Style Icons of the Decade
Twiggy, Sophia Lauren, Audrey Hepburn, Madonna, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss — these timeless divas have scorched the fashion scene with effortless ease for ages. And they have done it so well, they ll remain etched in our memories for all of eternity. What is it about these women that has men s throats going dry and women either going green with envy or mindlessly aping like five year olds? I may be no expert in this matter — being merely an avid follower of all things fashion — but I m willing to hazard a guess that it s their attitude towards style. Never ones to shy away from something new, these style icons in fact embraced the novel, the absurd, the eccentric, the sometimes eye-popping trends in such a way that all the mere mortals around them could do was gape — in unadulterated awe. The decade from 2000 to 2010, too, has witnessed more than its fair share of divas to be remembered. They walked into our lives, strutted their stuff and refused to be forgotten. Let s take a look at some of the more influential fashion icons that this decade has witnessed.
Just around the beginning of the decade, a bubblegum-sporting, teeny bopper of a girl called Britney Spears took the world by storm. Her debut single Hit Me Baby One More Time was as much an instant rage for its music as it was for her unabashedly cute look. Teenage girls the world over wanted to ape the look. So much was her impact that people still probably spare the time of day to read news about her latest antics only because they respect her for the name she has earned for herself as a singer just as much as a fashion goddess. Still in the young range we have the Olsen twins — Mary-Kate and Ashley, who at the tender age of one made their television debut as the adorable Michelle Tanner in the hit series Full House. Now aged 25, the twins are the epitome of Bohemian chic. Their typical style includes oversized clothes, skyscraper heels and mega-size handbags.
Also, nobody does careless chic with loosely combed locks quite like them. In the realms of royalty, who could forget the likes of Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama and Carla Brunei-Sarkozy? All three have epitomized their looks. Kate quietly brought the minimalistic, understated and supremely ladylike trend back. Who else could have inspired such a mad scramble for nude pumps? Michelle Obama is known to be a bit more daring, right from her choice of designers (she doesn t shy away from unknown names) to her cuts and colors. And Carla packs a punch with her power dressing that incorporates none of the usual severe cuts and boxed jackets but instead oozes pure feminine appeal. Not many women can pull off such radically different looks in one outfit. The only other woman who can probably come close is Katie Holmes, who carries off power outfits and dainty gowns with equal élan.
Moving on. Soccer mom Victoria Beckham is a great example of someone who looks her best at all times. Her look is always flawless — everything from her very famous pixie cut to her impossibly high heels (the women never seems to wear flats) to her kohl-rimmed eyes and nude makeup to her signature high-street handbags has made news. Never one to meekly follow rules, she stands apart from the rest by simply refusing to dress casually — and no one s complaining. Then we have Sarah Jessica Parker. As Carrie Bradshaw, her famous onscreen character in Sex And The City, she single-handedly nearly sent the world s designer shoe industry into a tizzy when she sent womankind the message that it s perfectly fine to own truckloads of expensive, custom made shoes. Not that her clothes are anything less than statement worthy, either.
There are also some women who consistently manage to reinvent themselves with every season. They can pull off diverse looks with such ease that one cannot help but admire them. Madonna and Jennifer Lopez are two names that come to mind. Though Madonna is actually in a league all her own, Jennifer is not far behind. Both mothers have amazing bodies and though both have at times sported outfits that ended up being panned by the media, they walk with their heads held high — perfect diva attitude, if you ask me.
And who could ever forget supermodel Kate Moss? With her trademark skinny jeans and boots and nothing but her flawless face to complement them, women can only wish they had it as good as her in the looks department. Then there are the women who sparked frenzies with the simplest of things — Jennifer Aniston made women the world over lust after her every hairstyle in the immensely popular sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Nicole Kidman made traffic signal red lipstick look classy and every woman wanted to buy into the idea.
The list is absolutely endless. Lady Gaga deserves a special mention for being probably the only woman in history who can wear an outfit made entirely of meat or bubbles and still dare to come back into the spotlight — again and again. After all, who said fashion is only about aesthetics?
Fashions Biggest Contributors
We all follow fashion trends at some point in our lives, don’t we? But how many of us know what fashion is all about? Who are the people who influence fashion trends? And who are the biggest fashion contributors? Let’s find out!
Fashion refers to any current style that is popularly followed by the people. The term fashion is linked more popularly to clothes but it also includes footwear, accessories and even hairstyle! It all adds up to a person’s overall look and makes a style statement. Therefore it is better to follow your own instincts rather than following fashion trends blindly.
The people who influence fashion trends most popularly are famous people in the public eye. Royalty, actors, actresses, models, singers, and bands are some of the most popular fashion icons. Youngsters look up to their favourite icon and follow their style. Marie Antoinette, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana were some of the most popular fashion icons of their times.
Even though celebrities are widely known for their contribution to fashion they are not the biggest contributors. The honour goes to designers! They are the people who predict fashion trends in advance and design clothes and accessories accordingly. There are hundreds of famous designers whose contribution to the fashion industry has been unforgettable. Here are the names of some of the most well known designers of all time.
