Diana Ross: The Ultimate Style Icon Who Redefined Fashion Across Decades
Naomi Campbell , Diana Ross, Beverly Peele, and Thierry Mugler @ Mugler’s Spring 1991 show
When the conversation turns to timeless style icons, one name shines with unmistakable brilliance: Diana Ross. More than a legendary singer, actress, and performer, Diana Ross has long been an emblem of glamour, individuality, and fearless self-expression in the world of fashion. Her influence has transcended generations, setting standards for elegance and attitude that remain unmatched.
The Birth of a Fashion Star
Diana Ross first captured the world’s attention in the 1960s as the lead singer of The Supremes, Motown’s best-selling girl group. From the beginning, fashion played a central role in their identity. With beaded gowns, perfectly coiffed hair, and matching ensembles, Ross and her bandmates set a new standard for beauty and sophistication in popular music. They didn’t just perform; they dazzled.
Even in her early years, Ross stood out for her innate sense of style. She embraced fashion not just as a way to look good, but as a vehicle for storytelling and identity. Whether in sequins or feathers, she exuded power, femininity, and poise.
The Solo Diva Era: A Fashion Revolution
When Diana Ross went solo in the 1970s, her fashion sense evolved into something bolder and even more theatrical. She became synonymous with high glamour. Think plunging necklines, flowing chiffon, rhinestone-studded jumpsuits, and dramatic capes — Ross didn’t just wear clothes, she owned them.
During this era, she became a muse for designers like Bob Mackie and Halston, whose designs she wore with unmatched elegance. She frequently appeared on the covers of Vogue, Jet, and Ebony, cementing her as both a fashion and cultural icon. Her impact was especially powerful as a Black woman commanding space in high fashion — a space that often excluded women of color.
Ross’s style in the ’70s and ’80s embodied Black excellence, disco opulence, and Hollywood royalty. She gave Black women a powerful image of beauty, success, and self-confidence to aspire to — all while challenging Eurocentric beauty standards.
Influence on Pop Culture and Designers
Diana Ross’s style has left an indelible mark on pop culture. From her iconic afro to her sparkling stage outfits, artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Solange, and Lady Gaga have all cited Ross as a key inspiration. Beyoncé even paid homage to Ross at the 2006 Fashion Rocks event, channeling the diva’s signature style in a glittering gold gown.
Fashion houses and designers continue to reference Ross in their collections, drawn to her blend of glamour, strength, and drama. Whether it’s Gucci invoking ’70s silhouettes or Valentino crafting red carpet gowns reminiscent of Ross’s billowing ensembles, her legacy continues to ripple through runways and wardrobes alike.
Redefining Aging and Glamour
In her later years, Ross has continued to redefine what it means to age with grace and flair. She has remained unapologetically fabulous, embracing silver sequins, bold color palettes, and her signature big hair. Her 75th birthday performance in 2019 proved that age has no bearing on style when confidence and authenticity lead the way.
More Than Fashion: A Cultural Force
Diana Ross’s influence goes beyond aesthetics. She broke barriers as one of the first Black women to become a global fashion icon, giving visibility and representation in an industry where it was sorely lacking. She empowered generations to embrace their uniqueness, to wear their hair naturally, and to use fashion as a tool for self-empowerment.
Final Word
Diana Ross isn’t just a style icon — she is the blueprint. With every feathered cape, sparkling gown, and unforgettable silhouette, she taught the world that fashion is more than clothing; it’s a language, a statement, and an extension of one’s spirit. From the Supremes to her solo superstardom and beyond, Diana Ross has forever imprinted her style on the world — and the world is more beautiful because of it
“The Hollywood Palace,” 1967
The Supremes were known for their coordinating looks, with silver sequined Gene Shelly gowns being a notable highlight. Featuring bell sleeves and blue crystal embellishments, each dress was hand-beaded in Hong Kong. Ross, Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong wore these sparkling sheaths for an appearance on the variety show “The Hollywood Palace” in 1967.
“G.I.T. on Broadway,” 1969
Two months before Ross officially launched her solo career, she appeared on a television special alongside The Temptations. NBC’s “G.I.T. on Broadway” featured medleys of show tunes, as well as a series of elaborate costumes designed by Mackie. Ross would continue collaborating with the designer, who won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for the 1969 special.
