Ke Huy Quan is having a great time. Stacking nominations for his star turn in Everything Everywhere All at Once, he seems to embody the magic of Hollywood — and the kindness of the universe, as his EEAAOO character Waymond would note — as Quan brims with sincerity and joy throughout his interviews, starstruck selfies with fellow actors and his awards season red carpet takeover. 

“I made it onto the GQ best-dressed list, which I always wanted to be on!” Quan tells Vanity Fair, his surprise and delight radiating through the call. 

For that honor, Quan graciously — and effusively — credits his stylist, Chloe Takayanagi, whom he’s worked with since the Oscar-nominated film premiered at South by Southwest in March 2022. “In the beginning, Ke just wanted to go very simple and classic for the premieres,” says Takayanagi, who eased the Oscar nominee back into the spotlight nearly four decades after his Goonies promo rounds with director Steven Spielberg.

For Quan’s awards season debut at the Golden Globes in January, Takayanagi — who trained under Keanu Reeves’ longtime stylist (and Anonymous Content Manager-Producer) Jeanne Yang — dressed the nominee in a double-breasted black Thom Browne tuxedo, with a rakish grosgrain trim. But for Quan, the dashing ensemble went far beyond a fashion roundup placement.

“It’s not just the look, it’s how I was feeling and what that moment means for me,” says Quan, who likes to keep the suits as heartfelt mementos of achieving his long-suppressed dream to return to acting. That night was unforgettable for both Quan and viewers: He moved the audience to tears and earned a standing ovation from Spielberg with his touching acceptance speech.

“I watched the Golden Globes for decades, so never did I think that I would be nominated and then — what — win? Oh, my gosh,” says Quan. “So that outfit that I was wearing made me feel really comfortable and that was the only way that I could go up there and give a thankful speech.”

A look through Quan’s red carpet outings shows his growing ease with style experimentation — and his poses, including his now-trademark finger point. “That’s all him,” says a proud Takayanagi. “I’m getting bolder,” says Quan. “In the beginning, I was reluctant to get out of my comfort zone and [Takayanagi is] so good at easing me into new territories.”

Starting with the Critics Choice Awards, Takayanagi began introducing more “textures and colors” into his streamlined suit silhouettes. Quan celebrated Lunar New Year — and another win — in a ruby red velvet jacket with a Mandarin-collar and black trousers by Armani. “I want him to still be comfortable with what he’s wearing, but I want it to show his personality a little bit as well,” says Takayanagi. 

For the Oscars luncheon, Quan — in an emerald green corduroy blazer, over a tonal fine-knit from John Smedley — took a round of exuberant selfies with fellow nominees and joint finger-pointed with Top Gun: Maverick star and producer Tom Cruise. He later invigorated BAFTA decorum in a rich monochrome navy tuxedo, with a natty velvet jacket and coordinated bow-tie. For a visit to The Today Show, in between, Quan hugged Al Roker, and charmed fellow guest Elizabeth Banks while wearing a mustard Paul Smith sweater, with a lively rainbow-collar. At the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Quan made history as the first Asian male film winner. He made another rousing speech in a deep blue Gucci tuxedo, with contrasting black peak lapels and a distinctive De Beers pin resembling two fans. Counting down toward the Oscars, he plans to wear a jaunty plaid suit by Thom Browne for the more relaxed Independent Spirit Awards.