The number of different factors that contribute to a celebrity being perceived in a good light by the public is high. Well-mannered, talented, and an interesting personality are all a part of the equation, but one piece often forgotten is style. Which is often not something one can just have but is rather something one earns.
For celebrities, style is highly important given their public visibility. This is because celebs are the ones making waves when it comes to trends. Some of the most well-known celebrities have a signature look. Taylor Swift and her red lip, Ariana Grande and her high ponytail, Stevie Nicks and her seventies style. All of these iconic additions to their look have added something memorable to their career.
For some celebrities, it is style that makes or breaks their career. This comes down to more than just looking good on the red carpet. It goes hand in hand with having recognizable branding and a pleasing look. Changing with time can allow for celebrities to grow with the audience and adhere to what the public is expecting. The hard part is continuing to stay true to themselves, which some have done successfully, such as Zara Larsson, for example.
Breaking free from the Kia Asylum: Zara Larsson
The Swedish Grammy-nominated artist has been active since 2008, making her dedicated to her career for more than half of her life. Larsson has regained popularity every few years, while opening for artists like Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran. Also, when making songs with Ty Dolla $ign and Sabrina Carpenter, she never had that big break for herself. That was until August 2024, when a viral trend emerged out of nowhere. This TikTok meme includes one of Larsson’s most popular songs, “Symphony” with band Clean Bandit, and a rainbow dolphin meme.
With the new attention Larsson was gaining, plus the help of a stylist, Caterina Ospina, her style took a sharp turn. Leaning more towards the beach girl/mermaid vibes. Flowers in her hair, glitter on her body, dolphin imagery, and colorful eyeshadow looks. This is also how her new tour outfits present. Compared to her past tours’ wardrobe, which was on the blander side. All of which only pushed the new fame further. After sixteen years of creating music, Larsson is finally hitting consistent numbers with streams. Releasing her fifth studio album “Midnight Sun” in September 2025, continuing the loud, colorful summer vibe that was born with a TikTok meme.
To compare this new look with Larsson’s old style, which was super safe to say the least. It included harsh silvers, contrasting black and white, and multiple colors outside of her palette. The new and improved style, inspired by a dolphin meme in some ways, was her first aid kit. Taking her from just another D-list singer to someone with a signature, vibrant look.
From Disney to the main stage: Sabrina Carpenter
Sometimes the evolution isn’t as immediate, but more of a slow process with multiple phases. That was the case for global pop star Sabrina Carpenter, who first started her career as an actress in 2011, then joined Disney Channel in 2013, but always longed for a singing spotlight, just unable to secure it due to contracts and other circumstances.
Carpenters’ first four albums were released under a contract with Disney, which implies she had strict rules on what she was allowed to say, promote, and wear. This held Carpenter back from her full potential. None of her looks were cohesive, all of which were edgy as if she was trying to rebel from Disney, or maybe just a teenager growing into herself. Wearing dark colors like black, brown, and gray, with heavy eyeliner was bold on her, but not in a way that made you look at her, but more of looking at what she was wearing.
The release of her fifth album, “Emails I Can’t Send,” came with a few tweaks to her look, including heart imagery and softer colors. This was also when she started getting more attention music-wise. All the changes in her life could have been overwhelming, but Carpenter took them in stride, releasing her sixth album, “Short N Sweet,” in 2024 and also starting to work with stylist Jared Ellner.
New beginnings
This was the start of a major shift in her style; it became light, more charming, while being simultaneously scandalous and energetic. With big poofy curly hair that made her look like she belonged in the sixties, and tall gogo boots paired with flattering body suits, all came together perfectly. Leading her to gain enough traction to be nominated for multiple Grammys and win. I am not saying that changing her style finally got her a Grammy, but having a signature look definitely helped.
Carpenter was also pushed by her new stylist. While Ellner styles many different popular names, including Emma Chamberlin, Rachel Sennott, Lili Reinhart, and more. The chemistry between Carpenter and Ellner is undeniable. Carpenter was at a very important time in her career when Ellner started styling her, right as she was pivoting her brand to cater more of an adult audience. This rebrand was going to be all or nothing for her career after already being five albums deep and still not receiving her flowers. That was when Ellner stepped in, being a helping hand in pushing her to celebrity stardom.
Starting off strong: Olivia Dean
While having a decade-long career, the British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean is a new name to most. The winner of the 2026 Grammy Award for “Best New Artist” had an amazing year on the charts in 2025. Not only were people loving her music, but also her sense of style.
Dean has been a client of her stylist, Simone Beyene, since 2021. Back then, Dean’s style was mostly more on the streetwear and colorful side of things. Now Dean’s style falls somewhere between retro and chic, whilst being in her color palette. This means that Beyene and Dean worked together to evolve Dean’s style to cater to her new self.
With all the attention Dean has been getting, it’s a wonder if her old style would have gotten the same love. Or if she had the same style as she did years ago, would she still be perceived the same? These are all questions we will never get answers to, but it goes to show how much style can impact.
What it all comes down to: authenticity
Style runs so much deeper than throwing pieces together and calling it a day. It’s about chemistry, having a signature you’re proud of, and a look that makes one feel their most confident. That is why so many attributes, like hair, makeup, and clothes, go into a celebrity’s style and why it is important for them to evolve and change as their career grows.
Authenticity is the main goal here. If the celebrity’s style does not feel true to themselves, then it will seem fake. That is why Larsson, Carpenter, and Dean have such success. These new versions of their style seem like this is who they were the entire time.
Without the changes, who knows what would have happened to careers like Larsson’s because not only did a signature style save her career, but it also brought her fame and opportunities she never would have dreamed of, like performing at the 2026 Grammys and a sold-out show in her hometown. All of this proves how important it is to evolve with your style when you’re a celebrity and to take the chance when one presents itself because another might not come.
