Vogue and American Style Select 50 Finalists for Semiquincentennial
To mark the US semiquincentennial in July 2026, Vogue partnered with newsletter writer Biz Sherbert to identify 50 young people (ages 18–30) representing modern American style. Finalists were chosen from submissions via the Vogue app, with Sherbert meeting two in person: Owen Peters in Shakopee, Minnesota, and Chelsi Banks in Birmingham, Alabama. The group reflects diverse influences from Pacific Northwest grunge to classic Westernwear, citing inspirations like Pinterest, TV shows (Sex and the City, Lizzie McGuire, The X Files), films (Peppermint Soda, Amélie, Clueless), and personal icons such as grandmothers, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Hilma af Klint. Each finalist described their style in 2–3 words and shared favorite wardrobe items, ranging from a $30 Miu Miu dress to a Helmut Lang prototype jacket. The initiative aims to capture the breadth of Americana across 50 states and 14 territories.
Key facts
- Vogue and American Style selected 50 finalists for the US semiquincentennial in July 2026.
- Biz Sherbert, writer of the American Style newsletter, advised on the selection.
- Finalists are US residents aged 18–30 who submitted photos, video, and answers via the Vogue app.
- Sherbert met two finalists in person: Owen Peters in Shakopee, Minnesota, and Chelsi Banks in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Influences include Pinterest, Sex and the City, Lizzie McGuire, The X Files, Peppermint Soda, Amélie, Clueless, grandmothers, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Hilma af Klint.
- Favorite items include a Miu Miu spring 2008 purple dress ($30), Nike basketball shorts, Prada Brixxen boots, and a Helmut Lang spring 1997 prototype denim jacket.
- Styles range from 'charmingly twee' to 'prep and glamour' to 'red-hot sexpot'.
- The project covers all 50 states and 14 territories.
Entities
Artists
- Biz Sherbert
- Owen Peters
- Chelsi Banks
- Robert Mapplethorpe
- Hilma af Klint
- Jackie O.
- The Dare
- Marc Jacobs
- Dara
- Gene Kelly
- Addison Rae
- Edith Head
- Jackie Kennedy
- Grace Kelly
- Audrey Hepburn
- Yohji Yamamoto
- Amy Smilovic
- Anni Albers
- Georgia O'Keeffe
- Ralph Lauren
- John Galliano
- Dana Scully
- Laura Palmer
- Buffy Summers
- Helmut Lang
- Linda Evangelista
- Gianni Versace
- Jenny Walton
- Lee Radziwill
- Hunter S. Thompson
- Brad Pitt
- Jack Reacher
- Carrie Bradshaw
- Murray (Clueless)
- Arnaz (One on One)
- Shawn (Boy Meets World)
- Dita Von Teese
- Lana Del Rey
- Nigella Lawson
- Ariana Papademetropoulos
- Ann Demeulemeester
- Bonnard
- Matisse
- Wes Anderson
- Katharine Hepburn
- Louise Lessard
- Isabel Marant
Institutions
- Vogue
- American Style
- Prada
- Miu Miu
- Mercari
- Nike
- Valentino
- Forever21
- Cos
- Tibi
- Dior
- Chloé
- Ralph Lauren
- Neiman Marcus
- Adeam
- Calvin Klein
- Dolce & Gabbana
- Helmut Lang
- Versace
- The Row
- Poshmark
- Mirror Palais
- Diesel
- Ferrari
- Superdown
- Trucé L'Officiel
- Isabel Marant
- Bekett
- Goodwill
- Brimfield flea market
- Muji
- Depop
- The RealReal
- Amazon
- Tumblr
- Fruits magazine
Locations
- United States
- Shakopee
- Minnesota
- Minneapolis
- Birmingham
- Alabama
- New York City
- NYC
- Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania
- Boston
- Massachusetts
- Florida
- Virginia
- Athens
- Ohio
- Paris
- France
- Italy
- Greece
- Mexico City
- Mexico
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Vienna
- Austria
- Adirondacks
- New York