Alice through the Looking Glass

Written by Becca Hutson | Friday, December 19, 2008 | Comment on this article | + Share

This year the fash pack have been out in force, all competing for Style Icon of 2008 – with everyone from Victoria Beckham and her 10 strong collection of forties and fifties inspired dresses, to Mary Kate Olsen with her high – fashion, high – octane drama, churning out one enviable look after the next. Although ‘fashion icon’ was once a title worn by models, It – Girls and the occasional clued up actress, now pop stars are in on the act too, with Rosin Murphy and her quirky, eclectic, vintage – inspired wardrobe and Rhianna’s flirtation with leather and PVC, all had us on the brink of seats waiting to see what was next.

But for me, there is just one icon of 2008. Stepping away from obvious trends and publicity grabbing sexuality, Alice Dellal represents a new era of laid-back, deconstructed noughties grunge – with her laddered tights, scuffed Dr. Martins and lumberjack shirts always accompanied by thigh skimming minis and a vintage leather jacket. Add to this that statement half – shaved head to create a signature look and a healthy dose of bad ass attitude, chipped nail polish and nose stud and, yet another British fashion icon is born.

Her look is so unique, and a welcomed antidote to the acrylic – nailed, hair extension-ed ‘just done’ beauty which dominates elsewhere. Dellal is raw and dares to be different; even her catwalk persona that we saw at Vivienne Westwood’s Red A/W’08 – all pale skin, bloody red lips and oversized clothing isn’t a million miles from the socialite we see on the arms of Pixie and Daisy.

But we mustn’t forget that with her half-shaved head comes a half-head of cascading golden hair which suits the vintage couture she wore at Paris Fashion Week this year, as she partied with her more wholesome sister Charlotte.

We love Alice because she dares to be different; referencing rebel girls like Courtney Love and Nancy Spungen, she sticks two fingers up to conventional fashion; causing one fashion editor to say ‘I just don’t get it. Baffling. She looks yukky, like she walked out of 1990s Nirvana video’.

The future is bright for Dellal; with a blossoming modelling career ahead (Mango, Agent Provocateur, Fendi and Karl Lagerfield) she could be a punky Jerry Hall and with her look providing the inspiration for Topshop’s current Unique Collection, her place in the Style Icon Hall of Fame seems very secure. Alice Dellal, our fashion icon (oclast).