The Who What Wear Podcast

Celebrity Stylist Petra Flannery on Emma Stone’s '90s-Inspired Press and Award Show Looks for Bugonia

Date: March 4, 2026
Host: Hilary Kerr
Guest: Petra Flannery, Celebrity Stylist

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid and insightful conversation between host Hilary Kerr and celebrated stylist Petra Flannery. The conversation dives into the creative process behind Emma Stone’s '90s-inspired looks for the awards season in support of "Bugonia," as well as Petra’s approach to styling other star clients Zoe Saldana and Claire Danes. Petra unpacks the collaborative and often intense nature of awards season prep, discusses the centrality of hair and color in styling choices, and offers behind-the-scenes stories on some of the season's most talked-about red carpet moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Chaos and Collaboration of Awards Season

Timestamps: 02:00–04:19

• Petra shares the intensity of prepping multiple A-list clients for overlapping red carpets:

  "I have, as you mentioned, Emma Stone attending everything this year because she’s once again very talented, beautiful actress, once again nominated across the board. Zoe Saldana, extraordinary, ... Claire Danes..." (02:54)

• The expansion of press windows due to series/TV and international films – “it keeps everybody busy… my world busy… knock on wood.”
• Zoe Saldana’s lighter awards year but high-pressure international Avatar tour:

  “Just a casual avatar across China. Avatar. You know, we were like, oh, my God, we’re back.” (04:10)

2. Building Red Carpet Stories with Color, Silhouette, and Hair

Timestamps: 04:19–08:21

• The legacy of Emma Stone’s 2011 peachy backless Calvin Klein gown:

  “I knew I loved the color... it felt fresh. She was blonde... It really put her on the map. Even with Vogue…” (04:52)

• The importance of color harmony with Emma’s shifting hair colors:

  “Color really depends on the silhouette of the dress. ... Like what she wore to the BAFTAs, which was actually navy... against her, like, porcelain skin.” (06:06)

• Growth of Emma's hair (post-filming) as a thematic throughline:

  “Her hair... having that shaved her head for the film... set the tone... Dressed around that idea... Kind of a little more ‘60s till now, knowing it was going to be growing out... kind of went more towards the ‘90s...” (07:20)

3. The Art and Science of Collaborative Glam

Timestamps: 08:21–10:09

• How Petra works with Emma’s hair (Mara Roszak) and makeup (Nina Park) teams:

  “It’s kind of all of that combined... sharing photos... I bring the fashion end... We all will all kind of throwing the ideas together... Emma’s very involved and enthusiastic… it’s fun.” (08:54)

4. Behind the Press Tour Wardrobe – 'Bugonia' and Vuitton Collaborations

Timestamps: 10:11–18:54

Key Looks Discussed:

• Venice Bubble Hem Dress:

  “That was the more the bubble dress... pale gray with the silvery, you know, kind of patterned, which was beautiful. And the bubble hem was kind of a little bit of a nod to the film... the cocoon silhouettes…” (11:49)

• New York Premiere Sheer White Look:

  “We hit the cloud dancer. ... Sometimes there’s room for whimsy... that’s a whole story.” (13:00)

• London Orange Column Dress:

  “Tangerine... a little bit of a nod to, like, the bees of Begonia... someone like Em can do it with her complexion and the red hair.” (13:26)

• Governor’s Awards Black Off-Shoulder Gown:

  “The band around her arms... was like a metal band... all the beading was embroidered onto this metal band... had a little futuristic [nod].” (14:27)

• Golden Globes Buttery Yellow Set:

  “Meant to be two different... from the ‘90s... the little T shirt and the skirt... when fancy’s effortless... there’s an ease to something.” (15:16)

Memorable Quote:

“She wore it beautifully... fancy can feel restricted, and, you know, it’s nice when there’s an ease to something, and it feels like, wow, they just kind of threw that on.” – Petra Flannery (15:16)

5. The Fit, Tailoring, and Movement

Timestamps: 16:04–18:54

• On finding the right reveal and fit:

  “Fittings are important, too, because you see how somebody moves in it and how they are naturally inclined to wear it.” (16:52)

• The deceptively difficult nature of "simple" dresses:

  “Those dresses that are, you know, simpler can become the most complicated because they actually have a little bit more, you know, behind them. … It’s like the no makeup makeup, right?” (17:57, 18:54)

6. Breaking Away – Working With Non-Vuitton Looks

Timestamps: 19:35–22:35

• Discussing Emma’s non-Vuitton looks:
  • Oscars Luncheon Tuxedo Mini:

    “The tuxedo of it all. It’s classic. ... She’s always loved doing pant looks and suit looks. ... It’s kind of the evolution of it, I would say her wearing that.” (19:46–20:49)

  • Colbert / Donna Karan 'Great Expectations' Green:

    “What’s more ‘90s apropos? ... at the office, we were like, okay, reach out to Donna Karan... sat with Emma. ... Do you want to do a different colorway?... ‘No, I think it has to be this.’” (21:45)

Memorable Quote:

“It was our fan out to Gwyneth and Great Expectations, which is 1998, I think. So we still hit that ‘90s mark.” (21:45)

