Doja Cats Stylist Unpacks Her Freewheeling Approach To Fashion

When it comes to Nelsons work with Doja, its all about experimenting and pushing sartorial boundaries. The pair first joined forces for the BET Awards in 2019, and have since gone on to create looks for music videos, album covers and Coachella earlier this year (or Dojachella, as her fans dubbed it on Twitter). The creative synergy we share is magical shes not afraid to take a risk and I am obsessed with that, he says of their working relationship.

In Paris, Doja wore a dramatic brown leather coat over an AWAKE Mode check suit (naturally while covered in gold body paint), and a drop-shoulder tie dress by Thom Browne with matching tights and lace-up platform boots (note the tie necklace , shades and fuzzy handbag). Then there was the online Mont cut-out dress with contrasting blue face paint, a look that swept social media. She is open to everything thats what I love about her, he says of Dojas style. We get to play with colors and textures, but most of all create costumes that no one else is brave enough to wear.

According to Nelson, Dojas fashion sense is as eclectic as her music. The artist chose a classic black off-the-shoulder, figure-hugging gown with a statement chain necklace and earrings, as well as square-frame sunglasses to attend the Balenciaga show. Doja maintained her gothic theme for the Givenchy show by wearing a black double-breasted blazer dress over a leather miniskirt and top combo, black knee-high boots and silver hardware jewelry. We try to create looks with a balance of high and low pieces we work with big fashion houses as well as emerging designers, says Nelson. I believe when there is no risk there is no reward, and [Doja] understands that.

What advice would Nelson give to someone trying to break into the world of celebrity styling? Treat every client differently and get to know them if they are inspired by something, listen to them, he declares with confidence. You dont work with a stylist to be a replica of someone else you work with a stylist to truly bring out your own aesthetic.