As you know, the criteria for the WOW Best Dressed List is a little different than that of, say, People’s or Vanity Fair’s. We don’t fawn over Taylor Swift’s award show choices or reward the Duchess of Cambridge for playing it safe. We don’t care about Alexa Chung, Jenna Lyons, or Karolina Kurkova. And sure, Kerry Washington is pretty and her outfits (both on-screen and on the red carpet) are amaaaazing, but would she really dress like that without a phalanx of stylists at her beck and call?
At WOW, we honor the people whose style comes from within, whose look is a reflection of their personality. We pay homage to the people who disregard fashion trends, or bend them to suit their needs. We bow down to the rule-breakers, style-makers, and no-hostage-takers who truly take it to the edge of fashion. For us, it’s less about actual style-setters and more about the people who make us question the very nature of style.
Now, sit back, relax, grab yourself a nice cup of Thera-flu and vodka, and BEHOLD! the men and women of the WOW BEST DRESSED LIST!
The goddess Phillipe Blond of the design duo The Blonds, whose beaded, feathered, corseted extravagance evokes the madness of Thierry Mugler in the ’80s and ’90s, and whose over-the-top fashion shows are a drag queen’s wet dream. Phillipe, herself, is a gorgeous cross between Diamond Castle Barbie, Donatella Versace, and a disco ball – the perfect embodiment of the duo’s brand. We can’t get enough of her.
Leigh Lezark, the beautiful downtown-DJ-turned-uptown-fashionista who straddles social stratas like a pro, never forsaking her own eclectic style in the process.
Performance artists Squeaky Blond and Boy Child, redefining cultural beauty norms and showing us new ways to be fabulous.
Here we have two opposite ends of the aging spectrum. First up is the ever-fabulous Mamie Van Doren, ’50s-bombshell-turned-21st-century-party-girl. At 82, Mamie still wields her sexuality like a mallet. Not for her are the higher necklines, delicate granny prints, and muted pastels usually reserved for women her age. Instead, Mamie rocks leather and lace and girlish bows, with her boobs pushed out, her waist cinched tight, and wears only the highest of heels. Mamie is not going gently into that good night, oh no – she’s kicking and fighting every step of the way, and God bless her. On anyone else, it might be sad, but Mamie is so gosh-darn open and full of joy, it’s hard to find fault in her sartorial choices. If she wants to be sexy at her age, who are we to stop her?
On the other hand, how marvelous to see someone like former Danish model Birgit (Gitte) Lee age with style and grace. She’s really figured out that whole hiding your flaws/accentuating your positives thing, hasn’t she? With her turbans, furs, and opulent, oversized accessories, Gitte is a great example of someone whose personal style just keeps on evolving through the years.
Superstar stylist and fashion editor Carlyne Cerf Du Dudzeele who brought street fashion to haute couture and showed the world how to mix high and low labels with her signature pizazz. We T’ADOOOOORE!
New York downtown superstar Leo GuGu, seen here wearing a gown made of actual garbage bags. Now THAT’S actual street style!
Time traveling artistic wonders Eve and Adele and stylist/designer/liver of LIFE Rosemary Ponzo. Never met them before, but they sure look like fun.
Whether she’s real or not doesn’t really matter because nobody screamed FASHION louder this year than Myrtle Snow. With her witchy Grace Coddington meets my Aunt Ruby sense of style, she steals every scene on this season of American Horror Story: Coven. Kudos to actress Francis Conroy for creating such an indelible character that will be referenced in fashion collections for decades to come.
And finally louche and sexy singer/songwriter/cellist King Charles aka the guy with the BEST. HAIR. EVER. .
