A sartorial revolution has been underway for centuries, and from decade to decade, fashion and beauty trends continue to evolve. From timeless style staples to trendsetting looks, influential figures provide the genesis of these ever-changing tides. To understand the legacy of today’s style and beauty, it’s time to take a look at the famous faces who have been inspiring fashion and beauty icons for generations.
1. Understanding Beauty & Fashion Icons: A Journey Through History
1. Angela Davis: A Radical Fashion Icon
As a leading figure of the civil rights and anti-capitalist movement, Angela Davis inspired many of the fashion trends popularized around the early 1970s. She was lauded for her strong and unapologetic stance against oppressive systems and subsequently, became a symbol for revolution and self-expression. Furthermore, her hair embodied the true spirit of rebellion, since at the time Afros were seen as scandalous and ill-mannered. Her signature natural hairstyle, large earrings, and colorful clothing gave many Black women the confidence to embrace their culture without being maligned or discriminated against.
2. Audrey Hepburn: The Poster Girl for Feminine Beauty
Following the hit of her iconic movie, Breakfast at Tiffanys (1961), Audrey Hepburn broke through the box office with her chic style and graceful mannerisms. She was a fashion pioneer and designed fashion trends that have remained timeless till this day. What set Hepburn apart from other actresses at the time was her sophistication, an appreciation for the arts, and more creative freedom in the fields of fashion and beauty. Her traditional feminine look opened up the floodgates for many women and allowed for more creative flexibility and exploration of beauty.
3. Coco Chanel: The Case for Minimalism
Before Coco Chanel, fashion was known for its heavy use of jewelry, unusable hats, and corseted outfits that cinched women in in an unflattering way. In 1925 Chanel developed the idea of minimalist fashion and released a line of clothing for women that focused on comfort and freedom of movement. Her groundbreaking styles included loose-fitting clothing for all gender and sizes, and the use of pastel colors which was never seen before. Her designs have become an inspiration for many modern designers around the world.
4. Cara Delevingne: Challenging the Norms of Beauty
Model and actress Cara Delevingne has been a powerful advocate for body positivity and challenging social stereotypes related to beauty standards in recent years. She has embraced her unique features and paved the way for other models to follow suit. Delevingne has opted for short androgynous hairstyles, constantly redefining what it means to be attractive. Moreover, she has employed a range of dramatic facial expressions and makeup looks which express her individuality and creativity.
2. The Power of Fashion Influencers: Inspiring Millions
The power of fashion influencers is undeniable, as they have an opportunity to shape the collective psyche around style and fashion. Fashion influencers have made a mark on the industry, encouraging trends and inspiring people’s look and personal style.
These influencers are masters at making fashion accessible, utilizing social media to create aesthetically pleasing and recognizable looks. After showcasing their looks with a few clicks, they have amassed loyal followings with majorly inspiring and empowering influence.
To put things in perspective, consider these key facts about fashion influencers:
- 45% of Gen Z consumer’s clothing purchases are influenced by fashion influencers
- 84% of Gen Z prefer consuming fashion content from influencers
- 50% of Gen Zers follow four or more influencers on social media
- 52% of people who watch fashion influencer videos claim it influences their purchase decisions
Fashion influencers have been instrumental in engaging their followers and continuing to change and shape the way we view fashion. From highlighting trends to creating personal styles, influencers continue to showcase their fashion prowess, inspiring millions of people around the world to express their individual style and look good doing it.
3. From Coco to Kate: Celebrating Feminine Icons
The list of women who have famously broken societal barriers, redefined cultural codes and inspired generations of all genders is seemingly endless. As such, only a few can be presented for discussion here.
- Coco Chanel made her mark in the early twentieth century by pushing a feminist frontier in her design work, and her impact is still visible today. She leveraged her iconic fashion to challenge expectations about what women should and could wear.
- Joan Jett broke into the rock’n’roll scene as a young teenager in the 1970s, when female performers were expected to be seen and not heard. Her ability to rock hard and craft anthemic hits made her one of the most recognizable ambassadors of punk rock.
- Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister of India in 1966 and served from 1966 until 1984. She was a strong advocate of her country and worked hard to improve Indian infrastructure, healthcare and welfare. Gandhi’s leadership is often cited as an inspiration throughout the world.
Women across the world continue to rise up and have their voices heard, and none are more celebrated than Kate Bush. This singer-songwriter’s early 1980’s hits sent shockwaves throughout the western music scene and amplified the message of female liberation to an even broader audience. Long before the MeToo era, Bush was unafraid to explore themes of violence, sexuality and politics in her work.
These four female icons have all taken significantly different paths, but their stories are undeniably intertwined by a shared cause: celebrating the power and beauty of femininity. Their courage, boldness and dedication to inspiring others should be remembered and perpetuated throughout time.
4. Finding Inspiration From Today’s Icons of Beauty & Fashion
Thanks to today’s world of media, it’s never been easier to find inspiration in the icons of beauty and fashion. There are so many amazing places to look, from the iconic runways to the virtual pages of magazines and blogs. Here are just a few ways you can find style inspiration from today’s icons of beauty and fashion:
Classic Icons: Iconic fashion moments of the past can provide us with lots of stylish inspiration. Revisit the looks of Hollywood stars from a decade ago, or take a look at red carpet fashion for beautiful evening wear looks. Think of all the classic looks from popular movies and shows that can be updated for a more modern take.
Modern Celebs: Celebrities today inspire many of the latest styles. From what the influencers and models are wearing, to the street style of singers and actors, there’s lots of fashion inspiration coming from today’s stars.
Instagram: Instagram is filled with incredible style from all over the world. With a quick search, you can find looks from the biggest fashion icons today, including models, celebrities, and fashion bloggers.
Magazines & Blogs: Magazines and blogs have always been a great source of inspiration. They offer fashion insight from the minds of experts, setting new trends and giving us all kinds of different ideas for new looks.
No matter where you look, today’s icons of beauty and fashion are sure to provide plenty of inspiration for your next style adventure.
As we have seen, by taking inspiration from influential figures in the world of beauty and fashion, you can make out a style that is unique to you. Through such fashion and beauty icons, you can find confidence in creating a look that defines who you truly are. So take your wise creative steps, dress confidently, and let your true beauty shine through no matter what trends you adopt.
