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Prince: The death of a fashion icon

By Vivian Hendriksz

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London - The world seems a little less brighter today after news broke on Thursday of the passing of "the artist formerly known as Prince." The legendary artist sadly passed at the age of 57, leaving behind a career which spanned four decades and touched several industries outside of music. Prince, who was also known as His Royal Badness and the Purple one, will be remembered as much for his love affair with fashion and showmanship as well as his iconic music. His talent to reinvent himself through fashion as he saw fit will never be forgotten, as will some of his most famous looks. Prince was not bound by society's definition of gender and sexuality, and was never afraid of expressing himself through clothing.

Always the creative showman, his outrageous looks, which ranged from nearly naked, to rockstar dandy, to head-to-toe sequins, continually blurred the lines between femininity and masculinity. Prince was perhaps one of the ultimate fashion peacocks, donning everything from bondage inspired lingerie, to high collared ruffled shirts, to sleek white suits, to ass exposing jumpsuits - preferably in his favorite colour and the colour of royalty, Purple. From the time he starting rising to fame in the 1970s, to writing his Oscar winning song for the film classic "Purple Rain", to winning seven Grammy Awards and topping the charts, Prince has firmly cemented his place as a pop culture icon with a reckless and audacious wardrobe that will undoubtedly inspire generations to come on.

"Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent," said President of the United States Obama in a statement. "‘A strong spirit transcends rules,’ Prince once said — and nobody’s spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative." FashionUnited takes a moment to pay tribute to Prince Rogers Nelson and look back on some of his most iconic, daring and inspiring fashion looks.

Prince album, 1979

His second studio album cover, released by Warner Bros. Records in 1979 shows a shirtless, smouldering Prince.

Purple Rain Album Cover, 1984

A photo posted by lallo25 (@lallo25) on

It was this look which ensured the colour purple - also the colour of royalty - became synmous with Prince. Recorded for the classic film Purple Rain, the high neck shirt, ruffles and teased hair, went on to become almost a signature look for the artist during this period.

Prince in a cropped Top, 1984

Never afraid to to expose himself to the critics, Prince embraced styles for both men and women and wore it all in style.

Prince in paisley and pink boa, 1985

A famous look from a show after Prince rose to fame following Purple Rain

Prince, performance, 1987

Prince polka dots, 1988

Never one for ordinary dressing, Prince took the concept of the suit to another level with this polka dot ensemblance.

Cover of Lovesexy album, 1988

A photo posted by Chev Darling (@sacheverell) on

Prince onstage, 1993

Prince performance in Vancouver, 1997

Left: Prince at the People's Choice Awards, 2005 - Right: Prince at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards

Prince at Super Bowl XLI, 2007

Prince album cover Planet Earth, 2007

A photo posted by Akane Okumura (@akaneseijin) on

Prince at Madison Square Garden, 2011

An absolute legend! #rip #prince #legend #purplerain

A photo posted by Holly Charlotte (@prettysculpt) on

Prince at Coachella, 2008

Prince accepting award at American Music Awards, 2015

Donatella Versace morns his passing

Photos: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter


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