Q+A: Who is Your Style Icon?

Monday, August 12, 2013

Some of the things I've really enjoyed about blogging are the relationships and conversations it brings. I got into blogging because I loved reading other people's blogs and began to feel like I knew them, at least a little. The technical term for this is  ambient  intimacy; you can feel close, without being close. And while that's fun, as both a blogger and blog-reader, it occurred to me that we can go deeper. I want to know all about you (yes, all of you!). So- that's what Q+A is for. Each post, I will pose a single question to five different bloggers to see the different perspectives they bring. And we want to hear from you too! 

Since Never Fully Dressed was originally conceived as a style blog, that seemed like the best place to start. We are all looking for our own personal style, but sometimes a little inspiration helps. So spill it- who's your favorite style icon? 


Q+A
Marlen of Messages on a Napkin responded

Ideally, I would have   loved  to say Audrey Hepburn. To me she is the epitome of the kind of lady I want to be- classic, graceful, and elegant in an innocent "oh this old thing?" kind of way. But even though I can appreciate her skirt suits with the clean lines, the long gloves with dresses, and pillow hats tall enough to hide her chignon, I know that my style is a touch louder than hers ;)  


So instead I'd have to go with Elisa Nalin, a famous stylist that you've probably seen splashed across any magazine or site that covers any and all Fashion Weeks. I  absolutely adore her. Her spunky use of prints, her fearless clash of colors and interesting choice of textures- all of it is such an inspiration and right up my alley! She literally plays with her clothes, and, in my opinion, that is what fashion is all about :)


Alex of Into the Woods said:

In actuality I have a couple of style icons. For my vintage side, I absolutely love Audrey Hepburn. Not only for her style sense, but also for the incredible lady-like example she set for the ladies back then and even now. As far as modern icons, I adore Zooey Deschanel's style. Her outfits are so perfect and I can't get over that adorable haircut! 
October Rebel shared: 

I have many style icons, but one of my favorites is silent film star Colleen Moore. Many of her films are lost, but I've had the pleasure of seeing her shine in Lilac Time, Ella Cinders, and Orchids and Ermine. She was funny and spunky - a great comedian as well as a versatile dramatic artist. She epitomized the flapper on the silver screen, but I admire her pre-bobbed days as well. Many of her films and still portraits reveal a playful, bewitching style.


I distinctly remember when I became interested in fashion over just clothing. My freshman year of high school was when I discovered fashion week, foreign fashion magazines, and street style blogs. I fell in love with Proenza Schouler, Miu Miu, and Rodarte and looking at their works of art in French Vogue and on Style.com is what inspired me to want to work for a magazine. Perhaps it was this desire that drew me to Taylor Tomasi Hill's style. Formerly a Teen Vogue editor, the current style and accessories editor for Marie Claire has the perfect style in my eyes. She manages to effortlessly mix feminine and masculine styles and proportions, all while looking classic and immaculately put-together. Do I even need to mention that hair? She's flawless.





It used to be difficult for me to come up with a style icon. However, over the past several months I've really begun to hone my style into one I truly love, and with that comes inspiration in the form of Katherine Hepburn. Other than being absolutely gorgeous, Katherine was also very versatile. She towed the line flawlessly between dramatic gowns and menswear inspired trousers and blazers. I love that her style was very simple, but included special details and was extremely well tailored. I've long been on a hunt for the perfect pair wide legged trousers ala Katherine Hepburn.  Other than her inspiring clothing, I am forever enamored with the fabulous hairstyles the slim beauty sported. Perfect 1940's waves are something I would love to master. Katherine was fearless, cheeky, and endearingly disheveled, all reasons to love her style.




What about you? Whose style captivates you? Share in the comments below !

P.S. Write me at withoutastyle@gmail.com if you are a blogger interested in sharing answers for future Q+A posts. I love hearing from old friends and meeting new ones, so don't be shy.

22 comments

  1. Frida Kahlo, all the way. No fear of color, no fear of layering on many chunky, earthy jewels... And she was a bit like a fashion blogger with all those self-portraits she left behind! I'm a drawer of my fashion, as I'm clueless with a camera, and just reading and commenting on th blogs of others challenges my skills with technology... But she inspires me, without leaving me with "what ifs". But, no one can be as bold as Frida all the time, so add a bit of Marilyn (clothes only: no platinum for me, even if I am a hair chameleon) and a little Annie Hall, and you have me. A hippy who likes circles skirts, novelty prints, and menswear. ;)

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    1. Annie Hall has definitely become a fashion icon for me too!

