Dolly Parton's Enduring Style: A 30-Year Partnership with Steve Summers

For over three decades, stylist Steve Summers has been the driving force behind Dolly Parton’s iconic and consistently stunning fashion choices. Parton’s style has evolved alongside her remarkable career, encompassing music, acting, philanthropy, and theme park ventures – a diverse ‘canvas’ as Summers describes it.

A Unique Creative Process

Summers, acting as Parton’s longtime stylist and creative director, has collaborated on countless winning looks. He notes the unique challenge of working with Parton, stating, “Designing for Dolly is great, because there are so many [Dollys].” He manages the demands of the ‘philanthropist, the singer, the actress, the theme park owner’ simultaneously.

Customization is Key

Remarkably, almost everything Parton wears is entirely customized. “Even if she wears a dress that’s off the rack, it doesn’t look like it by the time she gets it on,” Summers explains. His team produces approximately 300 custom outfits annually, with a new design often in progress daily, particularly for Parton’s numerous personal appearances – sometimes requiring ten outfits per day.

Signature Style Elements

Summers highlights Parton’s signature style: a cinched waist and often monochromatic looks. Considering her petite frame, he emphasizes the importance of garments that flatter her figure, avoiding overwhelming her appearance. “We often look for dresses or jumpsuits that have an hourglass shape, with a great color or texture thrown in for good measure,” he says.

Sky-High Heels

And, of course, Parton’s signature sky-high stilettos – typically 140-mm heels – are also custom-made, with specialized lasts designed for comfort. “The pitch on the shoe is very high, so we have the lasts custom-made for comfort,” Summers explains, adding that the designs are created entirely in-house.