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Home • Fashion

Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style

The rock and roll icon broke barriers and defined culture through her sound, self-expression, and signature style.
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
By ESSENCE Fashion Editors · Updated May 25, 2023
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Tina Turner’s legacy as a rock and roll icon is nothing short of legendary. With her powerful voice, electrifying performances and dance moves, and undeniable stage presence, she carved a permanent place for herself in music history. From her humble beginnings to her triumphant comeback, Tina Turner’s journey embodies resilience, strength, and the unbreakable spirit of rock and roll. Turner’s influence on rock and roll and pop culture is immeasurable. With hits like “Proud Mary,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” and “The Best,” she dominated the charts and captivated audiences worldwide. Her unique blend of rock, soul, and R&B set her apart from her contemporaries and paved the way for future generations of female artists.

Beyond her music, Tina Turner’s style became an integral part of her career and popular culture at large. Her eclectic stage outfits, often featuring sequins, leather, and fringe, showcased her fierce and fearless persona. From Bob Mackie originals and custom Azzedine Alaïa to Versace stage looks and sitting front row at Armani Privé — Tina was the ultimate fashion muse. Her iconic look, complete with her signature wild hair and smoky eyes, became a symbol of strength and individuality. From the onset of her career, wearing elaborate sequined dresses and glamourous furs, to her signature rock style of flared leather dresses, denim jackets, and six-inch Manolos and louboutins, her style has served as the blueprint for women in music. Countless fans sought to emulate her bold fashion choices (including long-time friend Oprah), and her influence on fashion and style can still be seen today. Take Beyonce, for example; between her magnetic stage presence and elaborate costuming, she’s definitely taken cues from the late icon.

Honoring Tina Turner’s Rock & Roll Style
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – MAY 23: Tina Turner performs at Shoreline Amphitheatre on May 23, 1997 in Mountain View, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
Honoring Tina Turner’s Rock & Roll Style
Designer Azzedine Alaia and singer Tina Turner in an asymmetrical dress at the French Gala in New York (Photo by Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images)

As a rock and roll icon, she will forever be remembered as a trailblazer, a symbol of strength, a true fashion icon, and an emblem of musical excellence. As we mourn the loss of the titan, let’s revisit her career through some of her many iconic looks.

