The Timeless Allure of Carolyn Bassette-Kennedy
Fall is in full swing, and my style inspiration for this season is none other than Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the ultimate 90s fashion figurehead, and America's Princess Diana. Though her fame can be partially attributed to her high-profile relationship with John F. Kennedy Junior., she carved out a name for herself in her own right. From her minimalist chic apparel to her straight blonde hair and bright blue eyes, Carolyn embodied quiet luxury, letting her natural beauty speak for itself and proving that sometimes - less is more.
Born in 1966, Carolyn grew up in a small suburb of Connecticut, staying in the area until graduating from Boston University. From there, she moved to New York to eventually work as the publicity director at Calvin Klein's flagship store. During this time, Calvin began to dip back into designing menswear, and he decided that Carolyn should direct the fitting appointment for one of their esteemed clients at the time, John F. Kennedy Jr. Let’s just say both walked away from the fitting swapping numbers, and the rest was history. Despite the ever-changing world of fashion in the 90s, Carolyn stayed loyal to her Klein, sleek and classic look consisting of crisp white button-downs, black oval sunglasses, a bold red lip, and neutral pairings. Her street style continuously turned heads as paparazzi photos of her strolls in the streets of New York made headlines, and her new relationship with Kennedy amplified the attention. Though these photos now fill Pinterest boards across the nation, there are surprisingly only less than 100 photos of her in total, as she was not a fan of being in the public eye. Her low-key and effortless persona made her all the more alluring, and even her anticipated wedding with JFK Jr. was in a small Baptist church in Cumberland, Georgia, with only 40 guests in attendance. Twenty-eight years later, her wedding and her timeless pearl-colored slip wedding dress by Narciso Rodriquez are still being discussed, and she is just as relevant.
Carolyn's tragic death in a plane accident in 1999, along with her sister Lauren and JFK Jr., was a massive shock to many, but her timeless influence and unforgettable beauty endured. There is something extraordinary in genuine self-assurance - the kind that allows you to be who you want to be and wear what you want to wear. When someone like this comes along, they are captivating and impossible to ignore. Carolyn’s quiet power lay in her elegance that needed no attention, and her iconic outfits, simple yet refined, were a testament to this. Here is a look back at some of her most memorable fashion moments that still inspire today:
