Lana Del Rey's Stylist Shares Her Travel Must-Haves
Our take
The conversation around personal style has shifted dramatically in recent years, moving beyond simple trend forecasting to encompass a deeper exploration of identity and curated aesthetics. The recent *Who What Wear Podcast* interview with Lana Del Rey's stylist, Anna Castro, exemplifies this evolution. Castro’s insights into her travel essentials and client selection process aren't merely a list of luxury items; they offer a window into the modern stylist’s role as a collaborator in crafting a cohesive and resonant visual narrative. It's a profession increasingly intertwined with the broader understanding of self-expression, a concept we've seen echoed in the growing desire for personalized styling services, as evidenced by articles like I Sold Everything in My Closet and Hired a Stylist—We Picked Out These Pieces for My Rebrand. The demand for this kind of elevated, intentional approach to style is clearly rising.
Castro’s emphasis on understanding a client’s “vibe” and the importance of travel – essentially, experiencing the world to gather inspiration – underscores a shift away from prescriptive style rules. It’s less about dictating what someone *should* wear and more about facilitating the articulation of their existing personality through clothing and accessories. The practical application of this philosophy, as demonstrated by Castro’s curated travel wardrobe, highlights the value of understated elegance and versatility. It’s a sensibility that aligns perfectly with the current mood of “quiet luxury,” where quality and timelessness trump fleeting trends. We've observed this aesthetic playing out across various high-profile figures, even transforming seemingly casual pieces, as shown in Chloé Sneakers and Balenciaga's Le City Bag Give Sofia Richie Grainge's Sweatpants Look a Cool-Mom Makeover, proving that even a ‘groutfit’ can be elevated to a statement of refined taste. The key, it seems, is thoughtful pairing and a dedication to impeccable quality.
The stylist's role is evolving into something akin to a visual therapist, helping individuals clarify and project their inner selves. Castro’s focus on identifying clients who are “open” and “receptive” to experimentation speaks to this shift. It’s not about imposing a style, but rather about unlocking a pre-existing potential. This resonates deeply with the broader cultural conversation around authenticity and self-discovery; people are increasingly seeking ways to express their individuality, and style, under the guidance of a skilled professional, can be a powerful tool for achieving that. The emphasis on travel and immersion in different cultures highlights the importance of a stylist’s own personal evolution, suggesting that a deep understanding of the world informs their ability to shape a client’s visual identity. It’s a thoughtful, almost philosophical approach to style, far removed from the superficiality that once dominated the fashion landscape.
Looking ahead, the rise of the stylist as a personal curator and emotional interpreter feels poised to reshape the luxury market. As consumers become increasingly discerning and value-driven, the demand for personalized experiences and authentic self-expression will only intensify. The traditional fashion industry, with its top-down dictation of trends, may find itself increasingly challenged by this bottom-up movement toward individual style narratives. A crucial question emerges: How will brands adapt to a world where the stylist, not the designer, often holds the power to shape consumer preferences and define what constitutes true luxury?
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When it comes to working with new clients, celebrity stylist Molly Dickson says it's all about that first impression. "I feel like the initial meeting with a client is more about personalities and how well your energies mesh," Dickson says. She has amassed an A-list roster of clients, including Lana Del Rey, Keke Palmer, and Lexi Minetree, the star of the Legally Blonde prequel Elle.
For the latest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Dickson shares what she looks for when working with new clients, how she started working with Minetree, her go-to travel pieces, and more.
To read excerpts from the conversation, scroll below.
One thing I really wanted to cover today is your work with Lexi Minetree because she is playing young Elle Woods in the new Legally Blonde prequel, Elle. How did you and Lexi get connected, and why do you think that you work so well with these rising stars who are such powerhouses?
She, I think, took meetings with a few stylists. I had a Zoom meeting with her probably like three months ago. I feel like the initial meeting with a client is more about personalities and how well your energies mesh. At this point in my career now, my one big thing is I only want to work with nice people, and Lexi is literally the biggest sweetheart. Our Zoom was an hour and a half, which is really, really long for an initial interview. We were talking about boys, and it was just… It was like two girlfriends catching up. I think we literally talked about fashion for maybe five to 10 minutes.
We are seeing them at their most vulnerable. They're coming to my office, and they're literally stripping down naked, and we're dressing them. There's nothing more vulnerable or intimate than that, so a huge part of my job is making them feel comfortable, and also, every female has their own insecurities. Then you have a conversation like, "Okay, do you not want to show your legs? Do you not want to wear short skirts?" It's just finding the things that will make them feel their best because that's going to translate to the red carpet. When they're feeling hot and confident, those photos on Getty and the red carpet are going to be way better.
You wrote a story for us about the eight wardrobe basics you and your clients spend your own money on, and the recommendations are fantastic. Inspired by that, I would love to do a little bit of a travel rapid-fire. Favorite sneakers if you're going to be on your feet all day, running around airports, traveling, sightseeing, etc.?
I have two. Salomon sneakers, I love. They're my everyday go-to shoes. If I know it's going to be a really, really, really long set day or I'm working out, it's going to be Hokas.
Best cozy socks for airplanes?
Barefoot Dreams, their socks and their bathrobes. I would literally show up to a fitting in a Barefoot Dreams bathrobe. They are the coziest things.
Best seamless underwear, because no one wants to have itchy underwear?
Commando.
What's your travel uniform these days? What are you wearing right now when you travel?
I'm only wearing sweatpants. I flew in last night to L.A. I wore my dad's sweatshirt, my ex-boyfriend's T-shirt, sweatpants, and my Hokas, and I looked like a hot mess. But you know what? I was very comfortable.
Do you have favorite sweats?
I like the Skims ones, and I like the ones that have pockets. I need pockets in my sweatpants.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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