You might not recognize the name Molly Dickson, but you’ve likely seen her work. She’s the stylist behind some of the most talked-about red carpet looks, from Bella Hadid’s stunning Saint Laurent naked dress at the Cannes Film Festival to Sydney Sweeney’s captivating press tour ensembles for the film “The Players Table” (2023). Dickson also styles a roster of high-profile clients including Lana Del Rey, Sadie Sink, and Kaia Gerber, making her a familiar figure on the red carpet and a rising star in the world of celebrity styling.
Dickson’s journey to the top began with an internship at Marie Claire in 2009. While she majored in Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Minnesota, she found herself drawn to the world of fashion. Determined to secure an internship, she even re-enrolled in college, recognizing the value of practical experience: “I had to work somewhere to get credit, so I was basically paying tuition to do an unpaid internship.” The competitive environment was a reality check for aspiring fashion professionals: “We started with 23 interns and ended up with about eight. Young girls think fashion is glamorous, but you’re mostly doing garbage duty.”
After her stint at Marie Claire, Dickson worked as a publicist for Gucci before returning to the magazine, eventually becoming an assistant to fashion market director. She then spent eight years as an assistant to stylist Leslie Fremar, absorbing valuable knowledge and developing her skills. Dickson’s schedule is now jam-packed with styling projects for some of Hollywood’s biggest names, yet she maintains a sense of humility: “I still feel like an assistant stylist in some ways. I don’t know if it’s a good mentality, but I still feel like I have so much to learn. I’m always hungry for more, so I keep pushing.”
Dickson’s independent career took off when she started styling actress Katherine Langford for the hit drama series “13 Reasons Why” (2017). Balancing her assistant work with Langford’s commitments proved challenging, prompting her to make the leap into solo styling. Leaving Fremar’s mentorship was a significant decision, filled with both fear and excitement. Dickson quickly expanded her clientele, adding names like Sydney Sweeney, Sadie Sink, Lucy Hale, and Camila Mendes, solidifying her position in the industry.
One defining moment in her career came in 2022, when she helped Sadie Sink transition from her role as a young star in “Stranger Things” to a mature and independent artist during the press tour for the film “The Whale” (2022). Dickson understood the importance of evolving Sink’s image, recognizing that her client was no longer a child: “When I first started working with her, she was 14, so I had to be very conservative with her, not let her be remotely sexy. I remember being on set and her dress strap fell off and I thought, ‘Oh my god, her dad is going to be so mad!”
Sink appreciates the way Dickson has helped her navigate the fashion world: “I think she really understands my relationship with fashion and my knowledge of this industry. She knows what I like, I’m sure she can probably read my mind at this point.” She highlights how Dickson’s guidance allowed her to embrace her changing style: “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve enjoyed being able to push those boundaries that I had as a teenager and wear more grown-up looks than what I was wearing before, but Molly has never forced a style change on me. I appreciate that.”
When Sink turned 18, Dickson had a crucial conversation with both Sink and her manager about approaching her style in a new way. “She’s a woman now, and she’s playing more mature adult roles, and I think she should start wearing some more sexy things.” The press tour for “The Whale” proved to be the perfect time to unveil Sink’s transformation: “She wore a McQueen cut-out dress, a little sheer. That was probably the most revealing thing she’s ever worn.”
Dickson’s work with Sydney Sweeney has also showcased her ability to create captivating looks, particularly during the second season of “Euphoria” and the press tour for “The Players Table.” She has skillfully curated a range of styles, from Bottega Veneta and Miu Miu to Schiaparelli and Versace, highlighting Sweeney’s versatility and captivating presence.
Beyond her undeniable talent, Dickson stands out for her warmth and genuine connection with her clients. Sydney Sweeney describes her as “a breath of fresh air in the industry, ” highlighting her “passion, creativity, and energy.” She praises Dickson’s ability to enhance a client’s unique style, transforming those who might usually wear jeans and a t-shirt into fashion icons.
Lana Del Rey echoes this sentiment, calling Dickson “a true friend, a sister. I trust her so much. It’s so calming being around her, and I feel very lucky to have her as my stylist.” Sadie Sink emphasizes Dickson’s genuine nature: “Molly’s like a sister to me. She’s a true friend, and I trust her so much. It’s so calming being around her, and I’m so grateful to have her as my stylist.”
Dickson is just as eager to learn from her clients, particularly from Sydney Sweeney’s willingness to experiment. She recalls an early fitting when Sweeney challenged her perceptions: “I was like, ‘Sydney, you’re all over the place with the looks.’ And she said, ‘Molly, I’m an actor. I want to play different characters, I want to have fun with fashion. I don’t want to be stuck in a box. Some days I feel girly, some days I feel sexy.'” Dickson’s perspective shifted: “That was an eye-opener for me because I always saw Sydney as either cool-girl or cute-girl, but she taught me that fashion is fluid. You can explore different personas and roles through fashion.”
Whether it’s a vintage Kufiya dress or an avant-garde premiere look, Dickson prioritizes creating outfits that allow her clients to feel their best. The fitting process is crucial, transforming it into a collaborative and enjoyable experience: “I want to create a fun environment for them to enjoy fashion. I want them to be like, ‘Okay, let’s go to the fitting, let’s be with our girlfriends and pick out cute clothes. At the end of the day, I want to make sure my clients feel confident in their clothes when they’re walking into an event, walking the red carpet, or performing.”
