About Celebrity Style

History

The motion picture industry has played a major role in the fashion consciousness pervading western society and those influenced by it. Hollywood, in particular, has paved the way for numerous sales of ensembles resembling those worn by desirable actresses in films. Throughout the 1930s to the 1950s, the hairstyles, makeup and outfits donned by actresses such as Jean Harlow, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly served as the beauty standard. Designers were commissioned by film studios to dress celebrities attractively for the camera, and star costumers like Gilbert Adrian, Walter Plunkett, Edith Head and Orry Kelly became indispensable to the industry.

On a daily basis, tabloids and blogs featuring the best- and worst-dressed celebrities are accessible to anyone who cares to look. Any fashion lover searching for the trends to avoid or try for herself can use these as guidelines, whether she is consciously aware of it or not--after all, reason goes to show that if a particular style of dress is worn by women considered as lovely as Demi Moore, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Aniston and Catherine Zeta-Jones, it must be something special.

Advertisers know that psychologically, creating an association between a face that arouses positive emotions in buyers and their wares is a tactic that can be relied on for successful sales. Whether you flip through the pages of a beauty magazine or switch on your TV, you will more than likely catch a glimpse of attractive celebrities advertising the latest. From cosmetics to beauty services, all the way into the arenas of personal care, jewelry and clothing, a famous name can be found helping companies get the word out about their services and offerings. In fact, it is not at all uncommon for the advertising to take place even as a well-known actress, model or singer attends the functions that go hand in hand with her career. You only have to make it a point to tune in to a few red carpet arrivals on TV to hear each actress inform the interviewer of the designer whose frock she's wearing and the jeweler whose diamonds adorn her neck.

It is understandable how consumers can go overboard on style inspiration. With women's magazines like "Vogue," "In Style," "Glamour" and "Allure" available to subscribe to or purchase from newsstands every month, there are ample opportunities for beauty brands, fashion chains and haute couture designers to make their presence known to potential patrons. As each company invests in ads to catch buyers' attention, the latest fashions and trends lure consumers subconsciously to the stores or online to make purchases.
If you ever suspect that you are experiencing a serious case of "oniomania," which is the term coined for shopping addiction, know that there is help available in the form of reading materials and support groups.

As a self-respecting consumer with a considerable level of discretion, being somewhat aware of the trends espoused by celebrities helps you find what personally works for you when it comes to living a more fulfilled life. Keeping an open mind allows you to peer into celebrity practices non-judgmentally, regardless of how nontraditional or even outrageous these may seem initially in the eyes of the greater public. As an example, this is how you might be inspired perhaps to lead a healthier life through the vegetarian or vegan diets propagated by celebrities who are also animal-rights activists.
Obviously, having a high profile serves a greater purpose than simply being a style icon, and some luminaries are themselves mindful of this. Observe the growing number of personalities who back causes such as the fight against breast cancer, the movement for more eco-friendly consumerism and the rights of women in third-world nations. Apparently, the awareness built up by TV programs such as Oprah Winfrey's can indeed make a difference in society.