Icon of the Era; 1980s

 

                                                                            Madonna 

Madonna Louise Ciccone is an american singer, songwriter and actress. Known as the 80s 'queen of pop', she helped cultivate music at the time but also helped set fashion trends and bring on a wave of 80s nostalgia when people of today think of her. 

With her constant reinvention and versatility, she has stayed relevant up to the modern age and has continued to influence people with her music and overall persona. 

Recognisable by her side ponytail and multiple chains and bangles, she personified the 80s with her big curls, off the shoulder tops and pink lippie. Her red carpet looks also remain revolutionary with black and rhinestones being her signature style, as well as veils and gothic crosses. Her play on 'nun' and church fashion also referencing her celebrity persona that she built, and shows how true to herself she remains.

She's a seven time Grammy award winner who has sold over three million copies worldwide, with music videos who have amassed billions of views. Her most popular videos such as material girl and vogue, directly impacted the fashion world at the time with her fully pink, satin dress and gloves worn in material girl,  that helped conform to female stereotypes and the 80s 'housewife' glamour. Yet this concept is then subverted by her plunge back dress that remains a focal point in the vogue music video, implying how Madonna is aware of her sexuality. 

This leads to how Madonnas sexuality plays a huge part in her persona and how she challenges the 80s ideals of the time such as how a woman's femininity remains the most interesting part of her. Thus Madonna, despite receiving criticism, isn't afraid to be sexually appealing and celebrates her female empowerment. By showing this with her outfits, and referencing her sex appeal throughout a lot of her music, Madonna inspired women in the 80s to take charge of their own femininity through fashion and clothing.