Vintage sourcer Julia Rabinowitsch, founder of lifestyle site The Millennial Decorator, is paying tribute to the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy by releasing a collection of 15 pairs of shoe designs once worn by the fashion icon. These shoes are not the exact items that belonged to Bessette-Kennedy, but they are the same brand, style, and often year as the ones she owned. Rabinowitsch spent six months meticulously researching old paparazzi photos from the 1990s and the book CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion by Sunita Kumar Nair to identify the specific archival footwear in Bessette-Kennedy’s closet.
Among the iconic shoe designs in the collection are Carolyne Manolo Blahniks that she wore to President John F. Kennedy’s birthday ceremony in 1997. Another staple in Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe were black Prada loafers, often spotted while she walked around TriBeCa, and snakeskin Prada kitten heels that she paired with cropped blue jeans and a black overcoat. Rabinowitsch had a particularly difficult time tracking down a pair of beige Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes with a tiny buckle in front, eventually finding them through an eBay account specifically dedicated to finding archival fashion pieces worn by Bessette-Kennedy.
The collection also features a pair of Prada boots that Rabinowitsch sourced from Japan, highlighting the global reach of her search for Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic footwear. The designer’s meticulous research paid off, as she was able to recreate some of Bessette-Kennedy’s rarest and most sought-after shoe styles, resonating with fans of the fashion icon who continue to be inspired by her timeless aesthetic. Despite the challenge of finding these rare designs, Rabinowitsch successfully curated a collection that captures the essence of Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic style and allows fans to channel her effortlessly chic look.
Rabinowitsch’s dedication to honoring Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s fashion legacy is evident in the attention to detail and research that went into curating this collection of vintage-inspired shoe designs. By studying old photographs and publications dedicated to Bessette-Kennedy’s style, Rabinowitsch was able to identify the specific brands and styles that the fashion icon favored, bringing these iconic designs back to life for a new generation of fashion enthusiasts. The collection not only celebrates Bessette-Kennedy’s enduring influence on fashion but also showcases Rabinowitsch’s passion for preserving and honoring the sartorial legacy of iconic figures in history.
The release of this collection is a testament to the lasting impact of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s timeless style, which continues to captivate fashion enthusiasts decades after her untimely passing. By recreating some of her most iconic shoe designs, Rabinowitsch is providing fans with a unique opportunity to embrace Bessette-Kennedy’s sophisticated yet understated aesthetic and incorporate elements of her signature style into their own wardrobes. The collection serves as a tribute to a fashion icon whose influence on the industry remains as powerful today as it was during her lifetime, inspiring a new generation of style enthusiasts to appreciate and celebrate her enduring legacy.
