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Good Catholic Girl
ZUMAPRESS.com/Keystone Press
Oh, look at precious Madonna Louise Ciccone as a young, Michigan girl at her first communion. She was probably already scheming up ways to take over the world.
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Sheer Determination
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From white lace to black fishnet. Madonna in her classic early '80s look: see-through top, exposed bra, teased hair, and multiple bracelets in 1984 just after the release of her debut self-titled album.
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Boy Toy
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Looking 'Like a Virgin' in white lace at the 1984 MTV Awards, the ceremony where she famously writhed around on the floor during her performance, one of her first but certainly not last controversial moments! This look remains one of the most iconic of the decade. Chances are if you go to an '80s-themed party someone in attendance will be paying tribute to this look.
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Desperately Seeking Superstardom
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Madonna still in all her '80s glory on the set of her 1985 movie, "Desperately Seeking Susan."
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Who's That Girl?
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Madonna brings old Hollywood glamour to the 1987 American Music Awards in her platinum blond locks and white gown. Madonna wasn't just rocking a winning look, she was also an actual winner that night, walking away with three awards.
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Truth Or Dare
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Madonna ditched her signature blonde locks in favour of darker look at a 1991 party for her behind-the-scenes tour documentary, "Truth or Dare" Note her accessory: Vanilla Ice. Ah, the early '90s!
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Blond Ambition
Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
Name a more iconic tour costume item, we'll wait.
Madonna caused a commotion in 1990 on her Blond Ambition tour when she debuted this this now famous cone bra designed by frequent collaborator, Jean Paul Gaultier. The French designer first unveiled the cone bra in a 1982 runway show, but it wasn't until the Material Girl incorporated it into her stage shows eight years later that it became pop culture couture.
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Strike A Pose
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The Queen of Pop channelled the Queen of France when Madonna went full Marie Antoinette for her performance of 'Vogue' at the 1990 MTV VMAs, transforming the stage into 18th century France with all the audience as her subjects. The performance was actually inspired by "Dangerous Liaisons" with Madonna wearing one of Michelle Pfeiffer's actual costumes from the film.
Rolling Stone magazine readers picked the performance as one of the top 10 in MTV VMA history.
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Old Hollywood Glamour
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The Academy Awards may honour the best in film, but the 1991 ceremony was all about music superstars when Madonna, who performed the Oscar-nominated song 'Sooner or Later' from the "Dick Tracy" soundtrack, showed up with Michael Jackson. Invoking old Hollywood Marilyn Monroe, Madonna looked dazzling in a strapless Bob Mackie whilst dripping in Harry Winston jewels. This wasn't the first time Madonna channelled Marilyn. She paid tribute to the fellow blonde bombshell in her 'Material Girl' video, echoing Marilyn's 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend.' This is easily one of Madonna's most iconic looks.
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Milkmaid Madonna
Kevin Mazur Archive/WireImage
At the party for the release of her 1992 book, 'Sex', Madonna gave off serious milkmaid vibes in this ensemble which she accessorized with a stuffed lamb. It wasn't our fave but Madonna doesn't need our permission. After all she once said, "poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another." You do you, Madonna.
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Nighty Night
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Proving she's nothing if not committed to a theme, Madonna, who had released her album Bedtime Stories just months previously, steps out in NYC in 1995 looking ready for bed in this slip dress paired with an animal print coat.
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Don't Cry For Madonna
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At the 1996 Los Angeles premiere for Evita, Madonna went full royal, clad in Versace and looking every bit the queen she is. While reviews of her performance as the Argentine first lady may have been mixed, this ensemble was a clear fan favourite.
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Golden Glow
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Just three months after giving birth to daughter Lourdes, Madonna hit up the Golden Globes where she picked up a statue for her performance in "Evita." Madonna chose this classic little black curve-hugging Dolce & Gabbana paired with full-length black gloves for the occasion.
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Denim On Denim
Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect
Not everyone can rock the denim on denim look stylishly but Madonna pulled it off in 1998. The pop megastar made the Canadian tuxedo look effortlessly cool, just one of the many looks from her 'Ray of Light' period.
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Cultural Inspiration
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Madonna has never been shy about taking inspiration from other cultures and religions and in 1998 she was heavily into Indian and Buddhist culture as evidenced by her outfit accessorized by henna. Madonna would probably not get away with this look today without getting called out for cultural appropriation.
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Ray of (Sun)Light
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Madonna was anything but mellow in yellow at the 1998 VH1 Fashion Awards where she walked away with the most fashionable artist of the year award. Madonna gave off major diva vibes, making a statement in this mustard Olivier Theyskens gown, made even more bold by her jet black hair.
