For stylist Rebecca Ramsey, being in the company of her client Pamela Anderson is like “being with a girlfriend that you’ve known for a long time”. Despite the fact that they only met last year, the pair have forged a unique relationship centred around trust.
Rebecca has entered Pamela’s inner circle at a defining moment: the Baywatch star has just released her moving Netflix documentary, Pamela, A Love Story, and memoir, Love, Pamela, marking a new chapter in her life and career. “The whole thing is about her owning her story, her image, who she is,” says the stylist, adding that everyone around Anderson – her sons, her glam team – is committed to supporting her. “She is the loveliest person, a breath of fresh air. She’s one of the most glamorous people I’ve ever met.”
“The stakes are high,” continues Rebecca, who – like many people – first became familiar with the “pop culture icon” in the 1990s. What better way, then, to kick off her promo trail than with a dress that paid homage to one of her most iconic looks from the decade: that siren-red Baywatch swimsuit.
“We were like, ‘Are we going to do this? We’re going to do this!’” Ramsey remarks of the Naeem Khan gown that Anderson wore to the premiere of her documentary, which featured the same scooped neckline of her famous one-piece, realised in the same punchy shade. “It’s minimal, it’s comfortable, it’s timeless elegance. It didn’t have any crazy bells and whistles that overpowered her,” explains Rebecca. “When she put it on, it was just like ‘ah-ha’ – it lit up on her.”
A bombshell fashion moment like that is hard to beat, but Ramsey has kept the looks coming. Post premiere, she turned her focus to sourcing vintage – “we see the same dresses on the carpet, it’s important to me that these kind of designs move on” – to let Pamela “wear some of the best clothes” from the 1990s and 2000s.
Working closely with Brynn Jones and James Gallagher of LA-based store Aralda Vintage, she pulled looks that made Pamela feel empowered, but comfortable. “Each city has felt like it’s own personality,” Rebecca muses.
Cue: a form-fitting Alaïa minidress, a silky long-sleeve dress by Alexander McQueen, velvet Tom Ford for Gucci suiting and houndstooth separates by Yohji Yamamoto. The Yohji look (Rebecca’s favourite to date) sat on the rail during several fittings before Pamela finally tried it on. “I’ve never seen her in anything like that,” reveals the stylist.
The constant among all her press tour looks? Her bouncy blonde hair, signature skinny brows and striking make-up, achieved by hair stylist Sara Tintari and make-up artist Eileen Madrid. “They’re amazing – working together as a team has been so gratifying,” says Rebecca. “It’s all Pamela. I’m just so happy that she’s having this moment. I can’t wait to see where it goes.”
