ICONS OF STYLE

What is the endless fascination with style icons from the past? Why are we still fascinated by women who came of age in the 1950’s, 60’s or seventies? What is their allure, their attraction and the magnetism they continue to impose on style and fashion? Is it because they were the “IT” girls of the day, or because they were stars of stage and screen? No, the one thing they all possess is an indefinable, inherent style.
You can’t buy style or inherit it, you are either born with it, or not.  Somehow, these magical women captured a moment in time where they oozed sophistication, elegance, a quirky edge, a certain “Je ne sais quoi,” that defies description. And it is what we aspire to emulate. My favourites are fairly obvious: Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Marilyn Monroe, Jane Birkin, Diane Keaton, Ali McGraw, Katherine Hepburn, Jacqueline Bisset, Marella Agnelli and CZ Guest. And there are many others.

There are a few from the present day who have managed to enter that hallowed hall of fame such as Ines de la Fressange, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Giovanna Engelbert, Queen Rania of Jordan, Olivia Palermo, Miranda Kerr, Queen Letizia of Spain, Amal Clooney  and Jennifer Aniston. The phrase ‘enduring style’ is so overused and abused, but these are women whose unique style transcends the years and will always be a constant source of inspiration.

Icons of Style photographs all from Pinterest