Icon Of The Week: Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot didn't exactly pioneer the sex kitten image, nor did she introduce the blonde bombshell one. (That was all Marilyn.) What Bardot did, however, was make France incredibly sexy. Click to read on her career path, how she popularized the bikini, and her hairstyle that even Cynthia Powell tried copying!
Brigitte Bardot started off as an aspiring ballet dancer. After an acting stint in 1952, she appeared in 48 films and recorded 80 songs before settling down in 1973 onwards as an animal rights activist.
From her resume alone, you'll notice very erratic, dissonant career choices that you probably wouldn't expect judging from the images that has cemented her in popular culture.
But that's exactly how her career panned out - She burst onto the scene as a fresh-faced ingenue in the 50s, transformed into the sex siren we all remember her for in the 60s, before reforming as an activist in the 70s. Kind of sounds like Angelina Jolie's career, huh? :)
Besides joining the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn as a Warhol muse, here's how she impacted the fashion industry we know today:
She popularized the bikini by making its first appearances in film.
She popularized a type of wide open neckline in knitted sweaters and jumpers. It is now also used for other tops and dresses, and is currently known as the Bardot neckline. Imagine a trend being named after you!
She gave us the choucroute hairstyle, a beehive that still epitomizes the sex kitten look. It drove the boys crazy back then to the extent John Lennon's first wife, Cynthia Powell even lightened and coiffed her hair to resemble Bardot's.
The laid back alternative to the choucroute involved a simple wide black headband, which is still seen today as a look of utmost sophistication. Bardot also made famous 'cat's eye' makeup, a look that still screams seductress these days.
Best of all, Bardot had a distinct way of making basic, practical items like cardigans, sweaters, cropped jeans and flats ooze style.
She was always well put together and sophisticated, even dressed down. She gave us a classy alternative when it came to playing up femininity and sexuality.
To the many faces of Brigitte Bardot, I sincerely say thank you for everything she contributed to some of today's fashion ideals.
What do you think about Bardot's iconic style? Do tell!
[Photo Credits: imdb, peelpants, style, glamour, style msn, digicoll, gatochy, patricia silva, seraphic secret, latimes, thefword]
