how (ir)relevant is the stylist?

There has been a lot of talk in the celeb world about stylist Rachel Zoe and her influence on style/infamous clients.  While I'm not going to completely defend her and her suspicious skinny ways,  I am going to say that stylists actually DO work very hard, (having assisted several of them which is by far the most challenging job I have ever had) and are responsible for starting trends or at least pushing trends (i.e. street style) in front of the masses by dressing prominent celebrities which are in the spotlight and therefore in our faces.  Try this; take a look at red carpet photos from 5,6,7 years ago and notice what the actresses are wearing......95% of them cannot dress themselves to save their lives;  the only reason they are "style icons" is because someone (their stylist) is dressing them.  Just my thoughts for the day.