Diane Keaton's Enduring Legacy: How the Actress Became a Timeless Fashion Icon

Diane Keaton, the acclaimed actress who passed away in October 2025 at the age of 79, was a true style icon whose distinct look and persona made her a brand unto herself. According to her friend Lynda Resnick, Keaton's signature style of turtlenecks, chic outerwear, gloves, and brimmed hats—always in black, white, or both—defined her and even extended to her Christmas gifts.

Resnick, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, befriended Keaton around 2016 and became part of a close-knit group of friends that included other notable figures like songwriter Carole Bayer Sager and producer Lauren Shuler Donner. Resnick recalls that Keaton's Christmas presents were always "on brand," including "fabulous books that were so big a U-Haul had to bring them" and canisters for cookies and other items that featured Keaton's signature black and white color scheme.

Keaton, Resnick says, "was the original celebrity brand," understanding her unique aesthetic and persona long before others in the entertainment industry saw themselves as brands. Resnick feels lucky to have known Keaton in her later years, describing her as "the most authentic, talented woman" she has ever known. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Keaton would join Zoom calls dressed in her signature turtleneck and looking every bit the part of the iconic Annie Hall character.