When A-list performers head out on the road for tour, custom-made stage looks—and lots of them!—are a necessary component for slipping into superstar mode. This year alone, headliners like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift, Doechii, and more have all brought epic statement looks to the stage. Think: Designs that are bejeweled, bedazzled, and created for to stand out in an arena. Ever wonder who is making all of these fabulous frocks behind the scenes? One rising designer who top celebrities have on speed dial: Lacey Dalimonte.
Based in Los Angeles, Dalimonte is responsible for creating looks for Chappell Roan, Madonna, Conan Gray, Christina Aguilera, Billie Eilish, and countless others. Even more impressive than her stacked roster, is that she is a total one-woman show—often turning out a high volume of looks by herself in her studio. “I still work mostly alone, developing everything from concept, sketch, and patterning, to the final finished piece—sewing everything myself,” Dalimonte tells Vogue.
Dalimonte’s aesthetic keeps celebrities coming back by bringing their wildest fashion fantasies to life—whether it is a western-inspired corset for Madonna, or a teardrop-adorned mesh top for Conan Gray. A prime example is the campy, furry robe she created for Chappell Roan back in May, adorned with hair rollers, lipsticks, and cigarettes. “As a Midwest princess myself, I was so excited to design for Chappell, and loved being able to push myself creatively for the drag of it all,” says Dalimonte. “Last month I designed a new leather outfit for her headlining show at ACL Festival, and it’s so inspiring to see how much she’s grown, with her record breaking crowds, in just a few months.”
You could say Dalimonte’s own star is rising in the fashion world, too. As more performers tap her for one-of-a-kind looks, Vogue caught up with the designer to chat her inspirations, process, and what she wants to create next.
Vogue: Can you tell us about when you first start designing?
Lacey Dalimonte: My earliest designs were more conceptual with a “fashion for fashion’s sake” approach. I have a deep love and appreciation for avant-garde pieces that are destined for the runway… But as recognition for my name and brand grew, I began to get approached by celebrity clientele who wanted something custom they could not only wear on stage, but sometimes even do the splits in… often to be delivered in a matter of days. These projects have helped me adapt and innovate my way through tough problems surrounding functionality, quick changes, and fabricating something beautiful that can also take a beating night after night.