Christian Dior is a legend without any match. He founded the House of Dior- a fashion house famous all over the world. Though he initially stuck to clothes, he later expanded into furs, perfumes, lingerie and accessories (handbags, watches, sunglasses). Today, Dior is a widely recognized brand.
Giorgio Armani is the most well-known Italian designer in the world. He is mostly famous for his well tailored suits for both men and women. He left the traditional tailoring for a more relaxed style that became very popular.
Miuccia Prada is another legendary figure in the world of fashion. She entered the Prada family business in 1971. Remember “Devil wears Prada”? It is mostly known for their amazing range of shoes but it also has bags, menswear and womenswear collection. She has made into the Wall Street Journal’s list of “30 Most Powerful Women in Europe”.
Gianni and Donatella Versace are the most famous siblings to have made it big in the fashion industry. Gianni Versace use of bright colours and body-hugging designs were a huge success. Donatella was in charge of advertising for which Versace is popular. Gianni’s tragic death in 1996 left a daunting legacy to the younger sibling. Despite the daunting task, Donatella has lived up to the Versace name and added to its fame even more.
Louis Vuitton is a legend in designer luggage sector. The LV monogram is well-known for their high-quality and attractive designer luggages. Now, they have expanded to handbags, apparel, purse and office accessories.
There are many more people whose contribution to fashion has been tremendous. Their names not being mentioned here doesn’t make their contributions any less than those mentioned above. Do read up more on some of the other biggest contributors to fashion. You’ll be amazed by the number of designers out there!
Trends and Style: The Importance of Knowing What Works For You
Fashion means the latest craze in dresses, décor, food, or any particular thing that is suddenly most wanted and visible everywhere.
Trend is the way something is done. It could be a dress worn in a certain way, like earlier hats were always worn with a dress, or hair was crimped or curled and worn in the 20’s and 30’s. The usual way something is done or worn is called a trend.
Style is a distinctive way of wearing a dress or a type of how things are done.
Now that you know what these three words fashion, trend and style mean, figuring out what to wear and how to pair becomes easy. Walk down your street or peruse some magazines, or even see what the celebrities are wearing online. This will give you an idea of what is the current trend and style of fashion. Keep in mind fashion is constantly changing, what was in yesterday may not be in today. But more importantly know if this trend will look good on you or not, specifically do you feel comfortable in it or do you have the confidence to carry it off.
Identify what body type you are; what face cut you have, what colours work for you. The latest colour may be green or canary yellow; it does not mean everyone looks good in it. Work with the colour, say yellow is in, then look for a shade of yellow that suits you. It could be more mustard than canary. Just like you would look for a shade of red in lipstick that suits your skin, search for a shade of the ‘in’ colour for your skin colouring. Do not wear skinny jeans only because it is in fashion. Wear them because your legs do look good in them. If not pick a pair of jeans that do narrow at the legs but not completely like skinny jeans. Do not get a pixie cut just because it is in style, it may not suit your face, instead opt for a short haircut that suits you.
Another way to play it safe, always pair solids with a pattern. If the top you are wearing has a design or print or pattern on it, pair it with a skirt or pants that are just one solid colour like black or white or tan. Also remember it is not mandatory to have a dress in the ‘in’ colour every time, you can instead have a stole or a cap or a scarf, bag, necklace in the particular colour and this way can use it more often. If you can not wear a mini skirt, that does not mean skirts are out for you. Get a knee length skirt so you can still show off your legs.
Accessorizing your outfit will make it look more trendy and in fashion. If you are wearing a low neck top or dress, wear a chunky necklace. If your top is a solid colour, wear a long necklace to add some sparkle to it. Wearing a bangle or a bracelet, rings, flowers in your hair or a hat are other ways to accessorize.
Are You Fashionable?
Everyone likes to be fashionable. Fashion is something that moves in a very fast pace and not everyone has the knack of always being in the trend. Fashion is totally man made. One prominent person creates a look and that just spreads like wild fire. Fashion is all about creativity and style. If you have the aesthetic sense and a sense about style, you will flourish in the fashion industry.
Fashion is something that was always there in the society. Just that decade’s back fashion was more conservative and discreet. But today it is all about being daring, provocative and confident. Each person has their own taste when it comes to style and fashion. What is endorsed by Paris Hilton, often referred to as a style icon, need not necessary go well with everyone. Fashion is all about carrying yourself well and adding style to whatever you wear. Fashion can be ethnic, traditional, modern or contemporary.
Being fashionable does not mean that you have to ape a celebrity or follow fashion Television. One has to comfortable in whatever they wear. One has to also take into consideration complexion, body shape, age, etc. What looks fashionable on a petite frame need not necessary looks good on someone who has a bigger body structure.
Another misconception that people seem to have is that fashion is equivalent to skimpy. Especially when talking about women’s fashion. This is an absolutely wrong. There are a lot of fashion designers who work only on ethnic wear. This is especially so in India. These people design sarees, salwar kameez, lehengas, bridal wear, etc.
