Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n' Sweet tour and her Oscar after-party outfits are just some of the moments that stylist Ellner has made his mark on. Whether it's behind the scenes crafting looks or on the red carpet, Ellner's designs have caught the attention of the fashion world. At 28, he admits, "I’m just grateful to ride this wave." Today, Ellner is one of the busiest people in fashion, and it's not by accident.
The driving forces behind the current entertainment landscape are a new wave of creative young people: YouTube entrepreneur Emma Chamberlain, pop star Sabrina Carpenter, and versatile Hollywood figures Molly Gordon and Rachel Sennott. These women are shaping some of the hottest independent films today, all while being part of the Gen Z/Millennial crossover. But they share one thing in common—Ellner, the stylist behind their looks.
Ellner humbly reflects, "I still don’t quite understand how all of this happened." He credits the close-knit community of Los Angeles for helping him build these connections. "LA is a very tight-knit community; it’s a place where people exchange ideas and energy. If you're lucky, the right people will come into your orbit, and you’ll connect with them slowly," he explains.
Ellner’s passion for fashion started at an early age. Growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey, he immersed himself in sewing classes and studied art and fashion history. His determination to learn led him to the Parsons School of Design, where he built the endurance to work long hours. After graduation, Ellner worked as an assistant at Garage magazine before his first big project—photographing Emma Chamberlain. Within a year, her public relations team called, asking if he wanted to collaborate with her full-time.
Chamberlain quickly became one of his most important clients. In 2019, she made history as the first YouTuber to sign with Louis Vuitton as an ambassador. The partnership deepened over time, culminating in their joint appearance at the Met Gala in 2021. "That’s when things got serious," Ellner recalls. Chamberlain also modeled for Ellner’s own fashion collection, launched in the fall of the same year.
Molly Gordon and Rachel Sennott soon followed suit, thanks to mutual friends, including Gordon, who had worked with Ellner on Sennott's movie premiere looks. "We were so new to the scene, and now Rachel’s a Balenciaga ambassador," he says, reflecting on their journey.
Ellner's knowledge of fashion is vast, and his ability to reference archives has sparked enthusiasm among fans on social media. “People tend to get tired of seeing the same thing, so it's important to strike the right balance—making it feel real and impactful without leaning too heavily on the references,” he explains. One of his favorite tributes was Sabrina Carpenter's Bob Mackie gown at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, which was inspired by Madonna's 1991 Oscar look.
His creative references also extend to designers like Todd Oldham. For Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts album release, Ellner designed a look from Oldham’s 1995 spring collection. A year later, Carpenter wore a piece from his 1994 fall show on New Year's Eve.
Ellner’s designs are a perfect blend of classic and contemporary, and his ability to weave history into modern trends has made him a go-to in the fashion world. His clients, who are experts in curating their own unique looks, have become icons in their own right. “I never worry about them getting lost in the references because they’re already so good at building their own style,” Ellner says with pride.
Ellner’s story is a testament to a young, passionate, and ever-evolving fashion world. He’s not just a stylist—he’s a creative force, constantly reshaping the boundaries of fashion and creating his own lane in the process.