Every piece of clothing we decide to wear has been inspired by someone important in our lives, whether it be our family friends or celebrities. All of the trends in the 21st century were influenced by early fashion icons. The most notable style icons have been Audrey Hebrun and her little black dress, Diana Ross and her diva-like wigs and gowns, Elizabeth Taylor and her eye-catching jewelry, Grace Kelly and her sophisticated style, Jackey Kennedy and her chic fashion sense, Katherine Kepburn and her menswear style, Lauren Bacall and her print combinations, Madonna and her extravagant costumes, and Marilyn Monroe and her trendsetting curves. Fashion is a never-ending cycle, styles are constantly going in and out and new influencers are taking the fashion industry by storm.

The hotel heiress, Paris Hilton, is the face of the early 2000’s. While many of Hilton’s critics labeled her as “famous for being famous,” Hilton had an eye for fashion and inspired your look today more than anyone realizes. Some of Hilton’s most iconic trends include matching tracksuits, oversized aviator sunglasses, trucker hats, millennial pink (the best one of course), low rise jeans, graphic tees, pink lip gloss, side bangs, tiaras and bedazzled cell phones.

Not only has her existence had an impact on the early 2000’s, but her trends still make an impact in what we wear today. Some of her trends, such as tinted aviators and millennial pink, have survived the early 2000s and have carried over into the following decades as well. She is even working with friend and fellow influencer Kim Kardashain to bring back velour tracksuits, which were once popular with the brand “Juicy Couture.”

Rachel Berman, class of 2018 and current junior at the University of Wisconsin, said, “I loved wearing the matching tracksuits when I was in elementary school and in middle school. I am so happy they are back in style and I can wear them again with my friends for football game days.”

Emma Chamberlain has taken over the fashion industry. Chamberlain began her career on Youtube in 2017, creating “a day in my life,” “what I eat in a day,” and “clothing haul” videos. The young, ordinary girl became an internet sensation with her intriguing lifestyle and fashion sense. After a year of filming and editing her own videos, Chamberlain signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) and her career skyrocketed. By 18, Chamberlain had dropped out of high school to focus on Youtube and moved to Los Angeles. With 9.65 million Youtube subscribers and 11.3 million Instagram followers, Chamberlain’s mannerisms and fashion sense are constantly influencing others.

While students may know the name Emma Chamberlain for her funny Youtube videos and her charismatic personality, she does not get the credit she deserves for her influence on the fashion industry. Although she shopped at mainstream stores like Brandy Mellvile and Urban Outfitters, Chamberlain made thrifting for clothes mainstream and “cool.” As a 16-year-old, Chamberlain had a unique style that was a combination of 80s, 90s, and 2000s all combined. Her outfits consisted of high-waisted mom jeans or high-waisted sweatpants that were either from the stores or thrifted. Her tops all had one thing in common, they were cropped, and she cut and cropped anything from sweaters, to sweatshirts, to polo shirts, which is what every teenager or young adult is wearing today.

Besides creating her own merchandise, coffee brand, and her own planner book, Chamberlain also has attended Paris Fashion week with the brand Louis Vuitton. “Checking Emma Chamberlain’s Instagram feed to see what she’s wearing has become a new-found hobby of mine. I think she is the biggest fashion influence of our generation and she doesn’t get enough credit for it. She continually is creating new trends and all it takes is for her to post a single picture in a piece of clothing and next thing you know, it’s the next big thing,” senior Rachel Son said.