24 May 2023 | 18:04 | Updated
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One of the most flamboyant and groundbreaking divas of music, Tina Turner passed away at the age of 83 after a long illness. Known for overcoming enormous personal and professional struggles, the “Proud Mary” singer has always shone and shined on stage despite what was going on in her private life. A partnership with legendary costume designer Bob Mackie helped the star transition from a singing partnership with her abusive ex-husband Ike Turner to a solo career; stratospheric success. Below, see some of Turner’s most iconic fashion moments in her lifetime.
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Tina Turner began her career as a husband-and-wife R&B duo with Ike Turner. In 1964, he posed for this portrait wearing a solemn green and gold suit.
Michael Ochs Archives
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Tina pictured here in 1966, “Ready Steady Go!” Performed during a recording of the TV show. He is wearing a herringbone suit and sunglasses.
Crimson Ferns
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Her clothes weren’t always so buttoned up; In 1968, Turner wore this glittering gold dress with hip-length slits that would later become her signature style.
Disney General Entertainment Layout
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Turners performed on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1970, where Tina wore a gold tasseled mini dress. Ikette dancers wore matching pink versions.
Getty Pictures
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In 1976, Tina broke up with Ike, causing great upheaval in her life and career. A few months after filing for divorce, she appeared on “The Sonny and Cher Show,” where she donned this sparkly silver dress and formed an important bond with Cher’s costume designer Bob Mackie.
CBS via Getty Images
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When Tina performed solo, she literally and figuratively learned to fly on her own. Her partnership with Mackie took her to new heights visually with this famous winged look that started a beautiful partnership.
Getty Pictures
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Mackie once said that Turner would buy cheap evening dresses to save as much money as possible during her divorce, and the couple would cut tons of fabric to show off her signature striking figure.
Michael Ochs Archives
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What should love do with it? For a performance in Las Vegas in 1977, Turner wore this suggestive look in a Mackie-designed sheer bodice bodysuit with a heart at the crotch.
Sygma via Getty Images
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It wasn’t all low-cut tops and exposed skirts; In 1977, Tina wore a white three-piece suit and a matching fedora.
Getty Pictures
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Possibly his most iconic look, the 1978 Mackie “fire suit” has gone down in history as the perfect epitome of Turner’s kinetic stage personality. However, she was not the first (nor the last) to wear the shimmering tassel dress. Cher had the same look when the two performed together and others, including RuPaul and Beyoncé, wore recreations in memory of the superstar.
Crimson Ferns
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His first solo album, “Private Dancer” in 1985, opened a new chapter for Turner; The glam diva has made the transition to the title of Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll with an edgy yet laid-back look and shaggy hairstyle.
Getty Pictures
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Turner’s love of hip-high slits and metal mesh was always present in this era.
Bill Marino
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The superstar wore a dramatic floral ball gown to her 50th birthday party.
Getty Pictures
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And at the age of 56, she proved she still has it when she graced the stage at Wembley Stadium in 1996 in a sexy Versace mini dress.
WireImage
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In 2000, she started adding more jumpsuits to her look, including this all-black number.
Via NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal
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While on the Twenty Four Seven Millennium Tour, she looked sexy and edgy in a latex corset and knee-length tights with tons of chain belts for a rock ‘n’ roll look.
ulstein bild via Getty Images
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She wore a silver version of the same style while performing with Beyoncé at the Grammys in 2008.
Getty Pictures
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Tina gave a surprise emotional speech wearing a beautiful brown sequin dress after the opening night of “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” in New York in November 2019.
WireImage