked by a Vogue cover, a Lancôme ambassadorship, and her historic role as Chanel’s first African ambassador. “It was a decade in the making,” Micaela noted, underscoring the long-term vision essential to her craft.
The conversation also delved into the evolving role of stylists in the industry. Micaela reminisced about a time when stylists worked behind the scenes, their contributions seldom acknowledged. “It was a secret,” she said with a laugh. Today, however, the industry has transformed, with stylists receiving well-deserved recognition for their artistry. Micaela expressed pride in this shift, highlighting how it has elevated the profession and fostered greater creativity and collaboration.
Guests were treated to an engaging Q&A session, where Micaela shared insights into her work with established stars like Meryl Streep and Kelly Clarkson. With Kelly, for instance, Micaela focused on redefining her style to align with her multifaceted career as a daytime TV host and music icon. “It’s about understanding the end goal,” she explained. “Is it to raise awareness for a film? Build credibility? Or simply to look stunning? Everything begins with that question.”
The event epitomized Branch’s mission of fostering connection and inspiration as the club provided an elegant backdrop for an evening of fashion, storytelling, and celebration.
