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Micaela Erlanger always knew deep down that she wanted to be a stylist. "I think I always knew I wanted to be in a creative field, and in my core being, I always knew I wanted to be a stylist, but I didn't know that the world of styling existed at the time," Erlanger said. She got her start working on the editorial side at publications such as Harper's Bazaar before taking the leap into styling. For the latest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Erlanger shares how she made that transition, what it was like to work with Lupita Nyong'o on The Odyssey's press tour, and more.
To read excerpts from the interview, scroll below.
Can you give our audience a top-level background on how you first found your way into fashion and styling?
I think I always knew I wanted to be in a creative field, and in my core being, I always knew I wanted to be a stylist, but I didn't know that the world of styling existed at the time. It was through a series of internships in college, really, where I discovered the world of editorial.
I got my start as an intern at various publications. I was in the Condé Nast summer intern program and then worked at Hearst for a bunch of magazines. [I] really learned the ropes there, working as an intern in the fashion closet and, ultimately, working as a freelance fashion assistant to the fashion directors at Harper's, at Cosmo, et cetera. That's really where I cut my teeth on all things styling.
It was later on where I met my mentor Annabel Tollman, who I worked with for just over six years. At the time, she was really pioneering the celebrity-styling space. I learned so much from her, and that's really what set me forth on this path.
One of the things that has been such a joy to watch from afar is your relationship with Lupita Nyong'o, going all the way back to her campaign that led to the Oscar for 12 Years a Slave in 2014 and that perfect powder-blue Prada gown. Now, 12 years after that momentous look, you are back on another press tour with her for The Odyssey. Obviously, she, like many of your clients, is very long-term. I'm curious about your relationship and the styling choices that you make together and how they have evolved over the years.
I'm so grateful for this relationship, and I'm so lucky that I can count my client also as a dear friend. Our collaboration is really rooted in this deep trust and mutual respect for one another.
That first year out the gate was momentous for every reason. Not only did her talent earn her the Academy Award, but the choices that we made, I think, also reflected how important image is and how the red carpet can really catapult somebody … and what brand positioning looks like—why choosing a dress is important and intentional and strategic. After that year, we really found our groove. Fast-forward, this is 12 years later. It's insane to think about. We're on this new, massive, momentous press tour with an extraordinary cast, and we really got to play.
Talk to me about the very first look for the very first press day. How did you land on that look to kick things off?
That was actually a look that I had custom-made that I had been hanging on to for quite some time. It was Sally LaPointe. I didn't know where it was going to go and where it might fit into this tour.
Oftentimes, I see something, and I'm like, "Yep, that's the look. I know it's going to work out. [I] don't know where it's going, but just have faith and give me a little bit of time and watch it land." It's awesome when that happens, when the right look winds up in the right location for the right photographed moment. This felt like the perfect look to kick off the tour with. I always think the first outfit that's photographed also sets the tone and the narrative for the visual story that you're going to tell, and I loved everything about this.
I also want to talk about Nyong'o's New York premiere look—down to the bag. How did you think through New York, and what was the strategy behind it?
We tried this gown on, and it was spectacular. I worked with Nicholas Oakwell many years ago when he first launched his couture house, and I'm so happy that he's back in action making the most exquisite work.
It was interesting. The inspiration of the dress was actually written in the lookbook, and it, too, tied back to mythology and story. That just felt like it was meant to be. But you never know until you get something into the studio and until you try it on and you see how it fits.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.