Julie Bishop poses in nothing but a blazer and tights for Stellar magazine

Politician turned fully-fledged fashionista Julie Bishop has stunned in a series of stylish new snaps – including one in which she wears a blazer and little else.

Julie Bishop has solidified her style icon status in a series of stunning new photographs snapped in celebration of International Women’s Day next Wednesday.

The former foreign affairs minister, 66, looked sleek and sophisticated as she posed for Stellarmagazine as this weekend’s cover star, donning nothing but a blazer, tights and a pair of black pumps in one shot.

The former foreign minister showed off her toned pins in the stylish shoot. Picture: Steven Chee for Stellar Magazine

Julie’s stunning Stellar cover. Picture: Supplied

Bishop, who has been turning heads with her chic style for years, has taken on a suitable new role in fashion as an official “friend” of David Jones.

Discussing the career move with Stellar, Bishop said she is proud to represent her demographic and highlight that “style doesn’t age”.

“The designs and the models and the stylists [usually] focus on one demographic; I’m from one that is generally under-represented … [I’m] a career woman who has had a number of careers and yet still wants to be fit and healthy and dress well,” she said.

“Style doesn’t age. Women were considered to have a shelf life, and women in media know this better than most. I think we’ve smashed that paradigm. Now you can be an achiever in whatever you set out to do. You can be fashionable at any age”

Reflecting on her time in politics and the “responsibility” she feels as a role model for women, Bishop – who was the first female deputy leader of the Liberal Party, the first female foreign minister, and is now the first female chancellor of Australian National University in Canberra – is determined to pave the way for future generations.

“Throughout my legal and political careers, I’ve been the first woman in a number of roles,” Ms Bishop said.

“It means I have a responsibility to ensure it’s easier for the next woman to follow me, not harder … At least the next woman in the role isn’t saddled with the narrative that she’s the first woman.

“It’s less of a curiosity if you’re the second or third or fourth woman in a role; it’s the norm.”

Following the end of her eight-year relationship with David Panton last year, Ms Bishop’s personal life has been thrust into the spotlight in recent months, making headlines last August when she stepped out in a glamorous Balmain mini dress many likened to Princess Diana’s famous “revenge dress”.

Asked about the iconic fashion moment, she said, “I don’t get that. Look, commentators can say what they like, but I wasn’t sending any message”

For the full interview with Julie Bishop and more, Stellar Magazine is available inside The Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Herald Sun and The Sunday Mail

For more from Stellar, head to www.stellarmag.com.au