It is true the fashion world loves a uniform. From razor-sharp pencil skirts to overpriced shoulder bags, it is easy for celebrities to play it safe. But every now and then, a celebrity walks onto a red carpet or decorated stage and brings the spirit of true avant-garde fashion. Breaking boundaries and stepping away from what is comfortable. Whether it unsettles people, like Lady Gaga’s 2011 meat dress, or evokes strong emotions, its purpose is to make you feel something. In a time where we are frozen in fashion, stuck in a game of musical chairs with creative directors jumping from brand to brand, the avant-garde bleeds and breathes life into what is left of subcultures. Come along with L’Abbeye as we explore some celebrities who dared to dress differently.
Didn’t Cha Know Erykah Badu Loves the Avant-Garde
Erykah Badu’s style has long set her apart as one of the most influential dressers in music and fashion. From sculptural Marni at the Met Gala to her layered, jewel-covered concert looks, Badu’s wardrobe reflects her bold identity, pushing for originality. In 2020, she wore a standout piece by Myah Hasbany, then a student at Central Saint Martins. The look featured a large crocheted hat with exaggerated floppy bunny-like ears, playing with volume and shape in a way that felt both playful and boundary-pushing. Hasbany’s design later reappeared on the school’s 2025 graduating runway, earning attention for its innovative use of silhouette and craftsmanship. With Badu’s early support, the designer quickly gained traction, becoming one to watch in the world of avant-garde fashion.
FKA Twigs
On the stage of Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2024 Paris show, FKA Twigs transformed the runway into performance art, debuting unreleased music alongside the unveiling of the collection’s dreamlike silhouettes. Unlike her usual alien-like wardrobe, she stunned in a bare outfit, letting her voice and movements speak for themselves. This directly contrasted against the Valentino collection, bringing an intriguing mix of aesthetics to the stage. Twigs also mastered the “Skullet,” a mix of mullet and buzz cut. The front of her head was shaved to the skull, while the rest was beautifully braided or curled, creating an androgynous masterpiece.
Mother of the Monster: Lady Gaga
There are hardly enough words to capture the brilliance of Lady Gaga’s mind. Since the start of her career, she has shattered expectations, set trends, and delivered a nonstop stream of unforgettable, boundary-pushing looks. The list is endless: the raw meat dress by Franc Fernandez at the 2010 VMAs, her ethereal McQueen moment at the 2009 AMAs, and the now legendary egg vessel she arrived in at the 2011 Grammys. These performances are not just fashion moments, they are cultural imprints that have shaped a generation of artists. Even her most recent work, like the surreal, style-saturated “Abracadabra” video, proves her avant-garde instinct is as sharp as ever, with looks by Balenciaga, Olivier Theyskens, and more. From the cigarette sunglasses in 2009’s “Telephone” to her performance art masterpiece at the Met Gala’s Camp theme, Gaga continues to redefine the avant-garde scene for all artists.
Julia Fox the Avant-Garde It Girl
Catapulted into pop culture fame through her breakout role in “Uncut Gems” and a headline-grabbing dating history, Julia Fox has cemented herself as the It Girl of our most unhinged dreams. Her style has rocked worlds with dramatic cat eyes, insanely low-waisted DIY jeans, and outlandish red carpet looks. A frequent muse of designers like Han Kjøbenhavn, Fox stunned in leather dresses with a sculptural hand wrapped around her neck, or casual underwear paired with a full fur coat. The fearlessness Fox holds within the fashion industry separates her from the norms we see all the time. Her wardrobe reflects her brave personality and intelligent mind. Even the cover of her New York Times Best Selling book is stylish.
Björk’s Style from Another Universe
The music industry is forever blessed by Björk’s visionary sound and playful spirit. Her enchanting voice and avant-garde pop create a harmony of chaotic beauty that defies genre. On magazine covers, red carpets, and stages around the world, her style has always echoed her originality. One of her most unforgettable fashion moments came at the 2001 Academy Awards, where she wore the legendary swan dress by Marjan Pejoski, complete with a sculpted neck that wrapped around her own and laid an egg on the red carpet. Though ridiculed at the time, the look became a defining symbol of fearless, surrealist fashion. In AnOther magazine, her “Spaghetti Nero” editorial by Juergen Teller captured her mid-bite with squid ink smeared across her mouth. Raw, absurd, and impossible to forget. More recently, during her 2023 concert in Tokyo, she stunned audiences once again in sculptural designs by Noir Kei Ninomiya, transforming herself into an ethereal, alien-like figure. Across every medium, Björk’s fashion remains an extension of her music: experimental, emotional, and entirely her own.
Nadia Lee Cohen Is Perfect
There is nothing Nadia Lee Cohen cannot do right. With a portfolio packed full of music videos, campaigns, and photobooks, her visionary talent is sought after by some of the biggest names in entertainment. In her feature for Perfect magazine, Cohen delivered a series of surreal self-portraits, donning bizarre vintage masks paired with luxurious garments that blurred the line between fantasy and fashion. She also stunned in a full latex suit, complete with an exaggerated theatrical camel toe, an uncanny blend of surrealism and high style that perfectly encapsulates her aesthetic. Her recent work with Aphex Twin has taken the internet by storm, widely praised for her uncanny ability to make discomfort look effortlessly chic. Having collaborated with icons like Kate Moss and Kim Kardashian, Nadia Lee Cohen’s influence on the avant-garde scene is only just beginning to unfold.
During a time when the world seems to be taking ten steps backward, these celebrities continue to move at their own pace, inspiring their audiences with originality. Fashion is impacted not just by models and designers, but by artists of all kinds: singing, acting, performing, or writing. From hairstyles to full performances swinging over a stage in a bloodied dress, the choice to stand out and push boundaries is always admired for the sake of the avant-garde.