Calculating Fashion Risks

Always on the edge of glamour and intense pressure, creativity and fastidious organization, risk and discipline, Petra Flannery ’95 is the stylist for celebrities such as Emma Stone, Zoe Saldana and Amy Adams — to name just a few.

This year, her name gained even more clout when she earned the number-one spot in The Hollywood Reporter’s list of the “Top 25 Stylists in Hollywood.”

“I have traveled on press tours with Star Trek, Avatar and all the Spider-Man releases,” said Flannery, who graduated from USC Dornsife with a degree in political science. “I’m known for being super organized. Even when I’m traveling from city to city all around the world, I come equipped with extra clothes and accessories. After traveling as much as I have, I’m confident that I can find resources — such as a tailor — whether it’s Tokyo or Berlin.”

Once — while traveling with actress Emma Stone for a Spider-Man film premier — a VIP team from Versace came to London specifically to help with the final fitting of Stone’s gown.

“It’s exciting to be at a point in which I have access to these design teams,” Flannery said. “These resources come from years of relationships that you make working with top designers. They love dressing high-profile actresses in their beautiful clothes.”

Although fashion does not immediately evoke thoughts of politicians and electorates, Flannery reflected that her USC education built the foundation for her professional skills — someone who often needs to navigate delicate situations.

“In my field there is a level of professionalism that you need to maintain — even though fashion is so creative,” Flannery said. “When I’m on a photo shoot, I have my client, the ad agency and the people who represent the product. Part of my job is to make sure everyone is happy.”

She added, “USC gave me invaluable skills in socializing, networking, organizing myself and holding myself accountable for my work.”

Directly after college, Flannery worked at Elite Model Management as a model booker, or agent, but she craved an opportunity to tap into her artistic side.   

Flannery leads the styling team for actress Zoe Saldana, center.

After leaving Elite, she started dabbling in production on photo shoots.

“One of the first jobs was a Harry Winston ad, and I saw how intimate, creative and exciting these shoots are,” she said. “You’re working to make something perfect, and I loved the whole essence of that.” 

Flannery was hooked. After about three years of apprenticing, she branched out on her own. Saldana and Stone were among her first clients. “We kind of grew up together,” she said. “After so many years of such hard work, we all came into our own at the same time.”

Throughout her career as a fashion stylist, Flannery has been influenced by the content of many of her college courses.

“I took an architecture class that inspired me because I love lines and mid-century designs, and I also love clothes that are modern,” she explained. “I also took art history.  All of the different periods and art pieces really influence fashion.”

Clothing can offer glimpses into the past or the future, she said.

“Learning and traveling can only enhance your knowledge, your vision and your creativity.”

Even though stylists have increasingly been moving out of the wings and into the spotlight, Flannery is known for taking calculated risks with her clients. 

“I’ve always been into fashion, but I am especially drawn to unique fashion,” Flannery said. “It becomes its own form of expression when it’s done well, and it is nice to push the envelope and stand out.”

Saldana is a great match for her because the actress wears even the edgiest outfits with confidence. “You can’t make someone look good in something they don’t feel comfortable in,” Flannery said.

Flannery did not enter or leave USC knowing she wanted to be a stylist, but there was one college moment that did prove prophetic.

“I received the superlative for ‘best-dressed-on-the-row’ in my Greek yearbook,” said the Kappa Alpha Theta alumna. “So I guess you could say my career has been a natural progression.”