10 Things Hollywood’s Hottest Stylist Won’t Throw a Dinner Party Without

Aka: How to host a soiree like one of the most in-demand stylists.

Share

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Name your celeb style crush, and it’s probable that those irresistible cool looks you’re loving are thanks to Hollywood fashion stylist

Kate Young

. No, really, her clientele includes Natalie Portman, Margot Robbie, Dakota Johnson, and Selena Gomez.

But beyond just having impeccable taste in clothing, Young has a knack for throwing the type of party you never want to leave. We asked her what her 10 musts are for the perfect summer soiree, and in the process discovered that there ain’t no party like a Kate Young party.

A Signature Cocktail

While it might seem like a lot of effort initially, it’s worth it, and is a festive touch for your guests. Young prefers one liquor in particular. “St-Germain Elderflower liqueur offers the perfect summertime taste, and is incredibly versatile for easy at-home crafting with any base spirit,” says Young.

She especially loves the iconically classic “St-Germain Spritz”, which is made with St-Germain, sparkling wine (or champagne), sparkling water, and a lemon peel twist. “It’s a simple, yet sophisticated cocktail for any occasion—a modern twist on the classic Spritz.”

Fireworks!

What makes Young a fun host (the most fun host?!) is her flair for the unexpected. And maybe a touch of danger, like with fireworks. “I love that they’re becoming legal everywhere,” says Young. “They make things so fun and crazy.”

Bon Appetit Magazine

Young is no stranger to magazines; she started out at Vogue as Anna Wintour’s assistant, and rose through the ranks in the styling department there before heading to stints at InStyle, Teen Vogue, and Interview. One slightly unexpected magazine she loves to consistently glance at? Bon Appetit, for the recipes. “I have cooked three entire parties straight from their pages,” says Young. “The recipes are great and the photos are inspiring. I also like to look at their Instagram for ideas.”

A Good Dress

I mean, c’mon, of course this iconic fashion stylist is going to show up to her own party looking chic and effortless. “La DoubleJ is my current favorite—I love a fun bright print in an easy shape that you can move around in.”

Spotify

Don’t leave those tunes to the last minute! “A good mix is so important,” says Young. She suggests grabbing a friend with great musical taste to do all the heavy lifting, and mix it up with every part of dinner. “Get someone with good taste to make you a chill cocktail hour mix, a good old favorites mix for dinner, and a dance mix for later in the night.” We at Domino always get our resident DJ (and visuals director) Meghan McNeer to supply the jams; she makes it into an art form, as you can tell from some of our past playlists from DJ McNeer (that’s not her DJ name, but let’s make it into it).

Sunglasses

Summer evenings means it stays lighter outside longer, which is the perfect excuse to invest in some cool sunnies for everyone at the party to see. “KY Tura shapes are the best—at least I think so! They bring a little flair to your outfit without being over the top jewelry.”

Thoughtful Party Favors

Remember when you were little (or now, it’s cool when it happens now, too), and you got a party favor at the end of a birthday party? Let’s make that into a thing, starting here. Young loves party favors, and has a lovely suggestion in The St-Germain carafe. “It’s a great gift because it’s a decorative pouring piece and super elegant for mixing cocktails at a party,” says Young. “It also doubles as a chic vase for flowers.” The gift that keeps on giving and giving, then!

Good Table Linens

We could practically write a book about the power of a good table linen (I mean, should we?! You say the word) and Young loves them, too. “They make even a simple picnic table look chic,” she says. “I’m really into a mix of patterns from Heather Taylor Home.” But Young loves to mix things up, literally, by mixing and matching patterns on the table. “One pattern for the runner or cloth and another for the napkins.”

Flowers

I mean, florals, but of course. Get inspired by your favorite Instagram florists and have some fun, stepping outside your normal go-to arrangement in favor of something a bit more wild. “In the summer it can be something dead simple like wild flowers or sunflowers, or something insane like one of BRRCH‘s arrangements,” says Young. (I mean, a wild gathering of flowers picked roadside sounds pretty damn idyllic to us.)

Good Olive Oil

When in doubt, Young says go back to the basics when in the kitchen, which especially includes excellent olive oil. “It makes everything taste good.” Oh, and if you pick a good quality one that just so happens to have impeccable packaging, it can be part of the tablescape, too. “I love to put a bottle of Wonder Valley on the table because the packaging is so chic.”

Young is hosting in Malibu on Tuesday, July 10, the 2nd Annual Maison St-Germain, a celebration in honor of Bastille Day, that’ll transform an oceanfront property into a whimsical, Parisian-inspired oasis. It includes a show-stopping flower installation by famed florist Jeff Leatham and crystal readings by Colleen McCann of Style Rituals, along with a rooftop ‘gardin’ designed by Nine & Eye.

Uh, can we come, Kate?!

Keep the party going:

Everything You Need to Throw a Chic Summer Soirée Tulum-Inspired Recipes Perfect for Summer Entertaining Ladies Night In: Summer Entertaining, the Nashville Way

Learn to love your inbox again—sign up for Domino’s daily email.  

Kristin Limoges

Writer/Editor

Kristin can usually be found face, hair, and body masking simultaneously, while thinking-up clever DIYs for her small-space Chinatown apartment. She’s always on the search for the greatest and most life-changing beauty and wellness hacks (hello nootropics and adaptogens) and is happy to report she loves dogs and cats equally.