There are no words for the impact Whitney Houston made on the music industry when she passed away in her Beverly Hills home just hours before she was to attend a pre-Grammy Awards party. However, the world also lost a fashion icon last week. Throughout her lifetime, her ensemble consisted of statement shoulders, an undying love for sequins and fur, and her fabulous hair.
As a teen, Whitney was a fashion model, and was the first African American woman to grace the cover of Seventeen Magazine. She went on to model for several magazines, including Glamour. Never one to shy away from bold textures and colors, Whitney Houston was in every way the superstar her legacy describes her to be. Her big hair decorated with the trend-setting giant hair bow and arm warmers has become a classic look for the 80’s. In the late 80’s, Whitney was often seen in a men’s jacket styled with mildly-padded shoulders, a look that still frequent red carpet events today. Her most recognizable look was during a live performance of her hit song “All At Once.”
However, she also knew how to pull off simplicity, wearing a monochromatic pink knit dress for the “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video. As she grew older, she grew more tame, picking elegant dresses matched with sleek hairstyles. She also had a sense of humor, showing up to the ’98 VMAs donning the same dress Mariah Carey wore to promote her song “When You Believe.” Decades into her fame, Whitney remained fashion-forward until her death. The woman was truly an icon in all facets of her life. Though her life ended too early, her legacy will always live on. R.I.P. Whitney Houston.
Cindy Yuan
