Jul 11, 2016

Nostalgia Alert: What 15 Fashion Icons Looked Like Back in the Day

by Nicole Kliest

The online community (this author included) loves a good throwback photo. It’s an opportunity to share cute baby pics or embarrassing errors in fashion judgment, and—let’s be honest—it’s also led to many flattering selfies. In fact, the #TBT hashtag has been used over 328 million times on Instagram, further affirming our assumption that there must be something that stimulates a positive chemical reaction in our brains when we see these images.

That’s why when we stumbled upon a handful of archival snapshots of fashion industry giants like Hamish Bowles, Anna Wintour and Suzy Menkes, we knew a roundup was the only answer. And round up we did: See below for 15 playful shots of the figures in our world that are truly pushing the needle in publishing, design, and beyond. And if your flashback appetite isn’t satiated afterward, pick up a copy of Fashion Icons for a good read.

Click through the gallery below for a look at 15 fashion icons and their incredible throwback pictures.

Photo:

Time Life Pictures/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Anna Wintour in the ’90s wearing (and standing alongside) designer Donna Karan.

Photo:

The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Kate Moss, were you ever not cool? Unlikely.

Photo:

Rose Hartman/Getty Images

Designer Michael Kors always ran with the cool crowd.

Photo:

Rose Hartman/Archive Photos/Getty Images

We’d be curious to know if Hamish Bowles still owns this fabulous tartan suit.

Photo:

Ron Galella/Wire Image

An ’80s throwback of Naomi Campbell is as good as it gets.

Photo:

Ron Galella, Ltd./Wire Image

We will love you forever and always, Bill Cunningham.

Photo:

Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock

Her iconic pompadour isn’t the only thing that’s stood to test the time; Suzy Menkes’s work as a journalist and fashion critic continues to add value to our industry year after year.

Photo:

PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty Images

Nice stems, André Leon Talley!

Photo:

Foc Kan/Wire Image

Double whammy! Julia Restoin Roitfeld with daughter Carine at a Jean Paul Gaultier party.

Photo:

Foc Kan/Wire Image

How charming are photographer Mario Testino’s locks in this photograph from the ’90s?

Photo:

Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Whether it’s 1979 or 2016, with Karl Lagerfeld it’s sunglasses or bust.

Photo:

Christopher Simon Sykes/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Annie Leibovitz at a Rolling Stones tour in 1975.

Photo:

Ron Galella/WireImage

We vote for Marc Jacobs to grow his hair long again; who’s with us?

Photo:

Richard Young/REX/Shutterstock

Grace Coddington takes tuxedo dressing to the next level.

Photo:

Getty Images

Not many fashion designers can say they partied with Bianca Jagger—Calvin Klein can.

Want to shop similar classic looks? Head to Net-a-porter.com.

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