Here's what I wrote on May 4th:

Every quote attributed to (“I take a teaspoon of brandy when I feel spacey. It makes me come alive.” and?”I'd sell myself for a hat,”) or about (“Facts are not my mother's strong point”) adds to the charm of the willowy actress and style icon, Mimi Weddell.

While her old lady stylish eccentricities might call to mind the antics of the Beales, she never seems to teeter into such decrepit derangement. Instead, with a motto of “Rise above it!” she's an inspirational wonder with hundreds of hats (she and her millinery obsession are the subject of a 2008 documentary Hats Off that I am excited to see and wish would come to Netflix – check out the Algonquin release party photos here).

Here are some excellent photos of her and her adorably disorganized apartment taken by Brix Picks fave Tim Walker.

RUNNERS UPS:
Laura and Kate Mulleavy
Eiko Ishioka
Catherine Ribeiro
The Great Kat
Charlotte Rampling
Michelle Obama

See more: Style Icons: Female Actors Best of Muses

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Posted on November 2, 2009

The sudden death of Tammi Terrell was one of the biggest tragedies in American soul music. Only 24, the songstress who found fame and happiness singing along side Marvin Gaye died of a brain tumor after collapsing in Gaye's arms on stage. He went on to record the timeless and classic What's Going On while grappling with the loss.

Her adorable smile and affable stage presence, which would have surely taken her through a very successful career, can be appreciated on a few television performances you can find online.

See more: Style Icons: Female Muses Musicians

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Posted on October 19, 2009

All this fuss over little chipmunk Katie Couric is rather ridiculous when the real grand dame of television news is the elegant and often daringly dressed Lynne Russell. I grew up with the woman as a strong and beguiling source for melodious news information and, through the course of my research prepping this entry, have discovered that she's even more fantastic that I thought! From her site:

Yet Lynne's world is more than meets the eye. For years she has successfully balanced her journalism career and motherhood with her other “occupations”: deputy sheriff in Fulton County (Atlanta) Georgia as a jail officer, and licensed private investigator. She holds two black belts in the martial art Choi Kwang Do, and is a certified open water SCUBA diver.

All of this prompted her to write her inspirational first book, How to Win Friends, Kick Ass and Influence People (Dec. 1999, St. Martin's Press). She explores the liberating concepts of each of us appreciating and utilizing our own abilities and talents, peaceful coexistence with the opposite gender, and the celebration of “la difference!” Actor/comedian Richard Belzer says, “If Xena, warrior princess could tell her story, this would be her book.” The New York Times review quipped she's “a news anchor with the personality of a professional wrestler.”

If you weren't in love with her during the CNN years, I defy you to resist her now. She also makes beaded lampshades, has a line of makeup consisting of just one shade of red lipstick (which I'm about to purchase) and blush. Love!!!

See more: Style Icons: Female Businessmen Television Personalities

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Posted on October 5, 2009

While for a good long time Yoko Ono has been known mainly as the woman who broke up The Beatles, lately the petite radical has been remembered more for her contributions to avant garde art and the peace movement.

Ono and her 1964 performance Cut Piece was the inspiration for and earned an homage from the threeasfour runway show.

See more: Style Icons: Female Artists Muses

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Posted on September 21, 2009

Been thinking about designer Zandra Rhodes lately. Her clothes were always so feminine and off kilter and I LOVE them. Aside from her own collections, she created costumes for Queen and dressed Lady Di.

I found a great bunch of vintage photos come in one of my old Italian Vogues and posted some on Rotating Corpse. I would die for a great piece of hers, but with the demand, rarity and price, it may be a long time coming.

See more: Style Icons: Female Designers

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Posted on September 7, 2009