How fashion icons have shaped style throughout the decades

By: Kate Tabor

The term fashion icon is used quite a lot, but what actually makes someone a fashion icon? Surely, everybody has their own opinion on what makes someone a fashion icon, but Google defines it as “a person whose unique and recognized style has a significant impact on fashion trends and culture…”.

Going off of that definition, my mind immediately goes to Marylin Monroe, one of the most popular and classic fashion icons of her day. Marylin Monroe broke barriers back in the 1950s, where fashion for women was often very restricted and modest. She created a whole new world of opportunities for how women present themselves to the world.

I’m sure at the time, Marylyn’s style was critiqued for its boldness just as much as it was praised, but she truly did shift women’s fashion in such a powerful way. It was the start of women being able to embrace their own body and femininity in what they wear. She’s classic, and her fashion marks a turning point for women in history.

Another woman that comes to my mind when talking about fashion icons is Princess Diana. Diana’s fashion is known for being simple and modern, but there’s also a bit of rebellion to it. Being a part of the royal family, expectations were obviously set on how she dressed and presented herself, and she challenged that by wearing a pant-suit set once.

A lot of people still take inspiration from her looks, and admire her fashion for how she subtly gave messages through it. One of her most popular looks, known as the “Revenge Dress” is often labeled that way due to how her husband, Prince Charles, confessed his infidelity on national TV the same night she wore the dress.

Both of these icons have changed women’s fashion since their times, but what about modern fashion icons?

Zendaya Coleman is one of today’s most influential fashion icons, and beloved by many. Even though she started as a Disney Channel star, Zendaya has moved on to much bigger things in her career, and is often always wowing critics and fans alike with her looks.

Zendaya is always making a statement with her fashion, and has even won the Council of Fashion Designers of Americas Fashion Icon Award. Her fashion sense is constantly changing and evolving, but one thing that I think makes it stand out more is that she doesn’t label it. Zendaya herself has stated that she doesn’t have a personal style, and I think that’s what makes it so good. She doesn’t put herself in a box of what fits her style and her look, she just wears what she wants, and it’s always amazing.

For more information, please visit: