Thursday 22 March 2018

Women who changed the face of fashion













There’s no definitive guide when it comes to taking style inspiration to help guide our personal fashion choices. Everything from politics and culture, to fame and the media, has the power to change what we wear — but who are the female icons that have truly transformed how we dress?
Fashion trends come and go almost inexplicably. However, sometimes, all it takes is the drive of a single female icon to create a revolution. Check out the leading women fashion influencers and find out how to rock their iconic trends in 2018. 

Audrey Hepburn’s LBD


You don’t have to be a film buff to recognise the iconic little black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s character, Holly Golightly. Released in 1961, the opening scene depicted Hepburn in a stunning, black Givenchy dress with elbow-length gloves and pearls eating a croissant on the morning after a big party is a beloved part of Hollywood history. 

Of course, this wasn’t the first time that the world saw an LBD. Parisian designer, Coco Chanel, reportedly created the design back in the 1920s. Featuring on the front cover of Vogue in 1926, it was labelled ‘Chanel’s Ford’ which was a testament to its simplicity and accessibility. “Black wipes out everything else around,” said Chanel about the design, and it appears that fashionable women feel the same. The vision of Holly Golightly revived the high-fashion style and brought it to the attention of fashion-conscious, 1960s’ women who wanted to look effortlessly elegant at a time when women were beginning to be encouraged to think that way.

Did you know that the original dress design didn’t make the cut back in the 1960s? Hepburn’s initial LBD was quite short, but the film bosses of the time felt it showed too much of her leg. So, costume designer, Edith Head, amended the design, which sold at auction for £467,000 in 2006.
The LBD is a symbol of sophisticated feminine style. From the frenzy-creating LBD worn by Princess Diana in 1994 to the LBD donned by Kate Moss to mark a decade with Rimmel London, Hepburn propelled it into mainstream fashion.


Channel the Audrey Hepburn style:

No woman could look or feel bad in an LBD. This is your opportunity to rock whichever cut and length you feel most comfortable in. Love figure-hugging styles? Get a bodycon dress. Prefer undefined silhouettes? Go for a tunic LBD. Need something truly sensational for a special evening? Opt for a floor-length, fishtail design for classic glamour.

Cher’s bell bottom trousers

The 1960s are generally regarded as the era of liberated fashion for both genders. However, prior to this decade, one key fashion piece, bell bottom trousers, were most commonly linked with the navy. Through, the rise of the multi-talented singer, actress and fashionista, Cher, these trousers became an icon of fashion in the 1960s and 1970s, and she is credited with popularising the clothing style on both sides of the Atlantic — most notably on an episode of Beat Club and throughout The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.

The bell-bottom jean flared from the knee and often had an opening of up to 66cm. commonly associated with the hippie movement; soon men, women and kids were donning the style. However, Cher brought it into mainstream fashion via her star-status, fame and influence in TV, radio and film; encouraging all people to adopt the style and aiding the fusion of genderless fashion styles. 

Channel the Cher style:

Right now, flared pants are in. Go for a pair of black palazzo pants and match with a cropped top and heels for a stunning, going-out look with just a hint of nostalgia. Or, pull on a pair of nude culottes and team it with a floral Bardot top for the perfect boho, 1970s vibe for drinks and food with friends.

Mary Quant’s miniskirt

British designer, Mary Quant, is most famously credited with taking the miniskirt from the side-lines and pushing it into mainstream, accessible fashion for women during the 1960s. Although experimenting with the short hemline much earlier, it was around 1964 that she started creating miniskirts in her London boutique. Sitting around six or seven inches above the knee, the style was revolutionary at a time when young women were still expected to dress like their mothers.

Almost instantly, the fashion piece became a global phenomenon and was flaunted by famous and influential women of the day, including Goldie Hawn, Jean Shrimpton and Jackie Kennedy. During the 1970s, the popularity of the miniskirt waned. However, rock legend, Debbie Harry, brought it back in true PVC style, before Madonna put her own tulle-embellished stamp on it at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards and 1990s’ girl Britney Spears took it in a fresh direction with barely-there cropped tops. 

The 1960s was the birth of youth culture and greater fashion freedom for young women. Often considered a historic symbol of female rebellion against the status quo of fashion, the miniskirt is still causing controversy today in certain religions and countries.

Channel the Mary Quant style:

Miniskirts have stood the test of time since they took over the stage in the 1960s, but how can you put a 2018 spin on yours? Skorts are big this year, or you can try a frill mini skirt with a cute cami for an interesting outline. Alternatively, rock an embroidered denim number with a cold-shoulder top when the spring-summer season gets underway.

Marilyn Monroe’s cocktail dress

Everyone knows Marilyn Monroe for her on-screen and off-screen life — but what makes her a fashion icon in 2018?
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926, Marilyn Monroe personified sexual attraction and made it acceptable at a time when women were still expected to speak, dress and behave a certain way. While most ladies naturally opted for blouses, long skirts and high necklines; Monroe showed the world how to wear clothes that showed off your body in an attractive way — and the best example of this was the famous white cocktail dress.

But which iconic fashion moment stands out when we speak about Monroe? It must be the ivory dress she wore in the 1955 film, The Seven Year Itch. You may not have watched the film, but you’ll certainly recognise the now iconic scene where the air blows up from a subway grate and lifts the skirt of Monroe’s frock, as she playfully tries to push it back down — an example that perfectly defines how Monroe contributed to fashion. This famous backless dress featured a daring halter-like bodice with a plunging neck and bare arms — a far more risqué design than many 1950s’ women were used to. Similarly, the sheer, strappy dress featuring more than 2,000 crystals that she wore to sing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy in 1962 again displayed Monroe’s ability to create an attractive silhouette while fusing sex appeal and high-fashion.

Monroe made a huge impact on culture, film, society, and fashion — many even say the term ‘bombshell’ came from how commentators described her. Her curvaceous figure and ability to exhibit it with class and style today makes her one of fashion’s most celebrated icons. Soon after her death in August 1962, we saw the rise of miniskirts and knee-high boots — both styles that helped women break free of humble fashion during the Swinging Sixties.

During the 1950s, women’s fashion remained rather modest. However, Monroe did not accept this standard, which is partly why she is remembered today. Instead, she fused her attractiveness with fashion to create an alluring, elegant, feminine appeal and encouraging other women to do the same. Perhaps today, we could even thank Monroe for 2018 fashion-favourites like figure-hugging bodycon dresses, backless jumpsuits and strapless tops! 

Channel the Marilyn Monroe style:

Monroe was all about being confident, flaunting your style and not shying away from glamour. Bodycon dresses will give you an enviable silhouette by flaunting every curve, while Bardot tops allow you to show some shoulder and halter-neck jumpsuits look amazing with a pair of heels. Occasion dresses, such as strapless fishtail dresses, are the ultimate in Hollywood glitz, and anything with metallic or diamante embellishments will help you shimmer like the blonde bombshell herself. Make sure to finish off your look with pretty pieces of jewellery, too.



Of course, these women are just part of a broader landscape of ladies that have helped to encourage styles and trends across fashion for decades. Why not pay homage to these iconic styles by bringing a taste of them into your 2018 wardrobe?

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