How Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Changed Luxury Fashion

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With the short series Love Story coming out in February, it feels right to dedicate a piece to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, as she was a major fashion icon. In a world of labels and loud luxury, Carolyn styled herself in quality, simple yet classy pieces. She was simply choosing to be herself and ended up shaping how luxury is defined in the fashion industry. It has sparked my interest to see people on social media visiting the New York City spot where Carolyn buys all her accessories, Bigelow Pharmacy. They still carry all of the chic sunglasses, headbands, and berets that she favored. Unlike a lot of public figures, Carolyn's style was not solely built on expensive designer items and logos. She found her signature pieces by choosing items for her wardrobe when they truly felt like her, regardless of the label. During her time at Calvin Klein, she quickly worked her way up the company by never being afraid to share her own creative ideas. Even as a young woman new to the fashion industry, Carolyn became a major part of the company by bringing a simple, clean, and cool ’90s vibe to its image. She is the mastermind behind model Kate Moss becoming the face of the Calvin Klein Obsessed campaign, which brought a great amount of attention to the brand. It is no surprise to me that the '90s it girl Carolyn is becoming a fashion muse once again. Her captivating style never depended on trends, but rather on intentionality. She clearly valued a wardrobe of quality and elevated staple pieces, which is a significant reason so many strive for a timeless wardrobe, not a trendy one. Her legacy lives on, as many designers and consumers around the world continue to draw inspiration from her '90s cool girl style and ideas.