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What Does It Take to Be a Fashion Icon? Ask the 17 Greatest Trendsetters of All Time
From the obvious to the unexpected, see who made our list.
BY Harry Archer
Last Updated Oct 16, 2024
The very word “icon” has become oversaturated, overused, and detached from its original context—especially when it comes to fashion. That’s why we’re here to set the record straight. The most influential fashion icons aren’t the ones that merely cause an internet frenzy. They are the people that set trends and have a permanent place on creative directors’ mood boards long after their heyday. You won’t just find any old celebrity in here (say Harry Styles or Karlie Kloss). Instead, in true Editorialist fashion, we have selected people that we believe will have a lasting impact on the style agenda.
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What Is a Fashion Icon?
A fashion icon is less about their job title and more about the inherent personal style and influence a person has. Most often, it’s not the celebrities who indulge in the latest fashion gimmicks, but rather, the ones who are somewhat immune. A fashion icon doesn’t cling to momentary Valentino pinks or adopt kilts to retain relevance. They move at their own pace. Their outfit choices are unrelated to what’s working industry-wide that very minute. Their outfits only need to work for them. They are the people who don’t follow trends, but set them—often without the intention of doing so.
How Does Someone Become a Fashion Icon?
There’s no fast track to fashion icon status. Everyone’s ascent looks a bit different, but getting there involves marching to the beat of one’s drum. It’s not enough to just do what everyone else is doing. Trends are ephemeral, and so are those who adhere to them without their own style compass. It boils down to consistency and an understanding of personal style. There are other factors from there, fame and renown being the big ones. But star power alone is not enough—it must be coupled with individuality. The style icons that follow have both, which is why they made the cut.
Classic Fashion Icons
1.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
Photo by Lawrence Schwartzwald/Sygma via Getty Images
It wouldn’t be right to have a list of fashion icons and not include Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Sure, she was the wife of JFK Jr. and the director of publicity for Calvin Klein, but these aren’t reasons why she made our list. It was her certainty in style and her natural ability to style timeless silhouettes and textures with more contemporary pieces. When other ‘90s darlings were opting for chunky shoes and designer handbags decorated with monograms, Bessette-Kennedy stayed true to her assortment of straight-leg jeans and crisp button-downs synonymous with luxury minimalism.
This surety in style was further cemented in 1996 when she married JFK Jr. As opposed to opting for an ornate and voluminous gown (the type that was popularized by Princess Diana), she went for a Calvin Klein silk dress that hugged her body and was complemented by a pair of Manolo Blahnik pumps. It’s this pared-back, polished, and consistent appearance that has cemented her position as a fashion icon and acted as a point of inspiration for many contemporary brands, including The Row and Toteme.
2
Princess Diana
Photo by Tom Wargacki/WireImage
When it comes to trends, it feels like we’re always referencing Princess Diana, which is hardly surprising considering she was one of the most photographed women in the world.
We know what you’re thinking, it was not hard for Princess Diana to be considered a fashion icon when she had access to so many designers, from Versace to Gucci. However, it wasn’t her royal engagement attire that made her stand out, it was her off-duty style. From the sweatshirt and biker shorts she wore to the gym (and that we still reference today) to the Canadian tuxedo she donned while skiing, it was the everyday pieces that were elegant but still felt accessible.
Of course, there are expectations (see: the Revenge Dress), but Princess Diana’s style assortment was a direct reflection of her personality. It was fun, unexpected, yet always elegant.
3.
Audrey Hepburn
Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Audrey Hepburn is synonymous with a multitude of things: breakfast, Tiffany & Co., and most importantly, fashion. After meeting Hubert de Givenchy in the early ’50s, she quickly began a love affair with clothes that would last a lifetime; her delicate, petite shape, was the perfect medium for showcasing the designer’s haute couture collections. But Hepburn’s arrival at fashion icon avenue is a result of one of those rare moments where the right silhouette and the right star come together.
The opening of the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s saw Hepburn sporting a seamless black dress, custom-made by Givenchy. The great reception of the romantic comedy thrust the designer and Hepburn further into the spotlight, cementing their star power forever. You can’t say “little black dress” today without Hepburn or Givenchy’s names shortly.
4.
Jackie Kennedy Onassis
Photo by Tom Wargacki/WireImage
Long before Jackie Kennedy took over the reins as First Lady, she was already putting in the work to become a fashion icon. With her New England air, this style maverick was accustomed to collegiate fashion and classic turtlenecks. However, as her star began to rise, her clothes changed, too. The domestic garments of yesteryears were traded in for Chanel suits, her signature pillbox hat, and Gucci’s classic Jackie bag, named after the First Lady when she used the luxury purse to shield her face from the paparazzi.
Though it’s her polished presidential look that has been immortalized in our wardrobes, her ’70s attire is what captivates us. Soon after she married shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, the public began to see a free-flowing approach to fashion—a reflection of the times and her newfound happiness. She was regularly wearing oversized round sunglasses and free-flowing kaftans.
5.
Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel
Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images
Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel is a fashion icon anomaly, in the sense that she not only made clothes and accessories for the masses, but also her very existence transformed the style agenda. This is because her luxury creations, from jersey dresses (which opposed the waist-hugging silhouettes of the time) to kitten-heel sandals, were an extension of her utilitarian aesthetic. When fashion for women in the 1920s was largely a restrictive force, characterized by corsets and weighty fabrics, Chanel saw it as a tool for change. There were many things that Chanel got wrong, specifically her association with the Nazi party, but her championship of crossbody bags and pants gave women freer movement.
Alongside these influential additions, Chaenl was also known for the popularization of specific design codes like quilted leather and Breton striped tops that she regularly sported.
6
Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco
Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images Editorialist
If you Google Grace Kelly, several things will come up: actress, princess, mother. But no matter whether Kelly was starring in the latest Broadway production or vacationing on the French Riviera, the one thing that tied all her pursuits together was her iconic style. With her finger on the pulse of 1950s dress codes, she was often seen sporting shin-skimming swing coats, leather gloves, and top-handle bags—Hermès named their Sac à Depêches bag after Kelly in 1977.
While her style usually skewed timeless, with Kelly embracing fine cashmere and silk accessories, she wasn’t afraid to embrace more unique designs as tastes changed. As Kelly entered the ‘70s, she was often seen in geometric prints and large round-frame sunglasses that spoke to contemporary tastes.
7.
Jane Birkin
Photo by David Thorpe/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The late Jane Birkin needs no introduction; her association with the Hermès Birkin and bohemian, somewhat provincial style, speak for themselves. But, if you are unfamiliar, we’re more than happy to give you a short history. Born in London in 1946, Birkin started her career as an actress, and quickly branched into music as well after meeting Serge Gainsbourg.
Though a London native, Birkin largely spent time in France, a country that influenced her style massively. She was often seen sporting flared jeans, balloon-sleeve blouses, and (of course) her straw bag, which worked as an extension of her effortless style. What we love most about her personal aesthetic is the way it prioritizes function. She was a keen advocate for pieces that prioritized ease and comfort but were still beautiful.
8.
Twiggy
Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
No one defined ’60s fashion quite like Twiggy. The model’s long legs and doll-like features quickly made her the face of Mary Quant mini skirts and mod style, which dominated this particular era. However, Twiggy wasn’t just a magazine maven and her influence didn’t end as the ’70s began.
The model’s understanding of clothing and ability to utilize silhouettes to embolden her features enabled her to take her career beyond modeling into the realms of singing, acting, and reality TV (she appeared as a judge on seasons six through nine of America’s Next Top Model). Ultimately, Twiggy’s career trajectory is a testament to the shifting power of great style.
Contemporary Fashion Icons
9.
Zoë Kravitz
Although young, Zoë Kravitz has a style reputation that rivals those several years her senior. No matter if she’s walking the streets of Manhattan (Telfar bag in toe) or appearing on the Met Gala red carpet, she’s constantly making waves on Instagram and creating cultural conversation
The beauty of her fashion approach is how it’s not fueled by wow factor—she isn’t the type of person who goes pantsless to the bodega just for a paparazzi picture. Instead, her style is defined by an effortless feeling, a coolness that only comes from an inherent understanding of how proportions, textures, and colors work together to form an outfit. This is why she’s able to look equally as striking in a casual tank and midi skirt as she does in a Saint Laurent gown. Keep your eye on Zoë Kravitz, as she is set to become a fashion icon for the ages.
10.
Kelly Rutherford
Photo by James Devaney/GC Images
Maybe it’s because of her role as the Upper East Side socialite Lily van der Woodsen in the fashion-forward show Gossip Girl, but Kelly Rutherford has been raising the style bar as of late. Her mirror selfies have gained a permanent place on our Pinterest boards for their ability to bring together contemporary brands, like Sézane, with more classic staples like Chanel and Dior for a cohesive look. Rutherford’s style is elegant and attainable, but also exciting—just look at her in an opulent leopard print coat. And we’re glad she’s finally getting the fashion icon attention she deserves.
11.
