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Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was an influential figure in the United State due to her great contribution to political life as the First Lady of the United States, as well as her active work in social and cultural fields. Despite the hardships she experienced, including her husband John Kennedy’s assassination and challenges in her personal life, Mrs. Kennedy managed to overcome those and become an American fashion and cultural icon (Raatma 8).
She was acknowledged for her great contributions in architecture, her strong character trait, exceptional style, grace, and elegance. Although she had a dynamic and bright life and was considered a celebrity, Jacqueline Kennedy remained faithful to her family and children, which made her one of the American’s most outstanding First Ladies.
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier was born to a wealthy and prosperous family of Janet and Jack Bouvier. Being the eldest child in the family, she had a younger sister Lee Bouvier (Mattern 6). However, when Jacqueline was 11, she experienced the first difficulties while witnessing her parents’ separation and divorce (Mattern 8). Despite the negative experience the child had after her parents’ divorce, Jacqueline had many privileges at school and at home. She participated in many events and took piano and ballet classes.
The future First Lady was well educated at privileged Chapin School for Girls (Mattern 9). Jacqueline enjoyed studies because it created many opportunities for self-fulfillment and determination; she was also fond of writing and reading poem that has a significant influence on personality development. At the age of 13, Jacqueline moved with her new family to McLean, Virginia (Mattern 10).
Their mother’s new husband, High Auchincloss, was also a wealthy man and, therefore, she was never in need. In two years, the girl moved to Connecticut and entered a boarding school. This was the first time when she tried herself in journalism.
Kennedy’s early years were quite active due to many universities and colleges she attended. While studying at Miss Porter’s school, most of the teachers found Miss Bouvier as irreverent, highly intelligent, and strong-willed. After two years of study, the young woman entered the Sorbonne and the University of Grenoble (Kennedy n. p.).
When she returned home, she graduated from the Washington University. There, Jacqueline also managed to succeed and win Vogue’s Prix de Paris for her design of a sample issue and a written piece called People I Wish I Had Known (Kennedy n. p.). Due to her success in the field, Jacqueline had received a beneficial proposition from New York and Paris Vogue’s publishers to work as a junior editor. However, she declined this offer to have applied for the position of inquiring photographer for the Washington Times- Herald.
While working as a photographer, Jacqueline met his husband for the first time in 1948. In two years, she met John Kennedy and was officially introduced to him by her family friend Charles Bartlett at his brother’s Long Island wedding ceremony. The acquaintance was followed by the marriage of Jacqueline and the future President of the United States.
Since, a new period of Mrs. Kennedy’s life had begun to provide her with a valuable experience and stronger character. Due to the fact that the position of the First Lady did not impress Jacqueline much, “she… instructed the staff that she should be known, not as first lady, but as Mrs. Kennedy” (Metropolitan Museum of Art 3).
Since she had started living in the White House, Jacqueline Kennedy acquired several qualities and experiences. In particular, she gained knowledge in art and was extremely interested in aesthetic and artistic contributions by outstanding American designers and artists. The First Lady’s interests in music and décor differed a bit from that of her husband’s, who was more interested in literature and architecture.
Apart from her strong passion for artistic works, Jacqueline was also fond of studying history. This knowledge was essential for her because she strived to know as much about fashion history as possible to generate more ideas for her own artistic and fashion movement.
In addition, knowledge of history contributed greatly to her career as a columnist and photographer for the Washington Times-Herald (Metropolitan Museum of Art 3). Her instance curiosity in details allowed her to gain exceptional experience in various disciplines, as well as promote her career as a journalist.
Because Mrs. Kennedy has in-depth knowledge in various fields and, therefore, she was aware of the fact that “…the White House was not a private residence but the property of the American people” (Metropolitan Museum of Art 3). Her plans use the White House in her artistic work; to be me exact, the building was expected to use as showcase for the American artists. Before the inauguration, the First Lady delved into the study of files and books to fulfill her plans.
Apart from her tangible impact on the political and social life, Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy has an immense influence on American fashion. In particular, meanwhile all upper-class women wore fussy hats and furs, the First Lady used to dress “…in an impeccably tailored, simple, wool coats with matching pillbox hat” (Manlow 48). Indeed, her style was refined and moderate at the same time.
Before Mrs. Kennedy, the former first ladies appeared in a matronly manner. Therefore, the novelties introduced by Jacqueline attracted the attention of all American women and provided them with a new fashion icon. Hence, the First Lady was considered a pioneer in fashion and an ideal American woman. She was often compared with legendary actress Audrey Hepburn who was also distinguished by exceptional and refined dresses.
As the First Lady, Mrs. Kennedy had many connections in the world of fashion through her friends, such as Lee Radziwill, who was well established to explore the latest tendencies in Paris couture. Another influential figure in fashion, Diana Vreeland, also brought fashion ideas and outstanding designers to the First Lady’ attention; she took an active part in coordinating and introducing designers, including Emilia Pucci (Metropolitan Museum of Art 33).
Due to her alternative view on fashion, particularly her interest in European rather than American fashion, she was heavily criticized by the American designers (Metropolitan Museum of Art 33). She patronized American designers as well, including Oleg Cassini whose collections, however, gave credit to the European trends in fashion (Steele 288). Specific attention requires the First Lady’s inauguration outfit, including a red dress designed by Chez Nino in which she appeared for a TV tour of the White House.
With regard to her great interest and contributions in fashion, Mrs. Jacqueline Kenned can, indeed, be considered a pioneer that promoted the new fashion trends in a national culture (Steele 288). In the course of time, Jacqueline experimented with her clothing and changed her styles from moderate from extravagant.
Specific attention requires the period after Jacqueline’s husband was shot during a business trip to Texas. The tragic events of those times had a deep imprint on her experience because she was set in a limousine next to John Kennedy at the moment when he was shot. After the president’s death, the widow took an active part in planning her husband’s funeral which was help at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (Anthony 45).
Following the assassination, Mrs. Kenned decided to ignore the publicity and make brief visits to the White House. Several years later, she married Aristotle Onassis, a wealthy shipping magnate of Greek origin (Anthony 45). Her later life was dedicated to bringing up her children and taking care of her family.
In conclusion, it should be stressed that, despite the tragic events and hard experience Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis had in her life, she remained faithful to her principles, morale, and interests. Her commitment to political life and her deceased husbands cannot be underestimated.
This strong personality and a fashion icon is perpetuated in the American history due to her great contribute to art, history and politics. Cultural achievements are also partly due to her active interference with life of American people. Finally, Mrs. Kennedy can also be regarded as a model wife and beautiful woman who managed to sustain her dignity and faith. It is not in vain that Jackie Kennedy received many honors and rewards, particular the ones related to photography, art, and writing.
Works Cited
Anthony, Carl Sterrazza. As We Remember Her: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the Worlds of Her Family and Friends. US: Harper Collins, 2003. Print.
Kennedy, Caroline. Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy. US: Hyperion. 2011. Print.
Manlow, Veronica. Designing Clothes: Culture and Organization of the Fashion Industry. US: Transaction Publishers, 2009. Print.
Mattern, Joanne. Jacqueline Kennedy. US: ABDO. 2007. Print.
Metropolitan Museum of Art. Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years: Selections from the John Kennedy Library and Museum. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2001. Print.
Raatma, Lucia. Jacqueline Kennedy. US: Capstone. 2010. Print.
Steele, Valerie. The Berg Companion to Fashion. US: Berg. 2010. Print.
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