"Eartha Kitt was literally the cat's meow in leopard fashion," says Bernard. With her petite yet curvy figure, Kitt made a lasting mark on fashion in the '50s and '60s by taking risks, like her signature head-to-toe leopard print look, which has inspired animal print looks today. Fittingly, Kitt also took over the role of Cat Woman in the '60s, influencing future Cat Women to come including Halle Berry and models on the runways of PPQ and Givenchy in 2011.

Half Chinese and half Portuguese, China (pronounced Chee-nah) Machado's striking looks and poise earned her the nickname of the "ambassadress of elegance." A highly requested runway model in a time way before Cindy and Naomi, she worked exclusively for Hubert de Givenchy in Paris, and in 1959, made history by becoming the first non-Caucasian model to be featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaar. The Richard Avedon muse still found it a struggle to move up in a white-dominated field, but her Bambi eyes and luscious lips continue to be emulated today.

The Oscar-nominated actress was the first black woman to wear cornrows on TV during her stint on the series "Roots." She continued to showcase this and other natural hair care styles on the cover of magazines, which countless celebrities such as Rihanna and Jada Pinkett-Smith have recently brought back into style today.

"Angela Davis was at the forefront of the 'Black Is Beautiful' movement with her emblematic Afro," says Bernard. Started in the 1960s, the movement sought to dispel the idea that black features like textured hair, skin color and facial features were inherently ugly by encouraging black men and women to avoid straightening their hair and bleaching their skin. Davis' Afro became a loaded symbol that supported her political activism and involvement in the civil rights movement.

The plunging necklines that you saw in "American Hustle," you can thank Bianca Jagger for. In the '70s, Jagger effortlessly stood out in any crowd, thanks to her penchant for bold accessories, unique dresses and skill at executing Tomboy style in a flattering way. Her wedding dress choice says it all: Instead of a traditional white gown, she opted for a suit blazer and wide-brimmed hat when she tied the knot with Mick Jagger.