10 Rules for Posing Like a Star

Publish date: 2024-05-19

Red Carpet 101: 10 Rules for Posing Like a Star

Rule 1: Posture Makes Perfect
At the Grammy's earlier this month, Girls star Allison Williams (wearing Kaufman Franco) had perfect posture, a definite red carpet must.
Rule 2: Do the “Hand on Hip”
The “hand on hip” makes the waist look smaller, not to mention is a great way to show off a statement ring. Amy Adams got it right in Vionnet at the Critics Choice Awards on January 10.
Rule 3: Don’t Look Stiff
“For a suit to look its best, it’s all about creating angles with your limbs," says stylist Ilaria Urbinati, who works with Bradley Cooper. Here, Cooper bends his body just-so and doesn't look stiff as a result.
Rule 4: Get Rid of the Gimmicks
“The more posey it is, the more posey it looks," says stylist Rob Zangardi, who works with Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Lopez. At last year's Met Gala, Camilla Belle didn't appear at all gimmicky while looking over the shoulder of her Ralph Lauren gown, but rather confident and poised.
Rule 5: Stand Still and Look Confident
"Have confidence. Move slowly. Don’t fidget," says veteran events photographer Jeff Vespa, who founded Wireimage and Verge Magazine. Diane Kruger, here in a Jason Wu Paris jumpsuit at the Jaeger–LeCoultre Paris boutique opening last November, can check all three off her list.
Rule 6: Give Your Pocket a Hand
"A little bend in the knee and a little bend in the elbow with hand in pocket is always good. But the hand can’t be shoved too deep in the pocket or it creates bulk. Also, a little bit of lean to one side adds shape and movement, which always photographs best. A good example is Eddie Redmayne — he’s got his stance down," says stylist and Confederacy boutique owner Ilaria Urbinati.
Rule 7: Funny Faces are Bad
"Don’t make faces. These pictures will be on the Internet for the rest of your life," cautions events photographer Jeff Vespa. Emily Blunt perfected her pretty punim while wearing Miu Miu at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards in January.
Rule 8: Lean With It
Leaning back ever-so-slightly shuffles weight to your back leg and makes you appear tall and slim, as Emma Stone did in Andrew Gn at the German premiere of Spider Man Returns last June. Louise Roe, a host of NBC's Fashion Star and long time red carpet reporter, says that the particular pose "takes balance. You have to do a lot of Pilates for that one."
Rule 9: Show What Your Mamma Gave You
If you've got it, flaunt it. Jessica Biel knows that one of her best, uh, assets comes from behind. So she plays it up in pictures, as she did aback at the 2007 Golden Globes. Tip: try on your dress and play in a mirror before stepping out to see which angle is your best.
Rule 10: Practice Early, Practice Often
Victoria Beckham has one of the fiercest poses in the land, which she's been master of since she was a Spice Girl. But what about newbies to the step and repeat? Stylist to the rescue. “We teach them, but you do have to practice. We make sure that if a leg is out, it’s crossed the right way, and they have that relaxed and authentic look in the dress,” says stylist Jessica Paster, who counts Ellie Kemper and Emily Blunt as clients.