Celebrity Fashion Statements that are Part of Their Brand Identity

What is the mark of effective branding?

It’s simple: branding is a success when you become memorable. 

You may be overwhelmed wondering how to differentiate your personal brand. But the good news is, you don’t need to be the best in your field or have the biggest following to make an unforgettable impression. 

One of the simplest and fastest ways to stand out is to define a signature look or style that becomes uniquely yours.  This can be expressed in many ways, including how you dress or wear your hair. After all, there’s a reason they call it a fashion statement. 

To drive this point home, here are some celebrities and famous leaders who have made consistent style choices that have become synonymous with their brand identity: 

Without a doubt, Ariana’s incredible voice is what makes her a superstar, but she gets an extra PR boost any time she switches up her look. Her high pony is such a part of who she is, that any deviation from it becomes a major media story. 

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Steven Tyler’s Scarves 

After one of his scarves tore off during a performance, Steven Tyler chose to tie it to his microphone stand for good luck. He now adorns all of his mic stands with ornate scarves as one of his trademarks. 

Photo Source: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BsBQeQICcAANrKt.jpg

Michael Jackson’s Bedazzled Gloves 

According to an article by John Kehe, Michael Jackson was on a tour of a Hollywood production facility when he saw a film editor wearing a single white glove. (It was a common practice for film editors in the 1980s to keep of box of gloves on-hand.) The King of Pop asked the editor if he could spare one.

The glove made its television debut in 1983 during a performance of “Billy Jean”. MJ later bedazzled it in sequins, and it immediately became an iconic piece of pop culture history. You can find one of his gloves on display at the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles.

Photo: Beth A. Keiser / AFP/Getty Images

Steve Jobs’ Black Turtleneck

Late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs once said he owned over 100 of black mock turtlenecks. Designed by Issey Miyake, they reportedly cost $275 each. He’d typically pair them with jeans and sneakers. Fellow billionaire and tech mogul, Mark Zuckerberg, is also known for his casual looks.

Photo by Aaron Sorkin

Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Chris Sacca’s Cowboy Shirts

I never thought that embroidered cowboy shirts were a good look, but Shark Tank guest star and billionaire venture capitalist, Chris Sacca, makes them work for his personal brand! He says the consistency in his wardrobe has given him the time to focus on more meaningful projects rather than wasting time deciding what to wear.  

Photo by Megan Mack

Chance the Rapper’s 3 Hats

It’s safe to say that Chance the Rapper has one of his 3 hats in every color! According to an article in Entertainment Weekly, the number initially represented Chance’s third mixtape, Coloring Book. Now, he says the 3 has taken on other meanings pertaining to his family life. 

Photo: Daniel Boczarski / Getty Images

KISS’s Painted Face Masks 

You can’t think of KISS without envisioning their unmistakable face makeup. For nearly 10 years, there were no photos of them without makeup. This strategic decision gave them the opportunity to create intrigue amongst the media and their fans. 

Photo by Getty

Camila Cabello’s Bows

Camila Cabello began her career competing on X Factor as a member of girl group, Fifth Harmony. With four other singers beside her at all times, it’s no wonder she wanted to stand out. In every performance, Camila wore a bow that quickly made her recognizable.

Since reaching superstar status as a solo artist, Camila has abandoned this accessory, but I can’t help but think it played a role in her fame. 

Photo by PictureGroup / Rex Features

How to Apply a Signature Look to Your Brand Aesthetic

Ultimately, your brand will be known for something much bigger than its appearance. Your mission, products, services, and overall brand personality matter more. But in a sea of competitors and crowded industries, there’s no harm in finding a creative way to stand out.

• If you’re a realtor, maybe you are known for wearing red heels.

• If you’re a photographer, maybe you use a bedazzled camera (inspired by MJ!). 

• If you are hair stylist, maybe you always cut hair with bright pink scissors. 

• If you are a baker, maybe you only wear a denim apron covered in personalized patches. 

• If you are a food blogger, maybe you always photograph your food on a gold plate. 

There are countless ways to make your personal brand more distinctive, but one thing is for certain: you can to make it true to your own style. Once you simply define it, you will be able to express it in a way that makes you unmistakable to your audience. Have fun with it! 

READ MORE: What Content Creators Can Learn from Ariana Grande