Fashion icons and the trends they made famous
From Audrey Hepburn’s effortlessly elegant aesthetic to Grace Jones’ menswear-inspired looks, today’s trends originated with the trailblazers of yesteryear.
In the words of Coco Chanel, ‘In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.’
In honor of International Women’s Month, Daily Mail rounds up the trailblazers that made a huge impact on women of their generation, and left a lasting impression that continues to be copied to this day.
So chic: Audrey Hepburn was the queen of looking effortlessly elegant
Unforgettable: Her classic Holly Golightly look from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ will go down in history as one of the most iconic looks of all time
EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE
Audrey Hepburn (born May 4, 1929) was the queen of looking effortlessly elegant.
A champion of comfortable clothing, the leading lady made relaxed separates stylish way before athleisure.
Her staple wardrobe pieces included slim black capri pants, ballet flats, and oversize button-downs.
Even in ball gowns, she accessorized with sensible shoes.
Her classic Holly Golightly look from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961) will go down in history as one of the most iconic looks of all time.
The black column dress by Givenchy, three-strand pearl necklace, oversized sunglasses, sleek updo and opera gloves are ladylike chic at it’s best.
Comfort is key: Even in ball gowns, she accessorized with sensible shoes
Classic: Jackie Kennedy grabbed the nation’s attention with her her sleek yet simple fashion sense
CLASSIC AND SIMPLE
Jackie O (born July 28, 1929) grabbed the nation’s attention in the ’60s with her sleek yet simple fashion sense.
The former first lady made her mark and influenced generations of women to come with a classic style that was all her own.
Modest sheath dresses, tailored trench coats, pillbox hats and pearl necklaces made up her signature look.
She had the ability to make even the most casual outfits look glamorous with printed silk headscarves and oversized sunglasses.
As she once said, ‘Pearls are always appropriate.’ Her go-to was a triple strand necklace featuring 129 European glass faux pearls hand-knotted on silk cords.
Jackie looked regal at formal functions in floor-length gowns accessorized with opera gloves and mastered nautical chic in white jeans and striped tops, before she even added the Onassis to her name.
Simple: From classic sheath dresses to tailored trench coats and pill boxes, the former first lady made her mark and influenced generations of women to come
The accessory: As she once said, ‘Pearls are always appropriate.’ Her go-to was a triple strand necklace featuring 129 European glass faux pearls hand-knotted on silk cords
Trailblazer: From her early days on Sonny and Cher to her risque red carpet looks, Cher has always been in a fashion league of her own
SHOCK VALUE
From her early days on ‘Sonny and Cher’ to her a highly successful career as a solo act, Cher (born May 20, 1946) has always been in a fashion league of her own.
The now 73-year-old was the first to wear the “naked dress” made exclusively for her back in the early ’70s by designer Bob Mackie.
In 1988, she accepted the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in ‘Moonstruck’ wearing a sheer showgirl get-up by Mackie at the age of 42.
Her glittery, body-conscious (or body-baring) outfits made her a fearless fashion pioneer, that paved the way for today’s sexy starlets.
Jaw dropping: The now 73-year-old was the first to wear the “naked dress,” made exclusively for her back in the early ’70s by designer Bob Mackie
Belly baring: Her glittery, body-conscious (or body-baring) outfits made her a fashion pioneer, paving the way for today’s sexy starlets
Short and sweet: Tina Turner’s chart topping hits and undeniable sex appeal quickly made her a household name
THE SHORTER THE BETTER
Incredible hair, killer moves and legs for days. No, we’re not talking about J.Lo. We’re talking about the legendary Tina Turner (born November 26, 1939).
The Proud Mary performer appeared on the music scene in the 1960s. Her chart topping hits and undeniable sex appeal quickly made her a household name.
From dresses with ultra-short hemlines to leather skirts and denim minis, she was rarely seen in anything but leg-baring fashions.
They say ‘If you’ve got it, flaunt it’ and Tina insured it! The legend reportedly had her legs insured for $3.2 million.
A lotta leg: From dresses with ultra-short hemlines to leather skirts and denim minis, she was rarely seen in anything but leg-baring fashions
If you’ve got it: Tina reportedly had her legs insured for $3.2 million
Menswear-inspired: But before Hailey Baldwin and Emily Ratajkowski were suiting up, Grace Jones was blurring the lines between feminine and masculine rocking angular padded tuxedo jackets sans undershirts
ANDROGYNOUS CHIC
Menswear-inspired fashions have filled the runways and the red carpets this season.
But before Hailey Baldwin and Emily Ratajkowski were suiting up, Grace Jones (born May 19, 1948) was blurring the boundary between masculinity and femininity in the ’70s.
The supermodel-turned-singer and actress is best known for her flattop hairdo, contoured cheekbones, hooded capes and futuristic sunglasses.
Rocking angular padded tuxedo jackets sans undershirts, her androgynous style was way ahead of it’s time.
A look: The singer, supermodel, and actress is best known for her flattop hairdo, contoured cheekbones, hooded capes and futuristic sunglasses
She did it first: Her androgynous style was way ahead of it’s time
Sexy AF: Marilyn Monroe (born June 1, 1926) was the original blonde bombshell
SEX APPEAL
Marilyn Monroe (born June 1, 1926) was the original blonde bombshell.
