Where did all the fashion icons go? In the 50’s and 60’s the world had the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. The women were sexy and sophisticated- effortlessly glam. Today the term “fashion icon” falls to the likes of Kate Moss but if she’s anything to go by then the world of fashion is in serious trouble.

      Marilyn Monroe                        Audrey Hepburn

Old Hollywood glamour will never go out of style and neither will these gorgeous style icons.

Marilyn Monroe

The legend that was Marilyn Monroe still exists today. She died tragically young but her memory lives on. As Elton John sung: her candle burned out long before her legend ever did. Marilyn Monroe embodied old Hollywood glamour like nobody else did. Sure, she was a sex symbol and while her feminine wiles infuriated some, her sex appeal set her apart from the rest.

She was known for her measurements, 36, 24, 34. Elizabeth Hurley famously stated she would “kill herself” if she was as “fat” as Marilyn Monroe but others love her for her curves and her sexuality. One can mostly remember Marilyn in dresses, whether short or long, and she looked gorgeous and glamorous in both. Her film outfits were those to be desired. In real life she was more demure but at all times she looked perfectly put together: platinum blonde hair, striking eyes, gorgeous red lips and the body to die for.

Public Life

The famous subway grate scene from Billy Wilder's 'Seven Year Itch'.

Marilyn as 'The Girl' in a white halter neck dress, effortlessly stunning.

Marilyn on May, 19 1962 at the birthday party for then- president John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden. The dress she wore was made specially for her by Jean Louis.

Marilyn in a iconic scene from 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' in a long strapless pink gown with matching gloves singing 'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend'.

Private Life

Monroe on her wedding day to baseball player Joe Dimaggio. She was elegantly understated in a brown suit with an ermine collar.

Marilyn at the beach in a gorgeous white swim suit that suited her figure perfectly, strikingly different from the swim suits we have today.

Marilyn favoured slacks and shirts. She would never have worn a mini skirt. In most photos or interviews she will be seen in this type of outfit or a knee-length skirt.

She always looked prim and proper, polite, despite a tumutolous private life.

No matter who she is compared to (Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johannsen) Marilyn is one of a kind. The only one who could have pulled off a subway grate scene and still look postively innocent.

Audrey Hepburn

She had a boyish figure. Some mistook her for a tomboy but as with her transformation in 'Sabrina' Audrey was truly a glamorous figure of beauty and sophistication. After she won an Oscar in 1953 for 'Roman Holiday' Audrey became one of the most photographed actresses. Some called her the “most important fashion icon of the 20th century” and others said she played it too safe.

While her style greatly differed from Marilyn Monroe, Audrey was a great style icon. She became a lifelong friend of the designer Givenchy, with whom she was often dressed. Hepburn was always perfectly put together. Her elegance lay in her posture, the way she held herself, her pixie like figure helped her achieve this.

Audrey as the title star in Sabrina, before her transformation. While she was always beautiful the clothes were designed to make her seem like a tomboy and go unoticed by the wealthy family of whom her father was a chauffer.

Audrey in Sabrina, after her transformation. After returning from Paris her style reeked of Parisian couture. She was elegantly put together and the clothes defined her beauty.

Audrey in 1950, 1960 and 1991. She was always slim, always elegant and always humble.

The famous black dress from 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. Audrey cut a striking figure in this dress and pearls, eating breakfast at the front of Tiffany's on a deserted New York street.

Their differences were large. Marilyn was the sexy "dumb blonde". Audrey was sweet and innocent. They both had great leading roles in films and were much loved and adored. They were so similar and, yet, so different but the thing they, and other style icons from the past, had in common was the following:

Their style came from within. It wasn't just the clothing it was their posture, their grace. They had a certain walk, a disarming smile, a generous quality. They were endearing, polite, gracious. Unlike so many people today they didn't let the clothes wear them, they wore the clothes.

Their films continue to make money. They are still in our lives which, perhaps, makes them continuing style icons today. Their beauty reminds us of a time that was great. A time when the talent and the beauty was great.