OUR TOP 10 LISTS

10. Michael Jackson, gearing up for his final tour

We are all so familiar with the stylish symbols that have become unanimous with Michael Jackson’s style: his sequined glove, the red and black leather jacket, the wide-lapel tuxedo, that fedora. But it was when I was watching the documentary on him gearing up for his last tour, This Is It, that I noticed Michael had adopted a whole new style.

He was now favoring some of my favorites shapes from the women’s ready to wear collections of Balmain, Givenchy and Prada and rumor had it that those designers were creating special one-of-a-kind pieces for him for that tour.

How incredible that would have been to see and what a great tribute to a man and his talent.

Want more fashion advice from Joe Zee? Watch the new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, Friday's at 9:30P

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE

9. Terri Nunn

Today when I tell my assistants and interns about the Eighties band Berlin, they look at me like I’m speaking another language.

Berlin may not have been the poppy camp of The Go-Go’s or the strong rockergirls of Heart, but their electro-synth pop was so of the time, especially with their hit singles Sex and No More Words, but it was their breakout hit for Top Gun, You Take My Breath Away, that cemented their success.

For me, though, the true success was always the style of lead singer, Terri Nunn, with her double-dipped blond hair with black tips. Lady Gaga take note.

Want more fashion advice from Joe Zee? Watch the new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, Friday's at 9:30P

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE

8. Chrissie Hynde

The original rocker to launch all rockers for me. Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of The Pretenders, always had the best look: something black, something leather, something tough and always the best attitude to boot.

I have seen my fair share of motorcycle jackets on the runway and off lately but nothing beats the original, and we all have Chrissie to thank for that. Today’s girls have nothing on her.

Want more fashion advice from Joe Zee? Watch the new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, Friday's at 9:30P

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE

7. Madonna, Blonde Ambition/Truth or Dare era

The year before I moved to New York, I went to Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour in Toronto every night she played. I had been a fan of Madonna’s from the very beginning (who wasn’t) with her torn tshirts, rubber bracelets lifted from your local hardware store, ripped fabric in the hair and sassy attitude.

But when she launched onto the Blonde Ambition tour and enlisted the help of designer Jean-Paul Gaultier to create her entire wardrobe, everything changed. She wore cone-boobs like they were tshirts and men’s suits like she was a dude.

And better yet, she did it all with an I Dream of Genie ponytail. I was forever hooked.

Want more fashion advice from Joe Zee? Watch the new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, Friday's at 9:30P

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE

6. Nico of The Velvet Underground

This lead singer of The Velvet Underground has been one of my long standing fashion inspirations for a lot of my photo shoots. There’s always such a strong, sad, quiet elegance about Nico with her blond hair and dark eyeliner and black turtlenecks.

I can see why Andy Warhol was entranced by her, with so much mystery and melancholy behind those doe eyes. She had that sexy strength and fragility all at once, the same qualities I see with many recording artists today.

Years ago, I did one of my favorite shoots with Britney Spears inspired by that quirky tenderness of Nico and I can still see her ghost in those pictures I styled.

Want more fashion advice from Joe Zee? Watch the new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, Friday's at 9:30P

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE

5. Cher, the early years

Not that I don’t love Cher every year. I love Bob Mackie Cher, Moonstruck Cher, If I Could Turn Back Time Cher, Silkwood Cher, even Burlesque Cher but it’s her Sonny and Cher days that drive me crazy.

Those native Indian-inspired getups, the skimpiness, the feathers, the beading, the stomach, those pants! She has been the inspiration for many of us in the world of fashion including one of my favorite Tom Ford Gucci collections.

Want more fashion advice from Joe Zee? Watch the new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, Friday's at 9:30P

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE

4. Spandau Ballet, New Romantics classism

While they weren’t one of the biggest bands of the Eighties, they were the band that I had a particular fondness for. I remember being in the tenth grade, carrying my Walkman around with those big styrofoam headphones, and listening to their True album on cassette tape between class. For me, they defined cool at the time, with their New Romantics suits, ties and tails.

Even when they made their way to Toronto for a record signing, I recall skipping school and lining up with every Canadian female for hours just to get their autograph. And back at school, I would be that one lone kid wearing a dress shirt buttoned up to the collar with a brooch to class.

It wasn’t the hit I wanted it to be. Maybe I was just ahead of the times.

Want more fashion advice from Joe Zee? Watch the new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, Friday's at 9:30P

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE

3. Stevie Nicks, Gypsy era

As a fashion stylist, music has always been a huge influence on my work. I love the personas that musicians have taken to bring their songs to life.

One of my all-time favorites, Stevie Nicks, defined the idea of what I call Grandma clothes, with her crochet and gothic schmettas and feathers and flowy, ethereal white dresses.

It may have been a costume to Stevie but it was an era to me. And there’s been no one that has even come close in the years that followed.

Want more fashion advice from Joe Zee? Watch the new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, Friday's at 9:30P

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE

2. Boy George/Cyndi Lauper, Eighties Loud

As a product of growing up in the Eighties, I had many style heroes that defined that generation for me but of course I was always attracted to the loud, showy, in-your-face moments, most notably the Color by Numbers-era of Culture Club and the Girls Just Have Wanna Fun time of Cyndi Lauper.

Neither met a tattered colored hem or eye shadow or hair ribbon they didn’t like and that was very impressive to a fashion-obsessed kid in Canada.

Want more fashion advice from Joe Zee? Watch the new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, Friday's at 9:30P

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE

1. Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain, Grunge Chic

Perfect grunge couple. They defined music and fashion for me the same year I started my career in New York. I wasn’t a huge fan of Nirvana’s or Hole’s music initally, but over the years, it’s been my go-to soundtracks.

And when it comes to that ubiquitous “Who’s your style icon?” question that I’m always asked, Kurt is the first name I mentioned.

He made it ok for me to come to the office in old jeans, a tshirt and a hoodie. And I thank him for that.

Want more fashion advice from Joe Zee? Watch the new season of ALL ON THE LINE WITH JOE ZEE, Friday's at 9:30P

Author: Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE