Sèven questions with Cassy Meier, the stylist behind Suki Waterhouse's most memorable on-stage looks
Welcome back to the SèveN! In an exclusive interview, Sève caught up with Cassy Meier, the stylist famed for curating Suki Waterhouse's iconic looks.
From the pulsating energy of stage performances, to the refined elegance of red carpet appearances, Cassy Meier has done it all! Join us as we explore Cassy's journey into celebrity styling marked by passion, precision, and making the most of every opportunity.
What inspired you to pursue a career in fashion styling, and how did you get started in the industry?
C.M.: I got into fashion styling after watching Friends, inspired by Rachel Green's gig at Ralph Lauren. Initially, I thought about being a buyer, but that turned out to be more about numbers than fashion. In the early 2000s, celebrity styling didn’t have so much exposure, so I explored fashion show production and wedding planning in Canada. My path shifted in school when I connected with a hairstylist and tried my hand at styling through small, unpaid projects. Despite the challenges in the smaller Canadian industry, I found my groove, and eventually moved to New York. I soon realized my true calling was in celebrity styling. The transformative power of clothing on confidence and identity drew me in. I wanted to impact lives on a broader scale, and that's why celebrity styling became my focus. In a nutshell, my journey in fashion has been a winding road, blending my love for impactful clothing with a desire to make a meaningful difference on a public stage.
Suki Waterhouse wearing Saint Laurent PF LK89, Wolford tights Can you elaborate on your transition into celebrity styling and some key moments that shaped your journey?
C.M.: In Canada, I delved into the film set environment while working on local music videos. The 12-hour shoots, transforming into a three-minute video, captivated me – similar to the magic behind magazine shoots or commercials. New York introduced me to celebrity styling through an internship and freelancing with KCD. I then interned for Micaela Erlanger which was eye-opening, and outreach efforts to agents and publicists eventually led me to Law Roach.
Law's call, offering a trial as a second assistant, prompted my move to LA and my transition to celebrity styling. Working on and off with Law for six years, I navigated the challenges of managing clients, the office, and other assistants. Cold emails during quieter periods opened doors for me and landed me my first red carpet experience at the Kids' Choice Awards with YouTube star Jules LeBlanc. Making my way into the world of celebrity styling was a whirlwind which took years of assisting, freelancing, work on television shows, and sending more emails than you can imagine.
How did you start working with Suki Waterhouse?
C.M.: It all started with meeting Dani Vitale, Demi Lovato's choreographer, while assisting Law. A couple of years later, Law presented the chance to travel to Prague with Halsey for a month, filming her visual album. Jumping at the opportunity, I found myself in Prague, and to my surprise, Dani was there too, now choreographing for Halsey. Fast forward to August 2022, Dani reached out looking for styling help for the incredible Suki Waterhouse. I connected with Suki and starting pulling clothes for her upcoming shows. It's all about making the most of every moment and creative connection in the industry because you never know what opportunities will then come your way.
Did you take into consideration her daily personal style while creating concert outfits?
In terms of styling, when I first started working with Suki, her natural vibe resonated with that effortlessly cool 70s rocker chick aesthetic, which also translates beautifully to her stage presence. While her personal style is a bit more relaxed and street-inspired, on stage we've leaned into this persona. She loves tight-fitting trousers with flowy tops, creating a silhouette that's both fluid and ethereal in her movements. It's about finding that balance—maintaining her inherent coolness while adding a bit more edge through her hair, makeup, and a consistent inclusion of boots. Her stage persona is like a refined version of her everyday style, a character she beautifully embodies during performances.
Suki Waterhouse wearing Alessandra Rich FW23 LK41, Andamane bralette and Stuart Weitzman boots How is working on concert outfits for talent different from other forms of celebrity styling?
C.M.: Working with artists like Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, and Halsey, while being an assistant to Law Roach, provided unique insights into individual needs for performances. For example, Ariana who is known for her frequent outfit changes, requires meticulously planned looks for super easy and fast changes. This involves strategic zipper placements and sometimes opting for sturdy alternatives like snaps or Velcro. For artists like Suki Waterhouse, who stick to a single outfit for the entire concert, the styling process is a bit simpler.
