What Makes a Social Icon?

The term 'socialite' gained its modern coinage in the 1920's. Before that time prominent American families were recorded in the Social Register - the foremost arbiter of elite society. The Social Register was founded in New York and 1886 and continues to be updated today. In the 20's the definition of high society broadened to include the Nouveau Riche.

The 1930s saw a period of unparalleled extravagance in the socialite community. This was sharply juxtaposed with The Great Depression which made it very difficult for most Americans to feed their families.

After World War II airplanes made world travel more manageable and the defining boundaries of socialites expanded once again welcoming foreign counterparts into the fold.

 The tradition of throwing extravagant parties in the name of charity was introduced early on and is largely continued today but with the discrepancies that exist can we really compare socialites like Brooke Astor and Millicent Rogers to Paris Hilton or the Kardashians or even Daphne Guinness? Babe Paley was criticized for alienating even her own children so obsessed was she to reach the top of polite society. Beyond that its difficult to find bad press on socialites of earlier decades. Elanor Lambert was among the first to revere fashion as an art form and helped establish the Costume Institute at the Met. Alva Vanderbilt fought for Women's right to vote and established the Political Equality League. Its possible that the goings-on behind closed doors may not have been any different from today but it seems like there was a time when public digression was more highly valued among high society. And I just can't see Paris Hilton fighting for anybody's right to anything.

At what point did socialite behaviour become more excessive thereby losing credibility among the rest of us? Many would say the difference comes down to simple manners. These days social icons are people who seek public attention in addition the expensive excursions their fortunes can afford them. What the public interprets as an appealing image has changed too. At one time grace and poise resonated strongly with social prominence. Now its all sex appeal and bad behavior. And the media should take its fair part of the blame for seeking out and publicizing ever more extreme stories.

 Though social icons have always been revered in newspapers and magazines the sense of entitlement which emanates from every photograph has always irked the public and given cause for criticism. Are we jealous because we want what they have or are we incensed because they are so out of touch with reality having not worked for the fortunes they acquired. Maybe its a combination of both.

With the current economic crisis here and abroad I cant help but ask myself: How long until those who are famous for being famous loose their significance completely?