The only reason a global designer is dressing an actress is to gain exposure that will raise awareness and increase sales.

Depending on the awards dates and fashion calendar in a given year, sought after runway sample sizes are spotted by stars’ personal stylists and whisked off the January Paris couture runways or the February New York ready-to-wear collections, destined for their Hollywood red carpet debut.

Actresses who aren’t twentysomethings size 2s often end up relying on emerging or lesser-known designers such as David Meister. At the Golden Globes on Sunday (Jan. 15)Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy wore a sparkly Meister gown. Meister also dressed her Bridesmaids costar Maya Rudolph, The Help Globe-winning star Octavia Spencerand Glee star Jane Lynch for the event. Even Andie MacDowell wore his design. That’s as many — if not more — actresses than any A-list designer dressed.