Prince: The death of a fashion icon

London - The world seems a little less brighter today after news broke on Thursday of the passing of "the artist formerly known as Prince." The legendary artist sadly passed at the age of 57, leaving behind a career which spanned four decades and touched several industries outside of music. Prince, who was also known as His Royal Badness and the Purple one, will be remembered as much for his love affair with fashion and showmanship as well as his iconic music. His talent to reinvent himself through fashion as he saw fit will never be forgotten, as will some of his most famous looks. Prince was not bound by society's definition of gender and sexuality, and was never afraid of expressing himself through clothing.

A photo posted by Signe Torsbjerg Jørgensen (@signetorsbjerg) on Apr 22, 2016 at 1:56am PDT

Always the creative showman, his outrageous looks, which ranged from nearly naked, to rockstar dandy, to head-to-toe sequins, continually blurred the lines between femininity and masculinity. Prince was perhaps one of the ultimate fashion peacocks, donning everything from bondage inspired lingerie, to high collared ruffled shirts, to sleek white suits, to ass exposing jumpsuits - preferably in his favorite colour and the colour of royalty, Purple. From the time he starting rising to fame in the 1970s, to writing his Oscar winning song for the film classic "Purple Rain", to winning seven Grammy Awards and topping the charts, Prince has firmly cemented his place as a pop culture icon with a reckless and audacious wardrobe that will undoubtedly inspire generations to come on.

Thanks you #Prince ,a real #icon RIP pic.twitter.com/JBG9uSSdNI

— Nieves Alvarez (@OfficialNievesA) April 21, 2016

"Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent," said President of the United States Obama in a statement. "‘A strong spirit transcends rules,’ Prince once said — and nobody’s spirit was stronger, bolder, or more creative." FashionUnited takes a moment to pay tribute to Prince Rogers Nelson and look back on some of his most iconic, daring and inspiring fashion looks.

Prince album, 1979

His second studio album cover, released by Warner Bros. Records in 1979 shows a shirtless, smouldering Prince.

Purple Rain Album Cover, 1984

A photo posted by lallo25 (@lallo25) on Apr 21, 2016 at 10:51am PDT

It was this look which ensured the colour purple - also the colour of royalty - became synmous with Prince. Recorded for the classic film Purple Rain, the high neck shirt, ruffles and teased hair, went on to become almost a signature look for the artist during this period.

Prince in a cropped Top, 1984

@Regrann from @rollingstone - From his critical and commercial apex of 1984's #PurpleRain through his recent Piano and a Microphone tour, #Prince never sat still. His prickliness was legendary, but his body of work speaks profoundly to the depth, sincerity and sensitivity of one of pop's most enigmatic masters. #RIPPrince #Regrann https://www.instagram.com/p/BEYv_6FS-rb/

A photo posted by Rolling Stone Cafe Jakarta (@rscafeina) on Apr 21, 2016 at 11:44pm PDT

Never afraid to to expose himself to the critics, Prince embraced styles for both men and women and wore it all in style.

Prince in paisley and pink boa, 1985

Adiós #prince #music la música está de luto #yousexymotherfucker #cream #purplerain #genio #musico #dep #rip #kiss #tribute

A photo posted by Ramón Esquinas (@ramonesquinas) on Apr 22, 2016 at 12:19am PDT

A famous look from a show after Prince rose to fame following Purple Rain

Prince, performance, 1987

I don't know what to say ... Other than Nothing compares ... #RIP #Prince pic.twitter.com/0rjjU320Jg

— Ella Henderson (@EllaHenderson) April 21, 2016

Prince polka dots, 1988

Fashion Icon who inspired so many. #Prince pic.twitter.com/Z2hNQtYvkJ

— Christian Siriano (@CSiriano) 21 april 2016

Never one for ordinary dressing, Prince took the concept of the suit to another level with this polka dot ensemblance.

Cover of Lovesexy album, 1988

A photo posted by Chev Darling (@sacheverell) on Apr 22, 2016 at 2:50am PDT

Prince onstage, 1993

Farewell to Prince, a true fashion icon: https://t.co/F6GR3U24ze pic.twitter.com/GkB5owrLWo

— Who What Wear (@WhoWhatWear) April 21, 2016

Prince performance in Vancouver, 1997

VANCOUVER, BC. September 26, 1997 The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, and now known as Prince performs at GM Place in Vancouver. Province photo by Nick Procaylo #prince #vancouver #yvr #fender #telecaster #guitar #princeguitar #purplerain #nikon #concertphotography #concert #funk @theprovince @thevancouversun

A photo posted by Nick Procaylo (@nickprocaylo) on Apr 22, 2016 at 12:07am PDT

Left: Prince at the People's Choice Awards, 2005 - Right: Prince at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards

pic.twitter.com/dKzN6w2oqc

— Men In Heels (@MenHeels) April 10, 2015

Prince at Super Bowl XLI, 2007

Where are all the angels going? #Prince pic.twitter.com/IsZ8M6HxzX

— Wesley Snipes (@wesleysnipes) April 21, 2016

Prince album cover Planet Earth, 2007

A photo posted by Akane Okumura (@akaneseijin) on Apr 22, 2016 at 1:55am PDT

Prince at Madison Square Garden, 2011

An absolute legend! #rip #prince #legend #purplerain

A photo posted by Holly Charlotte (@prettysculpt) on Apr 22, 2016 at 12:19am PDT

Prince at Coachella, 2008

#Prince's cover of #Radiohead’s #Creep the internet video that actually got his #blessing https://t.co/oKMOdjsfZG pic.twitter.com/oT8fXhpJr4

— Michele Sadler (@chelsadler) 21 april 2016

Prince accepting award at American Music Awards, 2015

@monto40 la última vez que vi a Prince fue en the American Music Awards entregando un premio a The Weeknd pic.twitter.com/OgmhDwYpvb

— anne bernal (@AnneLinero) April 21, 2016

Donatella Versace morns his passing

Nobody has married music and fashion as #Prince did with Versace. Prince was a genius, most of all my friend. Love you, miss you - @donatella_versace

A photo posted by Versace (@versace_official) on Apr 21, 2016 at 10:47am PDT

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