Blunt, who has a particular penchant for British brands, has a longstanding relationship with the label, having worn Burton’s endlessly romantic, research-driven designs since 2012, when the actor found her way into the world of McQueen via one of its trademark skull-stamped skinny scarves. Since then, she’s modeled Burton’s wildly ornate embroidery–inspired by nature, ancient folklore and, in some cases, Welsh love spoons–with all the confidence of a woman who is a storyteller in her own right. There’s an element of theatre to Blunt’s red-carpet looks, as she wears all those acres of sheer ruffles and hundreds of delicate beads with a steely commitment similar to that demonstrated by perhaps her most famous character: Emily in The Devil Wears Prada.
Indeed, it was when Paster watched Blunt utter the immortal line about hideous skirt conventions that the stylist knew she had to work with her. She called her publicist every day waxing lyrical about her talent until, one day, Jessica bumped into Emily in Chateau Marmont–as is the LA way. “You’re going to get nominated for a Golden Globe and I’m going to dress you,” a punchy Paster told her dream client. And, when the nomination came through for Blunt’s part in 2007’s Gideon’s Daughter, Emily remembered her conversation with that plucky stylist in West Hollywood. A partnership was born.