A common consideration for all artists though involves accommodating their mic packs. Creating discreet pouches in jumpsuits or dresses becomes essential to prevent any show-time mishaps.
I also think understanding an artist’s preferences, comfort levels, and any wardrobe dislikes is essential. Their input, especially in a performance setting, is invaluable to ensure their confidence and comfort on stage, both physical and emotional! Cultivating long-term relationship based on communication allows you to understand their body, preferences, likes, and dislikes. Over time, this foundation of trust enables me to explore new styles and push creative boundaries. While I had worked mostly red carpet settings, styling Suki for her tour presented a new, and initially daunting, challenge. But because of the trust and familiarity we’ve built over time, the experience and outcome have been really positive.
Suki Waterhouse wearing Vintage YSL blazer, Fleur du Mal top, Dior bralette, Alessandra Rich Shorts, Capezio tights, The Row boots, The Lady Grey ring Could you share more about how you pull clothing for Suki, the fitting process, and keeping everything organized for her tour?
C.M.: Yes! The wardrobe for a tour like that definitely takes to a lot of preparation, organization and attention to detail. We planned 7 to 10 remixable looks, with a budget for potential purchases. Unexpectedly, top brands, including Saint Laurent, readily lent stunning pieces which I tried to complement with vintage finds.
We would track finalized looks with fitting photos and sheets, and kept each outfit neatly packed together. We also kept a binder that contained all the information about the looks that served as a go-to reference for Suki and the rest of her team on tour.
During the tour, I organized new options for specific stops, including the lent Saint Laurent pieces. Fittings in New York allowed us to make any adjustments and gave us time to repack everything properly. Post-tour, I collected, sorted, and returned the borrowed items to brands.
That’s actually when I started using Sève. It was a relief to have everything consolidated in one place rather than scattered across various documents. It becomes a huge help when the team expands and you have multiple individuals collaborating on a single project. I know lots of people in the business have historically resorted to Google Docs for collaboration. However, it's not tailor-made for stylists and the fashion industry's specific tracking needs. Sève stands out by focusing precisely on the aspects critical to us, like confirmation status, tracking information, and details about the PR firm or designer. Having all this information readily available on the platform without the hassle of digging through emails is really a huge help. It’s an incredible tool, particularly for its specialization in the fashion industry.
On the left: Suki wearing Verguenza bodysuit and Akira trousers. On the right: Suki wearing Saint Laurent FW22 LK 24, Vitaly, Lady Grey & The M Jewelers rings & Pamela Love rings & earrings What advice would you give to aspiring stylists or to your younger self?
C.M.: I would emphasize the importance of perseverance and proactive engagement in the industry. Networking is key, so talk to people, assist, intern—do whatever it takes to get on set. Even if you're not directly involved, stay attentive. Listen to conversations and instructions; absorb the atmosphere!
Also, taking initiative is crucial. Volunteer for tasks, whether it's getting coffee or tidying up the showroom. When you show genuine willingness to contribute, over time, you'll find yourself trusted with more significant responsibilities.
This being said, avoid constantly asking what else you can do, as it can be overwhelming for those already managing a lot of different responsibilities. If you run out of assigned tasks, show some resourcefulness and find something productive to do independently.
Beyond assisting and interning, broaden your network by engaging with people on social media. Connect with photographers, hair and makeup artists, aspiring models, or actors. Collaborate on projects, create content, and showcase your work where you can (on socials or your website). Remember, this industry is visual, so having a portfolio that reflects your aesthetic is crucial. Be realistic about your experience level before reaching out to agents, managers, and publicists. Start by freelancing, build your resume, and only seek representation when you have a substantial body of work to showcase.
Lastly, be prepared to send out a lot of emails! Rejections are part of the process, but all it takes is one ‘yes’ to open doors. Make those initial connections, leave a positive impression, and be persistent in pursuing your goals.
We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Cassy!
Cassy Meier is one of 1 000+ stylists managing their projects on Sève, to learn more about how Sève can make your styling life easier reach out to us on Instagram or email us at contact@seve.app.
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