Meet the celebrity stylists behind this awards season's top red carpet looks

Elizabeth Stewart If Elizabeth Stewart gives the impression that she could be your favorite big sister, it's because her fittings sometimes end up with lunch and TV in bed! That's what happened before this year's Golden Globes with Jessica Chastain, a client she says she's worked with "since the beginning, so it's very efficient." Her other leading ladies include Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts and a favorite of this awards season, Viola Davis. After hours spent pouring over looks, Elizabeth knows a dress is 'the one' if she and her client both love it. "There's usually a glimmer of excitement, like a color or a vibe. Dresses that are special with incredible couture detailing," she told InStyle. "And then you just have to hope that the magic happens." So far this season, the specks rocking stylist has hit the mark with Viola Davis' cream number for the SAG awards and Cate Blanchett's blush pink Givenchy gown for the Golden Globes. Photo: Getty Images

Kate Young The glossy posse's favorite stylist Kate Young admits she doesn't sleep for two weeks before the Oscars. Perhaps that's because she deliberately picks looks that won't immediately find favor. "When you see something and like it right away, it's usually too boring an hour later," the former Anna Wintour acolyte said. "I want to push the envelope just far enough that you're not sure if you like it at first. I want people to initially say, 'Oh, that's an interesting choice,' and then hopefully say, 'Oh, but I really like it.'" Which is why you'll see her actresses with an unexpected beaded rose accent – like Natalie Portman's – or wearing a bow instead of a necklace, like Michelle Williams. This awards season, Kate has been responsible for Natalie Portman's stand out style, such as her mustard yellow Prada gown at the Golden Globes, and Michelle Williams' darling Louis Vuitton number at the Oscars luncheon. Photo: Getty Images

Micaela Erlanger The alchemy by which a little-known actress can become a megawatt red carpet star overnight is summed up by Micaela Erlanger's collaboration with Lupita Nyong'o in 2014. One perfect dress at a time, Micaela honed the Kenyan actress' image, culminating it with a Prada creation for the Oscars. Awards season is like a grueling campaign and no actress wants to risk peaking too early. It was clear that in this case they'd saved the best till last. In a hue instantly christened 'Nairobi blue' after Lupita said: "It's a blue that reminds me of Nairobi. It's a little bit of home," the pleated Grecian gown was worthy of an Academy Award of its own. Later Micaela added Meryl Streep and Naomie Harris to her roster. Her philosophy is: "I don’t think there are any don'ts. It's more about how you turn everything into a do." So far this award season, Micaela has been responsible for Winona Ryder's deep black Viktor & Rolf Screen Actors Guild gown and Meryl Streep's stand out embellished Valentino gown for the SAG awards. Photo: Getty Images

Petra Flannery Whenever Petra Flannery's starlets hit the red carpet social media goes into a frenzy - as witness Emma Stone in a jumpsuit with a trailing bow train or a gown evoking a gladiator. Petra's signature look is elegant with an envelope pushing twist. The La La Land actress has been advised by her for a decade. She explained jokingly: "We love taking risks. We are risky ladies." The über-stylist draws on influences from architecture to her own mother, who ran the Pucci department of Saks Fifth Avenue in the Sixties. A former agent with Elite Models, Petra tries to limit her clientele. "I'm not just going to style anyone," she says. "I get inspired by the person. I have to feel like there's a connection there." During this awards season, Petra has not only dressed Emma in every breath-taking look, but added Amy Adams who dazzled in Tom Ford. Photo: Getty Images

Karla Welch Her mantra is 'dare to be different,' and working with an up-and-comer like Ruth Negga, star of Loving, who has been making waves this awards season, has given Karla plenty of scope to do that. From Ruth's rose gold and sequined Louis Vuitton showstopper at the Golden Globes to Sarah Paulson's dazzling gold number, it's safe to say these stylist's clients stand out. Karla told The Telegraph that the approach of transforming an actress is a very strategic one. "You find out what they're promoting and what they would like their image to be. You learn their silhouette, what kind of shapes work best and how far one person can experiment. Then we start calling in looks from designers." Photo: Getty Images

Leslie Fremar Charlize Theron's head-turning look at last year's Oscars involved countless calls to Dior, followed by her stunning mermaid gown being flown back to Paris for final alterations with just days to spare. There was no hint of that frantic dash, however, when the Mad Max beauty stepped out, the epitome of lady-in-red allure. Her stylist Leslie Fremar, who learned the ropes with a real-life Devil Wears Prada experience as the assistant of Vogue's Anna Wintour, finished the look with plunging diamonds. It was daring on more counts than one, because the megastar client didn't have any hand in picking the design. "Charlize was filming in Berlin, and she was like, 'I trust you and I'm really busy,'" says Leslie. "I showed up the week before with her dress, and that was the first time she saw it." Charlize wasn't the only red carpet winner at the 88th annual Academy Awards. Reese Witherspoon stunned at the 2016 Oscars wearing a purple Oscar de la Renta gown. Photo: Getty Images

Mariel Haenn and Rob Zangardi This celebrity styling duo is responsible for the style images of some of Hollywood's hottest names including Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Biel. JLo glistened on the carpet at the 2016 Oscars donning a champagne Elie Saab gown, while Mrs. Justin Timberlake made a statement wearing a plunging Elie Saab Haute Couture dress to the 2017 Golden Globe Awards. When it comes to getting their client to try a risky piece, Rob has previously told Elle, "We joke that we can bully them into it without them knowing. I'm the good cop." As for what's in his styling "suitcase," he revealed, "A belt kit, boob kit, underwear kit, Spanx kit," noting, "Jennifer likes the terrycloth robe." Photos: Getty Images

Sophie Lopez The stylist and costume designer has one of Hollywood's most beloved mother-daughter pairs, Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn, covered when it comes to the fashion department. While Sophie regards Kate as one of her best friends, she is also one of her top clients. The actress showed off her toned physique in a Dior gown that featured a sheer cape and skirt for the 2017 SAG Awards. Meanwhile her mother Goldie Hawn flashed some skin in an off-the-shoulder Prabal Gurung number at the 74th annual Golden Globes. Sophie once said, "I'm all about girls who take the right risks and have an individual look about them." Photos: Getty Images