International Women’s Month - The Original Y2K Trendsetters

As we celebrate International Women’s Month, we take a look into the founding female trendsetters of true Y2K style and the prominent influence these female fashion icons hold over our latest 00s inspired icons of the Gen-Z.

The early naughties were undoubtedly ruled by powerful women, making their stance within the music and pop culture scene. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie became household names due to their success within the reality TV world. While the likes of Rihanna, Christina Aguilera. and Destiny’s Child hit the top of the music charts. Pop princesses and LA It Girls alike were shown to sport the maximalist of patterns, prints and bedazzlements, defining what the true Y2K trends and styles we know today.

Figure 1: Destiny’s Child Y2K Red Carpet Look (Getty Images)

Figure 1: Destiny’s Child Y2K Red Carpet Look (Getty Images)

LA socialites Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie made their mark after being TV stars from their hit reality show, ‘The Simple Life’. Fashion lovers acknowledged the female fashion-duo for sporting their infamous Juicy Couture velour tracksuit, mini handbags, low-waisted denim and bedazzled accessories. Hilton and Richie made the block colour, velour tracksuit a must-have addition to any 00s wardrobe and a staple piece for any LA shopping trip, errands run or dog walk.

Figure 2: Paris Hilton wearing Juicy Couture (E! Online)

The infamous Juicy tracksuit is an honourable example of fashion rotation, as the new wave of Gen Z fashion icons have been seen to sport the playful, ‘off-duty’, velour tracksuit look. LA, reality-star and businesswoman, Kim Kardashian has been seen to rock the latest comeback of the comfy, velour two-piece while out and about and on the gram.

Figure 3: Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian Velour Tracksuit Revival (Instagram: @kimkardashian)

Additionally, nothing screams Y2K style than mini-sized staples. We’re talking about mini shoulder bags, mini skirts and mini low-rises denim - all key items any influential fashion female would have at hand. Honourable, female, 00s music icons such as Rihanna, Destiny’s Child and Christina Aguilera, were shown to ditch the baggy, high-waisted denim look and make the transition to flared, low-rise denim. These mini skirt and jean pieces would be rocked as an off-duty look or elevated to the 00’s maximalist level at red carpet events!

Figure 4: Christina Aguilera (Cosmopolitan)

Figure 4: Christina Aguilera (Cosmopolitan)

Any Y2K wardrobe would not be complete without finishing off their look with an OTT, statement mini bag to hold all of their noughties essentials. Sitcom stars and fashionistas in their own right, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, were notable Y2k icons shown to rock the favourite mini bag trend, both on screen and off-duty. Paying homage to our noughties trendsetter’s and their mini bag and low-rise denim styling, high-fashion model, Bella Hadid is consistently smashing today’s fashion scene by storm by actively adapting key Y2K pieces to fit the Gen Z style and aesthetic we adore and know today. Her legendary model off-duty style, incorporates elements of 00s female influences as she flaunts the New York City streets.

Figure 5: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen starring in Passports to Paris (Movie: Passports to Paris)

Figure 5: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen starring in Passports to Paris (Movie: Passports to Paris)

These influential females of the 00s stand as true icon’s of Y2K trendsetting and will be truly recognised and admired for their input in the trends of today. However, we cannot ignore the new wave of Y2K inspired fashion icons, such as the likes of Bella Hadid and Dua Lipa reviving the iconic fashion era!

Figure 6: Dua Lipa (Remix Magazine)