Fashion Law Journal
In the ever-evolving history of fashion, some individuals have transformed fashion trends into legacies by leaving inspiration for future generations. They made sure that fashion is not seen just as fabric but as magic that can transform a person completely from head to toe. They made sure that their perspective spoke through their style. They taught us to dress outside of a societal perspective and create a statement for ourselves. They are known as fashion icons. They created bold, glamorous and gender-neutral styles. Their legacies continue and influence millions of people to become who they are.
Let’s delve into five historical fashion icons who left an incredible mark on the fashion industry and whose styles are still followed by millions of people.
- MARYLIN MONROE: Queen of Boldness
“She wasn’t wearing a bra, she wasn’t wearing a corset. She worked to create a whole new body image in the 1950s.
Marylin Munroe, one of history’s most popular fashion icons, is known for her glamourous, sexy and lavish looks. She dared to create her own statement that broke all the barriers that were created by society for women in the 1950s. She captured the hearts of the millions, especially young women, with elegance and bold style. From halter tops and high-waisted bikinis to one-shoulder gowns and the Seven-Year Itch look, she created a statement that portrays body positivity and sexual freedom for women. She made sure that her fashion sense would change the
Sixty years later, she is still inspiring millions of people, especially women, to find a statement for themselves which embodies feminity and body positivity. People still celebrate her looks and take inspiration from them.
2. PRINCESS DIANA: The perfect blend of subtle yet modern fashion
One of the most fashionable women not only in the Royal history but in the Fashion industry is Princess Diana. She is known for her subtle yet modern look that captures the hearts of many of her followers. She still influences our fashion choices. Her dressing style ranges from frills to Silhouettes, each of which portrays compassion and warmth for fellow human beings. She always gave out messages through her fashion, some of which included “Revenge Dress” and “black sheep sweater”. Her fashion gave confidence to millions of people out there in the world to face devastating situations and not to run away from them. Even though she is a royal, she created feminine yet rebellious styles. She challenged the dressing norms of the Royal family by wearing a pant-suit set, which is uncommon in the Royal family. Even now, the fashion industry is impacted by the “Diana Effect”, which gives out empathy and individuality and bold statements.
3. KATHARINE HEPBURN: the Badass Lady of Hollywood
“I put on pants 50 years ago and declared a sort of middle road”
In a world where women tend to dress up as delicate, Katherine Hepburn created a fashion which was daring. She rewrote the entire feminine fashion, which revolved around skirts and gowns. She broke the gender norms in fashion by boldly choosing men’s wear, especially Pants. She was always seen wearing wide-legged pants coupled with oversized shirts that gave a sense of confidence and gave out a statement about a woman who wasn’t ready to be bound by societal norms. Her fashion called out for gender neutral clothing.
She continues to influence people to be daring and to wear what they want by breaking all the societal norms that are created by society.
4. DAVID BOWIE: Chameleon in Fashion
“He opened the great big gates to our future and sparked in us that creativity that proves vital even to this day.”
David Bownie, one of the greatest singers of 90s is known for his constantly changing and daring fashion statements that influenced both men’s and women’s fashion statements. He connected fashion with Music to create a revolution in both the industry. He broke the gender norms that were associated with Masculine fashion. Like many other trendsetters, he made sure that his style speaks for itself. He had confidently done experimental makeovers over the years, from Ziggy Stardust to Gentleman; he was always known to draw inspiration from different eras. From metallic and platform boots to tailored suits, he seamlessly transitioned between different personas by giving out a statement that style is not limited. He was fearless in expressing himself in daring clothes, which included womenswear. He confidently wore makeup and feminine silhouettes by breaking the gender norms of society and encouraging his fans to embrace their own statement rather than blindly following societal norms.
His influence continues to rule the fashion industry and inspire many minds, including designers who want to push their boundaries.
- TWIGGY: Face of Mini Skirts
“There’s no need to dress like everyone else. It’s much more fun to create your own look.” – Twiggy.
Lesley Lawson, popularly known as Twiggy, was a model who changed the traditional standards of beauty. She is known for her pixie haircut with doe eyes and thick eyelashes, which was not a conventional look for models. She is famously known for popularising the Mini skirt, which liberalised an entire generation. Miniskirt fashion became a sense of self-expression and self-confidence. She was the pioneer in the mod movement, a British subculture that spread worldwide and was inspired by edgy, androgynous fashion that celebrated individuality. She is remembered for breaking the stereotypical looks set by the industry by wearing bold makeup and vibrant colours.
In a world filled with gender norms and standards, fashion icons help an individual break the stereotype and create a personal statement. They help society to rethink its norms. Their legacy remains constant and teaches us to be fearless and to break societal norms by creating self-expression and individuality.
Author: Meghana S S
