The Twelve Disciples

Before I jet off telling and showing you all of the awe-inspiring fashion that has awe-inspired me, I would like to begin with informing you of those who inspire me as far as style innovators go. These people have a je ne sais quoi  about them that emits confidence and exuberance when they parade around in their avant-garde fashion choices. These fashionistas were way ahead of their time when donning apparel, and reinforced the notion that you should wear what makes you feel most comfortable. Conforming to the normal is not their cup of tea. 

1. Isabella Blow 

This fashion Goddess loved fashion more than life. The native Brit is the true Emily, the girl with the job that a million girls wanted (The Devil Wears Prada). Isabella Blow moved across the pond and became the assistant to the HBIC herself Anna Wintour. After a fortunate career with fashion's Bible, Vogue, she moved back to London and became the Fashion Director of the renowned publication Tatler. Discovering talents such as Sophie Dahl, Stella Tennant and single handedly hoisted the careers of Philip Treacy and the beloved Alexander McQueen, Blow's passion for fashion was unearthly. She inspires me because she was the face that launched a thousand designs, she did not conform to humanity's conservative outlook on what was appropriate to don, and she was fabulous, glamorous, and always stylish every single day of her lavishly lived life.  

"If you don't wear lipstick I can't talk to you. You need to have lips - They are important for getting men" - Isabella Blow. 

2. Hamish Bowles 

Hamish Bowles is the International Editor at Large for Vogue Magazine. He hails from England and started his career there as Fashion Editor and Style Director of Harpers and Queen Magazine. Before rising to his current and astounding position at Vogue, Bowles held many other positions including Style Editor and European Editor at Large at the illustrious magazine. Hamish has also done creative consulting at the famed Costume Institute Exhibit, an annual soiree at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. He inspires me because he is not afraid to color outside of the lines with his fashion. As a male, following conventional fashion trends for men is almost a must, but Hamish flaunts his jazzy style with pride. Not to mention this man has my dream job! He is a style innovator and should be on your watch list. 

3. Iris Apfel

This native New Yorker never followed Coco Chanel's rule: Always take off the last thing you put on. To Iris Apfel the last thing she put on was just the beginning. Known around New York for her sense of style, this accessories queen is sure to be found with sleeves of bracelets wherever she is. Apfel use to work for the acclaimed Women's Wear Daily and can be seen around New York's fashion scene at any given time. Iris Apfel inspires me because her assumed belief that too much is never too much, is just enough. Enough to be an inspiration to fashionistas around the globe. You can never be to old to exhibit your unique style and Mrs. Apfel is a living testimony of that. 

"More is more and less is a bore." -Iris Apfel 

4. Nicholas Wooster 

 A cross between dandy, bad boy, and military stud, Nicholas Wooster is an up and coming icon sensation. As the former Men's Fashion Director for Bergdorf Goodman, Wooster has popped up in the fashion world because of his dapper debonair looks that he has displayed at fashion shows around New York City. He currently just left his position as Executive Vice President of Private Brands at none other than JCPenny. With his edgy arm sleeve tattoos and handlebar mustache you can follow this hunky fellow on his tumblr blog which seems to be all the rage, or stalk him at his yearly trips to New York's elite Fire Island. Wooster inspires me because he is handsome, middle aged, and is not afraid to show off his quirky style for plaid three piece suits. Nor does he adhere to business regulations by wearing shorts and a blazer to his first day at JCPenny. This man is daring and its inspiring.


5. Lady Gaga

 Lady Gaga the princess of pop and a new fashion icon in her own, has taken the fashion world by storm. Perhaps one of the most famous people on planet earth, Gaga needs no introduction. We are all very much aware of her, her fashion sense and just about everything else about this megastar. The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has presented Gaga with the Fashion Icon Award and Time Magazine has placed her on their "All-Time 100 Fashion Icon Lists". She inspires me because she has solitarily changed the fashion world on many different accounts. Lady Gaga, one could argue, brought back punk, grunge, and rock and roll in all the outfits that her fashion house, Haus of Gaga, designed for her. She has also influenced famed couturiers throughout fashion empires, set major fashion trends globally and encouraged little monsters throughout the world to wear their clothes with confidence. Lady Gaga changed not only the direction of designer's collections, but has also raised the bar when it came to performance attire among fellow pop-stars such as Katy Perry, Nikki Minaj, and Ke$ha. She is a fashion/style/designing powerhouse and I look forward to her future adventures with fashion.