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Supportive Spouses
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
In 2000 Madonna married director Guy Ritchie and the lovebirds were in full supportive spouse mode with Madonna advertising Guy's movie "Snatch"
on this tight-fitting tee paired with a bejewelled belt and velvet pants while Guy returned the favour by wearing a tank top promoting Madonna's 2000 album, Music paired with a Canadian tuxedo and American flag belt buckle. An interesting look on him, for sure.
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Living In A Material World
Dave Hogan/Getty Images
If anyone is entitled to wear a Material Girl t-shirt, it's the Material Girl herself. Madonna rarely pays tribute to herself, preferring to look forward rather than backwards so we loved when, at the 2001 Grammy Awards she paid homage to herself. Not sure about the fedora but we won't be nit-picky.
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Lady Love
Dave Hogan/Getty Images
Clearly Madonna was into graphic tees in the early 2000s, choosing to show her love for another pop superstar, Kylie Minogue, on stage at a 2001 show. We love ladies for ladies!
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An English Rose
Jo Hale/Getty Images
Opting for demure over daring, a maturing and now mother-of-two Madonna chose this elegant form-fitting floral frock for a tea party promoting her children's books, The English Roses, in London in 2003.
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Pretty In Pink
Michael Caulfield/WireImage
Proving she's not always outrageous, Madonna toned it town (while showing off her toned up arms) in this pretty pink Versace at the 2004 Grammys.
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Purple Reign
David Lodge/FilmMagic
In 2005 Madonna had fans hung up on her new album, 'Confessions on a Dance Floor' which had a major disco influence. Madonna spent a lot of this era in bodysuits (with a still rock-hard body in her late 40s, can you blame her?) At the MTV Europe Awards that year she paired a bodysuit with a purple leather jacket and purple go-go boots.
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I'm Not A Regular Mom, I'm A Cool Mom
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Madonna makes black look anything but basic while also being cautious to not upstage daughter Lourdes as the mother-daughter duo launched their Material Girl line at Macy's in 2010. Definitely a cool mom.
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Butterfly Bombshell
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At the Venice Film Festival premiere of "W.E." which she directed, Madonna looked elegant and youthful in this butterfly-adorned gown from Italian designer Vionnet. The gown ended up being better received than the film, unfortunately.
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Savage Beauty
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
Madonna turned to designer (and friend) Stella McCartney for the 2011 Met Gala which was honouring fellow friend and designer, the late Alexander McQueen. Madonna looked regal in this satin blue-gray gown with embellishments.
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Back In Black
GG/Flynetpictures.com / SplashNews.com
At the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival premiere of W.E., Madonna looked sleek and sexy in this figure-hugging Tom Ford LBD paired with Brian Atwood Mary Janes and her beloved fishnets.
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Cone Bra Comeback
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Many artists have paid tribute to Madonna over the years and in 2012, on her MDNA tour, the superstar paid tribute to one of her own iconic looks calling back to her Blond Ambition days and the famous Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra more than 20 years later, this time paired with a crisp white dress shirt and tie.
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Metallic Madge
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Madonna looks majestic in this metallic Reem Acra with a full ball gown skirt at the 2012 Golden Globes, where she picked up a statue for Best Original Song for her song 'Masterpiece' from her film "W.E."
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Suit Yourself
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Madonna suited up for the 2014 Grammy Awards in this tailored Ralph Lauren accessorized with a hat, cane, and sparkly glove that was giving us serious Michael Jackson vibes. We love that Madonna has never been afraid to turn traditional gender roles and looks on their head.
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Gone Goth
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Madonna gives off goth vibes in this full-length, long-sleeved black gown paired with a cross necklace at the launch of Tidal in 2015.
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Madonna The Matador
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Madonna is definitely a fighter and she was serving bullfighter inspo at the 2015 Grammys in this bodysuit by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci. The former label head also designed her performance outfit that night.
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Rebel With A Cause
BEImages/BEImages/KEYSTONE Press
Madonna went with Moschino for the 2015 Met Gala, which doubled as an opportunity to promote her upcoming album, 'Rebel Heart', with the album's name splayed across both the formal full-length black ballgown and her accompanying cape.
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Lady In Red
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Madonna, looking like an old school movie star with a modern edge, is radiant in red at the launch of her MDNA skincare line at Barney's in New York in 2017.
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Power Suit
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Madonna's MDNA SKIN)
Madonna combines businesswoman chic with a sexy edge in this suit and bustier at a 2018 event with Kim Kardashian celebrating their respective skincare and makeup lines.
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Meet Madame X
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The Material Girl showed off her 2019 transformation into the eye patch-wearing Madame X at the 64th annual Eurovision Song Contest. The new look is courtesy her latest album, 'Madame X', influenced by her time living in Lisbon, Portugal.
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