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Remembering The Legendary David Bowie With 10 Of His Most Iconic Reinventions

20 0
10.01.2026

The incomparable David Bowie on stage in 1992

Long before stars like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Madonna became known for reinventing themselves every time they dropped a new album… there was David Bowie.

The legendary rock singer – who died 10 years ago, in January 2016, at the age of 69 – created various guises for himself over the course of his career, which contributed to some of the most iconic imagery in pop culture history.

Who could forget the outlandish and androgynous looks of the 1970s, full of colour and elaborate costumes, which were replaced just a few years later by the more streamlined and meticulously-dressed outfits of the Thin White Duke?

As millions around the world pay tribute to Bowie on the anniversary of his death, we’re remembering the pop icon with 10 of the most iconic reinventions and personas he showcased during his illustrious music career...

1. ‘Mime’ Bowie

The early years of David Bowie’s career are often looked on as less avant-garde and outlandish – and, frankly, less “kooky” – than his creative output during his heyday, but it’s worth remembering that in the late 1960s he had become a professional mime who also sang on stage.

During this period, it’s been said his label were actually determined to get rid of him, due to the fact he didn’t have his own backing band, and was yet to have a hit record.

Imagine his surprise, then, when a little song called Space Oddity came along to change all that, putting him on the map in a massive way.

2. ‘Man Who Sold The World’ Bowie

With the release of his third album, The Man Who Sold The World, Bowie explored a more rocky sound, with his long-time collaborator, guitarist Mick Ronson, taking a more prominent role in the music.

This was also reflected in his image, which saw him sporting a shaggy hairstyle and more elaborate style, which included the first sparks of what a fashion icon and innovator he was to become later in his career.

3. ‘Ziggy Stardust’

Just two years later, Bowie reinvented........

© HuffPost