There is no denying that Edie Sedgwick cast a spell on the world. An androgynous, beautiful creature who enjoyed life at its best, as best she could.

words by DIANDRA BARSALOU MITCHELL • Shop The Story/fashion

The Icons series is a weekly shop-the-look feature highlighting iconic women whose style captures a certain sensibility and sets them apart from the status quo, no matter the era, socio-political climate, or popular culture of their time, or ours. Muses— if you will— whose timeless aesthetic causes inspiration season after season.

Edie Sedgwick

There is no denying that Edie Sedgwick cast a spell on the world. She honed her fashion sense into a signature style in the early ‘60s during her brief but intense relationship with Andy Warhol, emerging as the Edie we now recognize. Short blond, sometimes silver hair, a slim figure cut from years of family drama, eating disorders and a penchant for drugs, her distinct beaucoup kohl eyeliner look and the breton striped t-shirt with black leggings ensemble, both of which we would also later see on Twiggy. Edie became the poster child for “poor little rich girl”, both in the namesake film, which Warhol created for her, and in the picture that pop culture painted of her; ruminating in Warhol’s dream-like, avant garde films in her apartment, shopping across manhattan, partying on the Factory scene in ensembles of lingerie dresses, fur coats, tights and chandelier earrings, always a cigarette in hand.

There is a certain beauty to be found in the strength that shines through cracks, like the Japanese method of Kintsugi, re-creating a work of art with gold and broken pieces. Edie always glowed with strength and determination, as much as she did vulnerability. An androgynous, beautiful creature who enjoyed life at its best, as best she could. There are countless songs and movies about her, and she continues to drift in and out of current fashion. She was Betsey Johnson’s first fist model, Diana Vreeland, then the editor of American Vogue, pronounced Sedgwick a “Youthquaker!, and Gloria Schiff, a senior editor called her “an enchanting, remarkable creature of the moment”. In 1994 Sofia Coppola dedicated her Milk Fed collection to Edie’s look, and her style continues to inspire today. Here are three of our favorite Edie Sedgwick looks, and where to shop them.

“I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams.”

  1. The look: Shimmering elegance

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White silk dress, chandelier EARRINGS, metallic shoes, stacked statement rings. puppy optional.

“I act this way because that’s the way I feel like acting. If people like it, fine. If they don’t, that’s their problem.”

2. The look: femME FATALE

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Bustier, waist belt, high waisted trousers.

“It’s not that I’m rebelling. I’m just trying to find another way.”

3. The look: animal Chic

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Leopard coat, layered chain necklace, wide brim fedora, chandelier earrings, striped shirt or dress.

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