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August, at least in the fashion world, is known as one the slowest months of the year—when the European fashion houses shut down for summer vacation, and the star-studded red carpets begin to drop off, too. It makes sense, then, that when I hop on a Zoom with the in-demand stylist Rose Forde, she is catching a bit of R&R while on vacation in Menorca. “I’m having a little bit of a break,” Forde says. “Though I don’t ever really break—I just work from different places.”
Forde has certainly had a busy year thus far. With a roster of clients including stars like Emma D’Arcy, Cillian Murphy, Joe Alwyn, and Matt Smith, the top stylist is fast becoming a go-to talent for cultivating an effortlessly cool look on the red carpet. “They’re all very diverse, but the common thread is there’s a sense of weight to all of them,” says Forde of her growing A-list roster. “They’re very considered about their own work, and they love to delve into inspirations and storytelling with their clothes.”
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Coming from the editorial world, Forde—who has been an editor at Clash and Port, and has contributed to titles such as GQ, L’UOMO Vogue, and Vanity Fair—certainly brings a fresh eye to the realm of Hollywood dressing (though, London is her home base). Where other stylists focus on seasonal trends or straight-off-the-runway looks, Forde prefers viewing the step and repeat as a playground to deliver more thoughtful fashion moments. She often works with her clients on custom looks to achieve a special, one-of-a-kind look that comes with a deep well of references. (Her Oscars look for Cillian Murphy this year, for example, paid homage to Versace’s ’90s archives.) “When I do fittings, I do most of the pinnings myself—I really have to get in there and construct it myself,” says Forde.
Cool, modern takes on suiting have also become one of Forde’s specialties. For the stylist, it’s all about finding subtle updates to make the tailoring feel fresh. Back in June, for instance, Forde styled D’Arcy in a two-tone black and white Çanaku suit, while at the Kinds of Kindness premiere, she also put Alwyn in custom dusty-blue Prada tailoring—with a monochromatic tie to match. “I spent a lot of my early career working with tailors on Savile Row,” says Forde. “I’m not very binary with it; I love playing with silks and soft fabrics that have a fluidity to them.”
Of course, her approach to smart—yet relaxed—tailoring also reflects her personal style. While Forde often dials up the drama for her clients, she says she prefers a more muted (but sleek) vibe for her own wardrobe—and that influences her work. “I have a bit of a uniform—if I could wear a lab coat every day, I would,” she laughs. “I love tailoring and more utilitarian pieces that are well-made. And I love shoes; I wear loads of Prada shoes.” She will also collect certain pieces—“I have an archive of bowties,” she says—and then incorporate them into ensembles for her clients.
But it’s not all tuxedos and bowties—even Forde’s more casual looks have stood out. When Alwyn touched down for this year’s Cannes Film Festival in a Bottega Veneta outfit—namely, perfectly-fitted jeans and a sleek bag—it felt laid-back but utterly modern. “He’s such a cool guy, and he’s got great style,” says Forde. “For Cannes, it was about finding an elevated version of himself. He kind of has that old-school film star quality, so we leaned into that.” Recently, D’Arcy attended Wimbledon with a striped knit tied artfully across the body. “Emma can wear fashion, and it doesn’t feel like fashion,” says Forde. “That’s something I do with all of my clients—even if it’s a real statement piece, they have to feel like themselves.”
While Forde is still enjoying her vacation bliss, her red carpet work will pick up again later this month, as she has a handful of clients attending the annual Venice Film Festival. She also has her eyes set on styling more filmmakers, after recently working with Coralie Fargeat, director of The Substance, at Cannes. “They have a really good sense of storytelling, and I think more directors are coming into their own with fashion,” says Forde. She also recently executive-produced a short film of her own, titled Dammi, starring Riz Ahmed—and is looking forward to expanding her artistry beyond the red carpet. “I love storytelling, and finding new ways to connect the worlds of art, film, and fashion.”
