HOLLY WHITE

“Ultimately, my job is to build confidence and to make the client feel their best self, whilst also creating lasting fashion moments. I really want to understand them as a person first so that I can bring their personality to life through their style.”

Stylist Holly White has become known for her ability to shape looks that feel both effortless and instinctively modern, but her path into fashion wasn’t always so clear. Growing up, style was a constant presence, though it took time for her to discover the role that truly resonated with her.

Fashion always surrounded Holly, though it took time for her to find her lane. “I was so grateful to do a work experience placement when I was fifteen. My first introduction to the industry was in the buying and merchandising department,” she recalls. “There were a lot of spreadsheets and databases, which I wasn’t hugely passionate about. But even then, I thought, maybe this is the world I belong in.”

Words by Zeynep Kerpisçi. Portraits by Brennan Bucannan.

This spark led to a series of internships, from a model agency to Henry Holland’s in-house team, where Holly soaked in the energy of a thriving young designer. “I loved being in that studio, but I still hadn’t found exactly what I was searching for,” she admits. Everything changed when she landed at Vogue. “I’ll never forget my very first shoot — it was with Tim Walker. Watching him curate entire worlds and bring them to life was total magic. That was the moment I knew: this is where I need to be.” While studying Fashion Business at the London College of Fashion, Holly balanced her academic work with internships, repeatedly returning to Condé Nast. “They kept bringing me back as a freelancer, and I loved every second. Editorial was at its peak then — you’d fly away for two weeks at a time to shoot two, maybe three incredible stories. It was a golden era, and I couldn’t wait to be part of it full-time.”

Initially, Holly dreamed of becoming “the next Grace Coddington,” shaping iconic editorials behind the scenes. “Working with models was amazing, but there was something different about styling celebrities. It added another dimension to storytelling — you weren’t just dressing someone, you were elevating their narrative,” she explains. Holly’s first major client, Naomie Harris, marked a turning point on the Casino Royale press tour. “I just felt this new motivation and excitement. I’d found a new challenge that inspired me in a different way to styling models for editorial shoots.”

The shift coincided with a broader industry shift, as celebrity styling gained significant cultural influence. “I had been asked by publicists to work with their clients on global press tours. I jumped at the opportunity, and it felt like the right move.” Holly soon embraced freelance work full-time and expanded into menswear. “I’ll admit I had little experience at first, but I started working with Tom Hiddleston and it taught me so much. Menswear has evolved so much in the last decade—it’s been exciting to explore new levels of creativity in that space.”

Holly’s signature is instantly recognisable: impactful yet effortless. “I want my clients to look back in 10 or 20 years and still love what they wore. I lean into textures—leather, chiffon, sheer fabrics—and I always try to balance toughness, androgyny or sexiness with elegance. I’m obsessed with tailoring, so there’s usually at least one sharp suit involved.” Every project begins with understanding the client. “My job is to build confidence. I want their style to reflect who they are, not just what they’re wearing. No two clients are the same, and that’s what keeps it interesting.” Alongside established houses, Holly champions emerging talent. “I think it’s a responsibility. Fashion is about moving forward, about newness and I love showcasing designers like Jingwei Ying at Oude Waag, Tolu Coker, Grace Ling, and Priya Ahluwalia. It’s about giving clients an identity beyond being the face of a big brand.” Narrative is central to red-carpet dressing, too. “Sometimes I weave in subtle references to clients’ projects,” Holly explains. “For Luke Newton’s upcoming play, we incorporated nods to Lee McQueen. It’s about cohesion, and interpretation, not replication.”

Career highlights are plentiful, yet one moment stands out: Joe Locke’s first Oscars. “From the moment I saw that Celine look on the runway, I knew I had to place Joe in it. Seeing him step onto the red carpet at 21, looking and feeling his absolute best, was magic. It made Vogue’s Best Dressed, but more importantly, it gave him a special memory for life. That’s why I do what I do.”

Holly also collaborates on commercial campaigns for Porsche, Cartier, Pandora, and Bvlgari. “Those projects are about finding fresh ways to stay true to the brand’s DNA while creating something modern,” Holly shares. For emerging stylists, her advice is simple: “Experiment, explore, try everything. There’s no right or wrong in fashion—it’s art. The only way to find your voice is to play, to push yourself, and to enjoy the process. This industry is full of opportunities, and if you’re open, you’ll discover exactly where you’re meant to be.”

This Industry Voice piece is part of The Cinema Issue 15. Purchase your copy here.