Emmy-nominated costume designer Michelle Cole, who styled all the looks on ABC’s “Black-ish” and Freeform’s “Grown-ish,” wants to make one thing clear: Yara Shahidi and Zoey Johnson are two very different people. Shahidi, who played the charming eldest Johnson sister on “Black-ish” since 2014, went on to become a college freshman at Cal U in the spinoff series. “Grown-ish” finds Johnson coming into her own as an adult with a budding career as stylist.
“It’s always a question of who does [Zoey Johnson] want to be that day? It’s mismatch, but it’s so darn cute.”
In real life, Shahidi is an actor, activist, and fashion fixture on the red carpet. Styled by Jason Bolden, she’s known for sophisticated yet wearable looks, ranging from the trench cape she wore to the Dior fall 2022 show to the electric green midi dress she wore to the 2021 Emmys.
But Zoey Johnson’s “Grown-ish” wardrobe differs in one major way: it’s eccentric. “Zoey has been the centre of the show for the last four seasons, which allows me to have a lot of range with her character,” Cole tells POPSUGAR. “When I’m styling for Zoey, she doesn’t have a defined look; she loves to play with clothes since her character is working towards being in the fashion world. I get to do the plaids and the wacky prints. It’s always a question of who does she want to be that day? It’s mismatch, but it’s so darn cute.”
Since Cole has been working with Shahidi since she was 13, they’ve developed a rapport that enhances the collaboration process. “She’s always had input, but now that she’s developed into this powerful, professional young woman, she has even more input, so she never wears anything that she doesn’t like,” Cole said of her working relationship with Shahidi. “But there isn’t an ‘Oh, I have to wear this’ attitude. The decisions are more so driven by what the character would wear and her specific style.”
Cole also collaborates with other creatives on set, and she praises the beauty artists in particular for helping to bring each outfit to life. “In terms of what makes certain looks more memorable, I must give props to the hair and makeup teams on the show,” she said. “They are so thoughtful and intentional with every single look. It’s more than just the outfit, they really tie everything together. It’s the complete package that makes the looks so special.”
Together, they work on over 100 outfits for the show, with Johnson alone wearing seven to 10 per episode, with roughly 18 episodes in a season. Cole dresses the full group of college friends as well – including Nomi Segal (Emily Arlook), Ana Torres (Francia Raisa), Luca Hall (Luka Sabbat), Sky and Jazz Forester (Halle and Chloe Bailey), Vivek Shah (Jordan Buhat), Doug Frederick (Diggy Simmons), and Aaron Jackson (Trevor Jackson) – all of whom have their own rotation of signature brands.
Though it’s arduous to be sure, Cole finds the work rewarding – and she’s already looking forward to season five, which will focus on post-graduation life. She’s even open to reviewing DMs from emerging designers who’d like to be featured on the coming season.
Ahead, get a rundown of each “Grown-ish” character’s style, then check out the best fashion moments on the Emmy-nominated series so far, according to Cole.
Freeform / Eric McCandless
Zoey Johnson's Style
Above: Zoey wears an OYE Swimwear one-piece and Camilla cover-up in the premiere episode of “Grown-ish” season four.
“With Zoey (Yara Shahidi), we don’t really shop brands. We shop what we like and what the character would wear – whatever is really ‘out there’ and really cute,” Cole said. “We’re browsing everything from Zara and Zimmermann to Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Rodeo, and tiny boutiques on Melrose and in Silverlake. Each season has gotten more sophisticated, and we have gotten more confident in who we are as Zoey, but if I had to describe Zoey’s style right now, I would say big and bold.”
Freeform / Eric McCandless
Nomi Segal's Style
Above: Nomi wears Cult Gaia in the premiere episode of “Grown-ish” season four.
Cole explained that while she shops at Fred Segal, Isabel Marant, J.Crew, and Anthropologie for Nomi (Emily Arlook)’s wardrobe, the character is a little more on the vintage side, so you’ll find her in a lot of prints that reference certain decades and fewer luxury brands.
Freeform / Ron Tom
Sky and Jazz Forster's Style
Above: Sky wears a Veronica Beard blazer over a pink ribbed Zara top and Jazz wears an IRO houndstooth jacket and Topshop trousers in “Grown-ish” season two.
“Sky and Jazz Forster (Halle and Chloe Bailey) wear a lot of Rachel Comey and clothing from department stores. In the earlier seasons, we’d find them lots of tube tops and tracksuits at small boutiques since their storylines were so focused on them being at Cal U on track scholarships,” Cole said.
