madonna - trend setter or not?

hi - im currently in my 3rd year and am exploring madonnas trends for my dissertation - things like

who is madonna influenced by and does she come up with any ideas herself and if she does, do the public follow her because she is wearing it and does it go as far as onto the catwalks......can anyone predict her next trend?

why does madonna pick certain images and not others? any imput would be greatly appreciated on this and if there is anyone who can advise me on good books or films or sites to search for information on her image life that would be a truly great help..

the english books are not that help ful and all say a different thing a bout the same thing i dont know what is true and what is not so id thought id come to the experts!!!

any info or your own opinion would be greatly appreciated - look forward to what you have to say

chelle x

Hello! Its hard to believe that this is a question in modern academia. Obviously, you were too young to witness an entire generation of 80's chicks wearing black-laced brassieres and large crucifix earrings (in just one ear, of course)... not that this should daunt your dissertation, because she is currently setting trends with almost every fag in America! Madonna is an icon, and I mean not just with image!
How many times do you walk into a retail shop of any kind and hear a Madonna hit playing on the music system? How 'bout, "ALL THE TIME!!" I even heard "Secret" in a Korean supermarket that only plays Korean music (well...most of the time!) The trends she sets would be way beyond fashion... how many 30 to 50 year olds do yoga, eat microbiotically and speak with a fake British accent?? I hope this is included in your studies!
Signed, a true blue Madonna fan!

[Madonnafan]

Madonna is a trend setter.