Jessica Willis: The Stylist Shaping Icons From The Super Bowl to City Hall.

Photo Credit: Jessica Willis' Instagram

In the high-stakes world of fashion styling, few names carry the weight and creative currency of Jessica Willis. As the Fashion Director of New York Magazine’s The Cut since June 2023, she has masterfully steered the publication's visual identity, transforming it into a powerhouse of influential imagery. But Willis’ journey to the pinnacle of editorial fashion is anything but conventional, a vibrant tapestry woven from threads of costume design, global music tours, and a sculptor’s eye for form. Today, she is the visionary behind some of the most talked-about looks in music, film, and politics.

From Wearable Art to Global Stages

Willis’ path began not in a fashion closet, but in an art studio. A budding sculptor drawn to texture and form, her destiny shifted after watching the 1966 film "Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?", which featured wearable sculptures. This inspired her to create her own, leading to a spot in a costume collective. There, she helped craft iconic looks for pop royalty, including Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry. This foundation in construction and drama is evident in all her work. She later joined the wardrobe team for The Black Eyed Peas, touring the world for three years and honing her skills in high-pressure, live performance styling.

Defining the Cultural Moment

Willis’s unique background seamlessly bridges music and high fashion. She has visualised and styled looks for many culturally significant moments, including Solange’s seminal album "When I Get Home" and Kendrick Lamar’s explosive music videos for “Not Like Us” and “Squabble Up”. Her most massive stage to date was the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in February 2025, where she styled and designed costumes for the entire ensemble, including Kendrick Lamar, Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, and his dancers, a performance watched by a record 133.5 million people.

Curating a Who's Who of Clientèle

At The Cut, Willis styles a breathtaking roster of icons across industries. Her covers have featured everyone from Erykah Badu and Meghan Markle to Julianne Moore. She has worked with Naomi Campbell, Kacey Musgraves, Megan Thee Stallion, Tinashe, and many others, playing an integral role in the publication's fashion-forward pivot. Beyond editorial, her campaign work includes major brands like Estée Lauder, Calvin Klein, Apple, Jil Sander, and Tiffany & Co..

A Signature Touch: The 'Jess Edit' and Beyond

Willis has carved her own unique path at the magazine with the beloved ‘Jess Edit,’ a monthly series where she styles herself in the season’s newest trends, showcasing her versatility as both an artist and a talent. This personal touch extends to her life off the page; she takes great pride in sourcing meaningful furniture and objects, including renovating her New York home into a personal sanctuary.

Styling the 'First Lady of New York'

Perhaps one of her most discreetly powerful projects was styling Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, for a portrait series in The Cut. The stunning images, photographed by Szilveszter Makó, captured Duwaji’s grace and artistry, and were celebrated online as a defining moment of modern political style. The series was even heralded by some as styling the 'First Lady of New York City', cementing Willis’s influence beyond entertainment and into the realm of civic iconography.

The Unstoppable Force

Jessica Willis represents a new archetype of creative director: one who values the craftsmanship of a costume shop, the adrenaline of a world tour, and the nuanced storytelling of a magazine cover. She didn't follow a traditional path, but instead built her expertise 'by putting herself right in the middle of the industry'. From sculpting looks for Lady Gaga to defining Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl spectacle and shaping the image of New York’s rising political figures, Willis continues to prove that the most compelling style narratives are written by those who dare to blend art, music, and culture into one unforgettable vision.