Fashion is one industry where things change rapidly. What’s trending and selling like crazy today, might just go out of fashion tomorrow and simply stop selling. Hence, it is imperative for manufacturers to stay updated. In terms of balancing the risk, they can opt to focus on trending printed t-shirts instead, which carries the same sales potential but comes with much less risk.

Over the years, fashion brands have heavily relied on celebrities to promote their products as well as create and popularise new trends. Let us now take a look at 18 such celebrities who simply changed fashion forever.

1) Katherine Hepburn

Katherine Hepburn, the American actress was probably the first to popularise the androgynous look for women. She wore men’s clothing with panache and that certainly opened up a whole new world in the fashion industry.

2) Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel, the legendary fashion designer of the early 20th Century brought the idea of minimalism to the fashion industry. Her little black dress design was truly a revolution and changed fashion like never before.

3) Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen made looking cool a thing. Casually dressed with untidy ties and a baggy shirt, his outfit was anything but stylish as per the norms of the era. However, he successfully managed to pull off this cool look earning him admirers across the globe and revolutionising men’s fashion!

4) Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth, according to fashion historians, was single-handedly responsible for advancing women’s fashion by several years. She boldly sported mid thigh length shorts and dresses at a time when even knee-length dresses and skirts were frowned upon. It’s certainly true that Rita Hayworth changed fashion forever!

5) Marylin Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was probably the most photographed person ever. Her dashing outfits which ranged from the innocent girl and cheerful maiden all the way to the bold diva were all revolutionary! Replicas of her white dress look from the movie ‘The Seven Year Itch’ still have massive demand even to this day!

6) Clint Eastwood

Probably the first name that comes to mind when we mention Wild West is Clint Eastwood. His portrayal of the ‘Man with No Name’ truly defines the rugged western look. Was he someone who changed fashion forever? Absolutely!

7) Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson set the music industry ablaze with his amazingly energetic songs and dance. But few recognise his contribution to the fashion industry. Each of his outfits for his music videos and live on-stage performances were carefully designed to be remarkably revolutionary.

8) Princess Diana

Princess Diana’s unique dressing style which combined colourful dresses with minimal jewellery made her an instant fashion icon across the globe! Her subtle additions to the women’s wardrobe including handheld clutch purses and metal bracelets are staples of women’s fashion today.

9) Pat Cash

Tennis stars have always been closely associated with the fashion industry for years now. It all probably started with Pat Cash. His unique striped polo shirts and chequered headbands were truly revolutionary at the time. His headband style inspired the likes of modern greats including Agassi, Federer and Nadal!

10) Sean Connery

Tuxedo with a clean bowtie and a glass of vodka martini, one character made these fashionable – James Bond. The man who brought James Bond to life? The legendary Sean Connery, of course!

11) Angelina Jolie

Sweaty tank tops and cargo shorts weren’t really considered fashionable for women – until Lara Croft came about, that is. Angelina Jolie’s body hugging outfit with guns and weapons on the sides made the world fall in love with her novel assassin-angel look! She paved the way for modern acceptance of body fitting casual clothing as highly fashionable.

12) Serena Williams

An all-time tennis great and certainly a modern women’s fashion icon, Serena Williams style both on and off the court have inspired modern women to be bold and expressive.

13) Beyonce

Beyonce was probably the first to make jewellery based lacy dresses popular. She is a true modern fashion legend whose styles and outfits have inspired millions of young black women across the globe.

14) Gabriel Macht

The early 2000s and 2010s was a time when business casuals were becoming highly fashionable with modern IT giants all advocating the style. However, Gabriel Macht’s portrayal of Harvey Specter in the popular TV show Suits single handedly brought business suits back in fashion!

15) Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston’s nonchalant dressing style and simple hairstyle in the TV show Friends was truly a pivotal moment in the 90s fashion industry. Her look was so popular that the hairstyle she adopted was eventually named after her character in the show as The Rachel.

16) Kylie Jenner

From the early 2000s, as we move to the Instagram era of fashion, the most prominent name that stands out is, of course, Kylie Jenner. Although traditional stylists may frown at her bright and bold looks, she is adored by millions of youngsters and millennials.

17) Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle has been a trendsetter over the last decade. The Duchess of Sussex has been sporting traditionally men’s fabrics like chinos in spectacular style with ease. 

18) Zendaya

Zendaya is probably Kylie Jenner’s true successor in terms of her bold and never boring fashion sense. The musician turned actress has been a showstopper at every event she showed up in the last few years. Truly changing fashion forever, as we speak!

Think we missed someone in this list? Feel free to let us know through the comments below.