Is Beyoncé Actually A Fashion Icon?

It exists. There's finally someone in fashion (and the world) who isn't afraid to think — or admit — that Beyoncé isn't everything and more.

On Tuesday, The New York Times' Vanessa Friedman did the unthinkable, putting all fear of the Beygency aside to write that, regardless of the pop superstar's wide sphere of influence, be it in music, business, or feminism, her effect on style, contrary to popular belief, is actually lacking.

"Despite all the accolades that Beyoncé has garnered," she writes: "most powerful celebrity in the world, according to Forbes; No. 1 on People’s Most Beautiful list; the artist behind the fastest selling iTunes album ever; a global juggernaut; subject of her own documentary — the one she does not seem to actually merit is 'fashion icon.'"

And, it's true. While Queen Béy may have over 14.4 million adoring Instagram fans, 13.5 million Twitter followers, and countless devoted admirers, she hasn't had the same impact on fashion as, say, Michelle Obama or Kate Middleton, who have led certain clothing items to sell out in record time after wearing them.

Beyoncé may sport an array of designer goods (Pucci and Versace, for example, are just a few of her selections for her latest tour, "On The Run," with husband, Jay Z) and attend the Met Gala annually (the past two years she has donned Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci), but her stylistic selections rarely surpass the screens through which fans ogle her red carpet photos. So, why is there such a discrepancy in the actuality of Beyoncé's integration in the fashion world, an industry that so accepts and idolizes her?

As Friedman points out, it comes down to Beyoncé's lack of one-dimensionality. She is not merely a musical brand. Nor a fashion brand. She is a brand, period. And, while other celebrities may fall from, or never achieve, fashion-icon status, Beyoncé's star just continues to rise. (The New York Times)