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Home • Fashion

How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls

Solange Knowles' style reflects the depth and versatility of her multifaceted career.
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
By Mecca Pryor · Updated October 20, 2025
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Solange Knowles has recently made history as the first-ever scholar-in-residence at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. This milestone is just the latest in a long list of groundbreaking achievements throughout her creative career. From releasing critically acclaimed studio albums to founding Saint Heron—a multidisciplinary platform and free library dedicated to Black and brown voices—Solange has consistently pushed artistic boundaries. She’s also made waves in the world of orchestral composition, having created original works for both the Houston Symphony and the New York City Ballet, further proving her versatility and vision as a cultural force.

Beyond her contributions to music and art, Solange’s influence on fashion and beauty is undeniable. She has cultivated a signature style defined by striking silhouettes, bold color choices, and natural textures. Her iconic body wave braid-out has become a defining look—effortless, which many women look to achieve, but much like her approach to fashion. Whether draped in sculptural designs from emerging Black designers or making a statement in minimalist ensembles, Solange consistently merges high fashion with personal expression.

Even in her quietest moments, her style speaks volumes. Her Instagram, though rarely updated, offers carefully composed glimpses into her world: flowing fabrics, powerful poses, and hair that always complements her energy. Solange’s look is never about trends, it’s carefully curated, highlighting color, texture, and meaning. Her style is as multidimensional as her art, making her a lasting source of inspiration for those who value individuality, authenticity, and a fearless sense of self.

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01 USC Thornton School of Music Appoints Solange Knowles “Scholar-In-Residence” in Collaboration With Saint Heron
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 13: <> attends as USC Thornton School of Music appoints Solange Knowles “Scholar-In-Residence” in collaboration with Saint Heron at USC Thornton School of Music on October 13, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for USC Thornton School/Solange Knowles)
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02 USC Thornton School of Music Appoints Solange Knowles “Scholar-In-Residence” in Collaboration With Saint Heron
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
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03 Ferragamo – Outside Arrivals – Milan Fashion Week – Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Solange Knowles arrives at the Ferragamo fashion show during the Milan Womenswear Spring/Summer 2026 on September 27, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)
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04 Celebrity Sightings In New York City – September 15, 2025
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 15: Solange Knowles attends the Luar fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by The Hapa Blonde/GC Images)
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05 Street Style – Day 2 – Milan Fashion Week – Womenswear Spring/Summer 2025
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 18: Solange Knowles is seen wearing hoop silver earrings, black fur sandals embroidered with rhinestones, a black long sweater, a black long lace skirt and a black and silver handbag outside Jil Sander show during the Milan Fashion Week Menswear Spring/Summer 2025 on September 18, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images)
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06 Gucci Cruise 2025 Fashion Show – Arrivals – Gucci Cruise 2025
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Solange Knowles arrives at the Gucci Cruise 2025 Fashion Show at Tate Modern on May 13, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Gucci)
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07 Celebrity Sightings in New York City – February 28, 2020
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 28: Solange Knowles is seen on February 28, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by JNI/Star Max/GC Images)
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08 Kenzo : Runway – Paris Fashion Week – Menswear Spring/Summer 2020
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 23: Singer Solange Knowles performs on the runway during the Kenzo Menswear Spring Summer 2020 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 23, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Foc Kan/WireImage)
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09 Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Camp: Notes on Fashion, Arrivals, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA – 06 May 2019
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
Solange Knowles (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)
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10 70th Annual Parsons Benefit, New York, USA – 21 May 2018
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
Solange Knowles (Photo by Lexie Moreland/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
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11 Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 07: Solange attends “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & the Catholic Imagination”, the 2018 Costume Institute Benefit at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
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12 Glamour Celebrates 2017 Women Of The Year Awards – Backstage
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
BROOKLYN, NY – NOVEMBER 13: Solange poses backstage at Glamour’s 2017 Women of The Year Awards at Kings Theatre on November 13, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Glamour)
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13 Levi’s Trucker Jacket 50th Anniversary Party, Los Angeles, USA 05 Oct 2017
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
Solange Knowles (Photo by Rob Latour/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
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14 Maryam Nassir Zadeh show, Backstage, Spring Summer 2018, New York Fashion Week, USA – 12 Sep 2017
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
Solange Knowles (Photo by Donald Stahl/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
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15 2017 BET Awards – Press Room
How Solange Knowles Became The Ultimate Style Icon For Cool Girls
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 25: Solange winner of the Centric Award for ‘Cranes In The Sky’ poses in the press room at the 2017 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for BET)