By Ingrid Schmidt
When it comes to styling, Micaela Erlanger champions layering and is a proponent of the high-low mix.
On recent global press tours for their respective roles in The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Odyssey, Hollywood heavy-hitters Meryl Streep and Lupita Nyong’o turned to fashion stylist Micaela Erlanger for their sartorial needs. The results? Très chic!
Lupita Nyong’o at the Paris premiere of The Odyssey in a look from Chanel Resort 2027; courtesy of Chanel.
July marked another milestone for Erlanger when her work for The Kelly Clarkson Show earned her an Emmy nom for Outstanding Costume Design/Styling for a Daytime Program, what she describes as “a true pinch-me moment.”
Manhattan-born Erlanger’s career kicked off as she was earning her business degree from Parsons and simultaneously doing freelance stints for magazines and films. Upon landing a gig at Harper’s Bazaar, she met her mentor—the late, storied stylist Annabel Tollman, whose clients included Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Scarlett Johansson, and Mariah Carey.
“Annabel was extraordinary; she taught me everything!” says Erlanger, who began as her intern, and was then hired after graduating in 2008. “My grandmother was an antiques dealer, so I grew up with a love for archival pieces, but Annabel helped cultivate my appreciation of vintage fashion. I always had my own creative perspective; I don’t think that can be taught. But she certainly influenced my eye in many ways.”
In 2012, makeup artist Jordan Bree Long, a film-set connection, introduced Erlanger to her first solo client, Michelle Dockery. “Then Michelle introduced me to Lupita before 12 Years a Slave premiered,” adds Erlanger. “Amazing referrals. That’s the name of the game! I was on a rocket ship quite early in my career, which I’m so grateful for.”
The rest is history.
Here, Erlanger talks shop, from the looks she’s loving for fall to her no-fail work uniform and packing hacks.
How do you prepare for the massive global film tours that your clients often partake in?
The Devil Wears Prada 2 press tour lasted six weeks, and we prepared for it for six months. It was a huge undertaking that took a lot of organization, thought, and research. We made some custom pieces; I had so many favorites. The looks in Asia that kicked off the tour—Chanel, Celine, Saint Laurent—were especially impactful. I am working with Lupita on The Odyssey now and it’s another huge, exciting tour. It’s far too soon to tell who will be nominated, but I’m hoping to have a very busy awards season.
Do you ascribe to work uniforms?
Yes! I am a button-down or T-shirt, jeans, and blazer girl, through and through. Paired with a beautiful ballet flat or a little block heel and a great bag. I wear a lot of Celine and Chanel, and am currently leaning on a lot of Hermès bags. I’m pretty classic in my personal aesthetic.
What’s on your fall fashion radar?
This season is all about edited classics with a sharp, tailored edge. Watching fall runways, I fell in love with deep burgundy, rich chocolate, and olive played against more standard neutrals. We’re seeing a gorgeous return to dramatic lines—structured column coats, oversized power blazers, and ankle-skimming trousers that move seamlessly to a late-night dinner. New creative directors at Gucci, Balmain, and Fendi are bringing incredible texturized outerwear, playful high-contrast proportions, and a fresh take on evening wear.
As someone with a weakness for footwear, what’s exciting you this season?
Shoes are my ultimate weakness. For fall, I’m leaning into Celine. My top picks are a structured riding boot paired with denim, a striking kitten-heel mule, or sleek pointed bootie, and elevated, embellished flats that deliver full luxury with all-day comfort.
Any low-key tricks to refresh a fall wardrobe?
I’m not a believer in wearing things once. I like to give my clothes longevity. Style is all about how you put things together, so I layer and wear things in all different kinds of ways. My ethos is in my book, “How to Accessorize: A Perfect Finish To Every Outfit.” It’s in the high-low mix. My favorite trick, straight off set, is taking a casual baseline—like broken-in denim and a crisp tee—and dropping in luxe, hyper-polished accessories. Add a crystal-embellished Aquazzura pump or an architectural Saint Laurent belt to transform standard staples into an instant high-fashion statement.
Can you spill some packing and travel hacks?
I pack on hangers. It takes two seconds to pack and two seconds to unpack. I always travel with a steamer. And I set aside a bag for accessories, so nothing scratches in transit. I like to wear a comfy Lafayette 148 [New York] cashmere track set that I own in three colors. In the winter, I wear a boot, because you always want to wear your biggest shoe. It looks polished at the airport and you can get off the plane and go straight to a coffee meeting and not feel sloppy.
