Carolyn Bessett-Kennedy on a New York street in the 1990s. Lawrence Schwartzwald/Sigma via Getty Images
Twenty-four years after her tragic death, the woman who was considered one of the most beautiful women in New York is captivating fashion more than ever. In 2023, Carolyn Bessette is the iconic demure style we crave.
It’s a throwback to the style of 1990s New York grunge icon Carolyn Bessett-Kennedy, who shaped the fashion landscape with her chic and understated looks. A minimalist look that made her a New York legend before she disappeared in a plane crash in 1999 alongside her husband, John F. Kennedy Jr. Throughout her life, Caroline Bessette built on the good basics of the 1990s women’s wardrobe. Open sandals, loafers without socks, a low cut white shirt or straight pants. Her favorite palette was based on a marriage between black and beige tones, which she showed off with a pair of corduroy trousers, a knitted top or a perfectly cut coat. “Nothing about his style was forced, that’s what made him so charismatic. His style was not opulent, but it was elegant. His minimalism played on shapes and contours,” stylist Gabriela Hurst says about him in the foreword of the book. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Life in fashionpublished on November 23, 2023 and signed by Sunita Kumar Nair.
Carolyn Bessett-Kennedy gala at the Whitney Museum of American Art. (New York, March 9, 1999) Evan Agostini/Getty Images
In the wardrobe, it is difficult to find a logo or any element that can indicate the origin of a luxury piece. Pure fashion, but no less designer. Prada, Levi’s, Yohji Yamamoto, Hermès and Manolo Blahnik are her favorite brands. Nevertheless, there is no question of identifying with one of them. One day, she allegedly asked employees at a Prada store to “remove the distinguishing tag from the ski clothing she had purchased,” reports Sunita Kumar Nair in her book.
The importance of Calvin Klein
At that time, he worked for Calvin Klein as a public relations manager and became an advisor to VIPs. The brand is a leader in simple fashion, with a suit, white t-shirt and well-cut jeans featured in black and white campaigns by Kate Moss and Christy Turlington. “CBK” becomes perfect CK girl, the DNA of the label is reflected in the fine structure of the clothing style. Enough to attract brands forever. In 2022, Rouje, the ready-to-wear brand of designer and influencer Jeanne Damas, presents images from its spring-summer campaign. On them, the iconic look of the Carolyn-John couple is reproduced almost identically by similar models.
The Rouje campaign, a tribute to Carolyn Bessett-Kennedy’s timeless style. Here is a reproduction of a look worn by Carolyn Bessette in October 1996. Rouge
In September, the Sporty & Rich brand took over famous paparazzi. In the pictures, we find the basic outfits worn by Carolyn Bessette in the 1990s: high-waisted straight jeans, a long coat, shades of beige and black. Minimalism was everywhere during Spring Summer 2024 Fashion Week presented in September. With an Acne Studios cream suit, a long Alaïa camel coat, a Carolina Herrera coffee shirt… A wardrobe for women who have the means but don’t want to show it. Like Gwyneth Paltrow in her publicized trial… or Carolyn Bessette.
Sartorial…and physical attitude
Usually she is photographed with her head down, shoulders hunched, hands in her pockets or on her husband’s arm. America, still mourning the death of Jackie Kennedy in 1994, was quick to compare her to the former first lady. As Bernard Pascuito recalls in his book Jackie & John. An impossible couple (2023), Jackie was said to be too tall, too thin, that the gap between her eyes was too wide, and that her legs were too big. Physical traits that nevertheless catapulted Jackie to icon status, and that some find in Carolyn. “She chose not to conform to the typical patriarchal standards expected of a woman in her position who married into the dynasty. Instead, she chose the unexpected and wore her revolutionary clothes with boldness, confidence and grace,” says Edward Enninful, former editor-in-chief. Vogue: Eng., who signed the foreword of the work Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Life in fashion.
As Jackie, Carolyn Bessette imposes her modernity wherever she goes. Charisma that captivates social networks. The hashtag #carolynbessettekennedy has nearly 50 million views on TikTok. His influence can also be seen on Instagram, as we can see from Manon Lime’s page. The Parisian content creator focuses on sophisticated fashion, but never too much, built around bodycon dresses, good basics and chic accessories without the logos. In 2023, a whole new generation of naked fashion-seeking women appears in Carolyn Bessett-Kennedy, who is influential in her own right.
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Source: Le Figaro
