There’s an image of Steve Harvey that’s been seared into my brain. In it, the Family Feud host appears to take a page out of the influencer handbook; he’s wearing a blue suede trucker jacket from Berluti and slim leather pants from Bottega Veneta, the entire ensemble a far cry from the standard suits Harvey’s was once synonymous with. He strikes a pose usually reserved for the fashion set, leaning against a wall, one leg crossed over the other, staring just out of the frame. Adding another layer of intrigue to the unusual scene is that he’s in Paris, the fashion capital of the world, framed by two frosted glass doors and a marble floor. And while he may not be locking eyes with the camera and smiling ear-to-ear (as we’re so used to him doing), something about Harvey’s expression seems to whisper, it’s ok to stare.

It’s mind-blowing almost to think how a series of outfits worn during an overseas jaunt has cast a new light on the now 64-year-old who made “act like a lady, think like a man” part of our lexicon. Or at least that was what I was thinking as I recently connected with Elly Karamoh, Harvey’s personal stylist, on Zoom. Karamoh is responsible for Harvey’s foray into high fashion, using a trip to Paris for Harvey’s wife Marjorie’s birthday as an opportunity to show the internet—and the world—Harvey’s recent willingness to experiment with his look, dressing the TV star in modern silhouettes, head-to-toe monochrome and bold suiting.

“My main inspiration for Paris was just let’s explode the inner superstar,” Karamoh tells me from Los Angeles. “When you’re in Paris, you just wanna outdo yourself. I’m always so inspired by [the] 1980s mob look. My main cinema inspo is Casino with Robert De Niro. His combinations and the style evoked through that character, I’ve always been intrigued by it.”

In many ways it’s the latest step in a long-running process. Before turning to Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film as a reference point, Karamoh began his career with Harvey by making sure that everything the TV star wore was a flattering fit, trimming up the excess on the more relaxed suits Harvey once favored.

“Fit is the most important thing. What we did together, Mr. Harvey and I, we focused on silhouette, we refitted him, we modernized his fit into more of a trimmer, more European fit. We removed accessories, we started removing pocket squares, tie bars, any accessory that would remove the eye from focusing on silhouette and just toned and muted everything down with a monochromatic system. We use colors and we use fit to captivate the audience,” Karamoh explains.

Karamoh adds that while streamlining Harvey’s look was “a minor change” it had an obvious impact in making him appear younger. The marked change in Harvey’s style did more than seemingly turn back the hands of time, it also launched a bevy of playful pop culture-inspired memes. Proof that Harvey’s not the only one having fun with his new look.

“The fun and crazy thing is that, to me, he’s always had so much personal swag, so when you have someone that’s enthusiastic about fashion and willing to have me push his boundaries and limitations … it allows us to create something he wouldn’t necessarily feel comfortable [with]. It was an evolution of things. We started with removing things, then we added sneakers, then we added more colors. Then the next fitting, I said, ‘What about leather? What about velvet?’ and things like that,” Karamoh says.

Karamoh’s keeping track of Harvey’s ever-evolving style on his Instagram account, which serves as a lookbook. Here, you’ll find a showcase of fit pics that feature Harvey in statement-making ensembles from the biggest names in fashion. Dolce & Gabbana Alta Sartoria, Balmain, Dior, Fendi, Tom Ford, Versace, Yves St. Laurent, you name a designer and Harvey’s worn it and worn it well.

“I still want him to be fashion-forward, appealing but age-appropriate. I’m so happy that I get responses and DMs from older guys, fathers, and guys who are in the grandfather department, who say, just because I have this title doesn’t mean I have to stop [dressing fashionably] or I have to wear khaki pants,” says Karamoh.

Though Harvey keeps an open mind when it comes to trying new trends and styles, Karamoh says there are certain non-negotiables.

“You’ll never see him in skinny jeans, anything see-through. I think we have the same limitations on our menswear boundaries,” the stylist says. “I don’t want him to ever look like he’s wearing a costume because he’s in the world of fashion. I want to push sophistication, timeless pieces and showcase that it’s ageless to be fly.”

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