Before you question this celebrity stylist’s sanity, you should know that Jeannie is the host of Style Network’s Emmy-nominated makeover series How Do I Look.
She is also a popular reappearing host for E! Style and many other networks, and has worked with clients such as Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and Rosario Dawson.
Despite being one of the more successful celebrity stylists today, the Vietnamese-Chinese American admitted it wasn’t easy at the start when she approached television networks in 2004.
“Back then in the audition rooms, everyone was Caucasian. It wasn’t easy to convince producers,” recalled Jeannie. “But I’ve always felt so proud to be an Asian. Our culture teaches women to celebrate our figures with radiant colours and accentuating details such as mandarin collars – it’s empowering.”
Jeannie is no stranger to red carpet watching as she often lends her expert opinions on the best and worst dressed stars to various style and entertainment websites.
So back to the first question: Why Lady Gaga?
“The full interpretation of the red carpet is to make an entrance. You only have the spotlight for a few camera clicks, so the point is to make a lasting impression,” she explained. “Lady Gaga is excellent at that. Some may not like it, but I think her Grammys appearance inside an egg was unforgettable,” explained Jeannie.
The best thing about fashion, according to Jeannie, is that it’s all a matter of opinion. “When a celebrity appears on a worst dressed list, it shows that she has at least tried. I’d rather she try, than to look like everyone else. At the end of the day, it’s just clothes; you take it off, and you can start all over the next day.”
Read on as Jeannie dishes out more celebrity fashion tidbits.
Other celebs on her best dressed list: “The beautiful Catherine Zeta-Jones. Her personality exudes taste and class, and what she wears on red carpets reflects it well.
“Rihanna has an eclectic fashion sense. She may not usually make it to the best-dressed list, but her choice of clothes is always age-appropriate. And most importantly, she looks like she’s having fun.
“For men, it’s got to be Johnny Depp. Year after year, he makes a unique appearance, dressed in anything but your average tuxedo. He looks very cool, calm and personable.”
Most challenging celeb client to work with: “Kelly Osbourne, back when she was still very rebellious. She has a unique, voluptuous body, but some of her outfits didn’t fit her right. I don’t care if it’s a Louis Vuitton vintage; if it doesn’t fit you right, you will look horrible. For instance, a size 0 girl will have a ‘muffin top’ if she wore a pair of size 00 jeans.
“So I tricked Kelly by showing her pictures of other celebrities committing fashion mistakes. Slowly but surely, she got it. Today, she looks amazing! The pieces she wears are edgy – which defines her spunky personality – with a touch of class.”
Celeb who made the most improvements on the red carpet: “Nicole Ritchie. During her clubbing days, she didn’t even stand like a lady, not at all like the Nicole we see today. She developed into her body over the years. She still retains her edge, but she’s toned it down for a classier look. It was a huge transformation.”
Celeb with the best attitude: “Christina Aguilera. She’s a great star who knows what she wants. Sometimes, she wants to look innocent; sometimes, she wants flirty; and other times, she wants demure. But the best thing is, she’s open to any idea we suggest.”
Celeb she’d give a wardrobe makeover to: “Hands down, Bai Ling. She wants to do sassy and edgy, but she has to realise she needs to wear clothes that flatter her shape.”
Most star-struck moment: “I’ve interviewed Johnny Depp six times, but he constantly makes me feel like a school girl! He just has so much class.
“Another celebrity that left me star-struck was someone very different from the type of men I’m typically attracted to – Usher. Man, he should teach classes on confidence and sex appeal. His swagger, his smirk, his intelligence with his business … he’s beyond charming.”
Who she’d like to meet: “Definitely Oprah Winfrey. If I met her, I’d honestly be so humbled. It’s unbelievable how beautiful a person she is. I’m not going to lie, being in this industry has given us so many free things and plenty of attention. So for Oprah to take the spotlight and put it on issues that really matter, that’s what makes her a true star.”
Watch Jeannie Mai on Style Network’s How Do I Look on StarHub TV channel 442, Mondays to Fridays. For full list of timings, visit http://www.starhub.com/entertainment/tvguide.html.
Don’t miss the first-hand coverage of the 2011 Academy Awards with E! Entertainment on StarHub TV channel 441: Live from The Red Carpet: The 2011 Academy Awards at 7am / E! After Party: The 2011 Academy Awards at 1pm.