Star quality: Emulate this season's biggest celebrity style icons, from Bowie to Beyoncé

David Bowie

The Thin White Duke has long been a point of reference in the world of fashion, thanks in part to the many personalities he has experimented with during his 40-year career. But thanks to a much-anticipated retrospective of his work opening at the Victoria & Albert Museum later this month, not to mention a new album – his first in a decade – following the surprise release of a comeback single in January, it seems all eyes are on Ziggy Stardust once again.

An otherworldly presence, Bowie's multiple dramatic personae share an outlandish and experimental sense of style, and while Lycra jumpsuits adorned with celestial symbols may be for only the most-adventurous inhabitants of east London, Bowie's androgynous edge is on trend right now. Extended armour-like shoulders, shiny metallic details and fabrics and Sabatier-sharp suiting all make an appearance in the latest collections. Mullet optional.

Cara Delevingne

It's easy to forget that the "girl of the moment" is no longer a girl. Almost all grown-up, Delevingne matches her baby-face features and youthful energy with her off-duty wardrobe. Barely old enough to remember the 1990s the first time round, the 20-year-old seems to be making up for lost time by mining the grunge and rave aesthetics of the day. Alongside such compulsory model uniform as skinny jeans, Converse and leather biker jackets, Delevingne's wardrobe is bursting with crop-tops, shorts, slogan T-shirts and slouchy beanies.

And it has its fair share of animal-inspired outfits as well. And no, we're not talking leopard prints: her predilection for all-in-one animal suits – pandas, lions and bears among them – is so well-documented on Instagram that the model has suggested launching her own line of them. If giant babywear and reverting to the 1990s aren't your thing, perhaps a piece from Jeremy Scott, one of Delevingne's favourite designers, would be more up your street? Naturally, introverts need not apply.

Beyonce

Even by Queen B’s standards, 2013 has been a helluva year - her performance at President Obama’s inauguration may have been mimed but there was nothing fake about the huge emerald earrings which, along with her Emilio Pucci gown, caught the attention of the more fashion-orientated members of the audience. Next came the Superbowl, where a leather and lace bodice was donned and for her next move she will tour the world as Mrs Carter, a promo for which saw her in suitably majestic garb. And in case that wasn’t enough to remind the world who wears the crown, a documentary on her life scored 1.8million viewers for HBO when it screened in February and she graces the cover of the spring/summer issue of The Gentlewoman.

IRL, Beyonce has taken a few fashion tips from her younger sister Solange and has been experimenting more with her personal style. Printed tailored separates, statement jewellery and bright colours have all made a welcome addition to her wardrobe, while exotic skins, body-con and skin-baring pieces are a testament to the star’s self-confidence.

Sharon Stone

Having led something of a low-key life of late, it was rather a surprise that Sharon Stone made an appearance at a Roberto Cavalli party in Milan last September. However seemingly out-of-the-blue, in the way that fates so often collide in the fashion word, this re-emergence was in fact fitting as the ice blonde was cited as inspiration for collections by Julian MacDonald and Rosella Jardini of Moschino for spring/summer. The latter looked to Ms Stone’s role in Casino while it is safe to assume the former took guidance from Basic Instinct.

Add to that the proliferation of crisp summer whites, not least at Moschino but also Victoria Beckham, Chalayan and with an extra hit of sexed-up attitude at Alexander Wang, that appeared on catwalks throughout the season Ms Stone’s most famous performance, or the costume for it at least. The purest colour is styled in the dirtiest way this season, with lady-like elegance creating a butter wouldn’t melt facade thats not fooling anyone.