The L.A. based stylist Karla Welch, who always wears a significant hairstyle (either pixie or a tight cut with bangs). She only lets Pamela Neal do her hair, who also used to to David Bowie’s and Tilda Swinton’s hair.
First Item of clothing ever bought:
An Esprit sweatshirt in the 1980s. Also Benetton was something I liked. A green and white rugby shirt, which would be still a great staple in the closet.
Last Item of clothing bought:
A pair of white jeans from The Row. They were used at a shoot with Hailey Bieber. They are high-waisted with a wide leg and have the right bit of elegance, which is important for any wardrobe.
The place I want to return asap:
Powell Lake, just north of Vancouver, where she and her husband own a little island. Growing up near there and going every summer to a lake, makes this place perfect. It’s very rustic, but charming. It comes with an outhouse with a composting toilet and a wood-burning hot tub.
The fashion moment that changed everything:
When Virgil Abloh went to Louis Vuitton. He showed us all things we never would have imagined.
The Beauty Staple I’m never without:
An Eyebrow spoolie and Augustinus Bader The Cream. This makes even a bit older skin look like 20.
Style Icon:
Miuccia Prada. She has the most subversive form of sexiness. When you put on a Prada dress – and it can be the most nothing dress – you instantly feel like a powerful woman. The very first designer piece I bought, 25 years ago, was a brown silk Prada pussybow blouse that I got at the Barneys warehouse sale.
Best Style advice ever been given:
The sister always said ‚good clothes open doors‘. It doesn’t mean expensive clothes, it’s about pulling yourself together and presenting yourself in a way that makes you feel good. Ultimately, it distils down to something quite powerful.
Karla Welch: The Stylist Shaping Modern Celebrity Fashion
I’m brutally shy, but I’ve never questioned my ability to work hard. So I say yes to things that were way outside my comfort zone. I can be afraid, but I do it anyway.
Karla Welch
Karla Welch is a powerhouse name in the fashion industry, though you rarely see her on the red carpet. As one of the most influential celebrity stylists of our time, she works behind the scenes to craft the iconic looks worn by A-list clients like Tracee Ellis Ross, Sarah Paulson, and Justin Bieber. Her influence extends far beyond styling, shaping trends and championing inclusivity.
Welch’s signature style is a masterclass in modern elegance. She expertly blends high fashion with accessible pieces, creating looks that feel both aspirational and relatable. Her work is known for its bold use of color, sharp tailoring, and a powerful, confident sensibility that allows her clients’ personalities to shine through.
The xTx Revolution: Karla Welch’s Foray into Secondhand
In a move that cemented her status as a industry innovator, Welch launched her own circular retail concept, xTx (By Karla Welch). This platform is a direct reflection of her personal and professional ethos, focusing on sustainability and the timeless value of great clothing. It’s her answer to the disposable nature of fashion.
xTx is not a typical consignment store. It functions as a curated archive of pieces from Welch’s own styling closet and the wardrobes of her celebrity clients. This gives fashion enthusiasts unprecedented access to iconic items actually worn on red carpets, in music videos, and for major editorial shoots, each with a unique story.
Why xTx Resonates in the Modern Market
The platform brilliantly taps into the desire for authentic connection in fashion. Shopping from xTx isn’t just buying a used dress; it’s owning a piece of fashion history. Customers can wear the exact Miu Miu suit that Sarah Paulson wore or the dramatic gown that defined a moment for Tracee Ellis Ross.
Furthermore, xTx champions a circular model without sacrificing style or luxury. Welch demonstrates that sustainability and high fashion are not mutually exclusive. By giving these high-profile garments a second life, she educates her vast audience on the importance of conscious consumption, making it a chic and desirable choice.
Karla Welch’s Lasting Influence on Fashion
Karla Welch’s career is a blueprint for the modern fashion professional. She has successfully parlayed her impeccable taste and styling expertise into entrepreneurial ventures that reflect her values. Through her work and with xTx, she advocates for a more thoughtful, personal, and sustainable approach to getting dressed.
Her ability to shape celebrity image while simultaneously building a business that challenges industry norms is her true legacy. Karla Welch is more than a stylist; she is a curator, an entrepreneur, and a visionary proving that the most fashionable choice is often an intelligent and conscious one.
