Madonna's most sensational stage outfits from the past 40 years, as she announces tour
Madonna has announced her first ever greatest hits tour, in celebration of her decade-spanning career.
The original Queen of Pop will mark the anniversary of her debut single, Holiday, with a 35-date tour which will see her return to arenas and stadiums across the globe.
The pop icon’s 40-year career, from her 1983 self-titled debut album to 2019's Madame X, has dominated the music and fashion industries.
Madonna once declared in an interview that “art should be controversial, and that's all there is to it.” It's that approach that led to some of the music star’s most iconic stage outfits becoming veritable works of art.
Read more: Madonna reveals son David, 16, shares her clothes: 'He can even wear a dress and look butch'
Even from the early stages of her career, Madonna was rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in couture, and collaborating with them for her high-octane and often sold-out shows.
Givenchy, Versace, Gucci, you name it, the top fashion houses could all spot the cultural impact that Madonna was making, and they wanted a piece.
None more so than Jean Paul Gaultier, who created Madonna’s iconic conical bra for her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour, and arguably etched the Michigan native’s stage style into the pop halls of fame.
As she announces her Celebration Tour, take a look back at some of the stage outfits that made Madonna’s 40-year career.
Madonna's best stage outfits
1990
Perhaps one of her most iconic looks – on or off the stage – Madonna's 'cone bra' bodysuit by Jean Paul Gaultier for her 1990 Blonde Ambition world tour is now embedded in the cannon of pop music iconography.
1993
Never afraid of showing some skin, Madonna's itsy bitsy shorts and sequinned bikinis allowed her to keep up with her dancers.
1990
Madonna chose a Rococo style dress originally created for Glenn Close to wear in the 1998 film Dangerous Liaisons for her 1990 MTV Music Awards performance.
1987
Madonna's 1980s vibe was still strong during the Who's That Girl tour, but the edginess was still there – note the fishnet tights.
2012
An updated version of her conical lingerie, styled over a pinstriped suit and shirt, both also by Jean Paul Gaultier, was the outfit of choice for a performance in Israel during her MDNA tour in 2012.
1990
Another iteration of the cone bra for the Blonde Ambition tour in 1990, this time complete with green sequins and tassels.
1990
Madonna's Blonde Ambition tour featured several elaborate costume changes.
1985
A 1980s outfit from The Virgin Tour wouldn't be complete without religious iconography, clashing prints and fingerless lace gloves.
1983
Madonna made several costume changes on her tours, to make room for looks like this kitsch gown with a matching hat during the Who's That Girl tour.
2006
The times may have changed, but Madonna's penchant for a bodysuit and fishnet tights will never waver.
Watch: Madonna is ‘secretly planning 40th anniversary greatest hits tour’
