Josephine Baker circa 1930 poses in one of her many elaborate costumes.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
02
Celeb Way: Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé’s big comeback performance was everything we anticipated. The diva sang and danced in a host of haute costumes, including this crystal, feathered look channeling the great Parisian princess herself – Josephine Baker.
03
Runway: The Blonds Fall 2012
The Blonds over-the-top embellished leotard for Fall 2012 is one we’re certain Baker would shimmy in today.
04
Inspiration: 1950s Style Florals
Billie Holiday’s all-over printed dress and gorgeous flower hair piece was a soft stylish compliment to her moody tunes.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
05
Celeb Way: Marsha Thomason
When we spotted British actress Marsha Thomason’s long dress blooming with bold flowers from vintage boutique “The Reformation,” we couldn’t help but think “Lady Sings The Blues.”
06
Runway: Rebecca Taylor Fall 2012
Rebecca Taylor took to the runway in all-over florals with a new take on the romantic print.
07
Inspiration: Haute Headwrap
Billie Holiday was no stranger to head adornments, often seen wearing hats, flowers and even today’s covetable head wrap.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
08
Celeb Way: Estelle
Estelle’s fashionable and functional turban (worn to keep her hair in tact while performing) on stage brings Billie Holiday’s look to life in the present day.
09
Runway: Norma Kamali Fall 2012
Sleek fabric top knots and turbans accessorized Norma Kamali’s Fall collection, showing us just how to work the look with evening wear.
10
Inspiration: Sassy 1960s Leopard
Eartha Kitt in the 1960s performance Talk of The Town shows feline fierceness in a form-fitting leopard dress and matching fur-trimmed coat.
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
11
Celeb Way: Goapele
At the 2012 ESSENCE Music Festival, Goapele graced the stage in a sultry leopard bodycon dress, taking notes from the fiercest cat woman herself, Eartha Kitt.
12
Runway: Roland Mouret Fall 2012
This Fall cocktail dress king Roland Mouret brings new life to leopard with this graphic mirrored effect version of the print.
13
Inspiration: 1960s Sleek A-Line Silhouette
Lena’s satin, cinched-waist style was a popular silhouette in the 1960s. Here she glammed it up by accessorizing with gloves, a fur stole, matching pearl choker and earrings set.
14
Celeb Way: June Ambrose
Ambrose’s Louis Vuitton A-line jacquard dress channeled Horne’s classic elegance. The stylist made it her own by adding beautiful brooches along the straps.
15
Runway: Tracy Reese Fall 2012
Tracy Reese shortened the hemline of this classic shape and livened up the fabric with lamé for the season.
Getty Images
16
Inspiration: 1970s Jumpsuit
The late, great Donna Summer sparkles in a jumpsuit during a 1979 UNICEF performance for the United Nations in New York City, a common style rocked by the songstress.
Michael Putland/Getty Images
17
Celeb Way: LaLa Anthony
Lala Anthony’s disco-ready jumpsuit by Lois London brought life to the red carpet just as Disco Queen Donna Summer did to the stage.
18
Runway: Thakoon Fall 2012
Thakoon transitions the jumpsuit into Fall with an evening wear take in a soft sheen satin and tuxedo-like lapels.
Getty Images
19
Inspiration: Funky Fab Fur
Ms. Ross was never afraid to take it there and this performance shows it with the singer wrapped up in purple ostrich feathers.
20
Celeb Way: Macy Gray
Macy Gray dances to her own tunes swathed in vibrant, fluffy feathers like the dynamic diva herself.
21
Runway: Norma Kamali Fall 2012
Kamali borrowed this glamorous touch for her upcoming fall collection. The designer’s smooth shag fur stole makes the style wearable on and off the stage.