Fashion Icons' Timeless Influence
How can we possibly pay tribute to those so revolutionary they influenced the shaping of various aspects of our modern culture? Fashion has time and again been used as a declaration of admiration, as we honor these icons through the inspiration and reinvention of their looks.
"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." - Marilyn Monroe
Courtesy of Getty Images via British Vogue
History is bound to repeat itself. This takes on various forms and shapes, linking the past with the present. Some of the greatest innovations from the past have been reinvented and sold again. These successes are improved and renewed as they rise to fame all over again. Video games like Pacman and Donkey Kong have lately resurged to their peak popularity, similar to when they first came out back in 1980 and 1981, respectively. Louis Poulsen’s PH5 lamp rose to success when it was released in 1958 and has in recent years been breaking the internet as it has regained popularity among a new generation. Fashion is an expression of time that illustrates this form of repetition perfectly. There is an internal balance between striving for invention and navigating the cycles of repetition. Some fashion moments are so iconic that they must be remembered and retained in our collective consciousness to be reinvented down the line. Such moments are historical because they are intricately linked with specific points in history, tied to politics, art, and culture. Icons such as Marilyn Monroe continue to live in the collective ethos through the impactful moments they created, leaving a lasting legacy on today's culture.
Marilyn Monroe created a large number of unforgettable moments and became a source of many cultural sensations. From crossing royal social conventions, by wearing a low-cut dress when meeting Queen Elizabeth in 1965, to an iconic performance of the beloved "Happy Birthday Mr. President" song for President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Her legacy endures as she is remembered for much more than being a sex icon, cherished as a sweet and highly intelligent woman. To this day, she is remembered and honored because of her originality and unique persona. She was, and still is, an inspiration and a role model for women of all ages. Therefore, it is no surprise that her iconic looks have been the source of inspiration for numerous modern reinterpretations. For instance, the iconic "Happy Birthday Mr. President" dress, designed by Jean Louis, containing 2500 crystals, was worn by Kim Kardashian at the Met Gala in 2022.
Kim Kardashian, Met Gala 2022, Pinterest
All eyes were turned on Kim as she set foot on the red carpet in the original gown, paying tribute to Marilyn Monroe and this notable moment in history. On the other hand, Sydney Sweeney took inspiration from Marilyn’s iconic look, showing up at the Oscars in March 2024 in a stunning bob hairstyle and an elegant silk dress. Even more recently, Gigi Hadid got her inspiration for her Met Gala 2024 look straight from the icon herself. Gigi rocked a bob and an extraordinary white dress with flower details, a classic of Marilyn. When Gigi was asked about the inspiration for her look, she stated: “Marilyn was my character,” demonstrating sheer admiration for this icon. Marilyn is truly a woman who has, and will continue to, inspire so many looks.
Gigi Hadid, Met Gala 2024, Pinterest
Fashion is a medium that can connect the past to the present. It can be used as a means to express a great variety of messages. Those messages, whether relating to a specific moment in history or to a specific person, aim to pay tribute. Fashion is an important glorifying tool that can be used as inspiration to express admiration and appreciation. In this way, fashion has become one of the most important ways to honor our beloved icons. As fashion is so intertwined with its specific moment in history, and so remarkable in itself, it never goes unrecognized. The most famous images of eye-catching looks and outfits are so permanently marked in our common consciousness that they serve as the perfect medium to spread a message. At the same time, fashion is also subject to a level of interpretation, as inspiration can be taken while leaving creative room for reinvention and reinterpretation, illustrating the duality between innovation and repetition. The flexibility of fashion and the iconic moments in our culture lead to the immortality of these icons in the hearts and minds of the people. As these looks time after time get reinvented, the icons are both honored and remembered and will continue to live on in our common consciousness.
Marilyn Monroe, Happy Birthday Mr. President dress, Pinterest
