by Leonore Dicker
 
Anyone who was born before the nineties will recognize the huge impact these divas below had on the fashion industry. From conquering the world with their style (and voice) to having actual clothing items named after them, these 4 iconic singers have undeniably influenced fashion.


MADONNA
Madonna isn’t only a style icon, she’s a style chameleon. She has timelessly morphed into different looks to keep up with the trends – but back in the day, she was the one setting them. When she exploded in the eighties, she introduced herself with bleached blond hair, lace or conical bras and fishnet stockings. She was bold, empowered and sexy. She paved the way for today’s female celebrities to dress in a sexy manner without being judged. She has managed to represent a whole era: people will often dress up as her when they attend eighties-themed events.


 


JANE BIRKIN
This natural beauty has always had an effortless style. The singer –who was best known for her relationship with Serge Gainsbourg– could often be spotted in the sixties wearing petite dresses and flared jeans. She gracefully embraced the beach-hair look with her cute bangs.  She proved to women that the joie de vivre was the most beautiful accessory a woman could own –except for an “it” bag that was named after her. In 1981, she sat next to Hermès’ CEO on a flight from Paris to London. As she struggled with her straw bag, she explained to him that she hadn’t found a leather weekend bag she liked. Three years later the “Birkin” was invented for her. Thank you Jane.




 
GRACE JONES
This fearless Jamaican singer started out as a model for Yves Saint Laurent. Thanks to her bold outfits, she soon became a muse to fashion designers, like Issey Miyake and artists, such as Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. Her electric style has influenced many, including Lady Gaga. She never conformed and once said, that “sunglasses were [her] eye make-up, even at night”. Her style will forever embody the Studio 54 years.
 




MARILYN MONROE
Not many women are still celebrated over 50 years after their deaths. Marilyn Monroe is one of the few. Her outfits have included pink satin diamonds gowns accessorized with her seductress glare, as well as white bustier tutus. Her famous pleated white dress –which she wore in The Seven Year Itch film above a subway grating that blew the dressup– was even named after her. She showed women how to embrace their curves and own their look.