Freeform / Tiffany Roohani
Luca Hall's Style
“As a designer, you want to dress Luka,” Cole said of Luka Sabbat, who plays Luca Hall on the series. “You get to have fun with Western belts, bell bottoms, and boots. He has that flair and can wear just about anything and still look great. He is a great teacher when it comes to fashion. We’ve had him wear vintage Prada sweaters from the ’80s and $700 lace shirts – but we’ll save those for a longer scene.”
Freeform / Tiffany Roohani
Ana Torres's Style
Above: Ana wears a L’Agence leopard blouse in “Grown-ish” season four.
Cole cites Veronica Beard, Alice + Olivia, and A.P.C. as the brands that predominately make up Ana Torres (Francia Raísa)’s wardrobe.
Freeform / Tiffany Roohani
Vivek Shah's Style
Above: Vivek wears a Kenzo Paris pullover in season four of “Grown-ish.”
“Vivek is another character I love dressing because Jordan [Buhat] will do anything,” Cole said of his adventurous style. “When you have an actor that will go that distance, that makes it so much fun. He would wear Gucci shorts sets, or a shirt with ‘Balenciaga’ written across the chest. He is so much fun and one of the characters I call in the most designer clothes for. Because his character is that ‘new money’ drug dealer, you can be move overt with the big designer names.”
Freeform / Tiffany Roohani
Aaron Jackson's Style
Above: Aaron wears a fuzzy striped Marni cardigan in “Grown-ish” season four.
“With Aaron (Trevor Jackson), it comes down to the fit more than the brand. His character likes tighter pants and skinnier jeans,” Cole said.
Freeform / Tiffany Roohani
Douglas Frederick's Style
Above: Doug wears a Stussy patchwork jacket in “Grown-ish” season four.
“Doug (Diggy Simmons) has a certain style. He likes suits and clean sweaters,” Cole explained. “I tend to reach for Dickies or Diesel for him. While you will obviously see him and Aaron in designer clothes, they aren’t just dripping all the time in big brands from head to toe. The audience should be able to afford some of the stuff they wear.”
Freeform / Eric McCandless
Keep Scrolling For Top Style Moments From Grown-ish Costume Designer Michelle Cole
Above: Zoey wears one of Cole’s favorite looks ever styled, consisting of a Mimi Chica Tupac tee and pink faux-fur in “Grown-ish” season one.
Freeform / Tony Rivetti
Above: Luca wears a Comme des Garçons sweater and Zoey wears an Alice + Olivia rainbow coat and Stella McCartney jeans in “Grown-ish” season two.
Freeform / Ron Tom
Above: Zoey wears a zebra print Zara dress in “Grown-ish” season two.
Freeform / Christopher Willard
Above: Zoey wears a fall 2014 Oscar de la Renta dress in “Grown-ish” season two.
Freeform / Kelsey McNeal
Above: Zoey wears a Lakers Topshop tee in “Grown-ish” season two.
Freeform / Ron Tom
Above: Zoey wears a Queens Hstry tee and Madewell earrings in “Grown-ish” season two.
Freeform / Eric McCandless
Above: Zoey wears a Maje sweatshirt underneath Topshop overalls in “Grown-ish” season two.
Freeform / Eric McCandless
Above: Zoey wears Dolls Kill in “Grown-ish” season three.
Freeform / Eric McCandless
Above: Zoey pays homage to Aaliyah in head-to-toe Tommy Hilfiger in “Grown-ish” season three.
Freeform / Eric McCandless
Above: Zoey wears a blue Maggie Marilyn pinstripe pantsuit in “Grown-ish” season three.
Freeform / Eric McCandless
Above: Aaron wears an All-Saints shirt and Zoey wears a PatBo dress in “Grown-ish” season four.
Freeform / Tiffany Roohani
Above: Jazz wears an AFRM ribbed sweater dress in “Grown-ish” season four.
Freeform / Tiffany Roohani
Above: Diane (Marsai Martin) wears a yellow Denimist look over a French Connection mockneck and Zoey wears a Marc Jacobs blouse under Staud gingham separates in “Grown-ish” season four.
Freeform / Tiffany Roohani
Above: Nomi wears a Ganni lace top with Rachel Comey pants and Zoey wears an Alice + Olivia blouse with Nicholas Damia faux-leather pants in “Grown-ish” season four.