6. Brad Goreski

 Canadian cutie, Brad Goreski, has given a new face to Geek-chic. Known for his signature snappy preppy nerdy boy attire, Brad has taken the hearts of many aspiring stylists to be and sparks their flair for daring new trends that are sophisticated yet fresh. Goreski interned for Vogue magazine and W magazine before starting his styling career with superstar stylist Rachel Zoe. After splitting ways with Zoe, Brad dove into his own style endeavors and became the head stylist for many A-list celebrities. In 2010 Goreski became the Exclusive Brand Stylist for Kate Spade New York. Brad Goreski inspires me because he is a trailblazer for style and trends. He is sure to be spotted gallivanting through fashion parties throughout the East and West Coasts with the latest menswear designer duds accompanying him in the most effortlessly smart way. He and I are both stylists and just seeing his success inspires me in itself. I always look forward to see how Brad dons the most recent garments that just walked off the runways and will continue to do so.


7. Daphne Guinness

 Named best dressed on Tatler's Top 10 Best Dressed list, Daphne Guinness is a sensational fashion pioneer. A New York socialite and Guinness beer heiress, Daphne has been known to design and construct her own clothing on days in which she simply could not find something that fit her mood at the time. With high society friends such as Andy Warhol, Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow its no shocker that this beauty has embraced fashion and made a name for herself within the community. Daphne Guinness inspires me because she was avant-garde when avant-garde was not so mainstream. Without the media lens documenting her every move as an incentive to dress immaculately, Guinness has stayed true to who she is no matter where she is and stayed true to fashion. She is truly a living fashion icon.   

8. Karl Lagerfeld 

 Karl Lagerfeld the Head Designer and Creative Director for the glamorous fashion house Chanel. He owns his own fashion house and is also the Creative Director for Fendi. With two very well established fashion houses under his belt its no brainer that Karl is an impeccably dressed man himself. He is mostly known for is signature white hair pulled back, black sunglasses, high white collars and his rock and roll pizzazz to his formal attire. He inspires me because he is not only the designing successor or Mademoiselle Coco Chanel herself, but he also knows what he loves, and sticks to what he knows. 

"What I really love are little black dresses."  -Karl Lagerfeld 

9. The Olsen Twins 

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are easily fashions most famous twins. Growing up as television child stars, these two have since then turned their interests to a new enterprise. Fashion. These girls love fashion and are famously known for their bohemian-bourgeois sense of style. They own their own couture fashion label called The Row and a more contemporary collection called Elizabeth & James. These two can be seen rubbing shoulders with fashion's elite and sitting at all the top designer's fashion shows during the major fashion weeks all around the world. They inspire me because as a kid I always related to them. They are twins and I am a triplet and we are around the same age. These two have a knack for fashion and I admire everything they do. They started a fashion craze with their boho-chic trends and have been a powerful force in the fashion scene. 

10. King Louis XIV of France 

King Louis XIV was a remarkable man. Little know of how he used fashion to control the nobility and express his power. The Sun King required nobility to purchase lavish clothes for all types of formal ceremonies that went on in France. This was a way to ensure that nobility would go into debt. Louis XIV started wearing heels that were four inches and some a little higher which resembled the elevation of his retinue above the rest of the world. This started a trend that was so popular it spread like wildfire throughout Europe. This great king of France inspires me because he essentially established his power through fashion. Any man that incorporates fashion into law is good in my book, and this man was notorious for doing just that. Fashion was a part of his life. He wanted people to look good and wanted people to want to look good. I love getting dressed up for all types of occasions and in a recent trip to Versailles I paid homage to the Sun King, Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette by sporting my own 16th century inspired extravagant outfit. 

11. André Leon Talley 

Mr. André Leon Talley is large and in charge and is not afraid to let everyone know it. Frequenting the front rows at fashion shows in Paris, New York, Milan and London, the former Editor at Large (no pun intended) at Vogue is a fashionisto from another dimension. Talley can be seen blanketed in kimonos, or draped in his signature elegant capes while he's out scouting the new fashion designs of the season. This man inspires me because he embraces all of who he is and is comfortable in his own skin. He is a role model for many young boys and girls out there who are seeking acceptance and approval from their own communities. I believe Andre Leon Talley has encouraged many young people to live their lives just as they are. 

12. Lynn Yaeger

 Lynn Yaeger is a fashion soul from the roaring twenties lost in modern day New York City. As a contributing editor to Vogue.com and a contributing writer to Vogue, Yaeger is unmistakable with her signature red bob and her astounding heart shaped dark plum lips. Dark purple rosettes of blush finish off her look and this icon is ready to hit the scene. She inspires me because she like many of the others who have inspired me is one who knows what looks good and sticks to it. They are different than any other John Doe out there and their looks are unmistakable. I believe that what style is, something that you create for yourself that looks good, works for you and does not conform to what society thinks you should be wearing. Lynn Yaeger has found her style niche and she looks marvelous.