Latest news with #Bessette-Kennedy
The Age
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
To channel the elegance of a '90s icon, these are the fashion choices to make
This story is part of the June 29 edition of Sunday Life. See all 13 stories. Newcomers to royal-watching might consider California-born Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the ultimate American princess. Marrying the blue-blooded, redheaded Prince Harry is a step in the right direction but the former Suits actor still has to bow down to the style credentials of the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. After marrying American 'royalty' John F. Kennedy Jr in 1996, fashion executive Carolyn epitomised the international ideal of streamlined sophistication, rivalling her mother-in-law, Jackie Kennedy, and the crowned and tiara-wearing heads of Europe. Recent images from the upcoming, Ryan Murphy-produced series American Love Story about Carolyn and John, who both died in a plane crash in 1999, caused an online uproar for not capturing the ethereal blonde's elusive essence. Here are the ingredients for avoiding the keyboard warriors and emulating and updating Bessette-Kennedy's eternal chic. Make it sleek Bessette-Kennedy's wedding dress, by designer Narcisco Rodriguez (they worked together at Calvin Klein when she was a public relations executive), was a masterpiece of '90s minimalism. The cowl-neck white slip dress dismissed ornament and excess, making Bessette-Kennedy the star. In a 2016 interview with Glamour, the then Meghan Markle acknowledged its impact when asked about her favourite celebrity wedding dress: 'Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Everything goals.' To make an elegant impact in the evening, prioritise minimal draping over tailoring to create a fluid fit that skims the figure. Make it monochrome Black, white and neutrals were Bessette-Kennedy's preferred palette but feel free to add drama with cool creams, soothing blues and fresh greens. Discipline is key when wearing one colour from top to toe. Update the restraint of the '90s with smooth sequins or subtle lace details for a more modern approach to minimalism. Bessette-Kennedy would break the monochrome rule to wear crisp white shirts with skirts. A T-shirt-style blouse over a satin skirt offers the same cool contrast without drifting into officewear. Make it look easy Leave outrageous up-dos and complicated braids to the aspirants to your style throne. Bessette-Kennedy was the model of simplicity when it came to hair and make-up. 'Most of the girls at Calvin had similar long hair, but Carolyn never blew hers out,' former colleague Stormy Stokes told Sunita Kumar Nair for her book Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion. 'She taught me how to style my own: wash it, flip it up and down twice, then tie it in a top bun, and ride the subway. By the time we would get to the office, we'd take the bun down and our hair would just be ready to go.' Loading For shorter hair look to the ultimate British princess, Diana, who redefined her signature style with slick hair following her 1996 divorce from Prince Charles. 'She was a bit nervous about the slicked-back appearance,' Sam McKnight, Diana's hairdresser told The Telegraph in the UK. 'Like many women, she used to hide behind her hair. But she looked her best when she didn't do anything to it.'
Sydney Morning Herald
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
To channel the elegance of a '90s icon, these are the fashion choices to make
This story is part of the June 29 edition of Sunday Life. See all 13 stories. Newcomers to royal-watching might consider California-born Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the ultimate American princess. Marrying the blue-blooded, redheaded Prince Harry is a step in the right direction but the former Suits actor still has to bow down to the style credentials of the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. After marrying American 'royalty' John F. Kennedy Jr in 1996, fashion executive Carolyn epitomised the international ideal of streamlined sophistication, rivalling her mother-in-law, Jackie Kennedy, and the crowned and tiara-wearing heads of Europe. Recent images from the upcoming, Ryan Murphy-produced series American Love Story about Carolyn and John, who both died in a plane crash in 1999, caused an online uproar for not capturing the ethereal blonde's elusive essence. Here are the ingredients for avoiding the keyboard warriors and emulating and updating Bessette-Kennedy's eternal chic. Make it sleek Bessette-Kennedy's wedding dress, by designer Narcisco Rodriguez (they worked together at Calvin Klein when she was a public relations executive), was a masterpiece of '90s minimalism. The cowl-neck white slip dress dismissed ornament and excess, making Bessette-Kennedy the star. In a 2016 interview with Glamour, the then Meghan Markle acknowledged its impact when asked about her favourite celebrity wedding dress: 'Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Everything goals.' To make an elegant impact in the evening, prioritise minimal draping over tailoring to create a fluid fit that skims the figure. Make it monochrome Black, white and neutrals were Bessette-Kennedy's preferred palette but feel free to add drama with cool creams, soothing blues and fresh greens. Discipline is key when wearing one colour from top to toe. Update the restraint of the '90s with smooth sequins or subtle lace details for a more modern approach to minimalism. Bessette-Kennedy would break the monochrome rule to wear crisp white shirts with skirts. A T-shirt-style blouse over a satin skirt offers the same cool contrast without drifting into officewear. Make it look easy Leave outrageous up-dos and complicated braids to the aspirants to your style throne. Bessette-Kennedy was the model of simplicity when it came to hair and make-up. 'Most of the girls at Calvin had similar long hair, but Carolyn never blew hers out,' former colleague Stormy Stokes told Sunita Kumar Nair for her book Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion. 'She taught me how to style my own: wash it, flip it up and down twice, then tie it in a top bun, and ride the subway. By the time we would get to the office, we'd take the bun down and our hair would just be ready to go.' Loading For shorter hair look to the ultimate British princess, Diana, who redefined her signature style with slick hair following her 1996 divorce from Prince Charles. 'She was a bit nervous about the slicked-back appearance,' Sam McKnight, Diana's hairdresser told The Telegraph in the UK. 'Like many women, she used to hide behind her hair. But she looked her best when she didn't do anything to it.'
