You might think that fashion is created and mostly influenced by professional fashion designers all over the world, but there are people out there who manage to do a lot for the world of fashion and change it in the most amazing ways just by being themselves. Some of them are fashion designers, some are muses and some are just exceptional human beings with a very eccentric style that is uniquely theirs. Let’s take a look at 10 ladies who changed the world of fashion by essentially just being themselves and sharing that with the world.
1. Elsa Schiaparelli
Elsa was an amazing Italian fashion designer who was considered to be one of the greatest between World War 1 and World War 2. She worked during the same time as Coco Chanel and considered Coco to be her biggest rival. Unlike Coco, who wanted simplicity in her fashion and created classy pieces, Elsa liked a bit of whimsy in her fashion and created absolutely extraordinary masterpieces that would make a lasting impression.
2. Carmen Miranda
Carmen was a Brazilian singer, dancer, actress and woman extraordinaire that changed the world of fashion with her colorful fruity outfits. What a way to bring some flair to your outfit with fruits and bright fabrics. She loved celebrating life and the carnival culture and it definitely showed in her style.
3. Marchesa Luisa Casati
Marchesa Luisa Casati is known as a mad muse, who shocked and inspired many in the 1920s with her dark and unusual style. Some call her a lunatic, but we see a woman who wasn’t afraid to stand out and was unapologetically herself and wore whatever she wanted and however, she wanted. Her influence is still visible in the modern fashion world and references to her submerge every couple of years at fashion shows.
4. Nancy Cunard
When people talk about Nancy Cunard they often use words like heiress, activist, provocateur, queen of the jazz age. She’s also a writer and a fashion icon too. This woman had a very particular sense of style and boy did she love her bangles. She wore so many at a time that we’re pretty sure we have to thank her for that trend.
5. Anna Piaggi
Anna Maria Piaggi was a style icon most of us got to witness. She was a fashion writer but she didn’t just love to observe and write about fashion, she basically created her own little part of the fashion world with her unique colorful style that combined elements of the vintage and modern fashion. She loved color and while some might say she used it excessively by coloring her hair bright colors, using a lot of makeup and wearing many colors at once we think she did it just enough to truly feel like herself.
6. Iris Apfel
Iris Apfel is a lot of things. At 97 years old she’s a successful businesswoman, she’s a talented interior designer and a living legend when it comes to fashion and style. Her love of accessories and colorful clothing combos is unparalleled. She’s also the oldest woman to have had a Barbie Doll made in her image.
7. Daphne Guinness
If her last name sounds familiar to you it’s because she is a descendant of Arthur Guinness, the creator of Irish Guinness beer. She’s known in the fashion world for her unusual style, love of extremely high platform heeled shoes and her hairstyle is definitely memorable too.
8. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga may have mellowed out with years but we all still remember the times when she used to show up to red carpets wearing dresses made of bubbles or fully made of raw meat. She definitely influenced the world of fashion with her eccentric and let’s be honest, very outlandish outfits.
9. Michèle Lamy
Michelle is best known as the muse, wife and creative accomplice of fashion designer Rick Owens, but she’s also a clothing designer in her own right. Her style can be quite shocking and perhaps even off-putting for some, but you can’t deny the fact that there’s something very special about it and you can’t help but admire her eccentric flare.
10.Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton is the queen of androgynous style. This woman can wear absolutely anything and look amazing in it. It’s hard to comprehend how she can look absolutely and equally stunning in a men’s suit, the most feminine dress and an outlandish outfit that makes one look like an alien from outer space. But that’s why she’s unique and we love her for it.
