This weekend, Vogue World returns for its third annual event, moving from previous locations in New York, London, and Paris to Hollywood. This year’s theme celebrates the connection between fashion and film, shifting the spotlight from actors and models—though plenty of stars will be there—to costume designers and their craft.

On this week’s episode of “The Run-Through,” Nicole Phelps and Virginia Smith, Global Head of Fashion Network, are joined by Arianne Phillips. A stylist and Oscar- and BAFTA-nominated costume designer, Phillips is known for her long collaboration with Madonna, as well as her work on films like Tom Ford’s A Single Man, Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and the upcoming A Complete Unknown, among many others.

In the episode, Phillips shares her journey into the industry, starting as an assistant to established stylists and fashion editors. She moved on to style pop icons like Lenny Kravitz and Madonna, eventually transitioning into costume design—a role she describes as the only one in filmmaking where you can say, “Nice to meet you, now take your clothes off.”

Despite a career that would dazzle most, Phillips remains refreshingly grounded. Her practical approach may be part of her success. For example, she once sourced Japanese designer clothes for Lenny Kravitz straight from his then-girlfriend Lisa Bonet’s closet. Working with Madonna, she says, meant honoring the singer’s long-standing relationships with fashion designers—from Fabio Zambernardi of Prada to Alessandro Michele of Gucci, just months after his debut show.

The job also demanded hard work and resourcefulness. “It’s not just Madonna,” Phillips notes. “It’s 20 dancers.” For one of the six tours she styled, they counted around 700 pairs of shoes, since dancers changed costumes up to 12 times per show. And the clothes? “You get them from designers, then take them apart and rebuild them with ‘skin layers’ so they can handle dancing, sweat, and everything else.”

For more industry insights and a behind-the-scenes preview of Vogue World 2025, listen to the full episode below.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and concise FAQs based on the podcast episode with Arianne Phillips

General Career FAQs

Who is Arianne Phillips
Arianne Phillips is an Oscarnominated and BAFTAwinning costume designer known for her work in film and with major music icons

What was the main focus of this podcast episode
The episode focused on her career highlights including styling Lenny Kravitz and Madonna her process for designing for film and her role in the upcoming Vogue World 2025 event

Styling Lenny Kravitz Madonna

How did Arianne start working with Lenny Kravitz
She was introduced to him in the early 1990s and they immediately connected leading to a longterm creative partnership

What is her approach to styling a rockstar like Lenny
She focuses on enhancing his innate authentic style rather than creating a costume aiming for a look that is both iconic and personal

How long has she been Madonnas stylist
They have collaborated for over two decades making her one of Madonnas most trusted and longstanding creative partners

Whats the key to creating Madonnas iconic and everchanging looks
The key is constant reinvention Arianne works closely with Madonna to translate her artistic vision and the theme of each era into groundbreaking fashion

Working in Film

What does a costume designer actually do for a movie
They are responsible for the overall look of all the characters clothing which helps define their personality support the story and create the films visual world

How does she perfect an actors look for a role
It starts with the script She researches the characters background collaborates with the actor and director and uses clothing to tell the characters story visually

Can you give an example of a film shes worked on
She has designed costumes for major films like Walk the Line Kingsman The Secret Service and The Woman in the Hanging Garden

Vogue World 2025

What is Vogue World
Its a major live fashion and cultural event produced by Vogue celebrating fashion performance and entertainment