Today would have been the 87th birthday of one of the most iconic women of all time, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
I have always loved her, her innate sense of style, her presence, and the glamour that her years with Ari Onassis implied.
Jackie and Aristotle Onassis
I have written about Jackie O before here. When I take the travelers on my Glam Italia Tours to Capri I take them to meet the man who made her sandals when she would visit the island, Aldo Schettino, so that they like me can buy Jackie O sandals. Read about it here.
Jackie and John John sitting outside Aldo’s sandal shop in Capri
To celebrate her birthday, here are some images of iconic Jackie O
This week I taught a makeup class on iconic women.
I was amazed that students had never heard of Jackie Onassis/Jackie Kennedy.
Growing up I was fascinated with her, not so much during the Kennedy days, but during the time she spent married to Ari Onassis.
How perfect could life be if you were married to a Greek shipping tycoon, at the time the wealthiest man in the world, spending large amounts of time on your own private island? The combination of her personal sense of style, the island (Skorpios) and the fabulous pictures of her on Ari’s yacht (the Christina) and frolicking around the island of Capri had me mesmerized.
Skorpios
Skorpios island is in the Ionian sea. Heavily forested with sandy beaches, Skorpios was the site of Onassis’ wedding to the former first lady, Jackie Kennedy in 1968. Onassis, his son Alexander and his daughter Christina were all buried on the island.
Skorpios Island
Ari Onassis’ granddaughter Athina Roussel inherited the island upon her mother’s death, but only visited it twice. In 2013 she sold it (via 100 year lease) to a Russian heiress, Ekaterina Rybolovleva.
It seems such a shame to have this island and it’s fascinating history pass out of the Onassis family.
Wouldn’t you love to have your own Greek Island? I would adore it.
Here are some images of Jackie O on the island of Skorpios.
Her sensational sense of style is timeless. If you stepped out today in one of Jackie O’s outfits you would be 100% on point. Which is why her look is iconic.
Ari and Jackie Onassis on board his yacht The Christina
I don’t think she was staggeringly beautiful. But I do think she was staggeringly fabulous. And she had such a great sense of style, was so effortlessly chic, that she always seemed to be one of the most beautiful and intriguing of them all.
A couple of months ago I was in Capri, and my friend Aldo was showing me photos of himself with the former Mrs Kennedy when she would visit the island. Aldo made sandals for her, so I always get him to make me sandals too. I love thinking that she and I share a shoemaker.
Anyway, I love looking at pictures of Jackie Onassis on the island of Capri. I always wonder if the sandals she has on were made for her by Aldo. I love her white pants and black T shirt. I love her huge glasses. I love her style. I love the lifestyle she represents. So much more interesting than Camelot, don’t you think?
Jackie Onassis arriving on Capri
Jackie Onassis in Capri with Valentino
Jackie Onassis on the island of Capri with Gianni Agnelli