Understanding what it Takes to be a Fashion Icon (and How to Become One)

We’ve all heard about them before – they headline the news, they are on magazine covers everywhere and their faces are regularly featured on every TV show on fashion. They sometimes grace the runways of Paris and Milan and are often quoted for their bits and pieces of advice regarding fashion. They are fondly referred to as fashion icons, the benchmarks of beauty, elegance, style and glamour. When people hear the term “fashion icon” what comes to mind would be the names of the current darlings of the fashion industry like Mary Kate Olsen, the Victoria’s Secret Supermodels or Sarah Jessica Parker. However, people who have a deeper perspective on what a fashion icon is would probably think immediately of the late Katharine Hepburn as she looked in the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” or the late former US First Lady Jackie Onassis, she with her gigantic shades and superbly draped dresses, accentuated with three-strand pearls and crisp white gloves. In fact, so much respect and love has been placed on these two women’s style that exhibitions on them showcasing their impeccable fashion sense has been organized on separate occasions. This just goes to show that being a fashion icon like them definitely has its merits, the best one being loved by the whole world. But just what is a fashion icon really? It is someone who is being constantly talked about because of their fashion statements. A person who gets idolized for expressing themselves differently from the rest by means of fashion, for being brave to stand out in a mostly conventional and traditional crowd who are hesitant about stepping out of their comfort zones. A fashion icon is one who has dared to change the face of fashion and created a huge impact while doing it. With that in mind, how does one become a Mamamia.com.au fashion icon? A fashion icon first off, knows all about the latest trends and can recite them by heart even with their eyes closed. They treat magazines like Elle, Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar like they would the Holy Bible -- with every key look in clothes and make-up, as well as the latest accessories noted and listed like the Ten Commandments. So if you want to be able to come up with your own unique look and vibe to qualify you as a fashion icon, buy these magazines or sign up for online beauty and fashion blogs like Mamamia.com.au to keep yourself in the loop. Being a fashion icon also means being versatile. Avoid sticking to one particular look or being identified with only one. Take a cue from music icons Madonna and Lady Gaga – people love variety and look forward to seeing them on the red carpet, just to take a gander at what look they came up with. These days, when people have the attention span of a gnat, you need to be able to keep changing up your looks to keep them interested and wondering. To get ideas for your next look, don’t forget to check out fashion trends here. However, the best thing you can do to be a fashion icon is to be as it really means – be a role model. Make sure you always emulate a positive attitude and don’t do anything you know can be harmful to you or your health, you know, just say no and all that. Always smile, be confident and don’t forget to mix and match well.