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.

Along with her iconic voice, Selena was known for her fun and flashy outfits on stage. Many of the designs she performed in were her own, and you don't have to look far to see their current influence on today's style. It's virtually impossible to avoid the crop tops and embellished bustiers that were a signature of the pop star, who often paired them with high-waisted pants.

"Flo-Jo's athletic speed was surpassed by her flashy, personal style -- one-legged track suits and talon-length nails with outrageous designs," says Bernard. Griffith-Joyner's fearless approach to fashion in sports paved the way for future athletes like Serena Williams to break boundaries with fun, out-of-the-box designs in athletics. Her insane manicures had the world focusing on nail art long before #ManiMondays.

Sudanese model Alek Wek broke barriers in the high fashion industry by becoming one of the first African models to experience mainstream success, even though she didn't conform to traditional Caucasian aesthetics. In a speech at the Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon earlier this year, actress Lupita Nyong'o spoke of the positive influence Wek had on her self-esteem. "When I saw Alek, I inadvertently saw a reflection of myself that I could not deny," said Nyong'o. "Now, I had a spring in my step, because I felt more seen, more appreciated by the far-away gatekeepers of beauty."