When you’re a celebrity stylist dressing high profile A-listers such as Beyoncé, Naomi Osaka, Kelly Rowland and more, the show must always go on, regardless of any obstacles.
KJ Moody spoke exclusively with HELLO! and provided a behind-the-scenes look into what the life of a celebrity stylist is really like.
Growing up, he watched his aunt Tina Knowles take charge with her vision, while creating iconic looks for both Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé, therefore, he learned from the best.
He studied Fashion Design at the Art Institute of Dallas and then he began working in the big leagues with major stars.
KJ’s game plan
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The stylist recalled a time when Bebe Rexha’s dress was cutting it close to making the Grammys.
He revealed: “Her dress wasn’t complete until maybe like 12 hours before the Grammys, and I had to actually fly someone from Paris to Los Angeles, and it arrived at like 10:00 a.m. and the carpet was at 12. So I had three tailors. They were trying to hem it and it was just chaos – chaos, but we made it work. We always end up making it work.”
KJ knows a thing or two about pivoting when plans don’t go according to plan.
He explained: “I always try to have a Plan B. So I always try to have a second option there that the client loves just as much. It might not be the favorite, but just as much, just in case, because you never know. I think knowing how to be able to hand sew yourself [is important].”
The stylist continued: “I styled Kash Doll for the BET Awards a long time ago and I was literally in the back of the truck hand sewing her down to her corset, as we’re on our way to the carpet, and then staying in the car, and not getting out when she gets out. Having those moments and being able to sew, and having those types of skills help, I think, tremendously.”
KJ’s process
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Being a celebrity stylist means constantly collaborating. It all starts with an initial meeting with the client pertaining to their likes and dislikes, and matching their feedback to their upcoming project or the specific era that they’re in.
He explained: “It’s the process that I love the most – you’re talking to the designers about the fabric choices, the color choices, what trims are we going to use, why this doesn’t work for [someone’s] body, why this works for [someone’s] body, and it’s a lot of collaborating.”
KJ’s favorite look
KJ revealed: “I think one of my all-time favorite looks would actually be styling Beyoncé for the [RocNation] Grammy brunch, and we did this custom white Gareth Pugh, and it had this huge halo, and it was like a play on a men’s shirt and a corset, but I think that was one of my favorite moments.”
KJ’s wish list
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He’s styled a lot of greats, but there’s a few people still on his wish list, including Christina Aguilera.
As for how he would style her, he shared: “I think she’s so fun and she’s so fearless and daring, but I wouldn’t change her style. I think she has great style. But I would just, you know, KJ-effect it.”
KJ continued: “I would add a little more glamour, a little more fashion, a little more archive, but she’s someone that I would love to style, and she can pull off so much. She’s gone through so many different eras, and it would be fun to be a part of her new era.”
His second celebrity would be Tyla, as he added: “She’s incredible. She’s beautiful. Anything she wears, she pulls off.”
KJ’s style advice
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KJ believes fashion should be fun, therefore, he believes you should remain open as you’re experimenting with your looks.
He advised: “I say don’t be afraid to play around. I think I’ll never forget whenever I try to switch my style up, I always feel a little uncomfortable. I’m always like, ‘OK, do I look crazy,’ until you get around your friends and your family and they all say, ‘oh, I love your jacket,’ and it’s like, ‘oh, OK, this is a new style.'”
KJ continued: “So I think not being afraid to be uncomfortable and then as you’re uncomfortable, the more you will start to kind of fall into your personal style. I think we all start off inspired – being inspired by someone, so I think taking that risk [is key]. Try what someone else has on and then make it your own.”