by Grace Egbe
Here are the last 4 of our fashion sheroes!
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Vera Wang
Vera Wang is a Chinese American fashion designer known especially for her bridal wear. Wang didn’t begin designing clothes until 40, but since then has designed wedding dresses and evening gowns for a plethora of celebrities and public figures and since then has become a global household name. Vera Wang is a testament to dreams never being “too late to start”.
- Iman
Somali supermodel, Iman, inspired designers like Calvin Klein, Issey Miyake, Yves Saint Laurent, and Gianni Versace and is one of the first models of color to frequent runways. After two decades of concocting her own foundations due to lack of shade ranges her makeup artists had on hand, she founded and is CEO of one of the first companies to specialize in makeup for women of color, IMAN Cosmetics. Receiving a Fashion Icon lifetime achievement award in 2010, Iman’s style and grace have been officially recognized as having “a profound influence on fashion.”
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Grace Jones
Jamaican model, Grace Jones, is a fashion and music icon who broke out in the 70s and 80s. She began modeling in New York and her fierce, chiseled androgynous look soon garnered attention from fashion houses like Yves St. Laurent and Kenzo, and magazines like Elle and Vogue. Jones was a driving influence in the growing cross-dressing movement of the 80s and the New Wave genre of music. Grace Jones’ impact on the fashion industry reverberates today as she continues to inspire women of color to embrace their individuality and creative passions.
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Paloma Elsesser
Born in London and raised in Los Angeles, Paloma Elsesser is a plus sized model who has walked the runway for brands like Alexander Mcqueen, Eckhaus Latta, and Lanvin. Her distinctive serene look is notable for being discovered by Pat McGrath and has graced the covers of magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Glamour. Elsesser is an inspiring role model and advocate for inclusivity and diverse representation in the fashion industry.