No matter whether you’re a fan of fashion or not, we can all appreciate that some individuals have had a big impact on the industry. From the brilliant to the ridiculous, fashion is certainly an evolving industry!
American magazine TIME released its list of the 100 most influential fashion icons since 1923 (the birth of the magazine). TIME boasts the largest circulation for weekly news magazines, reaching approximately 25 million people. The heavyweight news leader included a vast range of well-known fashion faces in their list; from the iconic Coco Chanel, to the controversial John Galliano, and not forgetting the innovative Lady Gaga.
We used their list to inspire this blog post, looking at some of the names that made the cut and that we think have really made a huge impact on the industry.
You were probably expecting the first person mentioned to be a world-renowned designer, known for creating beautiful and groundbreaking works of art. Or perhaps the hottest model in the industry, lusted over by that very designer itself. But you’d be wrong; it’s Sara Blakely… aka the creator of Spanx. We’ve got Ms Blakely to thank when we’re having a fat day, and we head to our wardrobe to be greeted by our trusty pair of stretchy shapewear!
The next person is known across the globe for his legacy in the music industry. With hits like Billie Jean, Thriller, and Man in the Mirror, he really needs no introduction. Whilst on this earth, Michael Jackson did everything to get his message across and help others. His flamboyant style was a statement itself. No-one will ever forget that glittery glove, or the red leather jacket. The King of Pop was quite frankly a King of Fashion as well. Leather jackets are still a massive trend today, and the late Mr. Jackson had a massive impact on this.
The list would not be complete without the ultimate innovator; Coco Chanel. Coco Chanel revolutionised women’s fashion in the early 20th century. She simply allowed women to breathe – by providing an alternative to corsets. Chanel introduced a looser silhouette, showing to the world that women can be fashionable and comfortable.
Bright colours, chunky accessories, smoky eyes, and colour blocking, all owe a big thank you to Andy Warhol. The famous painter represents the coming together of fashion and art. His Pop art influenced fashion in a way nothing else has done before, showing men and women how to turn heads like never before.
It’s not every day someone decides to leave the house wearing raw meat. Lady Gaga’s style can be described as outrageous and crazy just as much as it is fresh and innovative. Her outfits are creations, often sporting messages, or simply being celebrated alone as work of art. Whilst many people don’t understand some of the crazy things she wears, after all, who would think to wear an outfit made from Kermit the Frog Dolls, you can’t deny that she makes everyone stop and take note, and that’s exactly what a true fashionista is all about.