After the '60s, the '90s is arguably the most socially influential decade. It produced so many icons in media, fashion, and music. The culture that came out of it was nothing short of spectacular, with an edge and attitude that no other decade even came close to.
What makes '90s trends so evergreen? Is it the ever-so relatable teenage angst? Or perhaps the budding female empowerment? Or are we really just feeling nostalgic for a time when the world wasn't consumed by smartphones? Regardless, these popular styles, trends, and the music they were all set to somehow became a part of who we were (and still are) as a culture.
While fame plays a big part in whether a person can be considered an icon, it's not about all notoriety. You can be famous for many reasons, but being an icon means being recognized for the right ones. Icons are individuals who are emulated, revered, and imitated to the point that they become emblematic of their era's culture.
The '90s saw the rise of feminism, the acceptance of alternative lifestyles, and an increased skepticism of the government. It marked the beginning of the internet age and was a launching pad for the development of the technology that made the world what it is today.
The'90s were full of shifting forces and trends that produced icons symbolic of the developing world. Who exactly are we talking about? Read on to discover the era’s biggest influences.
Leonardo DiCaprio once graced the walls of every teenage girl's bedroom. He was the heartthrob of the '90s. The then-young actor starred in movies that defined the decade like Romeo + Juliet and Titanic.
Little did he know, he was destined to become one of the most famous A-list celebrities in Hollywood. Since leaving the ‘90s behind, DiCaprio has continued to create box office hits with films like The Wolf Of Wall Street, where he worked alongside Margot Robbie (of Suicide Squad fame).
The rise of equality in society spilled over into the music industry of the ‘90s. It gave birth to arguably the best and most influential girl group of the era: The Spice Girls! Taking credit for being the origin of the term “girl-power,” this British band made it big on the international scene.
The Spice Girls were no strangers to success, achieving platinum status with their catchy songs which featured strong pro-woman lyrics and overall catchy funkiness. Sadly, the end of the '90s spelled the end of The Spice Girls too. However, with this crew, a reunion tour is always a possibility.
Young Brad Pitt was one of the most handsome faces in Hollywood. He is known for playing confident and cocky characters, each of which helped him swoon his way into the hearts of moviegoers across the globe.
He's now in his fifties, but Pitt hasn't lost even an ounce of his smoldering good looks. He also has impeccable taste in films, always appearing in top-notch flicks with fascinating storylines. He even had a movie released in the 00's where he starred with fellow '90s icon, Leonardo DiCaprio entitled Once Upon A Time.
Naomi Campbell was one of the world's most inspirational (and fiercest) fashion icons of all time. Her beauty allowed her to become the first black woman ever to grace the cover of Vogue magazine. She was also a vocal supporter of people of color and female empowerment in the '90s.
Today, the legend shows no signs of stopping as she regularly appears in fashion magazines and on runways across the globe.
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton? This was one legendary duo of the '90s that no-one could ever forget. Everyone knows Johnny for his eccentric characters, many of which were in movies made by Burton. His acting prowess allowed him to become a '90s film icon who, like DiCaprio and Pitt, would go on to build phenomenal success beyond that era.
Johnny Depp has recently dealt with a few reputation-hammering allegations from his ex-wife. However, new revelations suggest her claims may have been fabricated. Depp has been receiving lots of love from friends, family, and fans as he weathers the storm.
Britney Spears was one of the most controversial, if not the most famous darling of the decade. She lived a colorful life of media glamour and music and had an appeal like no other star of that time.
A series of unfortunate events led to her horrifically public meltdown in the '00s. This severely damaged her career, and in the wake of it, she slowly faded out of the public eye. Today, Spears is back at it, making music and doing what she loves. While she’ll always have fans, she never quite recaptured the status she enjoyed in the ‘90s of being the ultimate pop star diva.
Mel Gibson was a '90s powerhouse of film production and acting. He was the director and star of the smash-hit classic film, Braveheart.
After experiencing some damage to his public image when the '00s came, Gibson was able to make a comeback thanks to his directorial talent. His revival came with multiple awards for the stunning film Hacksaw Ridge.
Whitney Houston had a voice full of soul and songs full of powerful lyrics. It didn't take her long to become one of the most revered singers of all time. This ‘90s icon recorded some of the best-selling music in history. Considering the caliber of the musicians who came before and after her, that's saying a lot.
Unfortunately, the latter part of her life was marred by personal troubles and drug use, ultimately leading to her untimely death. Despite her sudden departure from the word, Houston’s voice and music live on, inspiring many young musicians to become the best they can be.
Recognized as one of the greatest music icons of the '90s, and one of the most prominent rock bands of all time, Nirvana was known for its dynamic grunge style. They shocked the world with every release, their songs filled with infectious musical hooks and headbanging guitar riffs.
The world collectively mourned after hearing of lead singer Kurt Cobain’s suicide. Despite his untimely death, Nirvana's influence and legacy live on to this day.
Jennifer Lopez's role in the 1997 real-life movie adaptation of the late Selena was probably her most significant break in Hollywood. After that, she pushed to become a ‘90s music and fashion icon.
What's weird is that she still looks as good now as when she released Jenny from the Block so many years ago. It's almost like magic!
The '90s was a transformative period that saw a shifting world and society. Icons of the time navigated through and pushed the boundaries of conservative and progressive mindsets. Their influence helped define new niches while molding the culture and opening the minds of the young people who were inspired by them. We owe a lot to our '90s icons because without them, we wouldn't be who we are today.