The Stunning Style Transformation Of Hailey Bieber
From teen model to fashion trendsetter, Hailey Bieber's journey through the spotlight has been nothing short of a style evolution. She entered the scene as a young teenager, thanks in part to being the daughter of a Hollywood actor, and over the years, we've seen her transform from an epitome of early 2010s teen fashion to a sophisticated and influential style icon. As a model, she conquered the runways and captivated the fashion world with her natural beauty and love for clothes.
Bieber's stylist Maeve Reilly has often sung praises about the ease of working with the star. "With Hailey, it's just a feeling," she told E! News. "It's like, 'Does this feel like you?' and 'Does this feel right?' It's based on mood and what she has to do for that day." It seems as if Bieber knows precisely what she wants out of her clothing, and while her style has never been lacking, it's undeniable that the model has come a long way from her early days. Of course, the years spent in the fashion industry have undoubtedly contributed to her refined and matured aesthetic.
2010-2011: Hailey Bieber is the epitome of an early 2010 teen
In the early 2010s, Hailey Bieber, the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin, emerged as a stylish teen making her mark on the red carpet. Even in her younger years attending industry events with her father, Bieber showcased a keen sense of fashion. During this era, simplicity was the key to her style, as she opted for age-appropriate dresses that perfectly blended elegance with a youthful look.
In an interview with Vogue, Bieber revealed that while she is the daughter of a Hollywood star, her childhood in Nyack, New York, was rather normal. "The way they raised us was so far removed from Hollywood that we didn't really bring any aspects of the industry into our home," Bieber revealed to Vogue in 2018. "I got to have a normal childhood and teenage years. I didn't start getting recognition on my own until I was around 19." However, despite Bieber having a childhood away from the spotlight, there's no denying that she always exuded star-worthy style.
2012-2013: The young teen has her breakthrough in the modeling industry
In 2012, Hailey Bieber made some of her first marks in the modeling world by walking her first-ever runway shows. In September 2012, at just 15 years old, she turned heads at the Evening Sherri Hill Spring 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. This early appearance hinted at the promising modeling career that lay ahead for Bieber.
However, Bieber admitted that becoming a model wasn't something she had dreamt of as a child. "It's not something I always wanted to do," Bieber told Yahoo Style in 2014 (via Daily Mail). "It was something that just started happening naturally, which I think is better because then you're in no way forced into it at all." It was during these years that Bieber slowly transitioned from being known as the daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin to carving out her own identity in the competitive world of fashion. Of course, with a career in the world of fashion, the model quickly adapted her style, which slowly transitioned from classic teen to teen model.
2014-2015: Hailey Bieber begins channeling a New York City-girl style
Hailey Bieber underwent a significant style evolution in 2014 by channeling the quintessential New York City-girl vibes. This era marked a crucial moment in her career as she signed with Ford Models in 2014, officially catapulting herself into the world of high fashion.
The influence of the world's fashion capitals, particularly New York City, became apparent in her wardrobe choices. As she navigated the bustling streets and iconic neighborhoods of the city, Bieber's style took on an edgier and bolder persona. "My favorite fashion era is the '90s," Bieber told Bustle in 2021. "I'm a '90s baby. I love the supermodels of the '90s, the actors and actresses of the '90s — I even look at my parents in the '90s." The vibrant energy of NYC alongside the style of the '90s inspired her fashion sense, and she effortlessly blended sophistication with a streetwise edge and a touch of vintage. Hailey Bieber's transition from a promising young model to a style icon was well underway, and she hadn't even turned 20.
2016: Alongside the Jenner and Hadid sisters, she is known for her model-off-duty style
In 2016, Hailey Bieber solidified her status as a young fashionista, joining the ranks of the Jenner and Hadid sisters as a notable figure in the model-off-duty style scene. The young stars formed a stylish friend group that the paparazzi frequently captured during their casual outings. The streets of fashion's biggest cities served as their runway, and Bieber's model-off-duty looks were known to combine sophistication with comfort.
"My style kind of differs — sometimes I want to be a little dressed down, a little tomboy, sometimes I want to be dressed up and very chic and look proper," the model told People in 2016. "But I don't ever believe in overdoing it for day-to-day style. I would say my style is pretty simple but still chic, hopefully. I just want to be relatable, but that's not a forced thing, it's just staying who I am." And while it's doubtful that Bieber was completely relatable, there's no denying that the laid-back yet impeccably curated style resulted in an effortlessly cool aesthetic that fans across the globe wanted to copy.
