David Bowie: The death of a fashion icon

London - Legendary artist David Bowie has passed away at the age of 69, two days following the release of his latest album Blackstar, after losing his 18 month battle to cancer. With a career spanning more than 6 decades, he has long cemented his position as one the most innovative and visionary musician the music industry has ever seen. His talent to continuously reinvent himself whilst redefining the boundaries on what pop music could be, ensured that he kept everyone wondering what David Bowie would do next. With the introduction of his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust in 1972, he made the leap from music influencer, to fashion influencer, a role he continued to play throughout the duration of his career. Hailed as the Best Dressed Brit of all time, FashionUnited lists his most inspiring looks.

Androgynous - Gender-bending

With his long, flowing locks, high cheekbones and soft features, David Bowie made the best use of his androgynous look for the release of his third album, The Man Who Sold the World. For the original UK album cover, he donned a dress which he later began wearing to interviews and out in public, generating a mixture of reviews. His glam rock, gender-bending early style throughout his Hunky Dory album (think bell-bottoms and fur) paved the way for the emergence of his alter ego in 1972, Ziggy Stardust.

Ziggy Stardust

One of his most iconic looks, the emergence of Bowie'a alter ego Ziggy Stardust captures pop fans imagination with his blast of bright orange hair and, extravagant makeup and unique costumes. With on stage outfits ranging from that black and white cat suit, to the red body suit donned for Ziggy's final performance, Ziggy Stardust's many looks have has a lasting influence that has inspired fashion designers for years to come, like Jean Paul Gaultier, who was greatly inspired by the person for his Spring/Summer 2013 collection.

Glamorous Pirate

After moving to the US in 1974, David Bowie came out with his album "Diamond Dogs". One the hits from the album, "Rebel Rebel" which spawned another of his most remembered looks. Donning a red waist high body suit, paired with a flowy chequered blouse and an eye patch, the look is considered to be the height of his glam rock period.

Perfect Suited

One of his more 'normal' looks, David Bowie preference for impeccably tailored suits was well documented prior to the emergence of another of his persona's The Thin White Duke in 1976. One of the most well remembered portraits of him was taken during this time, by Terry O'Neill, where he is wearing a yellow, double breasted suit.

Thin White Duke

David Bowie introduced another persona in 1976, known as "Thin White Duke" after the track with the same title. The character was visually inspired by Thomas Jerome Newton, the extraterrestrial creature he played in the film "The man who fell to earth" that same year. With his hair slicked back, minimal makeup and white-shirt, black trousers and waistcoat combo, this persona was certainly a world away when it came to his previous persona. However, the Duke character is said to also have been fuelled by David Bowie's growing drug addiction and later became a persona that which the artist himself referred to as a "nasty character indeed."

The Berlin Years

Whilst trying to escape the demons of his addiction, David Bowie landed in West Berlin, where he was drawn in by the new emergance of electronic music. Influencing his style once more, the city changed his personal look, leading to a pared back, minimalist way of dressing which seemed to favour black.

Big Shoulders and Big Hair

The 1980s introduced a new wave of music which saw David Bowie reach a new height in his music career following a duet with Queen, which seems to be reflected in the height of his hair. One of the most recalled, yet understated outfits of his Glass Spider tour in 1987, which was launched to support his latest album "Never Let Me Down", was a wide cut dark red suit, featuring large shoulder pads and paired with the big hair of the decade.