Top stylist in musical encounter (9)
I believe the answer is:
hairbrush
'top stylist' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'musical encounter' is the wordplay.
'musical' becomes 'hair' (1960s musical).
'encounter' becomes 'brush' (synonyms).
'hair'+'brush'='HAIRBRUSH'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hairbrush that I've seen before include "It is used with a comb" , "Locks straightener" , "It supplements comb for tidying tresses" , "Personal grooming tool" , "Grooming aid" .)