Never afraid to make bold choices, she possesses the ability to pull off looks, that for us mere mortals would almost certainly mean death by fashion. In a recent episode of MTV Style, Stefani was counted by Mandy Moore and Shaznay Lewis amongst others, as the celebrity whose style they most admire and would like to emulate.

Now aged 35, Stefani comes from a long line of dressmakers and was an accomplished seamstress by the age of ten. She is a woman who truly appreciates the art that is fashion. In a recent interview she is quoted as saying she cried the first time she saw a John Galliano show. “I know it sounds geeky, but it really moved me”, incidentally the respect is mutual, Galliano quotes Stefani as his muse, and designed the pale pink dress she wore for her 2002 wedding to Bush singer Gavin Rossdale, quite a complement you’d imagine for the girl who, for years worked as a cleaner to support herself in college.

Unlike many celebrities who frequently make the best dressed lists, Stefani’s style is all her own and not the result of having a stylist on hand day and night to monitor her wardrobe, while this undoubtedly has led to some major faux pas over the years, such as the best forgotten Golden Globes appearance in 2003, its makes her successes all the more spectacular.

Her 2004 debut album Love, Angel, Music, Baby, has been a critical and commercial success and it’s in her videos that Gwen’s love of fashion, and breathtaking daring is truly evident. It was in the 1996 No Doubt video for the single Don’t Speak that Gwen’s individuality and eclectic style first shone through when she wore a vintage navy polka dotted housedress, teamed with 40’s ringlets, an Indian bindi and bare feet. In the video for Hey Baby she sported a black and white check jacket and cropped pants ensemble, with a red bikini top and a serious amount of bling, a look few would have had the ability to wear, but one that she made seem effortless.

Her latest videos’ for the singles What you waiting for? and If I was a rich girl have seen Stefani truly come into her own, blending Geisha elegance with Westwood inspired tailoring and pull off a feat many believed to be impossible, the ability to look sexy in white tights!

Always a style leader, Gwen was wearing oversized trucker caps and biker buckles, long before Posh made them cool this side of the pond. She is as comfortable in baggy jeans and cropped vests while performing as she is in couture on the red carpet. Stefani’s look ranges from what can only be described as trailer park chic, to 40’s inspired couture queen. She was the obvious choice to play Jean Harlow, in the recent Martin Scorsese film The Aviator, being an almost living embodiment of 40’s glamour, and went on to steal the show from the film’s leading lady Kate Beckensale at the December 2004 premier, in a candy pink silk Westwood gown.

Stefani took her first steps into designing when she created her own clothing line, Lamb in 2003, which has been a runaway success in the U.S., and has gained the celebrity pack’s seal of approval with Cameron Diaz amongst others being spotted in her clothes. Currently designing her 5th Lamb collection, she will hold her first fashion show this November in New York.

In today’s celebrity style stakes, awash with bland play it safe starlets, Gwen Stefani is a beacon of boldness and creativity, a woman who is secure in her own skin and unabashed in her choices, we at Fashion.ie say long live queen Gwen!