Behind every step of the Barbie world tour - which saw America Ferrera, Ryan Gosling, and Margot Robbie journey through Australia, America, Mexico, and beyond - there was a team of talented stylists tasked with making the most out of every red carpet moment.
While Robbie's doll-inspired wardrobe has been immortalised in print, thanks to Andrew Mukamal's photo-book, stylist Karla Welch has taken to Instagram to share her insights into America Ferrara's stylish journey.
Working backwards from the Oscars, Welch says she plans her clients' awards season looks well in advance as there is fierce competition within the industry.
"It's competitive," she says. "Every stylist who has a girl going is going to be jostling, like, it's a fight. It's full on. We love each other, it's a fight."
Welch says she avoided putting Ferrera in pink for the entire press tour, all in the hopes of wowing at the Academy Awards: "The only time we were going to do it was the night we were going to say goodbye. Like, bye, Barbie."
Nominated for her role as Gloria in the Greta Gerwig hit, Ferrera walked the red carpet in a show-stopping chainmail dress from Versace.
At the beginning of January, Welch received sketches of the dress from the team at Versace, who also sent samples of chainmail to choose from.
Taking lighting, cameras, and skin tone into consideration, the stylist explains that a huge amount of thought went into the look: "One of the greatest things about getting a custom dress is just all the love that goes into it."
The couture dress was made by hand, with each piece being clicked together with pliers, and featured an internal corset and bodysuit. Overall, Welch claims that it took seven people a combined 400 hours to make.
"It looks like its melting on her body," she smiles, reflecting on the skill and precision involved in each fitting and alteration. "It's masterful. It's the best part of being a stylist."
