Behind the Seams

Stylist Krista Roser’s Art of Dressing Country Music's Brightest Stars

Krista Roser (L) with Amanda Craig (R) at Palomino County's Nashville Launch Event

In a town where rhinestones meet raw talent, and every stage becomes a runway, Krista Roser has quietly become one of the most influential voices in American country music style. The Nashville-based stylist is more than just a behind-the-scenes tastemaker — she’s a visual storyteller who’s mastered the language of leather, sparkle, and stage-ready swagger. From the bright lights of the CMA Awards to the intimate chaos of backstage quick changes, Roser’s work reveals the woman behind the look: thoughtful, grounded, intuitive, and visionary.

With a background that spans both womenswear and menswear, Krista Roser’s styling pedigree reads like a who's who of country and crossover. Florida Georgia Line, Jelly Roll, Priscilla Block, RaeLynn, Danielle Bradbery, Tenille Arts, Cassadee Pope, Parmalee, Ryan Hurd — these names only scratch the surface. She’s also dressed high-performance athletes like MMA fighter Mike Chandler and Tennessee Titan Taylor Lewan. Her editorial work has appeared in Billboard, People, Bello, and Vulkan, blending red carpet dazzle with rootsy Americana soul.

But if you ask Roser what’s at the heart of her styling, it isn’t about her name or her stamp on a look. It’s about authenticity.

“I never really want people to see ‘me’ in my work,” she says. “It’s not about me; it’s about them and their music.”

Nashville as Muse

Growing up in Nashville’s creative current gave Roser a deep respect for the collaborative spirit of Music City. “We all get to be creative in our own parts of the team and come together for the common goal,” she says.

“One of my favorite parts when I started was how everyone worked together but allowed each person’s role to be theirs.”

That ethos of mutual respect and shared vision still drives her work today. When meeting a new artist, she listens to their music—really listens. Then she digs into who they are, what message they want to send, and how they see themselves evolving. She collects images, builds moodboards, and lets intuition take the wheel. “I get lost in their music,” she says. “Images start coming to mind, and it starts the process.”

Looks with a Pulse

Roser isn’t interested in styling for styling’s sake. She wants the artist to feel fully themselves, only elevated. “They need to feel like they are wearing the look, not the look wearing them,” she explains. “It allows them to feel empowered and comfortable in what they are doing.”

That respect for comfort doesn’t mean playing it safe. In fact, Roser is the queen of the tasteful risk. Just ask Florida Georgia Line, who became among the first country acts to be dressed by major fashion houses under her guidance.

“They were doing a lot of pop crossover songs that allowed us to take fashion risks. We played between the pop world and the country world,” she says. “We made them ones to watch from a fashion perspective.”

Another highlight? Designing custom quick-change moments for Kelsea Ballerini’s second headlining tour: a feat of both creativity and logistics that paid off in seamless spectacle.

“We didn’t have a full dressing team, so the changes had to be easy to complete each night,” she recalls. “I was proud of that tour and how large we were able to make those moments with very little.”

Planting the Seeds of Style

Much of Roser’s magic lies in knowing when to push and when to pause. She never forces an artist into a look that doesn’t feel right. Instead, she “plants the seed,” showing them a piece that might be a little out of their comfort zone and letting it marinate.

“Next time, they’re generally more open to trying,” she says. “It’s about broadening their ideas on what’s possible.”

When she collaborates with clients like Jelly Roll, signature elements begin to emerge. It may take the form of a Johnny Cash-inspired silhouette here, or a meaningful accessory there—each rooted in the artist’s own story.

“Some signature pieces just stick,” she says. “Some have temporary moments during an album cycle, but they all tell a story.”

Style for the Long Game

Despite working in a realm that often leans glitzy, Roser avoids flash-for-flash’s-sake.

“Fashion is a language,” she says. “It’s your way of expressing yourself without saying a word.”

Her ultimate goal? For the artist to look so natural, people don’t even realize there was a stylist involved. “Like they would have picked it out themselves — if they could,” she laughs.

Twelve years into her business, Roser is still learning — and that’s exactly how she likes it.

“With experience comes more knowledge, more resources, and better problem-solving,” she says. “But you always have to keep learning.” As for dream gigs, she’d love to dress someone for the Met Gala or a global film premiere campaign. But until then, she’s building iconic moments — one boot, belt, and band at a time. And in a world where so much is curated, edited, and engineered, Krista Roser reminds us what real style feels like: a little rugged, a little polished, and a whole lot of truth.

Roser’s Picks for Every Closet

A Great Pair of Boots

According to Krista, you can’t go wrong with cowboy boots! She loves the mix of practicality and polish in brands like Tecovas and Steve Madden.

A Killer Leather Jacket

Whether it's Buck Mason’s G-1 Flight Jacket or Billy Reid’s sleek classic cut, a leather jacket brings edge, heritage, and polish.

Something with Sparkle 

“It can be chains, a studded belt, or subtle crystals — whatever makes you shine.” Her recommendations are a Streets Ahead Chain Belt or a their equally stylish Studded Belt

Designer Crushes

When it comes to designers, she’s crushing on these brands: Jacquemus for whimsical minimalism; Christopher Esber for bold lines and twisted shapes, and Miu Miu for feminine rebellion.

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About the Author

Suzanne Kopulos has spent 20+ years as a celebrity stylist, fashion tastemaker, and lifestyle brand builder. For nearly a decade, she was represented by Ford Models—where her keen eye for emerging trends made her an indispensable part of Chicago’s fashion scene. With degrees in both business and law, Suzanne parlayed these skills into creative strategy; she has shaped campaigns for Neiman Marcus, BCBG, Ted Baker, Lafayette 148, goop, Ulta Beauty, Nike, QVC, Vital Proteins, Macy’s, Burberry, and Kate Somerville. As a fashion industry thought leader, she was regularly featured live on-air, contributing her “fresh takes” on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and WGN.