Not a good year for dictators - or Dior designers - but for grown-up women everywhere, 2011 meant business as usual. Here are some of my highlights.
Parisian Chic became the style du jour and muse-turned-author Ines de la Fressange, 54, showed us that flat shoes rule the red carpet.
Michelle Obama, 47, answered critics by saying she wears what she loves - and we should too.
Research proved that women of a certain age relate to older models, and 41-year-old Stella Tennant picked up a gong at the British Fashion Awards.
Iris Apfel, 90, confirmed our suspicions, 'Most of the young people today look dreadful. And celebrities look even worse.'
Sofie Grabol, 43, star of The Killing, inspired a trend for Scandinavian knitwear, saying, ' I have affection for that jumper. It speaks of a woman who doesn't have to signal she's competing with men.'
What are your 2011 highlights? Happy New Year!
Photos
Michelle Obama, Christine Lagarde, Ines de la Fressange: Getty
Sofie Grabol:The Gentlewoman
Stella Tennant: Grazia and Juergen Teller Celine ad
Iris Apfel: Architectural Digest
24 comments:
Great post.
Happy New year!
http://paquetevistasbien.blogspot.com
Oh, the jumper. And the cameo in Ab Fab! Sofie Grabol rocked my year!
I love that Christine Lagarde works in a very masculine environment but presents herself as feminine. Having worked in finance and economics, I know it is all too easy to end up dressing like one of the old boys.
How brilliant to have a style icon who is so much more than just a clothes horse in Christine Lagarde, Women like these should be the role models for younger women, rather than vacuous 'reality tv' stars.
Parisiene Chic had the greatest impact on my style this year! I actually toned down a lot of my accessories because of it...I look at that first picture and that is what I want to be most days!! Enjoyed the post!
Wonderful collection of grown-up beauties! I adores Ines' look and her book. Michelle O can do no wrong by me. And I agree with the above posters that Ms. Lagarde is a superb role model for women of all ages.
Hurray for Grown up women and all best wishes through 2012!
It's more than how these women LOOK, it's their ability to articulate that look and the confidence that comes from knowing who you are. And that ONLY comes with time. Hurrah hurrah!
Oh Michelle - be still my heart!
At some stage, the "best dressed" phenomenon ceased to be a celebration of style and became a stick to beat women with, to say "you may feel great in that outfit, but now we're going to find something wrong with you." Somehow our judgement of our 'look' has shifted from how we are inside it to how we appear outside it.
All these women are wonderful examples of dressing for themselves rather than for the camera. I plan on making a study of Iris so I can ensure I show a bit of her chutzpah into my later years.
Fabulous compendium! I love what each of these women bring to the table, style-wise. Each exudes confidence.
I've long decided Iris is who I want to be "when I grow up". The book "Rara Avis" is a delight, but find a video of her being interviewed. She is funny, irreverant and wise— all part of the picture.
Well said, Iris and Michelle.
There's very few people in the public eye who inspire me, everyone looks the same these days. x
I agree with Pam, Parisian Chic had the biggest impact on my style this year, but I'm hoping 2012 will bring me Ines' legs.
Wow! Love that Michelle Obama wear what makes her happy.
Very well said! I do think that Christine Lagarde looks amazing and appropriate for her job.
Hi my dear-fab post-very inspirational! So pleased you had a happy Christmas and wishing you a peaceful and prosperous 2012 xx
Yes - they were definitely highlights - I'm racking my brain unsuccessfully to think of male equivalents!
Happy New Year!
Grey Fox - a man searching for style in middle age.
"At some stage, the "best dressed" phenomenon ceased to be a celebration of style and became a stick to beat women with, to say "you may feel great in that outfit, but now we're going to find something wrong with you." Somehow our judgement of our 'look' has shifted from how we are inside it to how we appear outside it. " -- love this comment.
During the 2-3 past years I have spent way too much time on fashion phenomenons, fashion sites.
I realize it now, as this year is turning to it´s end.
There was a period, I was nuts about bags, luckily I´m down to only three bags right now, and to 6 pairs of shoes.
I´m only interested in updating my wardrobe a bit every now and then.
As to the women pictured above, I have really no comments. What celebrities wear, does not give me kicks of any kind.
Have a Happy New Year!
puncturedbicycle/Wendy/michellebeth - yes, I agree. The celebrity/reality TV star obsession in the media has turned quite spiteful - I blame Murdoch and the Mail.
Metscan - glad to hear you've got the bag habit under control! I'd like to think I've chosen women who are intelligent, talented and inspirational. Not just a bunch of celebrity clothes horses.
Great post and a great honours list - Christine Lagarde is a great pick!
Wonderful post - definitely the Parisian Chic book was a highlight for me -love her style... Happiest of New Years to you and to Mr TNMA. X
Style comes from the inside when one is bien dans sa peau. It is a signature that is dateless and only tweeked - not dictated to - by current fashion trends.....Oh how I wish I had realised this in my earlier years - I could have saved lots of money and lots of time shopping If only I had listened to mother!
Warm regards.
Iris Apfel is my heroine! I could never dress like that because it would take a lifetime to learn how, but I love looking at her, listening to what she has to say.
I like your reply to Metscan's comment, didn't think you were parading celebrities.
FYI: Iris Apfel's cosmetics collection at MAC has practically sold out at my local mall. 4 out of 5 lipsticks are gone. And it only debuted three days ago! I think that says a lot for Iris and MAC.
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