Fashion 'It' Girls
January 5th 2007 06:33
My post on overrated fashion icons attracted both concurrence and argument, and I'm sure today's post will be no different. As always, I welcome all your comments, whether they're in agreement or not, but I should emphasise that I'm not speaking for the entire fashion industry in labelling these ladies as 'it' girls. Though they are known muses for fashion designers, stylists, and the general public, they're obviously not 'it' girls in everyone's eyes. I'm calling them such because they've influenced my own sense of fashion and have perfected both their personal styles and professional resumes over the years to secure their statuses as celebrated fashionistas.
A breathy singer and sultry actress, Jane Birkin is best known for her extensive work both on the silver screen and on vinyl. However, in the fashion industry, she is renowned for being the muse for Hermès' trendy Birkin bag. The story is set over 20 years ago, when Jane, already a fashion icon in her own right, was sitting next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the President of Hermès, on a plane. She accidentally spilled the contents of her cramped bag onto his lap, prompting her to draw her perfect bag, which Hermès then went on to create for her - this bag became what is now known as the Hermès Birkin. Jane has since abandoned her own Birkin bag for the hands-free hip purse seen in the above photo on the right, declaring that the Birkin was to blame for her tendonitis:
So there you have them, my ultimate fashion 'it' girls of today and yesteryear. I love looking through pictures of them, especially candids, where they're showcasing their own styles. If you want to have a look at photos of what your fashion 'it' girls are wearing, go to these websites: Bellazon, HQCB, Style.com, and the Fashion Spot - Star Style Bellazon, HQCB, and the Fashion Spot are all forums with plenty of pictures and search functions so you don't have to waste time wading through them all! Style.com also has a Search page, where you can run a celebrity search or model search from the long list of names they have available
* These images are taken from Style.com, La mode des annees 60-70 dans VOGUE ELLE, and Bellazon.
Kate Moss
She has a trademark gap between her front teeth and she's one of the shortest catwalk models in the industry, but these physical 'anomalies' haven't hindered her rise to the top of the fashion world at all. In fact, they've made her ascent all the more admirable and memorable. I've mentioned before the commendable way in which she bounced back from disgrace, and part of that comeback involved a deal with Britain's largest off-the-rack fashion chain Topshop to design a fashion line marked with her name and fame. Kate's much-admired style prompted these words from Topshop's owner Phillip Green: "We wanted to work with Kate because she has style and she has taste. I think everyone knows this and I think most people think it's a smart idea"
As someone who is internationally recognised and honoured for her style with accolades such as a style icon award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the top spot in Vanity Fair magazine's international best-dressed list for 2006, I think it's a smart idea indeed.Jane Birkin
Jane Birkin at the Lutecia Palace in Paris, photographed by her best friend, Gabrielle Crawford (Bellazon)
A breathy singer and sultry actress, Jane Birkin is best known for her extensive work both on the silver screen and on vinyl. However, in the fashion industry, she is renowned for being the muse for Hermès' trendy Birkin bag. The story is set over 20 years ago, when Jane, already a fashion icon in her own right, was sitting next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the President of Hermès, on a plane. She accidentally spilled the contents of her cramped bag onto his lap, prompting her to draw her perfect bag, which Hermès then went on to create for her - this bag became what is now known as the Hermès Birkin. Jane has since abandoned her own Birkin bag for the hands-free hip purse seen in the above photo on the right, declaring that the Birkin was to blame for her tendonitis:
"That bloody thing. I told Hermes they were mad to make it. My one was always full and it ended up giving me tendonitis."
Though she's rejected her namesake fashion 'it' bag, she definitely hasn't relinquished her fashion 'it' girl title. She may not have the matchless fashion influence of Kate Moss these days, but she's been making an immense impact since the 60's and is still frequents fashion shows. It looks like her fashion-savvy daughters, photographer Kate Barry, actress and singer Charlotte Gainsbourg, and actress and sometimes-model Lou Doillon, are set to carry on the legacy - Lou Doillon was magical in the 2005 Miu Miu ads and the 2007 Pirelli Calendar.So there you have them, my ultimate fashion 'it' girls of today and yesteryear. I love looking through pictures of them, especially candids, where they're showcasing their own styles. If you want to have a look at photos of what your fashion 'it' girls are wearing, go to these websites: Bellazon, HQCB, Style.com, and the Fashion Spot - Star Style Bellazon, HQCB, and the Fashion Spot are all forums with plenty of pictures and search functions so you don't have to waste time wading through them all! Style.com also has a Search page, where you can run a celebrity search or model search from the long list of names they have available
* These images are taken from Style.com, La mode des annees 60-70 dans VOGUE ELLE, and Bellazon.
| 74 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog


























Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
That is a great shot of Kate. I know she's your style icon and although I've never been that hot on her, she does have that certain 'it' factor.
Well, hell...her longevity says it all.
Jane Birkin is just cool. Wayyy cool.
AND...she's proved my point.
I gave up on handbags ages ago, got tired of being a hand held slave and only wear these now The GammaBag (link provided if you're curious Sisi)
I'm trying to think who my fashion 'it' girl(s) is/are. Hmmm... Gwen Stefani is cool and Dita Von Teese is divine.
Well...Carrie Bradshaw (not SJP) is my fashion 'it' girl...so I suppose it's really Patricia Fields but then...Pat's dress sense is Vivienne Westwood on acid!! And that's saying something!
Hope you're well Sisi honey.
Was 2006 your last year at Uni? Molecular Biology and Genetics, yes?
Sisi...what's your IQ???
Damn girl...love the diametrical points of you but they're not that different;
Biology/Genetics and Fashion...both about creation and design.
DuskDevi
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I agree with you on both of those. When you get an Hermes bag named after you....you've definitely qualified to be considered an 'it' girl for life!
And Kate is amazing. Her longevity in an industry that idolises youth is pretty miraculous.
KylieW
Comment by Sisi
Hahahahaha sorry DuskDevi
I quite like the GammaBag, especially that GlamAzon one...I use a handbag but it has a really long strap so I wear it on my shoulder or messenger style - either way it's hands-free...I'm not a fan of the hand-helds either.
I second Carrie Bradshaw as a fashion 'it' girl. Dita Von Teese's style is quite unlike mine, but it's pretty cute
And yes, I just finished my degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics. I received an offer to study Medicine but long story short, I've had a bit of a rough semester and am unable to take the offer, so 2006 is looking like my last year at uni for at least another year.
To be honest, I have no idea what my IQ is! I'd love to know though, it's one of those nifty figures you can dish out in random convos, along with your UAI, BMI, and other equally useless numbers.
Nice comment KylieW as usual
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
See...
I don't mean to keep posting about Stephen Larkham but it just keeps happening!!
I would love to be Marilyn vos Savant for a day*. I'd just stop people on the street and say "Hello my IQ is about 5squillion...ask me anything!!"
(*On this post you had said;
I have since found out who Martin Margiela is.)*
Hope you are well Queen Kong. I take it you work late nights? Will you be working in fashion this year? Hope this year is smoother sailing for you.
I also hope your blog becomes world famous and you get given your own magazine to edit!
Dusk
Comment by Sisi
I'm great Dusk, hope you're having a fun 2007 so far. I don't actually work late nights, but I like to do my writing then because I don't have any distractions. Unfortunately I won't be working in fashion this year as a full-time gig, but I still have Style Space to keep me occupied, so I can't complain. Thank you for all the well wishes and hopes on my behalf - you're just gorgeous!