This is the inaugural post of the Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (CBK) Lookbook! I’m here to welcome you with open arms as we dive into the fashionable and sometimes tumultuous world of the late CBK. Seen as one of the fashion icons of the 1990s, Carolyn’s style was minimalistic, unique and defining of an era.
Many articles and books have been written about her over the decades since she entered the public consciousness at John F. Kennedy Jr’s girlfriend, and eventually, wife. But Carolyn was an cultural icon in her own right aside from her handsome and born-famous husband. As time passes, we are learning more and more about her life as writers and journalists begin to research her as more than JFK Jr’s wife. I hope to be part of the discourse that expands what is known about Carolyn and her brief life.
A very brief overview of Carolyn bessette-Kennedy’s Life
I plan on doing book review and book list posts in the future that will offer more resources on Carolyn’s life, but for now I will simply offer a very brief biography.
Carolyn was born on January 7, 1966 in White Plains, New York and was the the youngest child to William and Anne Marie Bessette. Raised primarily in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, Carolyn was voted “Ultimate Beautiful Person” in her high school. She attended the prestigious Boston University where she graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
She had a vibrant career in fashion and worked as a publicist for Calvin Klein where she serviced high profile celebrity clients and directed fashion shows. She met, John (JFK Jr.), the son of the late President John F. Kennedy, in 1992 and they began dating two years later in 1994.
The relationship catapulted her into fame overnight, something she was quite ill-equipped to deal with compared to her mega famous beau. During her relationship with JFK Jr, she refused interviews so much of the information we know about her state of mind comes from friends and acquaintances who knew the couple. I find this most unfortunate that we don’t know how Carolyn felt in her own words.
Their relationship was short as it ended with both of them dying tragically on July 16, 1999. The couple perished along with Carolyn’s sister, Lauren Bessette, in a flight piloted by John on its way to Martha’s Vineyard for his cousin’s wedding. The rest, as they say, is history.
Why I started This Blog
Perhaps you are curious about me, the author of this blog! I started a 90s nostalgia blog in 2020 called Can’t Hardly Dress, where I write mostly about American 90s culture, style and media. I found myself gravitating over and over to writing about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, her life and style. I enjoyed engaging with my audience on all things Carolyn and also doing deep dives on her life.
The idea to start a CBK-only blog brewed in my mind for probably two years, and in June 2024, I finally took the plunge to start the CBK Lookbook. I’m excited to work on this blog and add to the discourse around Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s life.
If you’d like to read more about the CBK Lookbook itself, check out the about page.
Thank You for Reading
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you like what you find here! If you’d like to request a topic, deep dive or have a Carolyn-related question you’d like answered, please leave a comment on any post or email me at hello[@]cbklookbook.com.
You can also find me on social media here:
Sources
Along with my original content, these sources were used to inform this blog post.
