This picture was taken in 1971, just as my mom, Jan Hunter Lingle, was about to enter a beauty pageant in Memphis. Mom was a runner-up for Miss South Carolina, It’s easy to see why the judges loved her look; she perfectly blends classic femininity with a relaxed, sexy feel. That funky belt and unbuttoned skirt balance out teh ladylike mood of her fitted turtleneck and simple makeup. All the clothing I design is meant for someone like Mom: a woman who is sophisticated but who also wants to stand out. Yes, Mom's my muse, but more importantly, she's the one who encouraged me to pursue my passion for fashion design. And because she raised me to believe in myself, Mom's not only my style icon, she's my lifelong role model too. —Hunter Bell, 31, cofounder/designer of Hunter-Dixon, New York City
