Michelle Obama
In her closet: Jason Wu, Narciso Rodriguez, Zero + Maria Cornejo, J.Crew, Rodarte, Talbots, Azzedine Alaïa
Key accessory: Lanvin sneakers
Thing you can't imitate: The photo ops
Let's get the cheesy clichés out of the way at the beginning: Michelle
Obama, our commander-in-chic, has proudly exercised her right to bare
arms. There now! Touted as the savior of Seventh
Avenue before her husband was even sworn in, the First Lady has in fact
crafted a look that's totally non-hyperbolic: She's an everywoman with
smart high-low taste, a good figure, and, on occasion, the need to dress
for a black-tie event with the world's most powerful rulers in
attendance. Her efforts have landed her on
Vanity Fair's
International Best-Dressed List for four years running, an unheard-of
achievement for someone who isn't married to a minor European nobleman.
Kate Moss
In her closet: Vintage
Key accessory: Indie rocker boyfriend
Thing you can't imitate: The attitude
Wellies, denim cutoffs, men's blazers, skinny jeans, ballet flats, skull
scarves, fringy boots, fur chubbies, motorcycle boots, shrunken
vests…basically, everything you've had or wanted to have in your closet
over the past ten years first appeared on the back, foot, neck, or arm of the unsinkable
supermodel. And if you want a piece of the Brit's look, you'd better
hurry to Topshop, where Moss' signature line—an unapologetic rehashing
of her greatest hits—will have its last full collection this fall.
The Olsens
In their closets: The Row, Givenchy, Rick Owens, Balenciaga, Giambattista Valli
Key accessory: Then: venti Starbucks cup. Now: soon-to-debut bag from The Row
Things you can't imitate: Hair, bank balance
Both lauded and lambasted mid-decade for draping their waifish frames
with oversize layers to stalk through the NYU campus, Mary-Kate and
Ashley graduated to become major trend igniters (not to mention the
respected designers of their own lines, The Row and Elizabeth and
James). Last spring, we wondered if the "anti-fashion" the twins had suddenly taken into wearing was a harbinger of things to come. One look at the pared-down Fall
collections—from Dries to Celine—and, well, we think we have our answer.
Sarah Jessica Parker
In her closet: Oscar de la Renta, Halston Heritage, Chanel, Alexander McQueen
Key accessory: "Manolos!"
Thing you can't imitate: The ability to give a designer a major fashion credit in your movie
Two words: Carrie Bradshaw. With stylist Patricia Field hovering
off-screen, SJP's alter ego made Mr. Blahnik a household name and
popularized off-beat accessories from flower pins to nameplate
necklaces—not to mention legitimizing spending as a form of empowerment,
therapy, and, above all, fun. Whatever you think of the
aftereffects—and it is now officially impossible to traverse certain
areas of New York City without stumbling into hordes of the
over-accessorized—Parker's affection for fashion seems beguilingly
sincere, as her decision to lay it on the line as creative director at
Halston Heritage shows.
Chloë Sevigny
In her closet: Her Opening Ceremony line, Valentino, Proenza Schouler, Chloé
Key accessory: Bare legs
Thing you can't imitate: Actual acting ability
She's appeared on not just her pal Tara Subkoff's Imitation of Christ
runways, but also on the catwalk at Dolce & Gabbana; labels from
Chloé to Uniqlo have used her in their ad campaigns; she's a favorite of
designers like Stefano Pilati and the Proenza Schouler boys; and she
has her very own collection for Opening Ceremony. But the ultimate proof
of Sevigny's icon status? Even the austere sister-wife style of her
Big Love character has been influential. How else to explain the side braid at Alexander Wang and Miu Miu's Spring shows?
