I'm Convinced Taylor Swift's Stylist Hates Her

The purpose of a stylist is to capture and curate the perfect looks for their client. These looks can vary based on the event, season, aesthetic of the client, brand of the client, gender of the client, and the clients body type. What is paramount for a stylist is that they not only understand this but apply these metrics to each of their individual clients. Most importantly, a look should never miss. 

In the stylist world, most have an intense and robust fashion background taking years to establish and build their rapport. 

Law Roach had a clothing store in Chicago in the early 2000’s which Kanye West is known to have frequented. 

Karla Welch had been interested in fashion from a young age, attributing much of her foundation in love of fashion to playing with Barbie as a child. She went on to become a stylist's assistant in Los Angeles to start her career. 

Rebecca Corbin-Murray began her career as a Contributing Fashion Editor for British Vogue. 

I hope you can see the trend here of the people who are dressing the highest profile figures on red carpets and attending the Met. 

And if you’re unfamiliar with these names, prior to his 2023 retirement, which garnered much attention in the fashion industry, Law dressed Zendaya, Celine Dion, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ariana Grande, and Lewis Hamilton to name a few. 

Welch dresses Olivia Culpo, the Biebers, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Karlie Kloss amongst others. 

And with just a peek at Corbin-Murray's rolodex, you’ll see Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

Corbin-Murray’s range also includes advertising curations for Tom Ford, Bulgari, and Jimmy Choo along with other fashion houses. Law for Zendaya curated for Dolce and Gabbana, while Welch curates for Tiffany & Co., Valentino, and Apple. 

With robust backgrounds in fashion and the arts, it is no surprise that these stylists have curated the leading red carpet looks in recent years. 

One name not on this list of celebrities these icons style is Taylor Swift, a peculiar anomaly provided Swift’s status in the music industry and globally. 

Joseph Cassell Falconer has been styling Swift for over a decade. His career did start in the studio … but no, not a fashion studio, rather in a recording studio in none other than Nashville, Tennessee. 

Being an A&R director and producer in the music industry for 12 years prior to making the ambitious leap to fashion, JCF does not exhibit the traditional trajectory of a stylist for high profile clientele. 

Styling silhouettes much more reminiscent of prom dresses than the elevated sophistication of Haute Couture, it seems as if these looks are put together last minute rather than having undergone the rigorous, meticulous, and methodical curation process. JCF is clearly not cut out to be dressing one of the highest profile celebrities.

In fact, his client list does not include another person that even grazes Swift’s status. Other than Swift, his list includes Kerry Washington, Lydia Hearst (who I had to look up, and still don't even know who she is), and Disney Channel actress Olivia Holt, along with Ked's and Coca-Cola. 

A relatively low-brau clientele, it is no wonder that JCF’s looks often are misses and do not fit his prime client well. JCF does not have a single fashion house in his advertised client list adding to the peculiarity of why such a high profile client has stayed loyal to him for over a decade.  

Now, I will give JCF a gram of applause, because dressing a nearly 6' tall woman is no easy task, but it is clear he does not understand Ms. Swift's metrics, especially when it comes to her red carpet looks.

No matter what fashion house you wear, if you are led astray by a stylist who lacks a keen eye and understanding of the art of fashion and how it interacts with your metrics, the look is sure to be disjointed and a flop.