Influential fashion is defined as a custom, style or the practice of dressing that transcends time and consistently highlights personal values in material form. A particular character in the world of fashion who was seen as a living embodiment of the art was Robert Redford. However, the longtime influential American fashion icon, director and activist died on Sept. 16.
Redford possessed an effortless, timeless and chic style; one that captures his creative, cowboy aesthetic. His rugged American charm and sophisticated elegance have established him as a benchmark for classic menswear.
In the WHHS hallways, style can be characterized as casual and comfy — mostly casual. Clothes students wear consist primarily of sweatpants and hoodies, each accessorized according to each individual’s personal style. Fashion evolves over decades, often taking on new forms, yet it remains fashion all the same.
Redford’s wardrobe most commonly featured well-tailored blazers, sharp blue denim and casual button-down shirts. All of these seemingly basic style choices contributed to his look — approachable and aspirational. A key element of his style was his versatility between a gruff outdoorsman look to graceful, cultivated and classic evening attire.
Along with his iconic fashion choices, Redford was known for his notable roles in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Great Gatsby” and “The Way We Were,” showcasing his magnetic acting prowess along with impeccable range.
Redford’s claim to fame began in the 1960s as a leading man in Hollywood; his performances concentrated on his natural allure and power to illustrate complicated characters in a straightforward, but profound way.
His lasting impact goes beyond his acting. One of his greatest accomplishments was the creation of the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, which remade the view of independent films in the world today. Redford was ardent about supporting new and upcoming voices in cinema, which led to the establishment of the Sundance Institute.
As Redford grew older, he wanted to capture the creative and free-living aspects of Hollywood blinding negatives. Sundance became a place to feed the talent of filmmaking over the money-hungry aspects that could come along with it. Along with the institute, Redford founded the Sundance Film Festival for new and upcoming filmmakers to nurture their talent, notable names including Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson.
Redford was at the forefront of integrating new stories and voices into the film industry. He often supported and uplifted low productions and occasional hits; he served as an activist for voices in the industry that could not advocate for themselves.
“For me, the Sundance Institute is just an extension of something I believed in, which is creating a mechanism for new voices to have a place to develop and be heard,” Redford said in an interview with Collider.
His everlasting impact on film, fashion, and activism is amplified through his institute, allowing for more students to make an impact through his work.
“Bob’s vision of a space and a platform for independent voices launched a movement that, over four decades later, has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the U.S. and around the world,” according to the Sundance website.