Breaking barriers and making lasting impressions
By Amanda Lacey
FASHION ICON: an influential person who introduces
new styles that spread throughout fashion culture and become part of the fashion landscape. They initiate a new style that others may follow.
While some may not take fashion too seriously, others dive into the deep end and use the opportunity as the ultimate display of self-expression. Who are these people you ask? These icons were influencers before there were “influencers,” and each has cast a lasting impression on the fashion industry.
DAVID BOWIE
Possessing talent and glamour, Bowie used theatrical and eccentric elements like no other. Known for creating alter-egos and reinventing himself left and right, he inspired others to follow suit and feel a sense of freedom (and pride) in self-expression. With sequined bodysuits, feather boas, makeup and more, Bowie proclaimed the limit does not exist.
PRINCESS DIANA
While some of her noteworthy everyday ensembles are currently making a comeback (think collegiate sweatshirt paired with cycling shorts), there’s no arguing the late Princess Diana and her style never left our minds. Throughout her time in the public eye, she displayed a style evolution every step of the way. In her early days sporting ’80s styles and perfectly preppy looks, she moved on without any difficulty stepping up to aristocratic attire, and then onto more mature (and often jaw-dropping) options.
PHOTO: BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/DEO GRACIA CAHYADI
AUDREY HEPBURN
The ultimate leader in elegance and sophistication. Images of Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday are forever classics with lasting impressions in our minds, but she also effortlessly carried her style off-camera. When you think of a little black dress, you think of Hepburn. A muse to Hubert de Givenchy, she made us not only audibly gasp at the sight of but also yearn for every dress she frolicked around in.
JACKIE O
First Lady, fashion icon, the list goes on. Her outfits were always impeccable, and she knew exactly how to accessorize— signature pillbox hat, classic Gucci bag and oversized round sunglasses. And it continued beyond her presidential looks. Onassis never failed to present a perfectly polished look whether in a billowy maxi dress or perfectly pressed oxford and trousers.
HARRY STYLES
The boy next door turned haute couture aficionado. Styles quickly turned heads after opting for gender-neutral options, sporting a pearl necklace and statement suits accompanied by sweater vests and exaggerated collars underneath.
Stylist on hand or not, Styles breaks boundaries by mixing masculine and feminine silhouettes and inspiring others to use his art of dressing as a blueprint of their very own.
ZENDAYA
Open any magazine and you’ll find her on the best dressed list. Think classic elegance with modern-day touches. Not to mention creating capsule collections for major designers (Tommy Hilfiger) and being a brand ambassador (Valentino) to top it all off.
MELANIA TRUMP
Long before becoming FLOTUS, Melania Trump was setting the style bar high as a fashion model starting when she was 16. She started her career in Milan and Paris before moving to the U.S. in 1996 to model in Manhattan. Her First Lady signature looks included sharp silhouettes, statement coats and luxe accessories such as Birkin handbags.
LADY GAGA
Known to wear multiple looks
on one red carpet from couture gowns to sequin-embellished bodysuits, Gaga does it all. When Gaga has a vision in mind, she fully commits and executes it. From meat dresses to hand-carved headdresses and iconic nine-inch, lace-up platform heels, challenging restrictive social norms has never looked so good.
RIHANNA
The ultimate leader in elegance and sophistication. Having an eye for spotting trends in advance and showcasing them either on the streets of New York City or at the Met Gala, Rihanna’s influence is undeniable and not to mention unapologetic. This is exactly why the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) named her the 2024 Fashion Icon of the Year, joining big names such as Lenny Kravitz and Serene Williams.
GRACE JONES
Two words: tuxedo blazer. Not afraid to take things to the next level with her androgynous style,
Jones has always stood out as a one-of-a-kind. Her oversized, layered, colorful, over-the-top outfits topped off by beautifully bold makeup instantly made her the embodiment of avant-garde.