NBC News
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Critics worry Ryan Murphy's new show fails to capture Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's style
A Ryan Murphy production rarely arrives without controversy — and this time, the backlash involves a mis-sized Birkin bag. Murphy's production company this month unveiled camera test photos, and video, of the highly anticipated FX series 'American Love Story' about the tragic romance between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. The images from the show, which started filming in New York City this month and is set to be released in February, gave audiences their first look at how actors Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Kelly portray the 'it' couple, who married in 1996 and died in a plane crash three years later. Only a handful of the costumes were previewed in the online teasers. But many people online appeared outraged by the depiction, calling the style choices a far cry from the iconic fashion that Bessette-Kennedy, who was a former publicist that worked for Calvin Klein, was known for. 'Pure crime against fashion,' a person wrote June 13 on Instagram. Another commented: '1995 styling with 2025 offerings is INSANE work. Back to the drawing board, I beg.' The criticism focused on Pidgeon's outfit in the photos. For some, the boxy brown coat, cropped trousers and empty No. 35 Birkin bag were a deviation from Bessette-Kennedy's signature stuffed-to-the-brim No. 40 designer bag and high-quality minimalist style that made her one of the most notable fashion icons of the 1990s. Other photos and a test video show Pidgeon in a faux leather jacket, a midi silk skirt and Converse. 'The details matter here as she used her image to control the narrative,' said Jack Sehnert, the vice president of international design at Steve Madden and creator of an Instagram account devoted to the style icon, @carolynbessette. 'They could have rummaged eBay for a month or two to find references & originals to make recreations for Sarah.' Others in the fashion world noticed, too. The Cut called the wardrobe choices fast-fashion knockoffs of the high designer style associated with Bessette-Kennedy, and questioned why it seems Murphy's team did not pull straight from fashion archives. Diet Prada, an Instagram account with 3.4 million followers that is known for calling out fashion brands, also posted about the images. In the comments, celebrity stylist Erica Cloud wrote, 'all of this is a no,' and Vogue contributing editor and stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson stressed that while the 'silhouettes look the same. … Zara is very different from vintage Calvin, Narciso, Jil. ... send help.' Others fixated on Pidgeon's platinum blonde hair, which Bessette-Kennedy's colorist told NBC News looked more like a 'Halloween wig' than his former client's signature neutral-warm 'toffee' blonde. 'If they are using that white wig, that's not me. That's not a replica of my work,' said Brad Johns, a celebrity colorist who took Bessette-Kennedy's natural light-brown hair to blonde with a 'chunking' highlighting technique. 'If she saw that hair color on TV, she would be swirling in heaven.' A representative for Murphy and FX did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The backlash prompted Murphy to clarify that the first looks were merely shot for lighting and color tests and do not represent the finalized costumes for either character. In a recent interview with Variety, he said the camera test images were released early to pre-empt paparazzi leaks and called the release a 'mistake.' 'If I ever do something like that again, I have to put a warning label on the top of the caption, explaining to people what the process is,' Murphy said. He added that the production is committed to nailing authenticity and has a dedicated 10-person 'style advisory board' to help reference and source Bessette-Kennedy's wardrobe. The show also has Bessette‑Kennedy's items, including her iconic Prada boots, and it is crafting a replica of her 1996 wedding dress. He also said that in the test photos, Pidgeon was wearing a wig. Still, Murphy said he was surprised by the negative comments. 'There were comments like, 'I hate that coat, Carolyn would never have worn that,'' he said. 'That was just a coat we threw on for color. People were writing, 'How dare you use the No. 35 Birkin bag? She wore a 40!' Yes, we have a 40, but we just threw on a bag from another costume department because that was the sound stage we were on.' The stakes, however, remain high. Unlike other biopic subjects, Bessette-Kennedy did not write a memoir or frequently speak to the media, and her public life was meticulously curated like her clothing. Her image lives on almost exclusively through paparazzi photos — photos that have been dissected and cataloged for a generation of fashion aficionados. 'The real issue here is that she wore too few outfits publicly over a very small period of time in the spotlight,' Sehnert said in an email, noting that her clothing became her public identity because she did not speak to the media. 