When you’re talking about fashion, how long does it take you to start mentioning names like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, Twiggy or Sophia Loren? We can’t help it, we love fashion icons just as much we love fashion! After all, some of these women created such a unique style that they inspired many fashion designers to create something completely different and new. To be completely fair, the majority of today’s designers are still praising some of these ladies and their impeccable fashion choices.
These women were all under the spotlight due to certain reasons, so they’ve decided to upgrade their fashion game and start playing with creativity. Let’s keep in mind that during the first few decades in the 20th century, most of the fashion trends were very strict, one-dimensional and sometimes basic. These women combined these simple clothes and managed to make them spectacular! In fact, they are spectacular even now when we’re looking into their photos 50 or even 60 years later.
This time, we’ve decided to go on that journey back in time to find these women who influenced the fashion world so much they deserved the title of being the most stylish female icons of all times. Let’s take a closer look at their fashion choices and enjoy the difference of fashion expressions throughout the time!
1. Audrey Hepburn
Call us predictable but it’s really difficult to find a woman that influenced the fashion world more than Audrey Hepburn. This British model and humanitarian become celebrated as a fashion icon very quickly after she became famous. We all remember her in her debut movie ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ which launched her into one of the biggest stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Besides her award-winning acting career, Audrey was also a caring humanitarian and her mission was always to help to make the world a better place. Combination of all of these factors led her to become so much more than just a fashion icon. Women who still copy her style admire her as a woman that was perfect in everything she put her mind to.
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2. Gabrielle Bonheur
One of the rare female names that could share the fashion throne with Audrey Hepburn when it comes to style is Gabrielle Bonheur. Best known as “Coco” Chanel, this woman is still inspiring so many trends in the fashion world. Her style can be best described by saying “less is more”, and she definitely knew how to make that statement true with every single outfit. The brand Chanel has always reflected high-class luxury, even today, but during the time of Coco Chanel, there was not even the smallest chance of creating something extravagant. To her, fashion needed to be breathable, comfortable and simple. When talking about fashion history, it’s impossible to neglect this woman’s influence as her signature of simplicity can be seen everywhere today.
3. Elizabeth Taylor
What Gabrielle Bonheur was to simplicity in fashion, Elizabeth Taylor was to extravagant fashion. During the ’70s, she was famous for her thick make-up and miniskirts. However, as she was getting older, Elizabeth found herself in the more glamorous style which revealed all of her elegance and class. She also became more focused on philanthropy and she was one of the most active celebrities who openly talked about AIDS wanting it to become a part of public discussion. Her close friends and colleagues always emphasised her love for jewellery and perfumes. Many of her dresses can now be purchased on auctions where you can admire them as they are displayed on a sewing mannequin. Her more sophisticated look that we all love to remember today is regularly inspiring many magazine covers, fashion campaign but also even industries that are not related to fashion in any way.
4. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
The woman who is a real symbol of elegance from the second she became followed by reporters due to her husband’s political career is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis or Jackie O. as we all like to refer to her. This First Lady was well aware of the fact of how her appearances can affect her husband’s reputation, so she invested a lot of effort into her status. She is remembered as one of the timeless elegant women who are responsible for the popularity of headscarves, pillbox hats, oversized sunglasses, high gloves, strapless gowns and, of course, Gucci bag. She was such a great fan of a Gucci bag called the Fifties Constance and she wore it all the time. Later, Gucci renamed that same model into Jackie. Besides her fashion choices, she was also known for her specific haircut which is one of the demands in the hair saloons today.
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5. Twiggy
Completely different from the above-mentioned fashion style icons, Twiggy was very unique, from her name, behaviour all the way to her sense of fashion. Her adorable pixie hair, long lashes and thin legs launched her into an icon immediately. Thanks to her, women all around the world fell in love with thick, fake eyelashes making this facial feature focus of the female beauty. Today, Twiggy’s style is still alive among the various mini-dresses, bold lashes and floral prints which were her favourite items to wear on any occasion.
