George Michael's enduring impact on fashion
He burst onto the scene with Wham! in a Katharine Hamnett designed "Choose Life" white T-shirt in the 1984 hit 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go', then ushered in his trademark close-cropped beard, mirrored aviators, fingerless gloves, one earring and a leather jacket with the sleeves pushed up. George Michael created a legacy of his own in the high fashion world well before his 1990 'Freedom!' music video, that starred supermodels Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Tatjana Patitz, and showcased his support for LGBT rights.
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The iconic "Choose Life" t-shirt from 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' was an anti-suicide and anti-drugs PSA teens actually want to wear. Created by British designer and activist Katherine Hamnett. Hamnett remains an influence for many artists today, including Kanye West. Photo: Getty Images -
![Short-shorts became a Wham! staple during the 1980s and thus Michael's hyper-sexualised masculinity began to shine.]()
Short-shorts became a Wham! staple during the 1980s and thus Michael's hyper-sexualised masculinity began to shine. Photo: Getty Images -
![Wham! in one of their early photoshoots.]()
Wham! in one of their early photoshoots. -
![George Michael in 1985 wearing the famous WHAM! top - a feature in every teenager's wardrobe.]()
George Michael in 1985 wearing the famous WHAM! top - a feature in every teenager's wardrobe. Photo: Getty Images -
![The Wham! duo helped blur the boundaries between high-fashion and music as seen here in a 1983 fashion shoot.]()
The Wham! duo helped blur the boundaries between high-fashion and music as seen here in a 1983 fashion shoot. Photo: Getty Images -
![Old friends: Elton John with George Michael in 1985, both defining the decades with their music and outrageous fashion.]()
Old friends: Elton John with George Michael in 1985, both defining the decades with their music and outrageous fashion. -
![A portrait of George Michael taken in Sydney in 1985 in his early uniform of jeans and loud shirt. The look was soon ...]()
A portrait of George Michael taken in Sydney in 1985 in his early uniform of jeans and loud shirt. The look was soon retired for a tailored suit. Photo: Michael Putland -
![Wham! eptomised the 1980s with their love for neon, oversized shirts and mullet hair styles.]()
Wham! eptomised the 1980s with their love for neon, oversized shirts and mullet hair styles. Photo: Supplied -
![Michael was a chameleon in his talents and fashion, rocking every thing from the glam of the 1980s to a grunge vibe. ...]()
Michael was a chameleon in his talents and fashion, rocking every thing from the glam of the 1980s to a grunge vibe. However no matter the year, his mirrored aviators glasses were never far from his face. Photo: Kypros -
![1986 saw him update his on duty look to a lounge suit sans shirt.]()
1986 saw him update his on duty look to a lounge suit sans shirt. Photo: ABC Photo Archives -
!['Freedom! 90' was a defining pop culture moment that ushered in the Noughties, with his videos the crossroads for the ...]()
'Freedom! 90' was a defining pop culture moment that ushered in the Noughties, with his videos the crossroads for the fashion and music world. The video starred the five leading supermodels of the day - Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Tatjana Patitz- lip-syncing to Michael's lyrics. Linda Evangelista has since said, "25 years later, this video - and not my magazine covers - is what people mention the most when they approach me on the street. It's pretty incredible." Photo: Instagram -
![George Michael performs on stage in 1991.]()
George Michael performs on stage in 1991. Photo: Peter Still -
![George Michael during 1989 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. High-wasted pants and bolero print jackets became a staple.]()
George Michael during 1989 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. High-wasted pants and bolero print jackets became a staple. Photo: Jeff Kravitz -
![George Michael's stage costumes represented the infusion of soulful ballads and dance music he became renowned for.]()
George Michael's stage costumes represented the infusion of soulful ballads and dance music he became renowned for. Photo: Michael Putland -
![The era of Michael's single 'Faith' ushered in the decade defining look of tasseled leather, Levi 501s, aviators, ...]()
The era of Michael's single 'Faith' ushered in the decade defining look of tasseled leather, Levi 501s, aviators, stubble and cross earrings which the singer became synonymous with. Photo: Peter Still -
![George Michael performing on stage during the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for Aids Awareness at Wembley Stadium in ...]()
George Michael performing on stage during the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for Aids Awareness at Wembley Stadium in London on the 20th April, 1992. Photo: Getty Images -
![George Michael during his solo career was renowned for wearing suits to perform on stage.]()
George Michael during his solo career was renowned for wearing suits to perform on stage. Photo: Steve Thorne -
![George Michael was the first person to feature on James Corden's Car Pool Karaoke... decked out in matching tracksuits ...]()
George Michael was the first person to feature on James Corden's Car Pool Karaoke... decked out in matching tracksuits of course. Photo: BBC -
![His clothes mirrored the music - pointed, glamourous and full of personality.]()
His clothes mirrored the music - pointed, glamourous and full of personality. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives
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