'Her image lives on so prominently that any outfits that were not direct recreations were bound to disappoint.' The mythology around Bessette-Kennedy grew after she died in 1999 in a plane crash with JFK Jr. and her sister, elevating her from fashion 'it' girl to America's Princess Diana. Today, social media accounts like Sehnert's, which boasts almost 64,000 followers, are dedicated to Bessette-Kennedy. In the era of 'quiet luxury,' her minimalist, no-label style carries even great cultural weight. 'Carolyn, unlike her contemporary Lady Di, lives in our memory in a handful of classic outfits,' Sehnert said. 'You cannot simply exchange one camel coat with another here, because we only saw her in ONE.' Sehnert said that because of Bessette-Kennedy's fashion influence, he thinks it's 'fantastic that any entirely new generation is placing her style on a pedestal' and speaking out about the initial 'American Love Story' photos. 'Unfortunately, the public and press were not kind to [Bessette-Kennedy] during her short life, so at least she continues to garner respect in death,' he said. 'It's fabulous to see the effort & careful curation of her wardrobe inspire so many 26 years later. For better or worse, her poise under intense scrutiny & wardrobe choices are her legacy.' In an Instagram story after the stills were unveiled, JFK Jr.'s nephew Jack Schlossberg did not weigh on the fashion choices and said the Kennedy family was not consulted on the series. 'Lately, my news feed has been filled with pictures of my uncle, John F. Kennedy Jr., a great man,' he said, according to Entertainment Weekly, which reported on the story Thursday before it disappeared from Schlossberg's feed. 'For those wondering whether his family was ever consulted, or has anything to do with the new show being made about him, the answer is no, and there's really not much we can do.' But the initial 'American Love Story' costume disappointment has not yet deterred fans or even some of the biggest Bessette-Kennedy admirers.
CNN
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Look of the Week: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and the heightened stakes of costume design
The 'wrong' shade of blonde; a deflated, empty Birkin bag; and a camel coat so stiff it looks 'like a brick,' according to one Substack writer. These are the main complaints of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy fans, who this week jumped to the defense of the late fashion publicist, whose memorable style many considered was being inaccurately portrayed in Ryan Murphy's latest biopic. On Saturday, Murphy, the TV producer and creator of 'Glee,' and 'Pose,' shared a first look at the upcoming drama, 'American Love Story,' which chronicles the tumultuous relationship and untimely demise of Bessette-Kennedy and her husband John F. Kennedy Jr. (played by Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Kelly). A 'fashion travesty' is what one user commented underneath the Instagram post teasing the images, noting that 'Carolyn would never put these looks together. The fabrics are shoddy. Drape all wrong.' Indeed, in Murphy's lighting test shots, the trusty, well-worn black Hermès Birkin bag that Bessette-Kennedy was often photographed carrying looked box-fresh, rigid and flat. Her camel coat appeared waxy and poorly tailored — something, commenters pointed out, went against everything the fashion titan stood for. Others also pointed out that Pidgeon's hair was incorrectly colored, washing her out and making her look ashy. Even Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's original hair colorist, Brad Johns, joined the conversation. 'No one would believe that Carolyn in the '90s would ever have that color from me. It's too 2024,' he told Vogue. 'When she sees that color, she's going to be swirling in heaven.' At first glance, the internet's visceral reaction to a piece of streaming entertainment may appear outsized. But it also reveals a new, intense standard which biopic costume designers are expected to adhere to, and the depths of public emotions that remain for Bessette-Kennedy even 25 years after her death. Related video How Colin Firth's wet shirt in BBC's 'Pride and Prejudice' sparked Austen-mania Bessette-Kennedy's journey from the Calvin Klein public relations department to becoming in-laws with then-US first lady Jackie Kennedy has captivated public interest for years. But her legacy extends far beyond the Kennedy surname, thanks to her strong visual identity and knack for sleek, casual dressing. In 2017, Gabriela Hearst told Vanity Fair that Bessette-Kennedy had an 'inner elegance' and was 'not of this earth, in a way.' Sotheby's, which auctioned off a series of Bessette-Kennedy's personal pieces (which included clothing from Yohji Yamamoto and Prada) for a total of $177,600 in 2024, called her 'the closest thing America ever had to their own Princess Diana.' As reverence for Bessette-Kennedy endures, it is perhaps unsurprising that any on-screen portrayal of the style icon would be subject to extreme scrutiny. Only two actors have dared take on the role before: Portia de Rossi in 2003 for the TV movie 'America's Prince: The John F. Kennedy