Sam Ratelle On Styling Billy Porter

The stylist Sam Ratelle takes a deep dive into his work with Billy Porter, explaining how the black velvet tuxedo dress which Christian Siriano conjured - for the Pose star’s appearance at 2019’s 91st Academy Awards - became the most important outfit that has graced the red carpet in the 21st century. Sam discusses why it is vital to support emerging designers. He also reveals how he broke the news to Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, that Billy Porter would portray a character based on Cleopatra at the 2019 Met Gala.

Sam Ratelle’s rise is an inspiring parable for our time. He explains how his fashion journey was often traumatic. It has involved escaping the hold of a religious cult, surviving a hit-and-run accident, experiencing homelessness twice and having to completely start over after the Financial Crisis of 2008. Looking back on his journey, Sam credits the New York LGBTQ shelter, the Ali Forney Center, with helping him get to his best ever place.