Lesbian fashion has been stereotyped for ages. When people think of it, they usually have unflattering images of the butch, androgynous, or plain-flannel-and-plaid-clad woman with no bra underneath. Cliché, right? Thankfully, there are lesbian fashion icons who prove that taste and style have nothing to do with gender.
Lesbian fashion icons who rock the fashion industry
While there are some lesbians who need help in the style department, most people are unaware of the sweeping influence of lesbians on the fashion industry. There are so many lesbian celebrities, artists, professionals, activists, etc. who have greatly influenced how people dress today. There are more out there who are breaking stereotypes by being their stylish selves.
Here are our five favorites from the many notable lesbian fashion icons who are making their mark in the industry:
Cara Delevingne
Supermodel/Actress
Delevingne’s bold style at the 2017 Met Gala was simply stunning, dressed as she was in head-to-toe (literally) silver. More dizzying is the list of campaigns and runway shows she’s been part of since she started modeling at 16.
This lesbian fashion icon also appeared in several movies, most recently Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets and Tulip Fever.
Fansite: www.cara-delevingne.com
Image credit: Celebrity News
Robin Roberts
Anchorwoman
The anchor of Good Morning America has several awards under her belt, including Reader’s Digest’s Most Trusted Person on Television 2013. Her leadership and professionalism also bagged the show a few Emmy awards.
This lesbian fashion icon, whose outfits have a following all over the internet, came out in 2013 and won the hearts of many more women, lesbian or not, because she does her job so well and looks so good while doing it.
Website: rocknrobin.tv
Image credit: Essence
Casey Legler
The World’s First Female Male Model
Talk about making waves in the fashion industry. The 6’2” former Olympic swimmer was the first woman to land a contract with Ford Models as an exclusively male model.
For Legler, however, it was not just about being a lesbian fashion icon. She wanted her celebrity status to make life easier for kids who struggle with being different. She is also an artist, activist, and assistant general manager of Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn.
Legler was married earlier this year to her girlfriend Siri, a United Nations Program Coordinator.
Facebook: fb/caseyleglerartist
Image credit: The Luxury Spot
Lauren Bedford Russell
Actress/Jewelry Designer/CEO
Russell was the star of The Real L Word, which ran for three seasons, and CEO of Lyon Fine Jewelry. She worked for Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry before launching her own line.
Her aesthetic has a decidedly cool, sexy, and edgy look, with black rhodium and black diamonds being a staple in her work.
She has also drawn spotlight on certain issues through her charity bracelets, such as the “Be Positive’ (Multiple Sclerosis), “Rock the Vote” (bringing political power to young people), “Rock the Equality” (LGBTQ rights), and “Eternity” (ASPCA) bracelets.
Instagram: @laurenbedfordrussell
Lyon Fine Jewelry: lyonfinejewelry.com
Image credit: Huffington Post
Tabatha Coffey
Hair Stylist/Businesswoman/TV Personality
This straight-talking, no-nonsense hair stylist, businesswoman, and TV personality shot to fame after participating in the reality show Shear Genius.
She went on to host her own show, Tabatha Takes Over, helping hair salons turn failing businesses around in a week. The show ran from August 2008 to June 2013.
This lesbian fashion icon is now a judge on the #SoColorful Challenge show, where hairstylists compete for the best hair transformations on a hair color virgin.
Official website: tabathacoffey.com
Image credit: Phoenix New Times