Music Icons Since the 1960s

Iconic Fashion Trends

Rockstars and fashion go hand-in-hand. Let's take a look back at fifty years of fashion trends and the singers who most influenced the styles of their decade.

Marianne Faithfull, 1960s
The 1960s was a decade of change on many levels, and fashion was no exception. Singer Marianne Faithfull embraced the new silhouettes and styles. She could rock leather pants and a fur as easily as she could a lace peter pan collar and a mod peacoat. A true princess of style, she loved the long-sleeve mini-dresses and ruffled blouses the ’60s introduced.

There's been renewed interest in her vintage look. Renowned fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson mentioned Faithfull in one of her very first posts, claiming the singer as one of her personal icons. "I'd really like to adapt her style!"

The Beatles, 1960s
John, Paul, Ringo, and George—four guys from Liverpool who forever changed music and fashion. In the early ’60s they dressed in dark tailored suits—a slim look with white dress shirts and skinny pants. Their clothes and their "moptop" hairstyles were copied everywhere. They wore turtlenecks on the cover of their album "A Hard Day's Night" in 1964, sparking a trend that lasted well into the ’70s.

Stevie Nicks, 1970s
Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks was famous for her romantic, gypsy style. On stage, she made a statement in long, flowy, sheer looks, embellished shawls and capes, lacy headscarves, and platform boots. She worked with Margi Kent to create this signature look. By the end of the ’70s, she started wearing velvet berets and top hats accessorized with ostrich plumes.

David Bowie, 1970s
David Bowie has been a style icon since his first rock hit in 1969. He was a huge influence on the fashion of the glam rock era as his androgynous alter-ego, Ziggy Stardust. By the late 1970s, his ever-evolving artistic expression moved towards a classic edge with suits, vests, and ties.

Madonna, 1980s
There is no entertainer so closely associated with ’80s fashion as Madonna. Fingerless lace gloves, crop tops, mini-skirts over leggings, lace tops and stockings, crucifix jewelry, piles of bangles, knotted headbands, and big bleached hair were her trademarks in the mid-’80s. Stylist and fashion designer Maripol helped her create this signature look.

Run-DMC, 1980s
Hip-hop hit the scene in the 1980s, and Run-DMC was at the top of the charts. Their popularity influenced people to start wearing track suits as a fashion statement, Kangol hats, oversized gold jewelry, and Adidas, of course! Their song, "My Adidas" led them to be the first rap act to sign an athletic product endorsement deal.

Gwen Stefani, 1990s
Gwen Stefani has been rocking a look that's the perfect blend of femininity and tough girl since she exploded onto the music scene in the ’90s. A huge influence on fashion trends of the time, she wore a mix of punk and vintage: belts with chains and studs, thrift store cardis, baby tees, cropped fitted tanks, plaid, baggy pants, Dickies, and Doc Martens.

Kurt Cobain, 1990s
The ’90s were typified by the grunge movement, with Nirvana's Kurt Cobain leading the way. In terms of fashion, grunge was a zero effort look—a just-rolled-out-of-bed style. Flannel shirts, baggy pants, overalls, and knit ski hats—big, messy styles. Cobain famously wore the Daniel Johnston "Hi How Are You" T-shirt to the VMAs in 1992.

Lady Gaga, 2000s - Now
She's worn a dress of raw meat, shirts without pants, opaque eyeglasses, and architecturally-structured styles that defy gravity. There is no end to the list of fashion firsts when it comes to Lady Gaga. She represents a time in fashion where anything goes. The last decade has been a mish-mash of styles, including recycled vintage fashion from the ’40s to the ’80s. The queen of exaggerated style, Gaga is a giant in the fashion world.

Justin Bieber, 2000s - Now
Justin Bieber is a trendsetting superstar! His fans adore him not only for his music, but for his awesome style. A big influence on fashion, he wears black leather jackets, skinny jeans, cardigans, slim ties, vests, plaid flannel shirts worn with white T-shirts, and of course his Supra Vaiders high tops!

See how our latest photoshoot was inspired by rock's fashion icons.

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