Women We Love- Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, known by many simply by the initials of CBK, was the 90s it-girl we still look to for inspiration! Her short but eventful marriage to John F. Kennedy Jr., impressive career as a Calvin Klein publicist, and reputation as the style icon of Tribeca, established Carolyn as a force to be reckoned with in New York society.

On September 21, 1996, Carolyn Bessette married John F. Kennedy Jr. in a secret ceremony on a tiny island off the coast of Georgia, wearing pearl-white silk, crêpe wedding dress designed by Narciso Rodriguez. The gown went on to become one of the most iconic wedding dresses of the 90s, and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s minimalist and classic style were born in the eyes of the public. Stepping out of her Tribeca apartment hand-in-hand with her beloved John, CBK was the picture of effortless style.

candid shot paparazzi — “She possessed a certain, clean, simple, and refined style that has undoubtedly withstood the test of time”

She possessed a certain, clean, simple, and refined style that has undoubtedly withstood the test of time. According to a close friend, confidant, and author RoseMarie Terenzio in her 2014 memoir about the Kennedys, Fairy Tale Interrupted, Carolyn’s style was, “not just about fashion, but also the way she carried herself with quiet confidence and relatability.” Carolyn’s favorite scent? According to New York Magazine, it was a $12 bottle of Egyptian Musk Oil: a warm, woodsy, and pleasant scent perfect for day-to-night activities.

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While her face with bright eyes, bold, defined brows, and full, matte lips, could be found on the cover of major gossip magazines and publications in the mid-late 90s, Carolyn kept her personal life as private as possible following her marriage. With no known interviews and little-to-no footage of her life through the lenses of family and friends, she was a woman shrouded in mystery. She achieved what many individuals who find themselves in the limelight thought to be impossible: maintaining her privacy while shooting to the top of the headlines as a paparazzi target for her whirlwind love story and chic, elegant style.

The Vanity Stories girl finds inspiration in Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s tenacity for life, unparalleled style, and grace. Her unwillingness to be swayed by harsh words and constant comparison to other Kennedy women is a testament to her strong spirit and appetite for change. CBK will forever be in our hearts as the true queen of New York City’s 90s scene.