The newly-released limited series “American Love Story” has prompted a recent spark in interest and fascination with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (CBK). Decades after her untimely death, she continues to inspire many with a refined take on ‘90s minimalism. Today, minimalism can paradoxically feel overdone and boring, but Carolyn possessed a certain authenticity that set her apart.
After graduating from Boston University, she worked as a saleswoman at a Calvin Klein store in Boston. In an interview, Calvin Klein recalled meeting her: “…[he] took one look at her and said, ‘Come to New York.’” She soon transferred to Manhattan and rose to be the director of publicity, at a time when financial difficulty plagued the company. Her innate vision and sense of creativity lead her to advocate for young model Kate Moss to be the star of the 1992 ad campaign, even though Moss was relatively unknown compared to the other contestants. This campaign helped the company to recover from bankruptcy and revive the brand’s image to be the icon of ‘90s fashion.
Her personal style gained greater attention when she began dating and eventually marrying John F. Kennedy Jr. As a result of being in the spotlight tirelessly, their wedding was intentionally exclusive, with only 35 guests, on a small island in Georgia. For the occasion, Carolyn famously worked with close friend and designer Narciso Rodriguez to design a sleek and simplified silk wedding dress that became an inspiration for generations to come. Reflecting on Carolyn’s relevance today, Rodriguez told Vogue “I think her authenticity really comes across at a time when everything is fiction [like] everything you see on Instagram. I think that’s why she resonates so much….”.
Her signature pieces contributed to a timeless style, including a thick tortoise Charles Wahba headband, rounded sunnies, Prada outerwear and Manolo Blaknik evening shoes and Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto dresses. Though she wore many designer items, she never looked ostentatious and kept a simple silhouette. Chloe Malle of Vogue described CBK’s style as a “…replicable kind of style,” which helps explain why she is still so pertinent. I also talked with women who remember Carolyn’s style in the ‘90s, and they described her: “Everything was simple, clean lines, nothing was fussy, everything was classic.” Another reflected: “with her being married to JFK Jr. all eyes were on Carolyn, and the media scrutinized her but she continued to be classy in the way she presented herself and she had a timeless look that still resonates today.”
As Carolyn’s fashion was a central part of her persona, the internet was astonished when the first images from the “American Love Story” were released. The show faced severe criticism for costuming that did not reflect the taste and quality of Carolyn’s original style. Images were released showing actress Sarah Pidgeon with an unnatural shade of blonde, and what appeared to be low quality and ill fitting attire. The backlash was so widespread that producer Ryan Murphy felt the need to explain in interviews that the photos were just tests and the clothing was just what they had on set. Afterwards, the team hired an advisory board to oversee the costuming and perfect the smallest details to replicate exactly what she wore. The internet’s reaction emphasizes the importance of accurate costuming when portraying characters that had such recognizable identities.
Interest in her wardrobe has begun to grow since late 2024 when Sotheby’s auctioned some of CBK’s personal items. Sarah Staudinger, founder of the clothing label STAUD purchased three highly coveted coats for over $177,000. Another auction this year hosted by independent auctioneer Lucy Bishop that included 25 vintage clothing items similar to what Carolyn wore, four of which are from Carolyn’s personal closet.
Carloyn’s intrinsic fashion sense has inspired many to adapt their personal style and we can all expect to see ‘90s inspired clothing becoming even more popular in the coming year because of this newfound obsession.
By Seren Hughes ‘28, Fashion Editor