“Everything is Everything,” 1970
Ross wore a rhinestone-encrusted fishnet catsuit designed by Mackie for the cover of her second solo album, “Everything is Everything.”
The Rock Music Awards, 1975
Ross cohosted the first annual Rock Music Awards alongside Elton John in 1975. The award show’s run would ultimately be short-lived, lasting only through 1978, but Ross and John’s bedazzled Mackie looks would go down in history. Ross’ gown featured a babydoll waistline accentuated with yellow plumes and a silver chevron-patterned skirt adorned with beads.
“Mahogany,” 1975
Ross added costume designer to her resume with the release of Berry Gordy’s directorial debut, “Mahogany.” The singer and actress dreamed up 50 of her own costumes in the film, in which she plays Tracy Chambers, a fashion student who becomes a world-renowned supermodel and designer. Ross could certainly relate to the character: “I always wanted to be a fashion designer and I learned costume illustration in high school,” she told Interview in 1981.
Some of Ross’ costumes in “Mahogany,” like this purple one-shoulder dress with a matching fur muff and turban, were fabricated by Mackie.
“An Evening with Diana Ross,” 1977
In 1976, Ross starred in her own one-woman show titled “An Evening With Diana Ross.” After it appeared on Broadway, NBC picked it up for television in 1977. Mackie received an Emmy nomination for his work on Ross’ costumes in the special, including this dramatically-proportioned sequined dress lined with feathers.
View Gallery
Mackie also crafted a white beaded gown and cape for Ross, which she re-wore for a shoot with photographer Michael Ochs. His iconic 1977 photograph of the singer appears on the cover of her 2011 compilation album, “The Greatest.”
“An Evening With Diana Ross” received four Emmy nominations, while Ross was given an honorary Tony Award for her Broadway show.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1979
At the 53rd annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Ross performed her 1979 hit, “The Boss,” atop the New York Daily News’ Big Apple float. The singer sported a green mink jacket by Yves Saint Laurent and skin-tight emerald trousers, both emblematic of major ’70s trends.
Studio 54, 1979
Like many celebrities at the time, Ross was known to frequent Studio 54. In 1979, celebrity photographer Sonia Moskowitz snapped several photos of Ross dancing at the fabled disco club, where she wore a cropped graphic tank with slim high-waisted jeans, a typical ’70s cut popularized by brands such as Jordache, Calvin Klein and Gloria Vanderbilt.
Thierry Mugler Spring 1991, 1990
When Thierry Mugler approached Ross to appear in his spring 1991 show, she did so on one condition — that her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, then 18 years old and an aspiring model, walk in the show with her. Strutting alongside supers like Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell, the mother-daughter duo made their runway debut in 1990.
Diana donned two looks on the catwalk: the first was a sequined tank top paired with vinyl pants and matching gloves, and to close the show, Ross sported a sheer catsuit adorned with beaded fringe and a structured neon train.
Super Bowl XXX, 1996
Ross’ performance at the 1996 Super Bowl halftime show was one of the first to include multiple costume changes. Dressed in a sparkling red minidress, she began with a medley of songs by the Supremes before changing into a strapless orange gown to perform a series of her solo hits.
Ross’ finale look featured a larger-than-life lamé cape worn over an embellished purple jumpsuit. For her closing number, “Take Me Higher,” Ross departed Tempe, Arizona’s Sun Devil Stadium in a helicopter.
The Met Gala, 2003
Ross and Saint Laurent go way back — not only was she friendly with the designer before his death in 2008, but she’s frequently sported Saint Laurent duds throughout her career. In 2003, the label’s then creative director, Tom Ford, dedicated his fall collection to Ross. Models with voluminous curls and disco-worthy eye makeup walked the runway to “Baby Love” and “Touch Me in the Morning.”
It’s only appropriate, then, that Ford would design a custom satin halter dress inspired by the collection for Ross to wear at the 2003 Met Gala, putting a ’70s spin on the ball’s “goddess” theme.
Saint Laurent Campaign, 2024
Ross officially became a Saint Laurent spokesmodel in January, appearing in the brand’s spring 2024 campaign. Creative director Anthony Vaccarello tapped Ross, Lauren Hutton and Michael Stipe of R.E.M. to pose for photographer David Sims. Ross’ look included a long-sleeved halter dress and a faux fur coat.
Diana Ross for André Courreges by Bert Stern
Diana Ross in Bob Mackie
