Here’s a captivating introduction for the article: “Get ready for a dose of Tinseltown’s most coveted secrets! Cynthia Rowley, the fashion designer behind the eponymous label, is spilling the tea on dressing some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. From Julia Roberts’ iconic looks to Lindsay Lohan’s most memorable red-carpet moments, Rowley is giving us an all-access pass to her exclusive world of celebrity styling. With a career spanning over three decades, Rowley has been the go-to designer for A-listers, creating looks that have made headlines and broken the internet. And now, she’s opening up about the highs and lows of working with the rich and famous. In a rare and revealing interview with Page Six, Rowley dishes on the fashion faux pas, the red-carpet romances, and the unforgettable personalities of her celebrity clients. So, grab your popcorn and get ready to dive into the fascinating world of celebrity fashion, where the glamour is always red-hot
Cynthia Rowley’s Aesthetic

Cynthia Rowley is a designer known for her eclectic and artistic approach to fashion. Speaking with Morningpicker, Rowley reveals that her brand’s aesthetic can be summed up as “sporty meets pretty.” This unique blend of styles is a result of her upbringing in a small Midwestern town, where she grew up sewing and making her own clothes.
“I loved making things; it was more like an arts and crafts project,” Rowley explains. “But I would dress myself.” This early exposure to fashion design laid the foundation for her future career, and she eventually pursued a degree in painting at the Art Institute of Chicago.
“My roommate at the time urged me to pursue a job in clothing design instead,” Rowley recalls. “So I ‘drove a U-Haul to New York’ and ‘never looked back.'” This bold move marked the beginning of her successful career in fashion, which has spanned nearly four decades and earned her a reputation as a designer who can dress anyone from Julia Roberts to Katy Perry.

From Sewing to Fashion
Rowley’s journey from arts and crafts to professional fashion design was a natural progression for someone who had always been passionate about making things. Her early experience sewing and making her own clothes gave her the skills and confidence to pursue a career in fashion.
“I think that’s the greatest joy for me: to be able to dress people that I really, really, really admire,” Rowley says of her celebrity clients. This sentiment highlights the importance of personal connection and admiration in her design process, as well as her ability to bring her personal style to the red carpet.

Celebrity Clients
Rowley’s experience dressing celebrities is a testament to her versatility and ability to adapt to different styles and personalities. From Julia Roberts to Katy Perry, her designs have been worn by some of the most iconic stars in Hollywood.
“The crazy thing about Julia Roberts wearing that dress is that I had no idea,” Rowley recalls. “She went into my store, she bought the dress and then everybody started saying, ‘Julia Roberts is wearing your dress!’ I was like, ‘What?!’ And when she did her 17 favorite looks of her life for Vogue, that was one of them. So that was a huge compliment.”
Celebrity Clients Reveal All
Julia Roberts’ Stepmom Premiere
One of Rowley’s most memorable experiences with a celebrity client was when Julia Roberts wore one of her dresses to the “Stepmom” premiere in 1998. Rowley had no idea that Roberts was planning to wear her design, and was shocked when she saw the actress on the red carpet.
“I love her and she’s funny and she’s crazy and so talented,” Rowley says of Roberts. This sentiment highlights the personal connection and admiration that Rowley feels for her celebrity clients, and the importance of building relationships with them.
Hilary Duff’s MTV Studios Appearance
Another memorable experience for Rowley was when Hilary Duff visited her store and met her daughter, Kit Keenan. Rowley’s daughter was thrilled to meet the actress, and Rowley was impressed by Duff’s kindness and generosity.
“She was at the height of her popularity and my daughter, I think, was about 7,” Rowley recalls. “And she went crazy that she got to meet Hilary Duff. She was so nice to her and so lovely, and it was a real treat.”
Katy Perry’s Cupcake Dress
Rowley’s collaboration with Will Cotton to create a cupcake-inspired dress for Katy Perry’s album cover was a unique and memorable experience. Cotton, a painter and artist, approached Rowley with the idea of creating a dress that looked like a cupcake, and she was thrilled to take on the challenge.
“I have been friends with Will Cotton, the painter, for forever,” Rowley explains. “And he called me up and he’s like, ‘I’m shooting Katy Perry. I’m actually going to paint her for the cover of her album. And I was thinking something cupcake-y.'” Rowley and Cotton worked together to create a dress that was both visually striking and wearable, and the result was a cupcake-inspired masterpiece that has become one of Rowley’s most iconic designs.
Behind the Scenes
Richard Phillips’ Painting
Rowley’s experience working with Richard Phillips on a painting of Lindsay Lohan wearing a CR wetsuit was a unique and memorable experience. Phillips, a painter and artist, approached Rowley with the idea of creating a painting that featured Lohan wearing one of her wetsuits, and she was thrilled to take on the challenge.
“First of all, Lindsay Lohan, I’ve known her since she was very young,” Rowley explains. “The artist Richard Phillips painted a ginormous painting of her wearing this wetsuit, which I wish I had. And so I think she was like, ‘I have a have a scene in the water [in the upcoming ‘Freaky Friday’ sequel], I’m going to get a CR wetsuit!'” Rowley was impressed by Lohan’s enthusiasm and willingness to experiment with her designs, and the result was a painting that has become one of Rowley’s most iconic works of art.
Celebrity Shopping Spree
Rowley’s revelation that many celebrities simply buy her designs from her store without a fitting or consultation highlights the importance of convenience and accessibility in her business model. By making her designs available for purchase in her stores, Rowley has been able to reach a wider audience and build a loyal following among celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike.
“A lot of people think when you dress a celebrity, you’re sketching, you’re fitting them, you’re toiling away and you have seamstresses working for weeks on end,” Rowley explains. “But a lot of times they just go in your store and buy stuff! So Taylor, Julia Roberts, SJP, a lot of the girls — they want to support and they just go in the store and buy it. And then it’s a surprise. A happy surprise!”
Conclusion
As we conclude our exclusive interview with Cynthia Rowley, it’s clear that dressing celebrities is a thrilling and challenging endeavor that requires a unique blend of creativity, adaptability, and diplomacy. From Julia Roberts’ iconic red-carpet looks to Lindsay Lohan’s more provocative style statements, Rowley has had the privilege of working with some of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. Through her anecdotes and insights, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in dressing these A-listers, from navigating their individual tastes and body types to managing the intense scrutiny of the red carpet.
The significance of this topic extends far beyond the world of celebrity fashion, however. It speaks to the broader cultural significance of style and appearance, and the ways in which fashion can be a powerful tool for self-expression and empowerment. As Rowley’s stories remind us, dressing for the red carpet is not just about creating a stunning visual impact, but also about building confidence, making a statement, and telling a story. As we move forward in our own lives, we can draw inspiration from Rowley’s expertise and the lessons she’s learned from dressing some of the most stylish women in the world.
As we look to the future, it will be fascinating to see how the intersection of fashion and celebrity continues to evolve. With the rise of social media and the increasing importance of personal style, it’s likely that we’ll see even more innovative and daring fashion choices from our favorite stars. And as we watch, we’ll be reminded of the power of fashion to bring people together, to challenge societal norms, and to inspire us to be our best selves. As Rowley so eloquently put it, “Fashion is a form of self-love, and when you feel good in what you’re wearing, you can conquer the world.” Indeed, as we close this chapter on our exclusive interview, we’re left with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future of fashion, and the incredible stories that are still to come.