As a costume designer I am always interested in the history of clothing , history and social history. Therefore a fashion icon from history is perfect for this post.

I can’t think of a better person to put forward as fashion icon  than the Duchess of Windsor.For those who are not familiar with the Duchess she was the woman responsible for the abdication of a King Edward Viii. Hence leading them to  live a of exile in France.I’m not here to pass judgement on the Duchess with regards to her divorces and adultery. That is for others, I wouuld like  to introduce you to her great sense of style that makes her a fashion icon.

These great quotes attributed to Wallis Warfield Simpson the Duchess of Windsor.”You can never be too rich or too thin” .”If you are tired of  shopping you’re using the wrong shops.” These quotes help sum up the Duchesses approach to fashion ,which was refined chic and luxury couture.

The society photographer Cecil Beaton described the Duchess this way “As compact as a Vuitton traveling case, tidy , neat and immaculate. This sums up the Duchesses approach to her tailored style .She was on friendly terms with designers like Hubert de Givenchy and Christian Dior’s Marc Bohan. The duchess worked to reduce every outfit to its essence, even asking the couturiers to dispense with pockets.Therefore presenting Simple, Elegant ,Style.

A Fashion Icon Know for her Jewels

               The Duchess of Windsor had one notable excess her jewelry . Her outstanding sense of taste and style showed thru more than ever in her jewels. The jewels designed by the likes of Cartier , Van Cleef and Arpels and Harry Winston.

 The jewels King Edward VIII gave Wallis Warfield Simpson set international society, and the press, agog. Indeed, so proud was the King of the gifts he gave ”the woman I love,” he was said to have wanted the pieces dismantled after her death. Therefore no one could ever wear the Duchess of Windsor’s jewels. But, as in so many other things, the King was not to have his way.  Duke of Windsor who 1936 abdicated the throne to marry the American divorcee, 

            Among the jewels left by the Duchess after her death in1986 were a remarkable collection of animal menagerie. Brooches and bracelets in such forms as tigers, panthers, flamingos, designed by Jeanne Toussaint at Cartier

         To truly do justice the Duchesses incredible style I have put together a photo  collection that shows why I named the Duchess of Windsor a true Fashion Icon.

As you can see a Fashion Icon in every sense

Ciao for now Jandrew