The Style Guru: Inspiring Icons

Whether they are taking out the garbage, buying groceries or walking their dog, models can’t help but look great.  However, it is a certain kind of model that becomes iconic for her style off duty. There are few models that take their role in fashion to another level, and I would like to shine a light on just a few of the inspirational, eccentric, adventurous models gracing the world’s magazines today.

One such model is Swedish born Frida Gustavsson.  Known for her elegant and classically tailored pieces, she is often spotted wearing vintage skirts, elegant blouses, and yet manages to look youthful and oh-so-chic. In an interview with DV Mode, Frida was asked to describe her personal style, and responded ” I build up my own style with contrasts and mix the young with the old, the expensive with the cheap. I like vintage, in particular YSL-clothing from the end of the 1960s to the early 1970s. It’s fun to do my own interpretation of clothes someone else has worn.”

To get Frida’s look, have a rummage through your local thrift store and look for outfits that fit a bit loose. Mix tailored pieces with something quirky for an added personal touch.  Find pieces with a boyish vintage twist such as a pair of lace up loafers, or over-sized baggy jeans. By mixing the old with the new you end up with a fun fresh take on an old trend.  There are no rules for the look per se, but keep it clean and simple. Styling is key, finish off the look with a great statement necklace or eye catching piece of jewelry.  When tying this look keep makeup and hair clean and simple, the simpler the better. A little goes a long way.

Another inspiring icon is Abbey Lee Kurshaw, truly one of the most anti-fashion trend setters of today. She is well known for her punk, I-don’t-care-what-you-say-is-fashionable approach to her wardrobe choices. Her nose and nipple rings add an extra edge that pulls her out-there attire into a mismatch to make something beautiful.

With a bit of dark blood running through her veins, we can see her personal love affair with grunge drip through her wardrobe. Her pairings of loose fitting lace dresses with anything from ripped jeans, to leather boots, to jackets and scarves really hits the mark of a true fashion guru.

Another reason why fashion can’t seem to get enough of Abbey is her ability to always have something “off” about her outfit, whether it’s through clashing colors or mixed prints and patterns she always manages to stuns the crowd and pulls off something unexpected. For us not-so-out-there idolizers, remember to pair your crazy patterns and prints with a solid colour, and choose your clothes to fit loose. It will bring an added chill factor to your outfit, and will relieve the pressure of wearing skin tight outfits.  Remember, your clothes don’t need to be skin tight to be sexy.

Finally, I would like to touch on Belgian-born model Hanne Gaby Odiele.  As a favorite of both bloggers and designers alike, she is praised for her uniqueness when it comes to styling;

This is one trendsetter who you can’t put a certain style label on.  There is almost something comical about her outfits, but it’s great and works for her. Hanne is one style shocker you can’t help but love, and is worth a look at because it really is near impossible to describe her style on a day to day basis. Here are a few fun guidelines to creating Odiele inspired looks: Mix everything that can be mixed; mix your colours, prints, vintage, high street.  Don’t be afraid to make a statement with your clothes, you don’t need to pair your crazy look with equally crazy hair and makeup. Let your clothes choose who you are today and keep yourself looking elegant and effortlessly you. Don’t just settle on a certain trend or theme…keep on recreating your style, take confidence in it and have fun!

Photo credit: http://theworldisminenow.tumblr.com/post/27974833755