Twentieth century girls
- Published
Fashionistas today owe much to stars as far back as the Fifties. Browse our beautiful gallery of the icons past and present who shape what we wear
1920s – Louise Brooks
Louise Brooks was a silent movie star who appeared in 24 films from 1925-1938. She stood out from the other actresses of the time because of her piercing beauty and trademark black bob, but she was also renowned for being a strong woman who was fiercely independent and refused to accept the restrictive role that women had in American society. The drop-waist flapper silhouette that she is known for is a constant reference for designers
Pictures: Rex Features
1930s – Jean Harlow
The original platinum blonde sex symbol, Jean Harlow’s big break was in Howard Hughes’ World War I epic Hell’s Angels (Gwen Stefani played her beautifully in The Aviator film). She had a strong screen presence and massive sex appeal, often snapped in stunning, slinky pale silk dresses with marabou trims that complimented her curves
Pictures: Rex Features
1930s – Jean Harlow
Pictures: Rex Features
1940s – Veronica Lake
Born Constance Ockelman, Lake changed her name in 1941, she was best known for her edgy femme fatale roles with Alan Ladd during the Forties. Her peek-a-boo aura, perfect hair and deep V dresses in dark jersey made her a fashion icon
Pictures: Rex Features
1940s – Veronica Lake
In film Blue Dahilia
Pictures: Rex Features
1950s – Grace Kelly
Known as one of the world’s great beauties, Grace Kelly not only had a glittering career on screen (she won an Academy Award in 1954 for The Country Girl) but she also had a sought after private life too, marrying Prince Rainier Grimaldi III of Monaco and becoming Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco – some girls have all the luck. Her style ushered in womanly elegance with a full skirted silhouette
Pictures: Rex Features
1950s – Grace Kelly
Grace with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra in High Society
Pictures: Rex Features
1960s – Audrey Hepburn
1960s – Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn and Jean Seberg heralded the gamine, ingénue look with miniskirts and polo necks their signature style
Pictures: Rex Features
1960s – Brigitte Bardot
Pictures: Rex Features
1970s – Lauren Hutton
Lauren Hutton, Charlie Girl, Christie Brinkley. Healthy, all American glamour girls who wore camel and nude natural shades
Pictures: Rex Features
1970s - Farrah Fawcett
During the 1970s there wasn't a teenage girl who didn't want Farrah's bangs, nor a teenage boy who didn't have her poster on their bedroom wall.
Pictures: Rex Features
1980s – The supermodels
The Eighties saw the birth of the supermodel. The likes of Jerry Hall, Grace Jones, Brooke Shields and Christie Brinkley became well known names. They modeled iconic clothing of the period such as body con clothing, huge shoulders and power suits
Pictures: Rex Features
1980s – The supermodels
Grace Jones - one of the most fearsome supermodels on the red carpet.
Pictures: Rex Features
1990s – Kate Moss
Kate was the face of cool Britannia in the 90s. We haven’t seen her in a look that she can’t carry off from minimalism to grunge.
Pictures: Rex Features
1990s – Kate Moss
Kate does festival grunge as effortlessly as she does red carpet glamour.
Pictures: Rex Features