Posted on July 18, 2012 | Leave a comment | Edit
In a recent interview I did with The Mom Edit one of the questions they asked me was, “Who are your style icons?” Turns out they haven’t change over the years solidifying the icon status. These are all women whose sense of style I have long admired. Want proof? I’m sharing a post I wrote way back in 2012 – a lifetime ago, about just this subject. Enjoy my old musings with a few updated photos, commentary and the addition of two new icons. Scrolling through the images inspires me anew!
I would argue that although apparel is the backbone of the fashion industry there is so much more to fashion than clothing. Fashion is a business, an art form, a means for creating and projection personal style. While there is nothing wrong with loving clothes, shoes, accessories and the like, they only skim the surface of what fashion truly represents. Any person can don trendy clothing and look fashionable or current but there are few who are stylish to the core. Those whose style is both timeless and avant garde. Everything they do radiates confidence and a flair for the unexpected. It’s about more than the clothes. It’s their attitudes, actions and how they make their mark on society. These women are true taste makers for me. I take inspiration from them and hope to join in their ranks one day.
Fabulous Ines.
Somewhere in the piles of books and magazine I’ve collected over the years lies a plain black sketchbook with cut and pasted magazine pages including a plethora of Chanel ads from the 1980’s featuring the fabulous INES DE LA FRESSANGE. She is single-handedly responsible for making 8th grade Fiona set the goal of owning a Chanel suit one day. I just about died when I met her in the Paris airport in 1989 as I was heading home from the French exchange in High School. Not only did she look stunning in head to toe Chanel, she was super friendly and cheerfully took a photo with gushing 16 year old me. She personifies French style.
Yes, KELLY WEARSTLER is lauded for her interior design portfolio which is indeed awe-inspiring but she also marches to her own beat when it comes to fashion. She launched an apparel line several years back making her unique style accessible incase you can’t afford to hire her for your Malibu mansion remodel. She is a wizardress when it comes to bold combinations, strong shapes,proportion, color and pattern in both her Interior design and fashion choices.
Don’t just stand there Madonna.
I’m not afraid to say it. MADONNA. Though her stylist, Arianne Phillips, a successful costume designer in her own right, has had a lot to do with how Madonna has put herself together for public events over the past 20 years, it does take personal finesse to carry off what other people dress you in. I’m sure Madonna had the final word about what she wore. Also, she was setting fashion trends long before she had a personal stylist. Black rubber bracelets, fingerless lace gloves, giant hair bows – you remember. She is always provocative and unique but makes even the most cutting edge styles seem somehow accessible. She has definitely been a fashion influence for me over the years.
LINDA RODIN proves that there is no age limit to great style. I have been mesmerized by her for years. I aspire to age as stylishly as she does. Too many people consider the age appropriateness of dress for women both young and old. Linda does her own thing with no apologies and I love it. #goals
I added TRACEE ELLIS ROSS to my icon list after observing her fashion moments over the past few years. She commands attention with her amazing style and radiates confidence. I love her bold choices, her playful attitude and her willingness to experiment with volume and color. Yes Tracee, yes.
SONAM KAPOOR is another newbie to my list. I connect with her use of color and pattern. The Bollywood actress stuns with her fashion choices. She looks elegant and striking in everything she wears embracing color, bold prints, contemporary design, vintage inspired fashion and traditional Indian silhouettes. Her red carpet looks are as fun and unique as her street style and personal fashion choices.
There are many others whose sense of style and flair for the unexpected I admire. A few that come to mind are Jenna Lyons, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Cate Blanchett, Carine Roitfeld, Kate Moss and dare I say it? Harry Styles. What I love about each of them is their approach to fashion, and that their choices are personal, not dictated by trends. They are all comfortable in their own skin and exude confidence. So tell me, who are your style icons and why?
FIONA FINDS 
