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Some fashion icons rocket into the public consciousness and others burn slowly, quietly influencing what the women and men around them choose to pick up and put on. The list we've assembled is more of the latter: accomplished, impressive women who are impacting their various fields with a sartorial side-effect that's at the outset of its power. Here, ballerinas, artists, and more on the brink of style muse'dom—prepare to update your Instagram feed.
Camilla Engstrom
The stat: Painter, illustrator, and textile artist with a focus on the female form.
The style: Brooklyn-meets-the-art-world, with lots of all-black ensembles and retro-inspired pieces that look plucked from the borough's most expertly curated vintage shop.
The story: Engstrom's quirky, thought-provoking artwork and understatedly cool fashion sense have won her a cult following on social media—both mix in her work too. "I like working on clothing as much as I like painting," she says. "With t-shirts and accessories I'm able to reach a wider audience. Through them both I'm hoping to help women boost their confidence." Indeed for Engstrom, a sometimes-model, fashion and art go hand-in-hand: "My style is an extension of my personality."
Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz
The stat: Twin sisters behind Ibeyi, fusing Yoruba, French, and Afro-Cuban influences.
The style: A shared penchant for bold patterns, strong silhouettes, and layered long necklaces.
The story: Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz have caught the ear of music and fashion notables alike, appearing in Beyonce's "Lemonade" video and playing at the Chanel 2017 Cruise show in Cuba. "I find inspiration everywhere," Naomi says of her eclectic taste; for Lisa-Kaindé, "art, masks and people I know" are the springboard for her distinctive, down-to-earth look. "Feeling good in the clothes you're wearing onstage is very important so that you can concentrate on the music, the sharing, and nothing else."
Julia Loomis
The stat: A documentary filmmaker and socialite.
The style: Classics with a purpose; her style choices tell a story.
The story: Loomis tends to straddle two worlds, and her fashion choices reflect it. "My style is split," she says. "Daytime is a classic uniform. Evening I'd describe as expressive." More important than the label or cut, though, is that she's saying something. "Fashion is certainly a vehicle for self-expression, but the older I've become, the more I've started to realize my attitude carries comparable weight. Last night I went to the Philharmonic and wore a white Balmain cape blazer and pants. On the exterior it was an expression of the suffragettes and how lucky as women we are to exercise the right to vote. The final bit was communicating, being educated and conversing with others. That made the fashionable self-expression element even more coherent."
Samantha Duenas
The stat: A DJ, vocalist, and performing artist.
The style: Athleisure-focused, with bomber jackets, sneakers, and classic Adidas.
The story: You might know Duenas better as the superlative-laden @sosupersam and multi-hyphen status affects how she looks at her closet. Practicality, it turns out, is just as important as style. "I travel a lot and spend a ton of time in the studio where you need to feel free and comfortable," she says. "My style is usually easy, practical, and very cozy because of that." While her streetwear-inspired looks rack up the likes on IG, she's a firm believer that real style isn't what you wear, but how you wear it. "At the end of the day what you're wearing is irrelevant if you don't pair it with a good smile and a good attitude. That's the most important form of self-expression."
Courtney Lavine
The stat: A member of the corps de ballet at American Ballet Theatre.
The style: Delicate, feminine fabrics and classic cuts that echo the vibe of classic ballet-wear.
The story: As a dancer, Courtney Lavine (left) has dressed as everything from a swan to a nymph. "I've had the opportunity to wear such beautiful costumes on stage so it's been easy to draw [fashion] inspiration from my job," explains Lavine. "Fashion is just an art form you can wear." Wardrobe-wise, she must be doing something right—recent offstage accomplishments include acting as muse for Chanel in the brand's recent short film All Things Nice. The dance studio is where she explores her personal style the most. "Believe it or not, there is 'ballet style' that's not just happening onstage," she says. "I'm always trying to figure out what leotard, skirt, and warmup combo I want to wear to rehearsals."
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