256. From Bardot’s Bikini to Keaton’s Tie: What These Two Icons Still Teach Us About Style

This week on Fashion Thursdays, Diane Gilman pays tribute to two icons who defined opposite ends of the fashion spectrum — Brigitte Bardot and Diane Keaton. One celebrated sensuality and freedom, the other embodied layers, intellect, and individuality — yet both completely changed how women saw themselves in clothing.

Diane takes listeners from 1950s Paris to 1970s New York, exploring how Bardot’s tousled glamour, effortless sexuality, and sun-kissed French rebellion redefined modern femininity, while Keaton’s menswear revolution made “covered up” chic, powerful, and timeless.

From Bardot’s gingham dresses and bikinis to Keaton’s ties and fedoras, this episode is a celebration of opposites — the confidence to embrace who you are, no matter how much (or how little) you choose to show.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How Brigitte Bardot transformed European femininity with natural beauty, tousled hair, and bold sensuality.
• The cultural clash between 1950s America’s prim femininity (Mamie Eisenhower) and France’s liberated allure.
• How Bardot’s influence turned a bikini and a black eyeliner flick into symbols of revolution and confidence.
• The rise of Diane Keaton and how her authentic, thrifted androgyny in Annie Hall changed fashion forever.
• Why Keaton’s covered-up menswear style still empowers women to define beauty on their own terms.
• How fashion’s polar opposites—Bardot’s exposure and Keaton’s restraint—continue to shape modern women’s identity.
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Connect with Diane Gilman:

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3. Instagram: @thedianegilman
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5. Website & Mailing List: TheDianeGilman.com

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