1980s Tina Turner Performing
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Tina Turner – 1980S, Tina Turner – 1980S (Photo by Brian Rasic/Getty Images)
2003 Walt Disney’s “Brother Bear” New York Premiere
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Tina Turner during Walt Disney’s “Brother Bear” New York Premiere at New Amsterdam Theater in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Paul Hawthorne/FilmMagic)
2005 German Media Awards
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
BADEN-BADEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 13 : Tina Turner attends the German Media Awards (Deutscher Medienpreis) at Congress Hall on February 13, 2005 in Baden-Baden, Germany. (Photo by Ralph Orlowski/Getty Images)
2008 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards Performing With Beyonce
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 10: Singer Beyonce and Singer Tina Turner on stage at the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
2005 U.S. State Department Gala
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
WASHINGTON: Singer Tina Turner poses for photographers on the red carpet at the U.S. State Department at a gala celebration for recipients of the 28th Annual Kennedy Center Honors on December 3, 2005 in Washington D.C. The 2005 Honorees will be saluted Sunday December 4th at the Kennedy Center’s Opera House by a host of performances by artists from around the world, in an event that will be attended by the U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. This year’s honorees are Tony Bennett, Suzanne Farrell, Julie Harris, Robert Redford and Tina Turner. (Photo by Chris Greenberg/Getty Images)
Turner Tina 1961
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
UNITED STATES – CIRCA 1961: Texas 1961. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
1977
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
American singer, Tina Turner posing in a winged-costume, Los Angeles, California, 1977. (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
1970s Tina Turner Performing
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
(Eingeschränkte Rechte für bestimmte redaktionelle Kunden in Deutschland. Limited rights for specific editorial clients in Germany.) Tina Turner, Singer, USA – on stage at “Metropol”, Berlin (Photo by ARTCO-Berlin/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Tina Turner Performing In Las Vegas 1977
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
American singer, Tina Turner, performing the Eagles’ hit, ‘Life in the Fast Lane’ at the Las Vegas Entertainment Awards, Las Vegas, Nevada, 4th December 1977. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
1979 Tina Turner Live At Hammersmith Odeon
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
American singer Tina Turner performs live on stage at Hammersmith Odeon in London during one date of her ‘Wild Lady of Rock’ tour, 16th March 1979. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
1973 Tina Turner Performing On The Midnight Special
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL — Episode 1 — Aired 2/2/73 — Pictured: Tina Turner Revue sing “I Can’t Turn You Loose” and “With a Little Help from My Friends” — Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank
1982 The 24th Annual Grammy Awards
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Tina Turner (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
2018 ‘Tina’: The Tina Turner Musical Opening Night
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Tina Tuner attends the opening night of ‘Tina’ the Tina Tuner musical at Aldwych Theatre on April 17, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
2003 Tina Turner Performing After A Walt Disney Premiere
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 20: (TABS AND HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Singer Tina Turner performs after the Walt Disney Pictures premiere of “Brother Bear” at the New Amsterdam Theater October 20, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
1980s Tina Turner Performing
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Tina Turner, Tina Turner (Photo by Brian Rasic/Getty Images)
1991 Tina Turner Portrait
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Getty
1989 Tina Turner And Designer Azzedine Alaïa In Paris
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Getty
1964 Tina Turner Portrait
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Getty
1985 Tina Turner Performing On Her “Private Dancer” Tour
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Getty
Oprah Winfrey Host The Legends Ball
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
SANTA BARBARA, CA – MAY 14: Recording artist Tina Turner and her guest attend Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball at the Bacara Resort and Spa on May 14, 2005 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
The 24th Annual GRAMMY Awards
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Tina Turner (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
12th Annual American Music Awards
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Tina Turner during 12th Annual American Music Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON — Aired 12/31/82 — Pictured: Musical guest Tina Turner performs on December 31, 1982 (Photo by Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Tina Turner at Tower Records in Hollywood, California – 1985
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Tina Turner during Tina Turner at Tower Records in Hollywood, California – 1985 at Tower Records in Hollywood, California, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Tina Turner at Brighton Centre
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
American singer, songwriter, and actress Tina Turner performs at the Brighton Centre, Brighton, UK, 11th March 1985. (Photo by John Rogers/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Tina Turner Holds a Press Conference Regarding Her Upcoming “Wildest Dreams” Concert
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Tina Turner (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Tina Turner Performs in New York 1969
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
NEW YORK – 1969: Tina Turner performs during a concert at the Felt Forum on November 25, 1969 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr./Getty Images)
Giorgio Armani Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Autumn/Winter 2011
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Singer Tina Turner attends the Giorgio Armani fashion show as part of Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Autumn/Winter 2011 on February 28, 2011 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)
Giorgio Armani 40th Anniversary
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 30: Tina Turner attends the Giorgio Armani 40th Anniversary Silos Opening And Cocktail Reception on April 30, 2015 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images for Giorgio Armani)
New York Premiere of “Tommy” Movie
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
Tina Turner (C) attends the New York premiere of “Tommy” at the 57th St./6th Ave. subway station in New York City on March 18, 1975. (Photo by Sal Traina/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
La chanteuse américaine Tina Turner
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
La chanteuse américaine Tina Turner en vacances à Gstaad. (Photo by James Andanson/Sygma via Getty Images)
Tina Turner 1990
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
LONDON, UK – 1990: Singer Tina Turner performs live on stage at Wembley Stadium on 24th September 1990. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Tina Turner Performs At Hammersmith Odeon In 1979
Honoring Tina Turner's Rock & Roll Style
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MARCH 16: American singer Tina Turner performs on stage at Hammersmith Odeon on March 16th, 1979 in London, England. (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns)

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