Fashion wars behind the scenes

Phillip Bloch

A-list clientele: Halle Berry and Sandra Bullock
Signature style: Full-on glamour

One of the more well-known fashionistas, Bloch was one of the first celebrity stylists to become a personality and has even made a guest appearance in TV series Entourage. He is widely known for dressing Halle Berry in that daring sheer Elie Saab gown on the night of her first Oscar win in 2003.

'A stylist is like a glorified messenger with good taste,' Phillip says. 'I'm like your tasteful best friend. A best friend is going to be honest with you.'

Over the years, he has dressed Jennifer Lopez, Courtney Love, Salma Hayek and even Jim Carrey, sometimes for the same events. One year he dressed ten celebrities for the Oscars, apparently breaking all records. 'I was like Santa Claus trying to get round everyone,' he recalls. 'I'm in the business of making little girls' dreams come true, and all movie stars are little girls.'

Jessica Pastor

A-list clientele: Jessica Simpson and Kate Bosworth
Signature style: Crazy, sexy, cool

'Never mind calling the family when the Oscar nominations are announced. The first call is always to book the stylist,' says Jessica of her busiest time of year. In the past she has dressed Hilary Swank and Charlize Theron. She adds: 'Right up to Oscar night itself, Hollywood turns into a designer feeding frenzy.'

Jessica Simpson loves her style so much she left Rachel Zoe's camp to join Jessica's. The two are now great pals and even hang out with Jess's hairdresser Ken Paves. As a stylist, Jessica walks a fine line between ethereal chic when it is called for (as seen on Cate Blanchett on the red carpet) and a sexier, edgier day-to-night look like that worn by Jessica Simpson.

Penny Lovell

A-list clientele: Ginnifer Goodwin, Melissa Etheridge and Josh Duhamel
Signature style: Versatile and effortless

The former London fashion publicist became a stylist to the stars after she discovered she enjoyed styling shoots with real people more than with dummies! A major part of her success lies in the fact that she allows their clients to express their personalities through their clothes rather than dictating what they wear.

She has dressed fresh-faced Big Love star Ginnifer Goodwin in labels like Moschino, Marc Jacobs and Burberry, and says friendship and openness are her two strong points. 'When you do something so personal for someone, you have to get along, and the more honest you are, the better the results,' she says.