Style Icons 2012 – Two Kates – Moss and Upton

Kate Middleton hasn’t been the only Kate making fashion waves this year. Two model Kate’s have also made waves in the world of fashion, albeit of different varieties. Both Kate Moss and Kate Upton have proven that blondes still have more fun, and have both featured on Vogue front covers. But whereas Moss remains the cover girls all others aspire to be, Kate Upton has frankly divided opinions. Should the former Sports Illustrated Model be an editorial cover girl at all, least of all on the cover of Vogue. Isn’t the gorgeous blonde more cheesecake than High fashion? The debates have raged.

Personally. I loved seeing Kate Upton on the Vogue cover. Her soft curves and pretty features made a nice change from the more angular models that Haute fashion loves, and she seems to look back to the goddesses of Monroe, Mansfield and Mamie Van Doran. And the girl can dress – she uses those curves to their very best advantage and looks utterly glamorous at every event, using red as a badge of honour. When she attempted a more pared back look at the Met Ball, with slicked hair and red lips, I actually missed the tumbling curls and softer make up.

Kate Upton is definitely one to watch in 2013, she’s bringing sexy back. A sort of blonde Christina Hendricks for the fashion set. Hallelujah to that.

Kate Moss on the other hand, just improves with age. This is a woman who never ceases to be trendsetting and relevant, meaning it was no surprise when Grazia named her the best dressed woman of 2012. She still sticks to her wardrobe mainstays – lots of classic black, ballerina pumps, skinny jeans and fur and leather jackets, a sort of rock chick style accentuated by husband Jamie Hince on her arm. It still works and means she remains timelessly stylish. An icon for this, and every other year.