By the 1970s, when “fashion is for everyone” trends began to favor movements in the cultural zeitgeist, models and celebrities became the ultimate muses.
Ladies Who Lunch, and who were outfitted for their outings by designers from Christian Dior to Oscar de la Renta. The list began with an eclectic group of international jet setters like C.Z. Guest, Nan Kempner, Babe Paley, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco and others. These ladies bought off the runway, and designers obliged the call, often creating collections suited for their every social occasion. Yves Saint Laurent was not only inspired by his girlfriend’s Loulou de la Falaise and Betty Catroux, but he dressed them, too. His first house muses Mounia and Kirat Bhinder.
But fashion models weren’t all the rage. Queens of the concert stage, like Cher, Diana Ross, Grace Jones, Madonna and Tina Turner, all continue to inspire fashion designers with their show-stopping personas. As fashion moves forward, so does its muse. By 1990, the industry begins its trajectory into what is now known as “influencer culture”, it marks the birth of the supermodel and superstar as muse. Recognized by first name alone, Naomi, Kate, Linda, Cindy, Christy, Giselle and others become the ones to watch.
The viewer’s curiosity about muses who inspired decades of runway collections from the past and who was wearing what has peaked. And now, with technology advancing the global nature of everything, and designers embracing a more diverse roster of muses, Rihanna, Beyoncé and Jennie Kim join the many who inspire fashion today.
Following are the examples from the era, and looking at it now, we understand how fashion/trends cycle flip over every 10/20 years. Happy Scrolling!!
(Pictures used in this post are for the reference only, all copyrights belong to the respective owners of the images. Image sources include but not limited to – google, IG, respective fashion magazines, fashion designers, fashion models and fashion brands)
And that’s the end:)
