OCCASION DRESSING WITH CARLOTTA CONSTANT 

From football's biggest names to fashion's best dressed nights, stylist Carlotta Constant knows more than most about making an entrance. Ahead of the Ballon d'Or, Carlotta joins us in FLANNELS Liverpool styling suite, to talk career-defining moments, the new rules of occasion dressing and the art of dressing for the occasion. 

Occasion dressing has entered a new era. Once defined by strict dress codes, traditional tailoring and a fairly predictable approach to black tie, the red carpet has become a place for individual expression. Rules are loosening, personalities are coming through, and fashion is playing a bigger role than ever. That shift is increasingly visible in football, where the beautiful game's biggest names are noticed for what they wear as much as how they play. 

That crossover is appreciated by stylist Carlotta Constant. Having spent much of her career at GQ, she's worked with some of football's most recognisable faces, including David Beckham and Thierry Henry. Her first shoot with Beckham remains a defining moment. "Just feeling his presence, his aura, was incredible." But it's the evolution of football's relationship with fashion that continues to interest her.  

From a generation of players who rarely considered style as part of their public identity, to today's fashion-forward athletes, she's witnessed the change firsthand. "Fashion has become such a huge part of footballers' identities and personalities. It's been really interesting seeing that transition." 

For Carlotta, great styling starts with understanding the person wearing the clothes. "You have to make sure that they're wearing the clothes, and the clothes aren't wearing them." This process is applied to her styling codes, where she often balances individual expression with an appreciation for the details. The catalyst for great styling starts with inspiration, and for Carlotta, that can come from just about anywhere. "My old boss gave me a book on birds," she laughs. "He said, 'Inspiration is all around us, but make sure that you look for it.'" 

That open-minded approach feels relevant to occasion dressing of today. "It's become so much less rigid," she explains, recalling a time when black tie meant no exclusion of a bow tie and cummerbund. Today, the possibilities are far greater. We’re seeing more unexpected colour stories, new proportions and experimental styling; Carlotta believes we're returning to the freedom of the '70s and '80s. "There's so much more personality coming into it, and so many more risks being taken."  

Carlotta steps into the FLANNELS Liverpool styling suite to put that method into practice, creating a series of looks inspired by the upcoming Ballon d'Or. The outcome is a bolder approach to occasion dressing, where sharp tailoring, statement accessories and subtle details take the spotlight. 

Carlotta's first menswear look is a lesson in the finer details. A Saint Laurent shirt and embossed-logo tie become the foundation, while Prada trousers and a Bottega jacket bring structure to the silhouette. Gucci Bella loafers with silver hardware pick up the metallic detailing on the sunglasses, tying the look together. The finishing touch is a styling trick straight from the Saint Laurent runway: a tie tucked neatly into the shirt. "It's always the little things that count," Carlotta explains, proving that you don't need to reinvent the suit to make an impression. 

For womenswear, Carlotta leans into classic red carpet glamour. Maison Margiela’s alluring red gown makes the statement, while Jimmy Choo heels featuring gold-dipped toe handles the details. "I actually own them myself," she admits. "They're the most insane shoes." A Bottega Veneta clutch adds the final touch, bringing a little extra shine to the look. Timeless, confident and designed make you stop and look, it's occasion dressing with all the right ingredients. As Carlotta puts it, "If you're dressing for an occasion like the Ballon d'Or, you really want to up the ante." And she's right.  

In her second menswear look, Carlotta takes the classic black suit somewhere further. A sharp Saint Laurent two-piece draws the eye, while an Alexander McQueen shirt with harness detailing brings an even sharper edge. Saint Laurent shoes keep everything cohesive, but in the end, it's the accessories that elevate it all. 

A Saint Laurent brooch layered necklace and Gucci sunglasses add finesse without overcomplicating the look. "Anyone can wear a suit, and an all-black suit is super slick, but when you have those little details, they're the ones that count" Carlotta notes. A look made for the Ballon d'Or, easily ticking the boxes of elevated Occasion dressing.  

Carlotta's second womenswear look takes a different direction, playing with the balance between masculine tailoring and feminine details. An oversized, boxy Maison Margiela blazer sits over a sheer lace Saint Laurent dress, creating a contrast that's equal parts sharp and sensual. Barely-there Saint Laurent heels continue the sheer detailing, while a matching bag finishes the look. 

"It's just so sexy and so powerful," Carlotta says. A less conventional approach to awards dressing, but one that feels at home on today's red carpet. 

Across each look there's a common theme; good styling is rarely about doing the most. It's about knowing when to make a statement and when to let the details do the work. Whether it's a perfectly fitted pair of trousers, an unexpected accessory or a subtle change in proportion, Carlotta's approach makes a case for occasion dressing with personality. 

Her biggest piece of advice for occasion dressing is simple; try the whole outfit on before the event, never rehearse in part. Shoes, bag, accessories, everything. Suprising? Maybe. But as Carlotta knows, the best-dressed moments need your full attention. 

Curtain Call. Only at FLANNELS.