My obsession with fashion and beauty began something like this: played in mom’s closet at 4, not-so-secretly trimmed my own hair at 5, insisted upon sleeping in all of my new shoes at 6, wore white leather fringe boots to school at 7, bought first Teen magazine at 8, opened my first in-home retail “store” at 9 (so what if I never turned a profit?), switched to reading YM & knew all the lyrics to George Michael’s “Freedom 90” at 10… and the list goes all the way to 29! In all that time I always had a muse, model or It girl that I wanted to be just like. Some were models (Jordyn Blum, Yasmeen Ghauri, Linda Evangelista) and others were tv/film characters (Punky Brewster, Cindy Mancini, Chica).

Nowadays, my fondness for another’s style continues, but I’ve moved on to other fashion muses, each of whom represents a different facet of my overall look. There’s nothing cool about being a fashion copycat, but do use others for inspiration! Pick and choose your favorite fashionable elements and integrate them in to create your own signature style!

 Below are a few style setters whom I find most amusing.

Giovanna Battaglia

Now this is the kind of girl who likes to get dressed up for work. She may be the fashion editor of L’Uomo Vogue but she is more like a supermodel when she struts her European, high-fashion stuff to and from the runway shows. In essence, Giovanna has a job dressing really cute. And that’s what I’d like to be when I grow up.

Jenna Lyons

As the creative director of the new and fashionably improved J.Crew, Jenna sets the standard for all things business/casual with her distinctive feminine-meets-masculine twist. Despite her 6′ stature, she only wears heels and uses herself as the  fit model for their “tall” sizing.  I immediately flip to Jenna’s Picks every month to see what she is currently “obsessing” over and often use it as my personal shopping guide. The C.E.O. of J.Crew hired Jenna after she arrived at a board meeting wearing one of  her signature high/low ensembles: cargo pants with high heels. She was instructed to design the likes of what she was wearing and the rest is creative history.

Elle MacPherson

Though she was never my favorite supermodel, her street chic style soared once she turned her focus towards designing lingerie (and obviously being a cool mom as well). Her style is so appropriately unexpected. It’s a fusion of Jackie Onassis and eclectic boho surfer with an added trendy sophistication. She is difficult to define, yet so easily amusing.

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Margherita Missoni

This unofficial Missoni brand ambassador is the Italian It Girl. Though she is definitely a socialite most well known for her last name, she’s the anti-Paris Hilton in my book. Perhaps it’s the natural beauty alone that sets her apart from her contemporaries, but if I was a betting woman I’d say this budding fashion icon has the smarts to take on a new generation of Missoni in the years to come.

Naturally, I have countless other style inspirations, but these ladies have been appointed permanent judges on my supreme court of style. Having a style mentor is not only fun but helpful! If ever in a fashion conundrum I always ask myself, “What would Giovanna, Jenna, Elle or Margherita do?” and then I can immediately reach a verdict. Who are your style icons and how can I help incorporate elements of their fashion sense in with yours?