BY: Andy Shoulders

Pride month is in full swing, and this week we want to honor some of the most legendary LGBTQ fashion icons that have shaped the way we view fashion. From redefining silhouettes, to unforgettable photography, to game-changing makeup artistry, these ten individuals have helped reshape, and in some cases literally define, the fashion world.

1. JIL SANDER

Jill Sander made her reputation on her stylistically austere aesthetic. She gave professional women a new “uniform” by offering an alternative vision of how they can express their sexuality, and she showed a different type of femininity by denouncing its excesses. Known as the “Queen of Less,” Jill Sander afforded women around the world a chance to be powerful and feminine without being frilly.

2. TOM FORD

Few people have had the kind of crossover success that Tom Ford has managed to achieve. After cementing his status as a fashion legend as Creative Director for Gucci, and later his own eponymous fashion line, Ford moved into directing, with his films “A Single Man” and “Nocturnal Animals” receiving rave reviews. He still undoubtedly has more tricks up his sleeve, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

3. ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

When it comes to fashion as a true art form, no one even comes close to Alexander McQueen. His runway shows have become almost as iconic as the man himself. From his early “Highland Rape” show, which put him on the map (for better or for worse), to 2006’s “Widows of Culloden” with that life-sized hologram of Kate Moss, to 2010’s “Atlantis” which gave us the iconic lobster shoe (immortalized in Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video), it’s nearly impossible to choose a “best.” McQueen was one of the most, if not the most, revolutionary voices in fashion, and his work will undoubtedly be remembered forever.

4. GIANNI VERSACE

With his larger-than-life designs and incredible business savvy, Gianni Versace was able to fuse fashion and pop culture in ways that hadn’t yet been seen. He was named “the most innovative and creative designer in the world” in 1988 by the jury for the Cutty Sark Award, and received the American Fashion Oscar from the CFDA in 1993. Versace unabashedly embraced his sexuality, and was one of the first prominent Italian figures to publicly come out. He also worked closely with the Elton John AIDS Foundation and used his celebrity status to raise awareness.

5. VALENTINO

Born Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, the designer we know simply as Valentino cemented his status as a fashion hero by literally having a color named after him: the famous Valentino red. He was presented with the Medal of the City of Paris in 2008, and just three years later he received the 6th Annual Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion. The 2008 documentary film “Valentino: The Last Emperor” beautifully captures the life and work of this fabulously flamboyant fashion icon.

6. YVES SAINT LAURENT

Once the target of bullying at his elementary school, Yves Saint Laurent once described how he would overcome the taunts by saying out loud to himself, “One day I’ll be famous.” Truer words have never been spoken. St. Laurent made his permanent mark on the fashion world by blurring traditional gender roles, with his feminized versions of menswear revolutionizing how men and women alike approached fashion. Like Versace, St. Laurent was also a well-known fashion figure to publicly come out earlier than most after declaring his truth to French magazine “Le Figaro” in 1991.

7. COCO CHANEL

More than any other designer before her, Coco Chanel became synonymous with a rebellious and progressive style. At once a brilliant designer and shrewd businesswoman, Chanel’s history is definitely complex. Her poor upbringing was the exact opposite of the luxury that her designs embraced. Chanel is also known for her numerous affairs with both men and women, something that has been long speculated but never confirmed by Chanel herself. Needless to say, Coco Chanel undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the fashion world. No wonder they say a bottle of Chanel No. 5 sells every 30 seconds.

8. KARL LAGERFELD

The late Karl Lagerfeld was never known for his tact or holding back his thoughts, which became crystal clear when he spoke out against gay marriage to Vice magazine in 2010. Views like these while being an openly gay man created these sort of dichotomies that would follow Lagerfeld throughout his life and career. Controversial views aside, his impact on the fashion world is undeniable. Having been at the helm of not one, not two, but THREE fashion houses, Lagerfeld always made sure to let it be known that he was in on the joke, and once famously said, “I am like a caricature of myself, and I like that. It is like a mask. And for me the Carnival of Venice lasts all year long.”

We also celebrate the talent of Horst P. Horst and Herb Ritts as iconic fashion photographers.