You can’t imitate style and expect to stand out. I have a list of six women who has changed and influenced and created the fashion trends of the 20th century. This list can be longer because there are so many iconic people who’ve influenced style for everyone still to this day, but these women created an environment for others to feel confident and uplifted by not only their style but also their independent, no-nonsense and fierce attitudes.

Grace Jones

Bold, dominant and does not give two shits is how I would describe this woman. Grace Jones put the high-top fade hairstyle on the map for women and men alike. Her androgynous style is what really made her a style icon of the 20th century. There is no doubt in my mind that singers like Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Madonna adopted the versatility that Jones established over 30 years ago.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was blonde ambition at its finest. Despite her turbulent personal life, her image exuded the opposite. She made it cool be curvy while proving that there is more to life than just having a pretty face.

Diana Ross

This would not be complete without speaking about the original diva herself. From rags to riches, Diana Ross (the name itself) brought fierceness and confidence to women of colour exuding the reason as to why that black is beautiful. Whether it’s rocking a afro, wearing glitter, or even eating a drumstick while looking glamour, Miss Ross is truly the boss, I know Beyonce will agree!

Kate Moss

In the early to mid nineties where grunge fashion became a big deal, this supermodel brought it into the glamorous limelight. Some people will say that Kate Moss is not the typical beauty, but she is so much more than that. Moss brings the unglamorous and gritty side of the fashion industry which is my reason as to why she is so successful. The woman as a model tells a story while being current in a time where it was needed.

Bianca Jagger

She may be known as Mick Jagger’s ex-wife, but Bianca is also a fashion icon. Aside from her humanitarian work, Bianca Jagger brought swag to the fashion game.She can turn a bland looking outfit look like gold by adding a flower to it like magic. else will ride on a horse for the birthday? Bianca did that.

Aaliyah

More than just a product of the nineties and late 2000’s, Aaliyah’s influence is unprecedented. Yes I said that. You can look at Rihanna, Beyonce, Zendaya, Miley Cyrus, Keke Palmer, Ciara, Drake and Chris Brown and not notice the impact that she had with her style on these artists. Still to this day women are duplicating her tomboy style with the black hair, a snapback along with the popular black shades. She may have left the world too young but her style lives on for decades.