When Ryan Murphy shared a first glimpse of his upcoming biopic American Love Story, he probably expected buzz. But what he got was backlash—from a very stylish and very vocal corner of the internet.

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy fans weren’t just displeased. They were devastated.

The late fashion icon’s signature look—elegant, minimalist, seemingly effortless—was, according to critics, completely missed. From the “wrong” shade of blonde hair to a stiff-looking camel coat and an oddly lifeless Birkin bag, everything felt off.

“This is a fashion travesty,” one user wrote on Murphy’s Instagram post teasing the new series. Others called the fabrics “shoddy” and the drape “all wrong.” Some lamented that “Carolyn would never put these looks together.”

Even her original colorist, Brad Johns, weighed in. Speaking to Vogue, he said the hair shade chosen for actress Sarah Pidgeon (who plays Bessette-Kennedy) was far from accurate. “No one would believe that Carolyn in the ’90s would ever have that color from me. It’s too 2024,” he said. “When she sees that color, she’s going to be swirling in heaven.”

So why does this matter so much to so many people?

Why the Reaction Feels So Personal

At first glance, the internet’s intense reaction to a few promo photos from a biopic might seem overblown. But Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wasn’t just another celebrity with good style—she was a woman whose wardrobe told a story, every day.

Her rise from Calvin Klein’s PR department to American royalty as John F. Kennedy Jr.’s wife captivated the public. But her impact ran deeper than who she married. Bessette-Kennedy had a kind of self-assured grace that made even the simplest outfit iconic. Clean lines, muted tones, unassuming silhouettes—she was minimalism personified.

“She wasn’t of this earth,” designer Gabriela Hearst once said. And fashion fans agree. In fact, in 2024, Sotheby’s auctioned off a small collection of her clothes—from designers like Prada and Yohji Yamamoto—for a stunning $177,600. Her influence hasn’t faded in the 25 years since her tragic death. If anything, it’s only grown.

So it’s no surprise that Murphy’s portrayal is under a microscope.

The Stakes Are Higher in the Age of the Biopic

Biopics are booming. Over 20 hit screens in 2023 alone, with at least 10 more in the pipeline. And with each one, audience expectations grow. Gone are the days when a general resemblance and a good script were enough. Now, it’s all about total transformation.

Gary Oldman famously spent over 200 hours in hair and makeup to become Winston Churchill. Lily James wore a fake forehead and dentures to channel Pamela Anderson. Marisa Abela wore Amy Winehouse’s actual cardigan for Back to Black. And in a film about Bob Dylan, designers worked with Levi’s to recreate his exact 1960s jeans cut.

When it comes to fashion icons, the clothes are the character. And in Bessette-Kennedy’s case, they’re sacred. Her wardrobe wasn’t an accessory to her persona—it was central to how she was perceived and remembered.

As one stylist put it in response to Murphy’s teaser: “The wardrobe is a main character in this story. This breaks my heart.”

Carolyn’s Legacy Is Still Unfolding

Only two actresses have ever portrayed Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy on screen—Portia de Rossi in 2003 and Erica Cox in 2017—and both performances flew largely under the radar. Murphy’s American Love Story, which is set to stream on Hulu in 2026, is poised to be the most mainstream depiction yet.

But that means the pressure is on. Especially now, when new books, Instagram accounts, and viral TikToks dedicated to her look have turned Bessette-Kennedy into a modern-day fashion muse for a new generation. She’s not just admired—she’s studied.

That obsessive interest brings rewards, but also risks. More fans mean more scrutiny. And in a culture that’s never been more tuned in to the details, getting them wrong can feel like a betrayal.

More Than a Look—It Was Who She Was

Ultimately, the uproar over a coat, a bag, or a hair color isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about preserving the essence of a woman who defined a particular kind of modern American elegance. A woman who made millions feel that style didn’t have to shout to be powerful.

For her admirers, to misrepresent Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy on screen is more than just a costume misstep—it’s a failure to honor someone who, through fashion, made minimalism feel deeply personal.

And that’s a legacy fans aren’t willing to see lost in translation.

Source: CNN – Look of the Week: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and the heightened stakes of costume design

The post Why Fashion Lovers Are Furious Over Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s TV Look appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

In a stunning shift in the luxury goods market, Hermès has overtaken LVMH to become the world’s most valuable luxury company. The move came after LVMH, the parent company of high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tiffany & Co., and Sephora, reported disappointing first-quarter sales, which sparked investor concerns.

LVMH’s latest earnings report missed analyst expectations, with a 3% decline in first-quarter sales—far below the anticipated 2% growth. The slowdown in sales was attributed to weaker demand in key markets, including the U.S., where shoppers reduced their purchases of beauty products and cognac, and China, where sales also remained sluggish. As a result, LVMH’s stock dropped by 7%, reducing its market capitalization to €246 billion, just behind Hermès, which now stands at €247 billion.

Jelena Sokolova, a senior equity analyst at Morningstar, highlighted that LVMH’s large exposure to the lower end of the luxury market has made it more vulnerable to market downturns. In contrast, Hermès, with its exclusive focus on high-end products like the $10,000 Birkin and Kelly handbags, has cultivated a wealthier client base that is more resilient to economic shifts. This shift in market valuation is seen as indicative of a broader post-pandemic trend, where wealthier consumers are becoming increasingly selective in their luxury purchases.

Hermès has long been known for its conservative production strategy, limiting its annual growth to around 6-7%. This tight control on supply ensures that demand for its products remains high, helping the brand weather economic downturns more effectively than its competitors. Flavio Cereda, who manages GAM’s Luxury Brands investment strategy, believes that the growth in LVMH’s fashion labels, particularly in the middle-range luxury sector, could be a point of concern. While LVMH has gained market share post-pandemic, the focus on more affordable luxury goods might be a risk in a more challenging economic environment.

LVMH’s recent performance is not isolated. Other luxury brands, including Kering (owner of Gucci), Richemont (which owns Cartier), and Prada, also experienced share declines, with LVMH leading the pack at a 7.2% drop. Analysts point to trade tensions, particularly the fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements, as key factors contributing to the uncertainty in the luxury market.

The luxury sector was hoping for a rebound in 2024, but the latest figures show that a recovery may take longer than expected. LVMH’s key fashion and leather goods business, which includes Louis Vuitton and Dior, saw a 5% sales decline, highlighting the tough road ahead. According to RBC analyst Piral Dadhania, the current trading environment for luxury brands is “difficult,” and he has revised his sales forecast for LVMH this year from growth to flat sales.

With concerns of a global recession looming, the luxury industry faces a challenging year. Shares of companies like LVMH, Kering, and Burberry have fallen 14% since the end of March, while Richemont and Hermès saw declines of 13% and 5%, respectively. Bernstein analysts have lowered their sales forecast for the luxury sector, predicting a 2% decline this year, which would mark the industry’s longest downturn in over two decades.

As Hermès ascends to the top spot, it’s clear that the luxury market is undergoing a transformation. The industry’s biggest players will need to navigate economic uncertainties and shifting consumer preferences to remain competitive. The next chapter in this battle for luxury dominance will be a pivotal one for all involved.

Source: CNN – Hermès overtakes LVMH to become the world’s most valuable luxury company

The post Hermès Beats LVMH to Become World’s Top Luxury Brand appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.