RuPaul ’ s Drag Race . For those unfamiliar for this televisual delight , it ’ s pretty much America ’ s Next Top Model , but for drag queens . Instead of Tyra Banks it ’ s headed up by RuPaul ; who is like Tyra Banks , but much less insane and a lot more fabulous . The drag queens that the show presents are quite the
Props used for the shoot figureheads for tacky , however there is no denying that of the most famed , each has a unique personal style and is an icon in their own right . Balancing the beam of staying stylish and staying tacky at the same time , it ’ s quite natural that the faces of past Drag Race winners were on many of Nathan and Becky ’ s moodboards .
In the 1970 ’ s , Diane Keaton represented the epitome of a stylish New York woman , and in the 1980 ’ s Grace Jones represented elegance in an era of tack . The 90 ’ s brought us Courtney Love ’ s unique taste , and Kate Moss exuded pure style in the 2000 ’ s . Conversely , women like Madonna , Cara Delevingne , the ladies of Destiny ’ s Child and even Twiggy are driven by fashion .
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Because , just like fashion trends , fashionable women fade in time and become as dated as the clothes they were wearing .
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Becky Lightbody and Nathan Henry , the styling duo behind this edition ’ s pink shoot , are champions of individuality . They have worked away on the shoot of a lifetime , pushing the boundaries of kitsch and having a whole lot of fun in the process . When asked their style icons , Becky succinctly answers “ Brigitte Bardot , Pamela Anderson and Courtney Love has got to be in there ” with Nathan stating “ obviously Donatella , who else ? The woman is a style icon in her own right . And Cher ’ s been stylish for years . Donatella and Cher .” Some very stylish women indeed , if you ignore the sartorial question mark that is Pamela Anderson .
TEXT : ELLIOT ROSE , IMAGES : ELLIOT ROSE , BECKY LIGHTBODY , NATHEN HENRY
While these camp and tacky women of infamy may not instantly holler style icon , their opinions on the style vs fashion debate is very much in the same camp as mine , with Nathan commenting “ fashion is just delivered to you , style is acquired , you have to have your own style . Style is a lot more personal . It ’ s the idea of being able to take something and make it your own . Fashion is mindless , and has no personality .” Becky added , along the lines of Coco Chanel before her “ fashion is temporary , style is forever !” Because , just like fashion trends , fashionable women fade in time and become as dated as the clothes they were wearing . What we always remember is great style icons .
Essentially , style vs fashion boils down to having a personal reflection on fashion , whether your taste is good or bad . Being a style icon is all about dressing for you , and not caring what anybody else thinks . Don ’ t be afraid to dress how you want , and certainly don ’ t be afraid of a little bad taste .