I am obsessed with the legend of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and everybody who inhabits my social circle is well-aware of it. The mythology and celebrity that Jacqueline produced has withstood the test of time, transcending generations by methods of style, intelligence, taste and everlasting elegance. The iconography of Jackie is enshrouded with renowned mystery, deriving from complexities so rich that the former First Lady has a permanent residence in popular culture.
The first idea that usually comes to mind when imagining Jacqueline’s legacy is her elegant style. The First Lady’s chic wardrobe that was seen by the world was methodically calculated by fashion industry experts, with advice from the iconic magazine editor, Diana Vreeland and original pieces by Hollywood costume designer, Oleg Cassini. As the decade of the ’60s started to shift, so did Jacqueline’s clothes. The ensembles are documented and well-beloved by fans of all ages, as countless of Instagram handles and Tumblr blogs catalyze the formation of Kennedy fandoms and followers. Nancy Reagan and Pat Nixon fandoms don’t seem to have the same juggernaut.
The life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is often compartmentalized into various identities and idiosyncratic characters. As a woman who carefully controlled and presented her image to the public, the transitioning of personas is reminiscent of a pop star releasing a new album or a celebrity returning to social media after a scandal in the 21st century. Jackie’s legend has a duality that correlates to her marriages: the sophisticated wife who renovated the White House: Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy and the stylish New York socialite who is endlessly hounded by paparazzi: Jackie O. A celebrated individuality came from this duality, as Jacqueline always exuded a strong self-awareness in each phase.
Jacqueline Kennedy and Jackie O. are never too far away from popular culture’s imagination, as they are consistently revised and reinterpreted in new books, films, and television episodes. Last December, she appeared in an episode of The Crown as a glamorous foil to the dowdy Queen Elizabeth. In the same year, on a more intimate note, the former personal assistant to Jacqueline, Kathy McKeon, released a memoir that recounted exquisite memories, illustrating her former boss as a doting mother, a humorous gossip, and a wise mentor to whom McKeon looked up to as a young girl.
In 2016, Oscar-winning actress, Natalie Portman, took on the role of the grieving window following the days after her husband’s assassination in Pablo Larraín’s Jackie. The list goes on and the theatrical portrayals will probably continue for decades, as the tales of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis are cherished like a Brothers Grimm fairytale.
Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy was a pioneer in how the modern celebrity is depicted. It is a prevalent cliché to relate the Kennedys to royalty with Jacqueline as Queen of Camelot, but the metaphor exemplifies the supernatural beauty and power the family bestowed upon us. In other words, I am obsessed with the complexity of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis because of the enigmatic footprint she left on the world.