Style icons of the 20th century

The Clothes Show London has discovered the enduring fashion icons for each decade from the 1940s to the turn of the century - as they prepare to announce the fashion stars of 2009. The survey uncovered Kate Moss as the resounding icon of the 90s; Madonna as the 'Material Girl' of 80s; Blondie singer Debbie Harry stole the 1970s; and Bridget Bardot triumphed the hugely-influential 1960s era. Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich have been crowned as the earliest fashion icons. German-Born American actress and singer Marlene Dietrich was the last century’s figure-head style icon; her exotic looks and glamour in films such as ‘Shanghai Express’ providing a blueprint for the style icons of today. Surprisingly, Kate Moss is the only fashion favourite winner who is a full-time model. Erin O’Connor was voted within the top five most popular style icons of the 1990s.

The decade-spanning survey provides a snapshot of the icons that have shaped the face of the British fashion industry, and of those who have cemented their place in the nation's hearts. Overall, women dominated the survey, with fashion-conscious males such as David Beckham, John Lennon and James Dean polling minor votes. Fashion chameleon David Bowie was the only male managing to end up in the top; polling 25% of the 1970s era vote.

The Clothes Show Style Awards are a showcase of the best of the UK’s fashion and beauty industry. Featuring seven different categories - Fashion Photographer of the Year, Fashion Stylist of the Year, Make-up Artist of the Year, Celebrity Hairdresser of the Year in association with Your Hair, Hair Ideas and Blonde Hair, Best Dressed Man of the Year in association with Look Magazine, Best Dressed Women of the Year in association with Look Magazine and 95.8 Capital FM’s most Stylish Londoner. Short-listed names include Alexa Chung, Daisy Low, Jamie Dunn, Alex Turner, George Lamb and Alfie Allen. Sponsored by The British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman, Chairman of The British Fashion Council, will present Fashion Photographer of the Year, Fashion Stylist of the Year and Make-up Artist of the Year awards.

The Clothes Show Style Awards will be judged by a panel of experts or subject to public vote. Hosted by British infamous model Erin O’Connor and radio and television presenter George Lamb, category winners will be announced at a gala event in London’s ExCeL on Friday 29 May 2009 at 8:30pm. Tickets to the Clothes Show Style Awards are available now and include entrance to Clothes Show London (11am – 8pm), The Clothes Show Style Awards, followed by the catwalk showcase.

Image: Audrey Hepburn