INTRODUCING BAZAAR'S WOMEN WHO CHANGED FASHION-THE STYLE ICONS

Celebrating the ladies who left their mark on the fashion industry.

Women in entertainment, modeling, and politics have influenced both street and runway style—establishing them as our modern tastemakers. Michelle Obama introduced the world to clean lines and homegrown American fashion when she became first lady in 2008. Madonna designed her own style, from underwear-as-outerwear to layered costume jewelry, for her performances in the '80s and '90s. Here, we look at women who made fashion their own and continue to inspire pop stars and style mavens today.

Princess Diana

• The obsession with Princess Diana of Wales' fashion sense was observed around the world. When she wed in the '80s wearing a huge, fluffy white wedding dress with leg-of-mutton style sleeves, brides across the globe followed suit. Her off-the-shoulder gowns, always worn with some form of pearls, raised eyebrows in the tabloids, but the rest of the world mimicked her style. Before her divorce, she put British-based fashion on the map, wearing labels such as Catherine Walker, Bellville Sassoon, and Gina Fratini.

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Audrey Hepburn

The chic actress was a major fashion influencer—particularly when she partnered with Hubert de Givenchy and Edith Head for films like Funny Face and Sabrina. She popularized straight, black-cropped pants, boatneck tops, and comfortable slip-on loafers designed by none other than Ferragamo. She made Holly Golightly an icon in the filmBreakfast at Tiffany's, a fashion favorite forever.

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Jackie Kennedy Onassis

When Jackie O became the First Lady of Fashion in the '60s, she influenced millions of women with her style. The simple shifts, pillbox hats, elegant scarves worn over her hair, oversized sunglasses, and peacoats inspired all generations of women to take note. Women everywhere still sport the "Jackie O" look today.

Bianca Jagger

Part of the high-glam '70s and a staple of Studio 54, Bianca Jagger had a style all her own. She favored sequined sheaths, fur, high-waisted pants, crisp suits, and blouses that were unbuttoned as could be. She mixed and matched old pieces with the new (think wide-legged pants with a revealing top, turban, and sleek, black choker) in a way that was thoroughly modern and entirely rock and roll.

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Jane Birkin

Jane Birkin defined a new era of full-on gamine chic, mixed with a touch of insouciance, wearing flared jeans, simple knits, delicate jewelry, white tees, and short minis. Her style has always been proof that casual can and always will be stylish when done in the right way. In 1984, Hermès created the now iconic Birkin bag in her honor.

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Madonna

Though Madonna's style varied throughout the height of her fame in the '80s, she cemented looks that remain culturally significant today. Pop stars still swear by her underwear-worn-as-outerwear look, and designers like Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy have paid tribute to her signature layering of cross necklaces. And who could forget the contrasting mix of lace, tulle and denim?

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Sarah Jessica Parker

As an actress, Sarah Jessica Parker has an unusual relationship with fashion: she's as stylish on the screen as she is on the red carpet. Her Sex in the City character Carrie'stutu and Manolo obsession drew widespread admiration, but her dedication to dressing in Fendi sequined sheaths with matching handbags or extraordinary headpieces at the Met Gala are a lesson in the DNA of personal style.

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Kate Moss

Respected every bit for her modeling skills as for her street style, Kate Moss created a new category of fashion: the model off-duty. Moss has always mixed thrift store finds with classic, utilitarian pieces and a boho spirit. She's inspired designers from Alexander McQueen to Marc Jacobs to proclaim her as their muse. In 2007, she launched her collaboration with Topshop, full of easy, chic pieces for the masses.

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Michelle Obama

As the nation's first lady, Michelle Obama has inspired generations of women to support American fashion. She's been known to favor the up-and-coming American designers who match her aesthetic, such as Jason Wu, Narciso Rodriguez, Tracy Reese, Rachel Roy, and Thakoon over the larger fashion houses like Carolina Herrera, Alexander Wang, or Ralph Lauren.

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Kate Middleton

The Duchess of Cambridge shaped fashion in an unexpected way when she came into the spotlight, mixing high fashion with cheap picks. She has championed British labels such as Alexander McQueen, Alice Temperley, and Jenny Packham, but also wears reasonably priced pieces by Zara, Whistles, and Reiss, making her a style icon for the masses. When Kate Middleton wears High Street fashion, it's almost sure to sell out.

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Kim Kardashian

She's the ultimate argument for the intersection of celebrity and fashion. The world has watched Kim Kardashian's style evolve through trial and error, and she's landed on the best dressed list for good reason. With a body that real women can relate to, ladies across the globe want to emulate what she's wearing—whether it be one of her trademark bandage dresses or Balmain straight off the runway. She's taken the traditional body ideal of fashion and completely turned it on its head.

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Rihanna

She's the cool girl with a hint of the unexpected. Pajamas to a club? Yes. A completely see-through dress on the red carpet? Why not? It's all part of Rihanna's style persona. For the everyday woman, Rihanna proves that the value of dressing for shock is completely valid. Her most memorable looks range from a revealing tuxedo jacket, a giant sweatshirt with hiking boots, or her extravagant yellow getup at the Met Gala. She'll try almost anything once, inspiring trends both high and low along the way.

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Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga is known for her out-of-this world fashion, from donning raw meat on the red carpet to arriving at the 2011 Grammys in an egg. She's not afraid to push boundaries, and fashion sense has caught the attention of designers ranging from Donatella Versace to the late Alexander McQueen. Her "little monsters" all over the world look up to her as a style icon as she inspires them to find their own fashion narrative.