Women of Style

CALYANN BARNETT
When Karl Lagerfeld stops you in the middle of the street to compliment your outfit and the creative director of Balmain requests to take a picture with you because of what you’re wearing, you can safely assume you’re doing something right. Instances like these are not dreams, but reality for Calyann Barnett. “Having these big names in fashion pick me out from the crowd has really validated my work as a stylist,” she says. “It tells me that thinking out of the box and doing what feels right is working.”

Known for bucking convention, the petite Barnett has made a name for herself as the go-to wardrobe whisperer for NBA stars like Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Chandler Parsons, all of whom rely on her to make them look their best when they’re off the hardwood—even if, as in Wade’s case, that includes hot-pink pants. Trust like that doesn’t come easy, but Barnett practices what she preaches. Her bold red hair lets people know she’s not afraid to take risks. Confident fashion choices like Stella McCartney jogging pants with Alexander Wang crop tops, Dsquared2 jeans with Giuseppe Zanotti heels, and La Perla lingerie as outerwear further solidify that point. “My No. 1 rule is that there are no rules,” says Barnett, who plans to open a high-end costume rental store next year. “To me, style is a personal expression of how you feel on any given day.”