8. Syd Barrett
An intriguing character in so many ways, the short burst of brilliance that we witnessed from Syd Barrett in the late 1960s was enough to have inspired and enthralled people from every generation in the years since. His acid-induced mental decline and the subsequent years spent as a recluse while his old band mates went forward into the dizzying heights of Pink Floyds most successful decade, allowed much ambiguity and fascination to form around the original musical and stylistic visionary of the group. His appearance during his years of artistic prevalence were tied in with the spirit of the time and came straight off The Kings Road; flamboyant shirts, scarves and cravats and striking double-breasted jackets, all topped off with his trademark smudge of kohl under the eyes. While many characters of the time may have been seen wearing similar attire, Barretts clothes and appearance seemed such a perfect representation of the person within that he carried it off with more authenticity and flair than most of his contemporaries. It is because of his all-encompassing artistic brilliance that he is remembered as not just a seminal figure in psychedelic music, but also as a style icon.