- Ty Hunter is one of Hollywood’s top celebrity stylists, working with Beyoncé and Billy Porter.
- Insider spoke with him about his book, career and why he almost started to hate clean fashion.
- He also talked about stars who wear underwear as pants, and the controversial trend of ballerinas.
Ty Hunter is undoubtedly one of the most influential celebrity stylists.
He rose to fame styling Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé — a job he landed by hooking up with mom Queen B — and today works with red carpet icon Billy Porter.
He is also the author of a new memoir, “Makeover From Within: Lessons in Hardship, Acceptance, and Self-Discovery.”
After speaking with Hunter about his book and career, Insider quizzed him about some of today’s most popular and controversial fashion fads — including see-through clothing, pant-like underwear, and ballet flats.
Ty Hunter knows that see-through fashion is on trend, but he thinks it needs innovation
The “naked” fashion trend is one that will never seem to go away.
Some stars like Hayley Williams occasionally wear see-through garments to make bold fashion statements. Others like Kate Moss and Kendall Jenner, however, have turned sheer clothing into an everyday staple.
Hunter is partially responsible for that. He often styled Destiny’s Child in skin-baring outfits in the ’90s, and added sheer elements to many of Beyoncé’s famous looks during her solo career.
While Hunter said he has “no problem” with the see-through look that’s still popular today, he noted that he’s almost tired of it.
“I feel like we’ve done it so much. We’ve done it, and done it right,” he said with a laugh. “I had a moment where I said, ‘I don’t want to see anything else clean. I’m tired of seeing that.'”
Destiny’s Child in 2001 and Beyoncé in 2015 wearing sheer outfits styled by Ty Hunter.
Gregg DeGuire/Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
“But now I see people playing it up a bit and making it more interesting,” he continued. “So as long as you’re creative and modernize it.”
Hunter isn’t the only one who wants to see new takes on the fashion favorite. Speaking to Insider in December, designer Christian Siriano said he’s seen so many sheer looks that he’s now interested in “celebrating the silhouette” with new takes on the trend.
“It doesn’t always mean you have to be clean or naked or anything like that,” Siriano said. “Sometimes a gorgeous, understated look can be just as sexy.”
Stars can’t stop wearing underwear as pants. Hunter says if you’re going to try the trend, now is the time.
During Paris Fashion Week in September 2022, Kylie Jenner embraced an interesting style trend: wearing underwear as outerwear.
The outfit was casual, but impressive. Soon after, Tessa Thompson, Kendall Jenner and other stars started wearing underwear with leggings instead of traditional bottoms.
Bella Hadid then went one step further when she ditched the leggings and wore white underwear as shorts, and stars like Rita Ora opted for see-through dresses that showed off their underwear at the 2022 Fashion Awards.
Kylie Jenner at the Loewe fashion show in Paris, France on September 30, 2022.
MEGA/Getty Images
Hunter’s take on the controversial trend is simple. He said if you’re comfortable wearing it, you should try the trend and “get it out of your system.”
“Then at least you have those pictures to show your kids and grandkids, like, ‘Grandma was hot,'” he said.
Hunter used to be ‘anti-flat’ when it came to shoes, but today he sees things differently
One of the most talked about shoe trends of 2023 might be nostalgic for some: ballet flats.
Shoes were “the most important thing,” as fashion writer Tyler McCall recently told Refinery29, and were often worn by celebrities and on the catwalk.
Although some argue that the footwear is uncomfortable and impractical, others love the shoes and embrace the resurgence of the “ballet core”.
If flats had returned before 2020, Hunter probably wouldn’t have been included. He told Insider that he spent “many, many years” in the “anti-flat” style, whether it was dressing his friends and family or stars like Beyoncé.
“I thought women should always have heels,” he said.
Beyoncé performs at the 2003 BET Awards in a dress and heels styled by Ty Hunter.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
But as of 2020, Hunter’s opinion has changed drastically.
“During COVID, everyone got used to wearing slides and house shoes — we just kind of adjusted, you know?” he added. “Now I wonder, if it’s hot, why not?”