Fashion does mean clothing alone. Foot wear, hair styles, jewelry, accessories, make up and several other things are of importance in the fashion industry. Which means that, to be fashionable, you have to give due importance to the kind of footwear, handbag, make up or hairstyle that you choose to go with your outfit.
You have to choose your look based on the occasion and place. You might not make a good impression if you walk into your office wearing a cocktail dress or else if you go for a sober function like a funeral wearing a brightly coloured summer dress. Of course, this again does not mean that you have to be stereotypical and boring. You are free to play around with your look, mix and match your clothes and try out new looks. Just that you must not overdo it, be insensitive to others or look like you are disrespecting others.
If you think that you do not have it in you to create our own new look, you can try and take tips from magazines, channels, shows etc. Observe and understand what kind of look will suit you. In this case you will have to be a little cautious. If you just copy things written in fashion magazines or shown on TV without thinking too much, you may end up looking a little funny. Be free to experiment but at the same time be wise and use your own fashion sense.
Fashion Forward: Pushing The Envelope
Young women are these days starving themselves for the sake of a narrow waistline. They are glued to F TV and fashion magazines in order to be up to date with fashion updates. Fashion is to do with style and creativity. Anyone can create a new fashion if they have the aesthetic sense that it required to put together a look.
There are plenty of colleges which teach fashion designing as a course. Some of these colleges are really popular among youngsters. But formal training is not always required when it comes to fashion. Some people have the inborn talent and sense of style in them. Such people will excel in the fashion industry. People in the fashion industry are experimental. They put together different looks to create a new style. In order to carry a look, what is most important is self confidence. To the common man, fashion just means the style which in the vogue and keeps changing. A person who is up to date with fashion is considered to be a person who is stylish. College students and teenagers consider it very important to be ‘in fashion’ all the time. It is considered to be a cool thing and general belief is that a person who is fashionable is usually popular. Fashion is usually synonymous with glamour and style.
Fashion is actually a form of an art. It is a way to express yourself and your personality. The way one dresses usually says a lot about his personality or mood at that time. There are various books, magazines and shows on fashion. Several people diligently follow the Vogue magazine in order to be aware of the change in fashion. People consider places like Paris and Italy to be the fashion hubs. In India, perhaps Bombay would be considered to the Paris equivalent. But what is considered to be fashion in a particular place would depend a lot upon the culture and tolerance level of the society in that place. For example, a look that is considered to be a fashion statement in Paris will not run smoothly in a more conservative place like Pakistan, Iraq or India.
There are a lot of fashion shows, fashion carnivals, fashion weeks, fashion contests, etc that showcase new and trendy styles. Fashion designers are very much in demand these days. The film industry itself has several fashion designers and in fact there are several actors who have designers making outfits for them exclusively. There are several celebrities who have started brands of their own and they endorse it themselves. The best example for this would be Paris Hilton. She created a brand of clothing by the name Paris Hilton collections. Another celebrity would be Jennifer Lopez, she has several perfumes on her name and they have become quite popular.
Fashion is something which everyone can try their hand at. You create a good look and then it will catch up and soon become a fashion amongst your friends. In fact, if it is that good it will spread even further.
Style and Fashion: The Difference
It is most often taken that style and fashion are synonymous with each other. Wrong. There is difference and a very fine one at that which is not taken into consideration mostly. When you say that you have a style or a certain person has a style, you are basically referring to the way the individual dresses and creates an identity of their own unique from others. But when you say fashion, it rather refers to how updated you are with what’s new in the market. It’s about following irrespective of the matter if the new thing suits you or not, it’s pretty or ugly, you just follow it. That’s called being fashionable.
Another thing that is important here is that, style is particular to a personality and therefore, it does not change. It stays with the person, in everything he/she does, be it clothing, or accessories or anything whereas, fashion changes within hours and days. There are people who are especially called “dedicated follower fashion” because they adapt to any new thing that comes. Style is rather personal and how you want the world to see you, but fashion is what the existing trends say and the fact that you want to be known accordingly. Style is more like a firm ground on which you stand to portray yourself but fashion is more like what others have decided to be the style and you just try to match up to it, without considering whether it will suit you or not.
A stylish person is someone who takes more care about things like if a particular outfit would suit their skin tone, or height or personality. They are more concerned about what message they send when they wear a particular thing rather than a constant message that they are fashionable that they adapt what’s “in”. Whether a person is stylish or fashionable says a lot about them. A stylish person is a individual and is independent but a fashionable person always keeps on looking for what is the trend right now and how soon can they start following. The element of individualism is missing here. A stylish person may be more confident about themselves and what they do, they know their strengths and weaknesses but a fashionable person on the other hand, believes that the strength lies in only following the crowd. They lose their actual self in the attempt to keep up with the so called trends.
Being stylish does not mean that you don’t appreciate the latest trends, but it, means that you have an ability to chose you what is best for you from among the alternatives, where as simply following fashion means that you have no idea what is best for you or rather are of the opinion that whatever is the trend, has to be followed, only then can you make a name. So, basically it can be said that style means and individual’s choice of dressing and fashion would mean, the “style” of dress that many people have adopted.