2017: The model finds her signature look
In 2017, Hailey Bieber was seemingly honing her signature look, drawing inspiration from the ever-evolving landscape of the internet and social media. "I pull inspiration from a lot of things. In terms of clothing and the way I dress, I'm super inspired by our culture. I pay really close attention to what kids are liking on social media, photos that they think are cool," Bieber told British Vogue in 2018. "So many people make these aesthetic Instagram feeds that focus on a vibe. I'm always going through those, seeing what people are putting together, seeing what they think is cool. I pin so many inspo things."
This era marked the model's exploration of individuality as she incorporated elements from the digital landscape into her evolving style. From Instagram to fashion blogs, Bieber harnessed the power of online platforms to experiment with diverse looks, refining her fashion identity in the process. One thing that became noticeable is that the star's red carpet fashion seemed to follow one rule: It had to be glamorous and sparkly, ensuring she stole the spotlight. Needless to say, she always did.
2018: Hailey Bieber plays around with traditionally masculine pieces for her street style
Hailey Bieber has showcased her fearless approach to fashion by experimenting with traditionally masculine pieces for her street style. The model is all about embracing baggy pants and oversized jackets, and in 2018, she effortlessly pushed the boundaries of traditional gender norms in fashion. "I love an oversized men's blazer," Bieber told Elle in 2018. "There is something so empowering about wearing an oversized men's piece. Especially when I'm trying to be a boss."
She confidently rocked streetwear that might be traditionally associated with men's fashion, and with that, she sent a powerful message about breaking free from fashion stereotypes. Her wardrobe choices reflected a refreshing take on individuality and self-expression, emphasizing the importance of wearing what you love, regardless of societal expectations or the section in a store where it's typically found. "I've gotten to work with so many people and get a feel for other people's tastes and see their style," Bieber revealed to British Vogue in 2018. "I'm so inspired by clothes and fashion. I really love clothes, so I pay really close attention to what designers and creative directors do in terms of cuts and fits."
Her 2018 style era showcased a sense of empowerment, and it definitely inspired others to embrace their unique fashion preferences by encouraging a more inclusive and diverse approach to fashion. As she beautifully blended traditionally masculine pieces into her wardrobe, Hailey Bieber became one of the trailblazers for a new era of boundary-breaking style.
2019: The model is all about oversized blazers
In 2019, Hailey Bieber made a fun fashion statement by embracing oversized blazers as a signature look. In fact, we'd go as far as saying that she is one of the celebrities who caused the return of the oversized '90s blazer. "I was born in 1996, and I do just like that era of style," the star told British Vogue. "I'm fascinated with the carelessness and ease of the way people dressed at that time: everything oversized, how it looks like they stole it out of their boyfriend's closet.
The model effortlessly incorporated oversized blazers into her look, demonstrating their versatility and timeless appeal. From chic looks to casual fits, Bieber's ability to rock a classic piece from the '90s as a part of contemporary fashion showcased her sharp sense of style as well as her trendsetting ability. The resurgence of the oversized blazer showcased Bieber's influence as a style icon, clearly signaling to fans of fashion that there's no need to be afraid of embracing nostalgic pieces.
2020: Hailey Bieber becomes the queen of switching between casual and glam
In the midst of the pandemic, Hailey Bieber demonstrated her versatility as she effortlessly rocked both laid-back, comfortable fashion and ultra-glamorous, sophisticated styles. This chameleon-like ability to switch between the relatable and the diva-like highlighted that, at the end of the day, the model is all about the sweatpants, just like the rest of us. "I love being comfortable and cosy so during lockdown, you know, being in sweatpants, I was just kind of like, okay, you know, it didn't feel like it was like that different of a situation for me because I wear sweatpants a lot, and I incorporate big comfortable sweatpants into my personal style," Bieber revealed to British Vogue in 2021.
In fact, Bieber is known for dressing up sweatpants, transforming them into a fashion statement. "When it comes to styling tracksuits, I think it's about doing something simple," the model explained to Glamour back in 2018. "Like what I am doing! I will wear trackies with a really cool coat, a leather jacket, or a cool sweater." In a world where fashion often tends to be divided between comfort and sophistication, Hailey Bieber blurred the lines, demonstrating that one doesn't have to sacrifice style for comfort. As she gracefully pivoted between cozy loungewear and glamorous attire, Bieber resonated with an even broader audience, reinforcing the idea that true style is about embracing wearing what you like (and enjoying the best of both fashion worlds).
