Bal Harbour

P H OTO BY DAV I D N E E D L E M A N/AU G U S T I M AG E S HOW TO WEAR IT eteran fashion stylist Jessica Paster has earned (and maintained) a starry client roster with her sartorial talents and down-to-earth personality. On this year's awards season circuit: Emily Blunt and Aubrey Plaza (both 17-year clients), Carla Gugino (23 years and counting), Quinta Brunson, Cara Jade Myers, Rhea Seehorn, Abigail Spencer, Maria Bello, and Karen Fukuhara. Yet fashion wasn't always Paster's calling. "I wanted to be an actress and studied for three years," says the Los Angeles native. "On the first week that I was finally allowed to audition, I realized that it wasn't for me—there was nothing about it that I enjoyed!" Starting out as an assistant stylist at age 20, Paster quickly climbed the ladder. Her big break happened at the Academy Awards 1997, when her clients Kim Basinger and Minnie Driver were both up for Best Supporting Actress for L.A. Confidential and Good Will Hunting, respectively. Basinger won, and a star-studded career was born. Here, the A-list stylist breaks out spring fashion trends, her work uniform, key travel looks, and the two pieces every woman should own. You had two Emmy dresses go viral this season. Aubrey Plaza in Loewe; she's so funny, and even started posting the [Post-It note] memes. And then Quinta Brunson's gorgeous Dior haute couture gown. We did four or five fittings and it fit her like a glove. It was such a beautiful classic dress, and the detailing of crushed satin gave it a modern spin. V Biggest awards season challenge? Because of the [2023 SAG-AFTRA] strike, the Emmy awards were pushed back to January 15, so it was a little bit of a scramble getting going after the holidays. I had [mood]boards all over my office for days. It was intense. Items you always carry in your kit? My go-to underwear is Spanx or Commando. That's my secret weapon: undergarments. You don't need to drop a lining on every single dress, as the girls are very open to wearing just an adorable little bloomer. Do you have a work uniform? I've been wearing little sweatsuits with my Birkenstocks. I just got a sweatsuit from Ragdoll that I love to bits. Aviator Nation, Naked Cashmere, and Leset also have great ones. And I love my jewelry. I wear my bracelet stacks—Lorraine Schwartz, Anita Ko, and Tiffany & Co.—with my Jacquie Aiche and Anita Ko necklaces and Mejuri earrings. Any Bal Harbour Shops—specific anecdotes? When I was working with Mariah Carey, I would run out to Bal Harbour Shops to find her clothes. Not only do they have amazing shopping, but the restaurants are fantastic. The thing is, the valet always remembers my name, and I don't even live there! Hollywood stylist JESSICA PASTER found her calling behind the scenes—and her A-list roster of clients couldn't be happier about it. BY INGRID SCHMIDT What's in your suitcase for weekend getaways? For trips to Ojai and Montecito, I love a great summer dress from Dolce & Gabbana with Birkenstocks. Then I switch to a cute mule by Gianvito Rossi for the evening and I'm set. Trends you are eyeing for spring? We will see lots of little A-line miniskirts, the shorter the better—very reminiscent of the '60s. What's nice about this look is you can take it Gen Z by pairing it with a sneaker, or sexy-cool with a heel. A color we'll see lots of is butter yellow; for shoes it's going to be about a kitten heel. And then my favorite trend is '90s simplicity— whether a simple pencil skirt with a nice knit, or a slip dress with a great cardigan, paired with kitten heels or loafers. Items that every woman should own? A pair of jeans they love and a great LBD. The other day, I wore Daze jeans with a sparkly little Miu Miu top to a party and it looked fabulous. And I always like a Prada LBD. Indulgence that you never forego? The two things that I do to regroup, for my body and mind, are SoulCycle classes and a trip to Tomoko Spa in Beverly Hills. 114 BAL HARBOUR

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