H O O K E D - Top 10 Timeless Beauties

Top 10 Timeless Beauties

Written by Julia Lua

What is a classic beauty?

Probably not the instant pop idols of Taiwanese variety shows. With their anorexic frames, mismatch garb, ice kachang hair colour and child-like squeals, they can hardly cut the fine figure of a classic beauty. If anything, they are products of trends.

But, alas, fads come and go, but classic beauty, like anything else that is classic, never goes out of style. A classic beauty will remain beautiful whether it's the 14^th century or the 21^st century. She carries herself with such poise and grace, it's almost daunting.

The Screen Queens

1) Audrey Hepburn

        Award-winning actress and ambassador for UNICEF.

        Her acting legacy lives on through Breakfast at Tiffany's and Roman Holiday. Likewise, her humanitarian work prevails through the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.

        Who could forget Hepburn in her Little Black Dress, carrying a long cigarette holder, nibbling a Danish as she window-shopped at Tiffany's? It is, after all, one of the iconic images of 20^th century American cinema. This image is a stark contrast from today's nauseating photos of smokers shrouded in fumes of bad breath and chipping yellow teeth.

For stylishly defining oversized sunglasses, sleeveless dresses and cigarettes, Hepburn deserves applause worthy of our time.

2) Elizabeth Taylor

This glamorous beauty grew from a bright-eyed child actress to one of the world's most famous movie stars. She remains a magnet for publicity, due in part to the timeless charm she exudes, and in part, to her extensive string of marriages.

Even in old age, her classic beauty shows little sign of fading. In 2000, she was conferred the title of Dame of British Empire.

3) Maggie Cheung

        Cheung is versatility - she has been an action star, comedienne, singer and theatre actress. To date, her filmography boosts an impressive record of 80 quality movies.

        She has transcended the Hong Kong film industry to become a well-known figure in international cinema. Fame and fortune have not made her dizzy with success, as she stays firm in her principles, choosing only movie roles that speak to her at all levels.

        Despite dressing in extraordinary subtlety, she never falls short of media attention.

4) Marilyn Monroe

        Movie star, beauty ideal and fashion icon all perfectly rolled into the one and only, Marilyn Monroe.

        Signature billowing white dress, sexy red lips, beauty mark and sexy blonde curls scream ‘Screen Siren'. So stunningly attractive is she that legions of fame seekers have copied her style - Anna Nicole Smith and Christina Aguilera - but they can never replace her.

        Monroe famously quipped ‘Chanel No. 5' when asked what she wore in bed.

5) Gong Li

        This alluring mega star from China has a powerful screen presence.

        She has starred in Zhang Yimou's finest films, especially those depicting royal personage. This is largely due to her uncanny ability to display hatred and love, defeat and victory, all at one go. In her portrayals of royalty, her steely gaze and penetrating stare, deeply etched with resolve, represents the will and authority of famous empresses from ancient China.

        In recent times, she has gained a foothold on Hollywood films, and is slowly attaining global prominence.

6) Nicole Kidman

Porcelain skin, golden tresses and elegant features make her what her height implies, a cut above the rest.

Even after decades of acting, her glowing look remains just as dazzling on glossy magazine covers, while her acting chops are more poignant than ever. The award-winning actress establishes herself as an engaging female lead in countless Hollywood films, notably, Moulin Rogue and The Hours.

Women of Men in Power

7) Jacqeline Kennedy

        Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, possibly the most stylish of the First Ladies, exudes rare elegance that is unsurpassed by those after her.

        Born to a world of affluence and privilege, and twice married into a world of more wealth, first to late US president John F. Kennedy and next to Greek Aristotle Onassis, she was the eye candy of the paparazzi for a long period of time.

        She brought a ripple effect in fashion when multitude of women tried to mould themselves into a Jackie O clone - signature well-pressed suits, dresses and hairstyles.

8) Queen Rania of Jordan

        Her majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah is the top 100 most beautiful and powerful woman in the world.

        She is Queen of Jordan, Middle East's most beautiful ambassador and a dedicated champion of women's rights.

        Witty and stylish, she has fought to end child abuse and honour killings, much to the chagrin of many a male chauvinists.

        Her supermodel good looks, brains and personality overthrow the stereotype of oriental women as voiceless victims of physical and emotional brutality.

9) Wang Zhao Jun

        She was a ‘Han Dynasty' beauty, who became a political bride in a bid to escape the emptiness of the palace grounds.

        So confident was she of her beauty and brains that she chose not to stoop as low as the other girls who bribe the palace painter for a prettier portrait. Thus, the court portrait of Zhao Jun was a total opposite of her real self.

        When the emperor had to marry a Han Lady off to a Xiongnu tribe, he picked the plainest girl from the palace portraits - Zhao Jun. On the day of departure, he was shocked and despondent that Zhao Jun was in fact, the loveliest among his harem of women.

10) Snow White

        A princess of noble birth, poisoned by her stepmother but saved by a prince's kiss, lived happily ever after in a palace in a far away land.

        Every girl grew up to Snow White as the beauty ideal. For a part of our lives, fair skin, huge eyes and red lips were all we ever wanted - until we got smarter and realized - maybe not (think wits and personality).

        Your mother fed you ‘Snow White' from Disney hardcover and videotapes, you marveled and begged for a toddler version of her dress, and you would probably end up buying the Barbie version of Snow White for your unborn daughter. Get the drift?

The Timeless Beauty That Never Was barbie

        Barbie, the epitome of timelessness, has, year after year, stood the test of time.

        Her standardized body proportions and features make her look good in all sorts of clothes. Although Barbie is merely a toy, the models of Barbie after famous personas - Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Snow White - have all breathed life into it.

        Even as the beauty icons themselves depart the world, Barbie remains beautiful and alive, in millions of Barbie toy boxes all around the globe. Hooked

Images courtesy of Google Images

Comments
Written by Guest on 2008-03-12 01:02:31
:grin
Written by Guest on 2008-03-12 02:57:34
Where did Princess Diana go?
Written by Guest on 2008-03-12 03:27:44
Barbie actually has unrealistic body proportions. I've read somewhere that if the doll was scaled to actual human proportions, she'd be almost 7 feet tall haha. In fact, the Barbie doll was seen as a possible threat to the self esteem of young girls especially when anorexia and various other body image disorders were on the rise with increasingly young children.
oh well. i | Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe though =)
Written by Guest on 2008-03-12 06:50:52
I agree..where did Princess Diana go? Shouldn't she be included as well?
Written by Guest on 2008-03-12 08:51:30
about the barbie part, if barbie is a real girl, her waist is supposed to be like 20inches.
MADNESS
Snow White?!?!
Written by Guest on 2008-03-12 12:11:01
Why is Snow White considered "a woman of men in power"? I agree with the rest, it should have be Princess Diana.. She's more apt under that heading then snow white.
Written by Guest on 2008-03-12 14:12:39
Actually I heard somewhere that Barbie is extremely disproportionate. Top-heavy, I think. Definitely not standardized. Someone actually managed to get the actual measurements, I just can't remember what, save that the waist was about 22/23.
Written by Guest on 2008-03-14 05:17:52
:roll
Written by Guest on 2008-03-14 12:11:31
I think Grace Kelly more than deserve a mention. She was a Screen Queen and a real Queen too! How can you forget her and remember Snow White!

Also, I agree with the rest. Where is Princess Diana?
Written by Guest on 2008-03-17 04:23:48
Marilyn Monroe worth to be included in the list ? I think Marilyn Manson is far more better than her :grin

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