Jr. Story,' and Erica Cox, who in 2017 briefly appeared in the four-episode mini-series 'The Kennedys: After Camelot.' Today, the stakes for Murphy's project — perhaps the most mainstream example, set to premiere on Hulu in 2026 — seem higher, as interest in Bessette-Kennedy has not only maintained since 1999, but mounted further. From recent books dedicated to her enviable dress sense and the details of her marriage to JFK Jr. to the Instagram accounts with thousands of followers dissecting her aesthetic, Murphy's new film has the potential to capitalize on a new wave of CBK adoration. However, the downside of more fans means more opinions. In the age of biopics — more than 20 were released in 2023 alone, and another 10 in the works currently — a passing likeness to the public figure in question will not suffice. In 2018, Gary Oldman spent more than 200 hours in the hair and makeup chair, weathering heavy prosthetics that added over half his body weight to accurately portray Winston Churchill. Part of Lily James's transformation when starring in the controversial 'Pam and Tommy' 2022 Hulu series was a fake forehead and custom-made dentures. In the fashion department, costumes are expected to be original items. Marisa Abela wore a cardigan and Pink Ladies varsity jacket that belonged to Amy Winehouse for the 2024 film on the late singer-songwriter. And when struggling to access Bob Dylan's personal wardrobe for 'A Complete Unknown' (a fictionalized account of the musician's life), the film's costume designer Arianne Phillips partnered with denim specialist Levi's to recreate an exact bespoke pair of the same Super Slims silhouette that Dylan wore. This high standard of character embodiment has given audiences a discerning eye, where even the slightest perceived inaccuracies are considered irredeemable. In the case of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, it feels particularly egregious because 'the wardrobe is a main character in this story,' as one disgruntled stylist wrote under Murphy's post. 'This breaks my heart.' Perhaps the pain also runs deep because fashion enthusiasts understand the importance of clothes as a medium to express one's identity to the wider world — and the strife of making sure you feel like yourself every day. Not only did Bessette-Kennedy seem to have mastered that difficult task; she also embodied the minimalist style of the decade while simultaneously being ahead of her time. Little wonder she has remained a mood board fixture for designers and editors alike. To sully that legacy seems like sartorial sacrilege.
Vogue
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
The Anatomy of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's Style
In the 25-plus years since Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy died, she has remained a perennial style inspiration, a source of endless stories (like this one) on how to 'steal her look.' But, as we were recently reminded, replicating Bessette-Kennedy's '90s minimalism is a tougher task than one might imagine. In March, Ryan Murphy announced that he had cast Broadway breakout Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette-Kennedy in his forthcoming FX series, American Love Story. And just last week, the showrunner released the first images of Pidgeon alongside her co-star, Paul Kelly. While Kelly was lauded for his resemblance to John F. Kennedy Jr., Pidgeon's CBK grew criticism, largely in part for her wardrobe: a flimsy brown coat over a black turtleneck, cropped trousers, slingback kitten heels, and an empty Birkin. Many dissenters were quick to point out that just because a garment mimics Bessette-Kennedy's minimalist wardrobe, that doesn't mean it hits the mark. 'I know the silhouettes look the same but Zara is very different from vintage Calvin, Narciso, Jil,' stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson commented on an Instagram post. '[S]orry but the wardrobe is wrong,' Moda Operandi founder Lauren Santo Domingo agreed. A fashion publicist for Calvin Klein, Bessette-Kennedy had an exacting eye for fashion, filling her wardrobe with Prada, Helmut Lang, Jil Sander, and Yohji Yamamoto. (She was especially fond of Yamamoto, who gave her sleek style an avant-garde flair.) That's not to suggest it was entirely inaccessible: she was loyal to Levi's 517s and stocked up on her favorite headbands at a local New York apothecary, C.O. Bigelow. But to assume her considered style, tailored to a tee, could be replicated without effort would be a mistake. In Elements of Style, we're distilling a celebrity's fashion sense into its most basic components. Here, we break down the five key pieces in Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's closet. Copycats, take note! Statement Outerwear When it works, it works! A Prada acolyte, Bessette-Kennedy incorporated the belted outerwear into her wardrobe in both black and camel. But while her palette was usually muted, that didn't stop her from experimenting with texture, pattern, and color, like the ruffled Yohji coat she wore to the 'Newman's Own' George Awards, or the red plaid Prada number she wore out and about in NYC.
