During her husband's presidency, Jacqueline Kennedy became a symbol of fashion for women all over the world. She retained French-born American fashion designer and Kennedy family friend Oleg Cassini in the fall of 1960 to create an original wardrobe for her as First Lady. From 1961 to late 1963, Cassini dressed Mrs. Kennedy in many of her most iconic ensembles, including her Inauguration Day fawn coat and Inaugural gala gown as well as many outfits for her visits to Europe, India and Pakistan. Mrs. Kennedy's clean suits, sleeveless A-line dresses and famous pillbox hats were an overnight success around the world and became known as the "Jackie" look. Although Cassini was her primary designer, Mrs. Kennedy also wore ensembles by French fashion legends such as Chanel, Givenchy, and Dior. More than any other First Lady her style was copied by commercial manufacturers and a large segment of young women.
In the years after the White House, her style changed dramatically. Gone were the modest "campaign wife" clothes. Wide-leg pantsuits, blue jeans, large lapel jackets, silk Hermes head scarves and large, round, dark sunglasses were her new look. She also experimented with different styles, often wearing a large amount of jewelry, hoop earrings with her hair pulled back, and gypsy skirts.
Source: Wikipedia
Jackie Kennedy's impact on fashion also had tons to do with the recent booming influence of television (which also helped her husband John snatch the Presidency from Richard Nixon), and thrusted her as first lady into households like no other before or after her. Women everywhere took note, especially those in the American workforce and the way they approached fashion was never the same again. Today style minded first lady, Michelle Obama carries the baton Jacqueline first set off nearly 50 years ago, taking sartorial risks not seen since the Kennedy administration.
6 comments:
Great post. I love these photos. Jackie Kennedy is so amazing. She's one of my favorite fashion icons. Hope you have a fantastic weekend. Cheers!
I know the Michelle Obama references are inevitable, but for me, no first lady has ever rivaled the style of Jackie. She possessed that Audrey Hepburn-esque class that went beyond wardrobe, yet never goes out of style. She was one of a kind, xo.
MY USA nr 1 inspiration !
I've searched for ages for this picture where she is wearing those black pearls Gerard Darel has bought the patent for...and re-created them in his clothing range....
I'll show them to you via a twitpic, so if you know in what pic I can see them, let me know !
I agree with Michelle, and couldn't have said it any better.
Keith: glad you liked it brother. Hope you do the same.
Michelle/Diane: Your absolutely right. While I feel Michelle is making the right (and mostly safe) style choices, she'll always be in Jackie's shadow.
Dominica: Yes, definitely let me know, I would love to see that photo!
Love the post and Jackie O. She had such great style. She was definitely a fashion icon for years. :)
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