Laura Harrier
Photo by Arnold Jerocki/GC Images
Model-turned-actress Laura Harrier’s rise to fashion darling is sure to be one for the history books. Though she only has a handful of movie appearances under her belt, from Spider-Man: Homecoming to the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, her camera presence transcends the big screen. Her street-style appearances both during Fashion Month and every day have cemented her as a modern It Girl—a label Harrier doesn’t shy away from.
While Harrier often sports brands like Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton, the attraction to her doesn’t lie in her luxury collection, but, rather, her styling competence. With the help of stylist Danielle Nachmani, she can take a simple pair of jeans and a tee and make them feel like a runway moment.
12.
Victoria Beckham
Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images
If someone told us that this is Victoria Beckham’s world and we’re simply living in it, we wouldn’t doubt them for a second. Beckham has worn a series of hats, from pop star to footballer’s wife to designer, but these stand-alone acts haven’t led to a curtain call. With each new venture, this jack-of-all-trades has been working to establish a bigger role: fashion icon.
Whether she’s wearing a black mini dress and platform sandals during the peak of her Posh persona, or keeping it casual in a merino wool sweater, Beckham knows how to put together an outfit that wows without being too far off from her personality. But what keeps the designer firmly placed on her fashion icon pedestal is her ability to move with the times. Both in her own wardrobe and her label’s new collections, she interprets trends in a way that feels fresh yet still timeless.
13.
Rihanna
Photo by Jackson Lee/GC Images
The singer, designer, and melting pot of multi-hyphenates is a fashion icon simply because she has put in the work. From her baggy jeans and tank top outfits, which dominated the noughties, to her confident modern-day aesthetic, Rihanna’s style trajectory is sure to be studied for years to come. Her affinity for sporting cult designers before they turn mainstream (see Molly Goddard) and spotting trends in advance has cemented her icon status.
What gives Rihanna her edge is that she appreciates the craft and history of fashion. You only need to look at her eclectic array of Met Gala outfits to know this. In 2015, she made headlines by arriving at the annual event in a show-stopping ensemble by Chinese couturier Guo Pei, which took over two years to make.
14.
Zendaya
Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images
As the youngest on our list, Zendaya (27) shows that you don’t need age on your side to become a fashion icon, you just need to make decisive style choices. Hailing from the halls of Disney Studios, the young star’s initial fashion approach was what you’d expect, with a mishmasch of colorful layers and sneakers. However, after meeting stylist Law Roach, everything changed.
The young star exchanged her pragmatic “girl next door” image for a more purposeful approach, donning designers that would garner attention from best-dressed lists and give her the freedom to carve a different fashion path—one where she looks equally as elegant in a men’s Berluti suit as she does in a silk Vera Wang gown.
15.
Chloë Sevigny
Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/GC Images
Chloë Sevigny’s style seems to live outside the reality of what’s trending or what’s cool, while somehow still feeling relevant. She says jump, we ask, “How high?” She goes left, we follow. She wears a pair of sandals and passersby stop to ask about their origins. Whether she’s in Paris wearing Miu Miu or taking her son out for a walk in Simone Rocha, there is always an easy-breezy element to the actress’s attire.
16.
Michelle Obama
Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Live Nation
Much like Jackie Kennedy’s fashion lifecycle, it’s Michelle Obama’s post-presidential style that has truly established her as a fashion icon. Though her tenure as First Lady caused many designer dresses to sell out, it was when Obama was no longer confined to the restrictions of the White House that she was truly able to find her footing in fashion—and when we say footing, we mean the sequined Balenciaga kind. On her stadium-wide Becoming book tour, Obama sported a series of looks, but the one that garnered the most attention was her Balenciaga silk dress and sequined boots.
Though there’s a clear style distinction between her time as First Lady and now, one thing that remains true is her desire to spotlight up-and-coming designers. At Joe Biden’s Inauguration, the former First Lady was seen sporting a full burgundy look by L.A.-based designer Sergio Hudson, who is known for his sexy silhouettes and use of silk. Today, Michelle Obama’s style remains the topic of conversation due to her grace and fashion-forward thinking.
17.
Jennifer Lawrence
In the last two years, Jennifer Lawrence has undergone a style renaissance, cementing her as a fashion icon to keep an eye on. The poster girl for quiet luxury, Lawrence’s street style and red carpet looks have taken a luxury minimalist turn, focusing on core basics that can be styled a million different ways. Gone are the days of vibrant, statement-making pieces, and in their place are high-quality basics from brands like The Row and Toteme that feel more authentic, while still looking polished.
