Lauren Hutton is one of the 20th century’s most underrated supermodels. She embarked on her illustrious modelling career in the mid-60s; by the decade’s end, she’d landed a coveted Chanel campaign and had covered Vogue over a dozen times. As the 70s rolled around, Lauren signed one of the biggest beauty contracts in the game and had become a muse to industry heavyweights from Avedon to Halston. In the 80s, Lauren stepped off the runways of New York and onto Hollywood’s big screen, starring in stylish flicks including Paul Schrader’s American Gigolo.
Sartorially speaking, Lauren is as effortlessly chic as they come. We’re talking Armani suits topped with a Yankees cap, red carpet Dunks, spartan Halston gowns and midnight velvet paired with dayglo sneakers. And that’s just to name a few of the idiosyncratic style icon’s most memorable getups. Here, in honour of the star’s birthday, we look back at some of her most iconic outfits of all time.
At the Academy Awards, 1975
Of course Lauren Hutton wore Halston to the 1975 Academy Awards: at the time, she was the face of American fashion and he was New York’s buzziest young designer. For the awards ceremony, Halston dressed Lauren in one of his signature Grecian gowns rendered in beautiful watercolour chiffon. The actress accessorized the dress with a fox fur coat — and her date for the night, Rocky Horror producer Lou Adler.
In American Gigolo, 1980
While Lauren has always been known as a model first-and-foremost, she actually made her film debut before booking her first big campaign. Back in 1968, she took a role in American sports comedy Paper Lion, mere months before landing the Chanel ad that would kick start her modelling career. Over a decade later, Lauren made a Hollywood name for herself starring opposite Richard Gere in 1980 noir American Gigolo. While Richard’s Armani looks have their place in cinema’s costume canon, Lauren’s wardrobe, designed by the lesser-known label, Basile, is not to be overlooked! It’s silk georgette blouses. It’s soft lilac-lavender and slouchy trench coats, and it’s effortless, just like Lauren.
At the Academy Awards, 1980
A mini dress to the Oscars? Few have dared, but Lauren did. Back in 1980, the super wore this gold lamé number by Zoran with nothing but a pair of sky-high heels.
At an NBC party, 1981
Does it get any easier than this? Fitted cable knit sweater, cashmere slacks and a pair of weathered lace-up boots. Cigarette and beer, optional.
In All Fired Up, 1982
With her fashion industry pedigree, it comes as no surprise that Lauren has starred in some of cinema’s best dressed films. After taking the lead in American Gigolo, the model-slash-actress played in Tout feu tout flamme opposite French actress Isabelle Adjani. Dior’s Marc Bohan was tapped to design two gowns for the lead actresses. For Isabelle, he created a strapless ballgown much in line with the Parisian house’s mid-century codes. For Lauren, however, he crafted this sexy gold lamé gown. With its plunging neckline and glitz, the look embodied the best of 70s disco-glam and 80s excess.
At the Starflight premiere, 1983
This look is pure Lauren: a trench coat, loose layers and a prop with which to gesticulate wildly. In lieu of a cigarette, it’s a vintage Canon camera.
At a benefit art show, 1993
Lauren loves a trench coat. And a pair of sneakers. Here, she wears both in an androgynous suiting look that blurs the line between casual and formal. That’s Lauren for you!