BANKING ON BEAUTY:
The Fashion Mogul’s Influence on a Generation
Love her or hate her, you’re probably at least rooting for her. Tyra Banks has been a household name since she took the fashion industry by storm in the 1990s.
Banks began modeling professionally as a teenager, beginning her career in Paris where she walked in her first high-fashion runway show, according to an interview with Lean In Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting women. Pushing back against pressure to fit the typical French model body type, she returned to the U.S., shifted her focus to swimwear and lingerie shoots and grew her success while rallying for body positivity.
Over the decade, Banks achieved a number of milestones for the fashion industry, becoming the first Black woman photographed on the covers of both GQ and Sports Illustrated as well as the first Black Victoria’s Secret Angel photographed on the cover of the lingerie brand’s catalogue.
Heading toward the new millennium, Banks leapt into her acting career when she landed a role in the 2000 cult classic “Coyote Ugly.” Her looks in this film, as well as on runways and in the street, were enough to inspire a generation.
Angelic Elegance
At the beginning of her Angel stardom in 1997, Banks stepped out at a Victoria’s Secret event unveiling the “Diamond Dream Bra,” a $3 million strapless satin bra lined with diamonds and a 42-carat stone. The bra was the star of the show in the timeless ensemble, with Banks sporting an oversized black button-up blouse, black cutout skirt, tights and black strappy heels.
The Wild, Ugly West
It’d be wrong to discuss Banks’s classic looks without first highlighting her style as Zöe in “Coyote Ugly.” The quintessential Y2K fashion film, its designers embraced the raunchy fashion that was prevalent in the early 2000s with skin-tight leather, low-rise everything and tiny tops.
While the film took place in the Big Apple, Western was the name of the game for Banks’s character. One of her most iconic outfits is a monochromatic ensemble featuring a cropped suede halter top, leather mini skirt and chunky belt. The look is topped off with a simple choker, a staple accessory for the character.
Hot to the Max
On the runway and the red carpet, Banks has never been one to shy away from maximalism and bold patterns.
For the Spring 1993 Todd Oldham runway show, Banks sported a striped shorts suit over a cropped white button-up blouse. The look was complete with a thick red belt to match the primary colors in the blazer and shorts. While this look is a sign of the times, 2025 is also seeing a return to standout patterns and funky silhouettes.
Banks is known for much more than just her sense of style: hosting “America’s Next Top Model,” founding production company Bankable Productions and creating nonprofit organization TZONE Foundation, to name a few of her feats. She has led the way for many women in fashion and has been outspoken about the crucial role of diversity in the industry. Whether fashionably or professionally, Banks is a classic source of inspiration.
Photo Caption: Photos taken from outside sources.
Ron Galella, Getty Images
Written by
Shelby Emery