Lauren Tracey looks at this week’s style icon, sale Diana Vreeland
During her tenure at Vogue, ask Diana Vreeland was the woman the entire world looked to for style advice and guidance. As editor of one of the most influential women’s magazines in the world her word could make or break a trend, nurse a designer, or a model. Unlike some of the other editors of Vogue, whose personal styles never entered the public consciousness, Vreeland herself was a true style icon.
Vreeland described her own style as so, “I’d like to have on the most luxurious cashmere sweater; the most luxurious satin pants, very beautiful stockings, very beautiful shoes — marvellous — and whatever would be suitable around the neck.” She was not a flashy dresser she favoured quality more highly than anything else, and this reflected daily in her simple and well fitted suits, dresses and jackets, always worn with dramatic, elegant accessories.
Diana was also a key factor behind many of the long lasting fashion trends we still have with us today. She is the woman who helped popularise animal print. When a young Yves St Laurent showcased them in an early collection, she was the one who pushed them to the public through her magazine.
Vreeland headed up one of the most popular magazines in the world, and she was aptly fit for such a role.