The ‘Some Like It Hot’ actress introduced sex appeal into the fashion industry in the ’50s with high waisted bikinis, evening gowns featuring plunging necklines and form-fitting dress silhouettes, not to mention her breathy voice.
Marilyn’s white pleated look from ‘The Seven Year Itch’ will go down in history as one of the most iconic looks of all time.
She created a legacy that continues to be impersonated on a regular basis by women today.
Unforgettable: Marilyn’s white pleated look from ‘ The Seven Year Itch’ will go down in history as one of the most iconic looks of all time
Who’s the girl: The ‘Some Like It Hot’ actress introduced sex appeal into the fashion industry with high waisted bikinis, evening gowns featuring plunging necklines and form-fitting dress silhouettes, not to mention her breathy voice
Timeless: The uncomfortable corseted gowns of the 1920s inspired Coco Chanel (born August 19, 1883) to create the women’s wardrobe staple that is the little black dress
FASHION CHANGES, STYLE ENDURES
The uncomfortable corseted gowns of the 1920s inspired Coco Chanel (born August 19, 1883) to create the women’s wardrobe staple that is the little black dress.
Coco was ahead of her time, designing with unconventional cloth-like jersey, which was unheard of in couture fashion.
She preferred unorthodox cuts, often borrowed from the boys, to design her trademark suits that are still trending today. Trousers were also a part of her collection, as she herself enjoyed wearing them.
After growing tired of carrying her handbags in her hand and inspired by the straps found on soldiers’ bags, she crated a bag that allowed women to use their hands while toting their belongings.
While the design was originally conceived in the 20s, the 2.55 bag is one of the most coveted luxury handbags to this day.
Coco also popularized costume jewelry, showing women they can accessorize everyday with faux gems, but advised ‘Before you leave the house, look in the antique venetian mirror and take one thing off.’
Icon: She preferred unconventional cuts, often borrowed from the boys, to design her trademark suits that are still being worn today
Bling: Coco also popularized costume jewelry, showing women they can accessorize everyday with faux gems
The coolest: Debbie Harry (born July 1, 1945) defined punk
I’M WITH THE BAND
Debbie Harry (born July 1, 1945) defined punk.
As the iconic bleach-blonde front woman of the new wave band, Blondie, she always looked effortlessly cool.
Rocking out in thrift-store style t-shirts, jeans and fishnets, she was a pioneer of the rocker chic style we see on the streets and runways today.
Even in her 70’s she still looks hipper than most.
Hip: As the iconic bleach-blonde front woman of the new wave band, Blondie, she always looked effortlessly cool
Too cool for school: Rocking out in thrift-store style t-shirts, jeans and fishnets, she was a pioneer of the 80s style we see on the streets and runways today
Glitz and glam: Although Elizabeth Taylor’s style changed over the course of her career, one thing remained the same: her jewels
DIAMONDS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND
Although Elizabeth Taylor’s (born February 27, 1932) style changed over the course of her career, one thing remained the same: her accessories.
In her own words, Elizabeth had three great loves in her life: Michael Todd, Richard Burton, and her jewelry.
She wore garments with plunging necklines that showed off just the right amount of cleavage and displayed her blinding diamonds.
Elizabeth passed away on March 23rd, 2011 at the age of 79. She left behind a large estate, which included over $150 million worth of jewelry.
Wow: She wore garments with plunging necklines that showed off just the right amount of cleavage and her blinding diamonds
Disco diva: As the lead singer of the Supremes, Diana Ross, was apologetically decadent
GLAMOUR ALL DAY EVERY DAY
As the lead singer of the Supremes in the 1960’s, Diana Ross (born March 26, 1944) was apologetically decadent.
On stage she opted for flashy costumes decorated with sequins and sparkle embellishment, topped by feather boas and accessorized with ornate headdresses.
Legendary designer Bob Mackie (the man responsible for Cher’s look) made a number of her OTT looks.
Off stage, the ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ songstress was still turning heads in glamorous statement-making attire that most would reserve for evening.
Her hair (often worn natural) and makeup was dramatic and bold, the original soul diva was the first to blur the lines between costume and everyday wear.
Extraordinary: Her hair (often worn natural) and makeup was dramatic and bold, the original soul diva was the first to blur the line between costume and everyday wear
Front and center: On stage she opted for flashy costumes decorated with sequins and sparkle embellishment
Beauty: London-based model Twiggy rose to stardom for her long, false eyelashes, exaggerated eye makeup, and close, cropped hairstyle
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
In 2020, beauty bloggers experimenting with the latest makeup trends and products are all the rage.
But in 1966, London-based model Twiggy (born September 19, 1949) rose to stardom for her long, false eyelashes, exaggerated eye makeup, and cropped hairstyle.
In addition to her notable beauty look, she was a daring dresser often donning scandalous hemlines (six or seven inches above the knees), mod shift dresses and bold colorful prints.
Experimental: In 2020, beauty bloggers experimenting with the latest makeup trends and products are all the rage
Mod: In addition to her notable beauty look, she was a daring dresser often donning scandalous hemlines (six or seven inches above the knees), mod shift dresses and bold colorful prints
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