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?

It Girl: Rachel Trachtenburg

If you haven't heard of doe-eyed Rachel Trachtenburg, you must check her out! Not only is she a talented musician and model but also a talk radio host and a fierce animal rights activist. And yes, she's that young (born in '93)! Ex-member of the band SUPERCUTE!, in which she was the lead singer, Trachtenburg is now focusing on her solo music career - her first music video and single got me hooked already. Oh, and did I mention her drumming skills? There so many interesting facts about this girl like, you know, she spoke out against the New York City Mayor at the age of 14 (!).

This adorably stylish girl was born in Seattle, of paternal Jewish and maternal Mexican descent, and currently lives in New York. Now, let's talk aesthetics: I love her sense of style so much, she's great at mixing and mismatching textures, fabrics and prints, adding a groovy 60s/70s-influenced psychadelia to her whimsical, bohemian and very colourful looks. Her quirky, vintage, envy-inducing clothes come mostly from thrift stores, only to prove that style is a matter of taste, not money. Signed to Elite Model Management, she's starred in a Lanvin campaign and was featured in a lookbook for It's OK My Dear, looking gorgeous in a Wes Anderson-esque kind of way. Rachel Trachtenburg is inspiring as it gets - I wonder if she ever hangs out with Tavi Gevinson.