      Oh, Frida Kahlo- she does dress amazingly! I'd never have thought of her though...maybe I'll have to try channelling her sometime.

      You draw your fashion? Just curious but do you post them/have a blog of your own with these drawings then? I didn't see any links when looking at your Google + but would love to see a URL if such a blog exists!

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    2. Yep... I draw daily outfits. But no blog yet... Still trying to figure out how that works, technically. It's not one of my skill areas.

      Your Annie Hall side is one if the reasons I follow your blog. :)

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  2. Yay! I love reading about everyone's style icons. I think this is going to be a great series, Kristian. Thanks for doing this.

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    1. Thank you for participating in it! :D

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  3. what a fun post idea Kristian!! I honestly haven't heard of a few of these, but it was fun hearing about them and the pics. Fun Elana heard about fashion week early HS, I don't think I knew until much later. Oh, and I loved to participate in future Q&As, really cool!
    Cuddly Cacti
    Mitla Moda

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    1. I didn't know either Marlen's or Elana's before they shared these; it is fun to see these new people and get new ideas as well as see the icon's influence on the blogger's style, right?

      Ha! I'm like you and definitely didn't get all into fashion until later...as in the past few years.

      I'll shoot you an email for the next Q+A :D

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  4. This post is so wonderful! I think having a style icon really shapes the way we get up each morning and put on an outfit. I have always felt that Audrey Hepburn epitomized class, poise, and elegance, and I've tried to channel her style over the years!

    Xo, Hannah

    sweetsweetnoir.net

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    1. I can see that influence in your blog, for sure. Looks like you had some seriously lovely days here recently too :)

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  5. Ooh, such a great question! I'm a bit torn with choosing just one style icon, but if I had to pick, I would probably choose Tennessee Thomas. Her style is very 1960s-based, with lots of peter pan collars and saddle shoes! I also find a lot of style inspiration from Françoise Hardy, Pattie Boyd, Mia Farrow, etc.

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    1. I will have to look up Tennessee Thomas. It is so fun to find out about new style inspirations like this.

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  6. ahhh this post was so so awesome! it was really interesting how most of the girls' style icons really *did* match the bloggers' styles. For example, Elana has the simple, sweet chic style as the Marie Claire editor, and Katie very obviously embodies Katherine Hepburn every day all day. i can't wait to see the upcoming posts, this was so fun to read!

    xo marlen
    Messages on a Napkin

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    1. Ha- now that you mention it, the icon's influence does very clearly shine through, though you all have your own twists to things too. Thanks for participating Marlen!

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  7. This was such an interesting post. There's so many stylish icons!

    xx.
    fashion and tea

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  8. This is such an awesome idea for a series Kristian! I seriously can't pinpoint just one inspiration, I read so many lovely blogs that inspire me on the daily!

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    1. Blogs are more and more becoming my main resource for inspiration too.

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  9. I really enjoyed this post :) Now it's got me thinking who I would truly consider to be my fashion inspiration.

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    1. It's fun to think about, though everyone has their own flair to things too!

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  10. Just like Elena I really enjoy the style of Taylor Tomasi Hill! As a fellow redhead, I gain mostly color inspiration from her, haha :) I also love the daily style of Nicole Richie and even Disney star Vanessa Hudgens :) But mostly, I draw my inspiration from fellow Bloggers! xo

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    1. Fellow bloggers are definitely my inspiration of late too!

      I'd never hear of Taylor Tomasi Hill before, but am absolutely in LOVE with her style. Need to go find more about her...

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  11. Thanks so much for having me be a part of this, Kristian! Despite my forgetfulness, this was SO much fun to do! And I just love seeing everyone else's answers. I was about to point out the ones that I love, but then I realized that I really love all of them! I will say though, that I am a huge Katharine Hepburn fan :) I am loving this series already and I can't want to see the next one!

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    1. No, Thank you, Elana!

      I'm a huge Katharine Hepburn fan too. She called herself the "original bag lady" but I've always liked her style.

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