Beyond its visual appeal, fashion weaves a tapestry of tenacity, rebellion, and self-expression while acting as a dynamic canvas reflecting societal progress and empowering women to express their identities throughout history. Set out on a stylish voyage as we honor the legendary trailblazers who have influenced the fashion industry. This carefully chosen list reveals the most significant women in the business, from designers who redefine elegance to trendsetters who use style as a potent weapon.
Rihanna
Rihanna has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to fashion, able to experiment with trends with a true lack of fear. With her lingerie line, the billionaire multi-business owner has completely changed the shape of lingerie and swimwear within the industry. Her Savage X Fenty shows quickly became a runway success with multiple iconic celebrities and models like Cindy Crawford and Normani walking in them. The “Fenty Effect ” entered the fashion business in the past few years, particularly following the conclusion of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. One of the key figures in the struggle for inclusion and diversity in the fashion industry is Rihanna.
Coco Chanel
Gabrielle Bonheur, better known as Coco Chanel, rose to fame in Paris in 1910 thanks to her renowned store on Rue Cambon. After her company gained popularity, the French designer swiftly transitioned from creating headwear to apparel. Her combination of men’s and women’s clothing has a lasting impact on fashion. She popularized pants for women’s clothes, influenced by her passion for riding horses. She also wore her hair short, a look that was only popular with men at the time. Coco Chanel had the working lady in mind when she created her famous garments.
Princess Diana
With her very chic yet contemporary style, Diana, Princess of Wales, was a member of both the fashion business and royal family during the 1980s. She had the ability to rock athleisure and create her own signature streetwear style, all while sporting ground-breaking dresses tailored to her position in the royal family. Diana was able to turn running errands into a stylish activity, which encouraged other people to dress up their casual wear. Princess Diana changed the public view of royal wardrobes with her distinctive style. She made things into something that the average person could understand and relate to. Even though Diana initiated this fresh era of fashion in the latter part of the twentieth century, her influence as a style icon endures even in the present day.
Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid is seen as one of the biggest style icons and trendsetters for Gen Z teens and young adults. The 27-year old model first rose to fame as a recurring guest on her mother’s reality TV show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” alongside her other model siblings Gigi and Anwar Hadid. Hadid began gaining recognition for her unique street style in 2021 which gave birth to many trends and established her status as a style icon. Other than styling herself, what sets her apart from other models with well-loved styles is her unique ability to turn pieces of clothing that are traditionally seen as unconventional into everyday staples. The Adidas Sambas, which first came out in 1949, were one of the most sold-out sneakers of 2023. This is mostly credited to Hadid wearing them with many of her outfits, influencing men and women everywhere to buy them. The Palestinian-Dutch model also has been given recognition for the popularity of platform UGG boots, which she was photographed wearing while out getting pizza in New York City. After the release of these photos, the style quickly sold out and saw a 152% spike in searches, according to Lyst.
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker was dubbed an activist, a world-class performer, and a spy during World War II. Known as one of the most prosperous Black artists in French history, Baker’s style was obviously affected by the Art Deco movement in Paris and vice versa, given that her success coincided with its growth. The pinnacle of Art Deco design is geometric shapes and sleek lines, and Baker served as the movement’s inspiration in everything from her wardrobe selections to her polished hairstyles. During the Harlem Renaissance, she had a profound impact on women globally with her opulent, sumptuous and avant-garde style. Women in the 1920s started donning statement pieces like enormous hanging earrings, rope necklaces made of pearls and oversized rings. Known for her short, sleek hair, this style also became groundbreaking since it showed how women could reinterpret the feminine look and carry off masculine looks. Baker disagreed with the popular maxim “less is more,” believing that being audacious and different was the new style. It is obvious that Josephine Baker’s unusual yet exquisite taste would have an eternal influence on the fashion climate.
