From Sonam Kapoor to Priyanka Chopra, Bollywood actresses owe a lot to their stylist

She could have given Cinderella anything — a better lot in life, money, kinder sisters, heck, even a career as the head of a cleaning agency perhaps. Instead, the fairy godmother gave her a new dress with glass slippers (a bit uncomfortable, one would think!) that took her to unparalleled heights of success and won her a prince after all.

The fairy tale seems surprisingly familiar in the modern context of stars who’re striking gold on the red carpet with their carefully assembled looks. Investing in the right stylist has become essential for celebs to reserve their spot at the top of the style ladder. Apart from an approving nod from sartorialists, the right style can help land a few campaign deals with apparel and beauty brands, international exposure as a style icon, and other spinoffs like magazine shoots and interviews to add to one’s popularity. Actress Sonam Kapoor is a case-in-point when it comes to making use of her stylist-sister Rhea Kapoor’s magic to secure strength within the fashion community. While her acting skills leave much to be desired, her choice of a pale pink Anamika Khanna sari dress at Cannes proved successful in extending her wave of glory in India as well.

Meanwhile, Bollywood is replete with numerous stories of the figurative rags to red carpet diva. Desigirl Priyanka Chopra has risen on the glam charts with sexy dresses at recent outings, like the vintage Lanvin cut-out dress, Zuhair Murad embellished dress and a Zac Posen strapless gown. However, the current fashionista has much love to give to her former fashion director-turned-celebrity stylist Ami Patel who’s been dishing out one better look than the next for the diva.

Take a peek back into most stars' fashion history and one can usually spot the moment when a stylist hopped on board to transform her look with style genius. Yummy-mummy Karisma Kapoor gets her elegant fusion picks from stylist Esha Amin, while Triporna Majumder is the brains behind Kajol’s stunning sari appearances of late.

The list of busy consultants working behind the scenes, turning dull pumpkin-like wardrobes to glittering closets is satisfyingly, yet surprisingly long. But it is not just A-list actresses who’ve been relying on their spells. Word has it that a new trend is rising among some in the design community, of employing "creative directors" to change and lead the design vision of the brand. The same designers who until a few seasons ago were lagging behind on the runway have suddenly done a 180-degree turn with their collections, and are belting out hip new ensembles that are bang on target.

Even fashion shows are being styled and curated by those who can put a look together uniquely.

So like the fairy tale, the flick of the wand is what’s needed to pull it all together. To live happily ever after, the special touch must continue for stars to stay fashionably relevant and in the news and blog posts. Evidently, this is no longer just the age of designer names on a clothes tag, or a pretty face on the silver screen. The real magic now lies in the hand of the stylist.