Pete Burns vs Convention: His Gender-Bending Iconic Style Remembered

It's a sad week for all. We've had to say goodbye to one of the coolest and most controversial style icons who ever lived. Pete Burns has left a legacy of fashion statements behind following his death on Sunday (October 23rd 2016), so it's only right to remember some of the best.

Pete Burns does his make-up, 2007. Credit: Famous

Pete Burns' image had changed dramatically over the years both stylistically and facially, but he's always managed to stand out. Frontman for the 80s band Dead Or Alive, whose biggest single was the monster hit 'You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)', Pete's own celebrity status was arguably more cemented by his appearance on 'Celebrity Big Brother 4' in 2006 (the same year as Michael Barrymore, Jodie Marsh and Chantelle Houghton).

Pete Burns enters the Celebrity Big Brother House, 2006. Credit: Famous

He finished fifth on the show and had the most incredible entrance and exit outfits - fur, heels and blonde wigs being his trademark at the time. In true Pete Burns fashion, he even became embroiled in an animal rights scandal regarding his Colobus monkey fur coat. Pete has always been sure to bring indecorum to his wardrobe, just in case his many plasic surgery operations become normalised.

Taking gender-bending to the extreme, 2007. Credit: Famous

He is without doubt most known for his extensive cosmetic enhancements including lip injections, cheek implants, rhinoplasty and tattoos. He claimed in recent years that his continued lip procedures were down to his desire to resemble a Bratz doll, and never stopped working on his pout despite the fact that one set of permanent fillers left him on the brink of death when it ended up spreading throughout his body. He was placed on medication for years afterwards.

Pete Burns at the Miss Great Britain grand final, 2006. Credit: Famous

'The number of surgeries I've has is probably 300', he revealed on Channel 5's 'Celebrity Botched Up Bodies' earlier this year. 'I hope when I'm 80 and I get to heaven God doesn't recognise me.'

More: Pete Burns dies aged 57

Pete Burns is one of the first celebrity 'gender-benders'; distorting his sexuality and gender image so much that he could never be described as straight, gay, male, female or trans. While David Bowie and Annie Lennox may have made their mark by introducing androgyny to the mainstream, it was the likes of Boy George, 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' and Pete Burns that brought it to the extreme.

One of the world's most valuable style icons, 2007. Credit: Famous

While he looked incredible in heels, dresses and pearls, he also worked a men's suit with just as much panache; adorning himself in leopard print, tartan and punk paraphernalia just to make sure his looks were always memorable and occasionally matching husband Michael Simpson.

Whether you loved his look or were horrified by him, there's no denying that the world is just a little bit less glamorous without him. 

Always knew how to rock a suit, 2007. Credit: Famous

Michael Simpson and Pete Burns at the Big Brother 8 Wrap Party, 2007. Credit: Famous

Still knew how to be elegant, 2007. Credit: Famous

The ultimate accessory queen, 2007. Credit: Famous