7. Prepping for Live Moments and the Stakes of Delivery

Timestamps: 22:35–24:03

• On the anxiety and process of last-minute dress arrivals:

  “This dress, like, just flew into LA. Hand carried, right?” – Hilary Kerr
  “Hand carried. Yeah.” – Petra Flannery (23:18–23:22)

• The practical drama and allure of working in high fashion:

  “...the unpackaging of things and seeing it in person and touching things and feeling things.” (23:50)

8. Styling Zoe Saldana: Joy & Structural Statements

Timestamps: 24:03–29:59

• Petra’s approach to Zoe’s risk-taking:

  “I always want everybody to... feel their best... So, you know, it’s a little bit of a lighter year with Zoe... but, you know, ... we’ll see.” (24:24–25:45)

• On Zoe’s confidence, risk-taking, and partnership with Petra:

  “She obviously has, like, such a love for fashion and will do trends and take some risks.” (25:45)

• Avatar 3 Saint Laurent Teal Gown:

  “That was about as high of a [slit] as a dress can handle... Her leg's beautiful to present, but it wasn’t like a raunchy thing... it’s elegant.” (26:32–27:21)

• Erdem & Balmain Structured Gowns:

  “...when you have these structural dresses, you really have to make sure that they have some kind of element... because [otherwise] the dress isn’t wearing the person.... it’s a fine line.” (29:53)

9. Claire Danes, Gap Studios, and the ‘Fancy Effortless’ Philosophy

Timestamps: 30:23–33:16

• On Claire and Zac Posen for Gap Studios:

  “Zach had sent the sketches, and I love the idea because this was the T shirt dress. ... Let’s roll the sleeve. ... It felt very cool because... again, it’s this effortlessly chic thing.” (31:46)

• The magic of infusing authentic personality and ‘90s nostalgia:

  “Claire, again, is like, just... the epitome of the ‘90s...” (32:01)

10. Lightning Round: Risks, Favorites, and Styling Disasters

Timestamps: 33:44–37:30

• Biggest stylistic risk:

  “The one that always kind of stands out... was when Emma wore the Lanvin jumpsuit to the globes... wasn’t what we thought... it was the wild card that made it.” (33:44)

• Favorite custom look:

  “I have to say, though, her dress, that she won her first...Oscar in was.... there was just a lot of steps to it... It was beaded and it was painted... as much as it tortured me, I also was like, it’s such a big moment, you know?” (34:52)

• Styling disaster and advice for aspiring stylists:

  “Learn to have thick skin. ... your assistant gets on the plane without the premier dress and is on their way to London. But fortunately, you can get World Net just in time.” (35:57, 36:55)

• Stylists Petra admires:

  “I love what Jason Bolden does. ... Enrique Melendez because, you know, he and Jenna Ortega look like they’re having so much fun.” (37:36–37:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Effortless Glam:

  “When fancy’s effortless... and it feels like, wow, they just kind of threw that on.” – Petra Flannery (15:16)

• On 90s Influences:

  “...the whole 90s nod, that was, you know, ... What’s more, 90s apropos?” – Petra Flannery (21:45)

• On the Challenges of “Simplicity”:

  “Those dresses that are, you know, simpler can become the most complicated...” (17:57)

Additional Highlights & Behind-the-Scenes Nuggets

• Handling high pressure and unforeseen issues is a huge part of Petra’s job:

  “You can reroute [WorldNet] and ... it is bespoke fest. ... it’s not gonna be like you weren’t home to sign for it. Sorry, we’ll reattempt on Monday.” (37:20)

• Emma Stone’s close involvement and enthusiasm in every step of the styling process makes the looks soar.
• Zoe Saldana’s playfulness and willingness to push boundaries energizes and inspires Petra’s work.
• Petra’s “fancy becomes effortless” philosophy underpins her styling for all her clients.

Segment Timings (Timestamps)

• Petra’s overview of awards season and clients (02:00–04:19)
• On Emma Stone’s color and gown choices (04:19–06:52)
• Developing a 90s-inspired approach for Bugonia’s press tour (07:20–08:21)
• Working with glam teams, collaborative process (08:21–10:09)
• Walkthrough of iconic recent Vuitton looks (10:11–18:54)
• The importance and challenge of tailoring and movement (16:04–18:54)
• Non-Vuitton looks (Oscars luncheon, Colbert/Donna Karan) (19:35–22:35)
• Insider stories on dress deliveries and last-minute logistics (22:35–24:03)
• Zoe Saldana’s red carpet style and risk taking (24:03–29:59)
• Claire Danes and custom Gap (30:23–33:16)
• Lightning round: risks, faves, styling near-misses, shoutouts (33:44–37:49)

Final Thoughts

This episode is a treasure trove for anyone fascinated by the intersection of fashion, celebrity, and artistry. Petra Flannery demystifies the glamorous red carpet, sharing both the emotional investment and the intensive teamwork behind every look. Whether discussing Emma Stone’s ‘90s minimalism, Zoe Saldana’s sculptural gowns, or Claire Danes’ “effortlessly chic” Gap moment, Petra’s blend of enthusiasm, expertise, and humor makes this a can’t-miss listen for fashion lovers.

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