2021: The star channels a more classic and simple aesthetic
Hailey Bieber embraced a shift towards a classic and understated aesthetic in 2021, marking a slight departure from the bold and edgy styles of previous years. "My top wardrobe tip would be you can never go wrong with the basics," Bieber told her husband Justin Bieber in a feature for Vogue Australia in 2023. "By that, I mean a great pair of jeans, a white tee, a good pair of loafers, and a great leather jacket. I think you can never go wrong with those essentials."
Especially notable in her red carpet appearances, the star opted for simple pieces that exuded timeless elegance. As she turned 25, Bieber demonstrated a heightened sophistication in her fashion choices, proving that she could seamlessly transition from the trendy and adventurous to the classic and timeless. "This year is the year that I decided to try different things like to kind of step a little bit outside of my comfort zone with how I dress," she admitted to British Vogue in 2021, adding that she is "always going to be the girl that wants to wear oversized jeans, oversized coats, and oversized jackets." The model remained authentic to her style, and her evolution towards a more classic look came with her own twist. While she embraced simpler silhouettes, her look was far from being mundane. Bieber continued to experiment with oversized forms and distinctive pieces, skilfully finding that perfect balance between a refined and sophisticated appearance and her love for oversized.
2022: She becomes a master at red carpet fashion
In 2022, Hailey Bieber stunned at every single red carpet she appeared on. While she effortlessly exuded the glamour expected at elite industry events, the model also managed to retain an unmistakable sense of youthfulness. Behind the scenes, her stylist Maeve Reilly spilled the beans — in the collaborative process, it's Bieber who steers the ship, infusing her unique taste and personality into every chosen look. "For example, she wore this green [blazer] I got her, but she went home and put that together on her own," the stylist told E! News in 2021. "That was totally styled by her. So we have a super similar aesthetic, and she has incredible taste and can 100% do stuff on her own. It's not like I'm ever telling her what to do or what to wear, and this is everything. I'm obsessed with her, truly."
One of Bieber's more memorable looks from the year is the stunning Saint Laurent gown that she rocked to the 2022 Met Gala — fashion's biggest annual event. Of course, Bieber was no newcomer to the event; in fact, this was the seventh time she had attended. The white minimalist gown she opted for effortlessly summarized everything that Hailey Bieber is about: the clean girl aesthetic, a beauty and fashion trend that took TikTok by storm that year.
2023: The Biebers' mismatched couple style is in the spotlight
The fashion discourse slightly shifted in 2023, as the mismatched couple style of Hailey and Justin Bieber took center stage. Ever since the two tied the knot in 2018, their fashion choices have been a subject of ongoing debate. However, 2023 thrust their distinctive partner style, or rather the lack of a coordinated one, to the forefront.
While Hailey loved to rock refined and sophisticated looks, Justin seemed to favor a more casual aesthetic. This created a rather funny dissonance when the two stepped out together, often appearing remarkably uncoordinated in their fashion choices. The public couldn't help but dissect and discuss the fascinating dynamic between Hailey's polished elegance and Justin's laid-back approach to fashion — so much so that Hailey even ended up commenting on it. "It's so funny because I see so many people talk about this," Hailey revealed to GQ. "He may want to wear baggy sweats to dinner, and I might want to wear a tiny little dress just because that's how I'm feeling," she said. "We can't sit there and be like, 'So I'm going to wear this and you're going to wear this.'"
In this way, Hailey and Justin stand as an example of breaking away from conventional couple styling. Whether one desires a casual look while the other opts for a dressed-up appearance, allowing each individual the freedom to express their style is undoubtedly indicative of a healthy relationship. After all, nobody wants a partner who criticizes their fashion and beauty choices.
2024: Hailey Bieber continues being at the forefront of fashion trends
At the age of 27, Hailey Bieber remains a well-known name in the world of fashion. In her late 20s, the star has embraced a preference for simple and minimalist dressing, allowing her natural beauty to take center stage. Over the past couple of years, the model has curated a unique sense of style, so much so that when we see certain looks, they can instantly remind us of Bieber.
However, what sets her apart as a fashionista is her sense of being down-to-earth. Despite her fame and fortune, the model has candidly shared her fashion regrets, reminding us that even the rich and famous have moments they'd rather forget. "I feel like I have a lot [of fashion regrets], but the biggest one that comes to mind in this moment is, a couple of years ago, I wore this pink ... it was this boxy-looking vest dress, and I thought it was going to be the cutest thing ever," Bieber revealed in conversation with Justin Bieber for Vogue Australia in 2023. "I wore it, and I saw the photographs after, and it legitimately looked like I was inside a box. I looked like a present, and it was so bad."
And it is exactly this ability to fearlessly explore fashion, not knowing whether it is going to be a hit or a miss, that makes Hailey Bieber one of the most popular style icons of her generation.