Jessica Simpson was a Y2K era fashion pioneer from her reality TV days to TRL performances and viral music videos. And 20 years later, she admits that she is still faithful to aesthetics.
“I feel like I never left that style,” the fashion mogul and musician, 43, tells PEOPLE exclusively on the 2023 red carpet. News about footwear New York Achievement Awards.
Simpson — who was honored with an Icon award at Wednesday night’s ceremony — also reflected on her love of early footwear, adding: “I always go back to platforms when it comes to shoes. I have my staples and they end up falling out a little Y2K-[inspired].”
Simpson often shares photos of her outfits on Instagram, featuring her favorite footwear (she once paired a pair of neon pink inches-high pants with a bright green bikini), as well as some of her 2000s staples, like wide straps with nitnama and cheetah – print pieces.
She brought some of that flair to the red carpet on Wednesday, posing in a sheer floor-length Fjoll Nil dress with a sheer skirt and covered in crystals. She rounded off the shimmering number with metallic silver platform heels from Jessica Simpson’s own collection.
Simpson was honored for creating “one of fashion’s longest-running success stories.” Her eponymous line – which she founded with her mum Tina Simpson, who introduced her daughter at the event – spans multiple categories including clothing, footwear, accessories, beauty and more.
In a statement she shared exclusively with PEOPLE, she opened up about receiving the milestone among her industry peers.
“I am honored that my spirit has connected with people in need in ways that are obvious and in ways that are more subliminal,” she said. “The fact that News about footwear bestowing that title on this Texas girl helps illuminate the path ahead.”
Jessica Simpson steps out in style to accept an Icon award at a fashion event
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Jessica Simpson at the 2023 Footwear News Achievement Awards.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Footwear News via Getty
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Onstage, Simpson credited her success and tailoring skills to her mom and “fashion icon.”
“She inspired me to be up here tonight. She prayed for me in her womb and put all her love and blessings into my entire existence. So to be here right now is very humbling,” she said during her speech.
Admitting she didn’t know how to react to her new status at first — “When I got this call about being an icon, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m too young for that.’ Then I did the math and I said: ‘No, you’re 43 years old. Jessica, you are 43 years old. You can be an icon,’” — Simpson shared what the title means to her.
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Jessica Simpson accepts the Icon Award at the 2023 Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York City.
Jamie McCarthy/Footwear News via Getty
“I was trying to devote myself to understanding an icon, and I think an icon is just someone who was born with a purpose and a determination to fulfill that purpose no matter what that purpose was.”
She then thanked her design team for giving her the opportunity to bring people “a little bit of hope and confidence when they walk out the door.”
“I want to say that I hope God blesses every step you take and every decision you make from here on out, just know it’s powerful. It’s worth making even if it’s small. It could change your life,” she encouraged at the end of her speech.
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Source: HIS Education