Over 40 years ago, Madonna burst onto the music scene with her first self-titled album—changing the pop landscape forever with mega-hits such as “Holiday” and “Lucky Star.” There are few musical artists who can say they began their career by simultaneously igniting a whole new fashion craze, but it’s precisely what the singer did back in 1983. Fans were totally obsessed with Madonna’s signature tulle skirts, big bow’d hairstyles, and lace gloves from the get-go. Madonna wasn’t just a hot new artist to watch—she became a global trendsetter.
Over her impressive decades-long career, Madonna has only continued to deliver show-stopping ensembles—be it on stage, on the red carpet, or in her many music videos. Nobody does “fashion eras” better than the star. With each album she’s released, Madonna has embraced a brand new look to go with it—from her western-inspired getups for 2000’s Music, to her disco-ready attire for 2005’s Confessions on a Dance Floor. Like a true artist, she sees what she wears as true performance art. Remember at the 1996 premiere of Evita, when she channeled her character, Evita Péron, in Givenchy, gigantic floral headpiece and all? Pure camp!
Along the way, Madonna has delivered plenty of other looks that people still talk about today. The Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra that she wore for her “Blonde Ambition” tour in 1990, for one, is still one of her most iconic moments to date. When the superstar headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2012, then-Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci and famous milliner Philip Treacy created a regal, gold-and-black ensemble that totally stole the show.
More recently, she also appeared at the 2021 VMAs in a leather dominatrix-style bodysuit. “They said we wouldn’t last,” she saucily told the crowd, “but we’re still here, mother-f**kers.” In 2023, she embarked on her global Celebration World Tour, where she wore custom creations by Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, and Dilara Findikoglu.
In recent years, Madonna’s four-plus decades of iconic fashion have inspired homages of their own. At the 2024 VMAs, Sabrina Carpenter wore a vintage silver beaded Bob Mackie dress originally designed for Madge to wear to perform at the 1991 Oscars. And for their spring 2025 show, Dolce & Gabbana ushered Maddona-fied models down the runway, dressed in bullet bras and blonde wigs. Madonna watched on from the front row, dressed in a black lace veil and a well-deserved gold crown.
Below, in honor of her birthday, take a look back at 53 of Madonna’s best fashion moments.
