Inspiring Women: Grace Jones

Before Lady Gaga, before Kanye, before Beyoncé, before Madonna, before the so-called swag, before the slay hashtags... There was Grace Jones. Supermodel, Bond Girl, style icon, performer, exotic visionary, futuristic chamaleon, singer, artist, actress, producer. How does one not seek inspiration in this extravagant panther? Born in Jamaica in 1948 (still can't believe how ageless she looks...), where she was raised by her strict religious grandparents (she described her childhood as being "crushed underneath the Bible") before moving to New York - and eventually Paris - Grace has always been this constant hurricane, a fusion of disco and funk and pop and avant-garde reggae, that enabled her to become an icon through the decades. Miss Jones is the Queen of Subversion - forever defying stereotypes, clichés and gender roles imposed by society. She redefined concepts of style (intimidating witchy veils, androgynous shoulder pads and layers of glittery sequins, anyone?) and fashion itself, fearlessly embracing the excess and the maximalism of aesthetics and incorporating a neverending metamorphosis by reinventing herself - from hoola-hooping onstage to setting trends in Studio 54.

Grace worked for Yves Saint Laurent, Claude Montana and Kenzo Takada. She was also the muse of Guy Bourdin and Jean-Paul Goude. This woman is not just that scandal-prone diva who lives off champagne and oysters (ok, well, maybe); she's Art. An explosive cocktail of rythm, creativity and charisma. Her transgressive persona has always been the living proof of authenticity being the key to make a difference.

It Girl: Chloë Sevigny

Chloë Sevigny is more than just the quintessential-90s-indie-enfant terrible-art house-sweetheart-turned-fashion designer. She has always been a source of eclectic inspiration and I can google her looks for hours, I kid you not. Sevigny is this unconventional style maven who doesn't even bother following trends or trying hard to look fashionable - she embraces simplicity with the quirkiest of details and that's what it makes her notorious sense of style stand out. Effortless, sometimes androgynous, edgy outfits with a playful twist will forever contribute to her style icon status. Sure her roles in The Brown Bunny, Last Days of Disco, American Psycho, Zodiac, Party Monster, Gummo, Boys Don't Cry and the controversial Kids make me admire her even more. She seeks authenticity rather than insipid perfection and that's why I love her. Why be trendy when you can be cool?

Style Icon: Audrey Horne

For those who have never heard of her, let me introduce you to Audrey... Not Hepburn, not Tautou... It's Audrey Horne and her killer sense of style. I fell in love with this fictional character and her wardrobe the moment I started watching Twin Peaks. Played by Sherilyn Fenn, Audrey is the girl who puts the chic in the schoolgirl chic. Cool, stylish and seductively charming, Miss Horne pulls off an 1950s-inspired silhouette and sense of style like no other student at Twin Peaks High School. Exuding attitude and a femme fatale-like allure yet feeling vulnerable about the fact that she's madly in love with Special Agent Dale Cooper (who wouldn't?), Audrey is the bad girl gone good, affection deprived (her father runs a brothel and ignores his own daughter) and hiding behind a mask of coquette confidence. From saddle shoes to red pumps, vintage sweaters paired with pleated plaid midi skirts or high waisted pencil skirts, retro cardigans... Not to mention those feline eyebrows! David Lynch has created many inspiringly unforgettable female characters loaded with charisma and charm... and this one proves it right.