"Diana Ross really put the idea of a diva on the map by adorning her slim frame in exquisite gowns," says Bernard, referring to Ross' consistently show-stopping looks. Her long lashes and larger-than-life hair also elevated her to style icon status. During the recent '70s style resurgence, we saw the same voluminous look on the 2013 runways. Today, Solange Knowles is often seen paying a spot-on homage to the Supreme's look.

While many designers are artists that function behind the scenes, Carolina Herrera is known both for what she sends down the runway and her stunning personal style. She first made the International Best Dressed List in 1972 and was later inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1980 -- a year before she launched her own fashion line. Herrera's eye for fashion has influenced the country for years. She's the woman responsible for dressing first ladies from Jackie O to Michelle Obama in elegance.

"With her regal neck, face, frame and resemblance to Nefertiti ... Iman became an overnight modeling sensation." In the 1990s, she was considered "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World," and with her elegant yet experimental sense of style, it's no surprise she's had fellow style icon David Bowie by her side since 1992. Today, she still inspires models of color in the industry (like Jourdan Dunn), especially with her namesake cosmetics line, launched in 1994, which has made finding makeup easier for women with darker skin tones.

Many of today's artists who go the avant garde route in their style choices can trace their inspiration back to Jamaican singer Grace Jones. With her signature flat top hairstyle and androgynous appearance, Jones is often credited for influencing the cross-dressing movement of the 1980s. Look at current men's and women's ready-to-wear runway shows (think David Anderson and Haider Akermann) and it's easy to see how Jones is still influencing trends in fashion across genders.

Remember when literally every celebrity was shaving one side of her head? All the credit goes to Cheryl James ("Salt"), Sandra Denton ("Pepa") and Deidra Roper ("DJ Spinderella"), who sported this signature look back in the mid-'80s. The girl group's edgy asymmetrical bobs were often paired with door-knocker earrings that have also made a comeback with the recent '90s style resurgence.