Timeless Style: Fashion Icons through the Ages:
Let's take a look back at some of the most influential and celebrated icons in fashion history.
1. Grace Kelly
Courtesy of Vogue
Hollywood’s Goldengirl and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, is undoubtedly known for her timeless elegance and tailored silhouettes. Her embodiment of feminine grace served as inspiration fostering fashion movements, and her influence was commemorated by Hermes with the naming of a bag in her honor. Let's delve into some of the key factors that shaped her remarkable journey. Grace Kelly consistently emphasized the significance of tailoring, whether it was through high-waisted trousers or impeccably buttoned blazers; the enduring allure of their cut and shape remains contemporary, attesting to the enduring legacy of sartorial elegance she helped establish in the 1950s.
It is almost impossible to discuss Grace Kelly's influence on fashion without mentioning the iconic Hermes "Kelly" bag. This bag is one of the most sought after bags in fashion today which cannot simply be bought but must be offered after building up a purchasing history.
Not only did Grace’s style shape the future of Hermes but her legacy remains in Gucci's designs. In 1966 Grace and her husband, Prince Rainier of Monaco, visited the Gucci store in Milan. Rodolfo Gucci, son of Guccio Gucci, was so taken aback by her elegance he commissioned her very own print of silk scarf. The pattern drew inspiration from Botticelli's "Allegory of Spring” and was covered in 43 different varieties of flowers including roses, daisies, and poppies. The print is still prevalent in many of Gucci's products today.
Courtesy of The Luxury Closet
2. Diana Ross
Courtesy of i-D
Diana Ross stepped out in the 60s as the lead singer of The Supremes with some truly iconic looks. Diana gained fame not only for her dazzling stage costumes but also for her stylish and relaxed off-duty outfits. Her adaptability in style charmed a wide range of fans, earning her the title of the fashion world's chameleon queen. Ross has influenced many icons today such as Beyonce and Rhianna by setting a precedent for female empowerment, artistic expression, and glamorous style in the music industry. We can notice similarities between Diana’s look in the first image and Rihanna’s Swaroski dress she wore to the 2014 CFDA Awards.
3. Elton John
Courtesy of L'OFFICIEL
Sir Elton John stands out as one of the most flamboyant and pioneering fashion icons, known for his extravagant and groundbreaking style. Over the years he has collaborated with designers like Gucci, Bob Mackie, Versace, Yohji Yamamoto, and Chopard, each contributing to his eclectic wardrobe and iconic stage presence. You could argue that the pinnacle of Elton’s look is his eccentric collection of distinctive oversized and colorful glasses. His iconic style prompted him to partner with eyewear companies to establish collections, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the charitable cause of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. More recently, Elton has continued to to work alongside Gucci putting forward a line of retro statement shades.
4. Stevie Nicks
Courtesy of i-D
The Queen of rock and roll, Stevie Nicks, has graced us with numerous eras of fashion transitioning from the bohemian hippie fashion of the 1960s to enchanting witch-inspired attire, and finally evolving into a bold and electrifying rock and roll style. Stevie’s signature item of clothing; her shawl, is not just a piece of clothing but rather a symbol of her unique style and stage power. Nicks has even stated that she keeps all of her shawls in her ‘shawl vault’ as a memoir of her music career. Even today, Stevie Nicks' shawl remains a powerful symbol of enchantment. Whenever she wears that shawl, you know something enchanting is about to happen, and it's left a historic mark on fashion and pop culture.
5. Jane Birkin
Courtesy of the NY Times
Jane Birkin is one of the most widely recognised muses in fashion who gained recognition for her subtle blend of Parisian and bohemian styles. From white t-shirts and jeans to thatched wooden baskets Jane Birkin inspired an essence of elegance through simple statement pieces. A large part of her mark on the fashion industry was her ties with Hermes and the notorious Birkin Bags which are now distributed capriciously at a staggering price of $30,000, if you're lucky enough to be offered one. As Jane Birkin aged she swapped in her sheer and shorter looks for trench coats and low-waist trousers, continuing to show the beauty of simplicity.
6. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
Courtesy of Vogue
The 90s socialite, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who was married to John F. Kennedy Jr. was a fashion powerhouse and still continues to influence the runway today. Similarly to Jane Birkin, Carolyn drew on the effectiveness of basics whether it's a little black dress, strappy sandals, oval shades or a fitted shirt her classic taste lives on through the growing popularity of ‘quiet luxury’ today.
7. Virgil Abloh
Courtesy of Vogue
Virgil Abloh revolutionized the world of fashion by bringing streetwear into the luxury fashion industry. Abloh’s career began in engineering and architecture before becoming a creative consultant for Kanye West. Later on in 2013 he founded his own luxury streetwear brand: Off-White until 2018 when he was approached by LVMH and became Louis Vuitton's men's wear artistic director. The influence Virgil Abloh had on the fashion industry is unparalleled, not only because we continue to witness his artistic influence in contemporary designs but also because he reshaped the path toward diversity and equality in the fashion world today.