Grace Jones
The dictionary definition of a style icon, the Jamaica-born, New York-raised, Europe-based model-turned-singer-turned-actress-turned-enigma has repped her culture as much as any Jamaican on the world stage: just cue up “My Jamaican Guy” or any of her reggae-flavored 80s collaborations with Sly and Robbie and Chris Blackwell. Now 64, the long-MIA diva returned in a big way recently, with 2009’s Hurricane, her first album in nearly 20 years. She is also a clear reference point and inspiration for Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Azealia Banks and Amber Rose, and just about every other provocatively-styled female entertainer you can think of. —Jesse Serwer