1. 'In Mime' Bowie(01 of36)
Open Image ModalThe early days of David Bowie's career are often looked on as less avant-garde and outlandish - and, frankly, more 'normal' - than his creative output during his heyday, but it's worth remembering that in the late 1960s he had become a professional mime who also sang on stage.During this period, it's been said his label were actually determined to get rid of him, due to the fact he didn't have his own backing band and was yet to have a hit record.Imagine his surprise when a little song called 'Space Oddity' came along to change all that, putting him on the map in a massive way. (credit:Ray Stevenson/Rex Shutterstock)
2. 'Man Who Sold The World' Bowie(02 of36)
Open Image ModalWith the release of his third album, 'The Man Who Sold The World', Bowie took on a more rocky sound, with his long-time collaborator, guitarist Mick Ronson, taking a more prominent role in the music.This was also reflected in his image, which saw him sporting a shaggy hairstyle and more elaborate style, which saw the first sparks of what a fashion icon and innovator he was to become. (credit:Ray Stevenson/REX Shutterstock)
3. Ziggy Stardust(03 of36)
Open Image ModalJust two years later, he'd reinvented himself once again and created a brand new character for himself. Backed by his band, The Spiders From Mars, he became known as Ziggy Stardust, a rock star whose story was told on the album, 'The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust (And The Spiders From Mars)'.The album spawned some of David's signature songs, including 'Suffragette City', 'Starman' and the titular 'Ziggy Stardust', while the era is famous for ending when he "killed off" the character live on stage, breaking up the group before a performance of 'Rock 'N' Roll Suicide'. (credit:Roger Bamber/REX Shutterstock)
4. Aladdin Sane(04 of36)
Open Image ModalThings took an even more elaborate turn with the release of David's next album, 'Aladdin Sane', the imagery for which saw him creating a new character.The 'Aladdin Sane' album cover is certainly among the most iconic images from David Bowie's legendary career, while the thinking behind it, according to the man himself, was 'Ziggy Stardust goes to America'.
5. 'Young Americans' Era(05 of36)
Open Image ModalAnd then... something switched. Gone were the androgynous looks, the outlandish hair and make-ups and elaborate costumes. In their place were casual suits, in keeping with what he described as the 'plastic soul' vibe of his 'Young Americans' album. (credit:Rex Shutterstock)
6. The Thin White Duke(06 of36)
Open Image ModalProving he's not one who could be easily predicted, David Bowie then went completely back to the drawing board for the imagery that coincided with his 'Station To Station' album.The Thin White Duke was another iconic character created by the music legend, this time famed for his slicked back blond hair, sharp suits inspired by the cabaret scene and thin appearance.However, while fans relished seeing their idol once again reinventing himself, David later spoke about this period as a dark time for him personally, admitting he was at the height of his cocaine habit during this era, and describing the Duke as an 'ogre'. (credit:Ron Galella via Getty Images)
7. 'Let's Dance' Era(07 of36)
Open Image ModalA little older and possibly a little wiser, following the avant garde imagery that accompanied the 'Berlin trilogy' and 'Man Who Fell To Earth' it seemed the one thing David Bowie could do to really shock people was once again reinvent himself, this time as a commercial pop star.With a bit of help by Nile Rodgers, the 'Let's Dance' era didn't sit well with some fans of the star at the time, who were perhaps hoping for something less 'commercial' from David Bowie, but it's gone on to be one of his staple sounds. (credit:Ilpo Musto/REX Shutterstock)
8. The Goblin King(08 of36)
Open Image ModalDavid Bowie was introduced to a whole new generation of youths when he appeared in 'Labyrinth' a new collaboration between George Lucas and Jim Henson - famed for 'Star Wars' and 'The Muppets' respectively.As well as acting as Jareth, the Goblin King, he also performed several songs in the film, including the catchy 'Magic Dance' and the more theatrical, 'As The World Falls Down'. (credit:Rex Shutterstock)
9. 90s Bowie(09 of36)
Open Image ModalDuring the 1990s, David Bowie was still enjoying success as a musician and pop icon, but with a loyal fan base behind from over the past decades, he was no longer under pressure to create hits or reach the top of the charts.This allowed him to experiment with his sound, as well as his look, as imagery from this era proves. (credit:Pat Pope/REX Shutterstock)
10. Back In The Game Bowie(10 of36)
Open Image ModalAn unquestionable music legend by the time the new millennium came, David Bowie made his dramatic return to the music scene with the release of his 24th (!!) album, 'The Next Day', his first in a decade.Hitting the UK top 10 with its lead single, 'Where Are We Now?', the album itself reached the top of the album chart, proving there was still room for him in the British music scene. He followed this with 'Blackstar', which was released just two days before his death from cancer, at the age of 69. (credit:Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com/REX Shutterstock)
David Bowie is... (11 of36)
Open Image Modal1 - Area 5 - Astronauts of Inner Space(12 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Copyright: The David Bowie Archive Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario)
2 - Area 9 - Collaboration Non-musical(13 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Copyright: The David Bowie Archive Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario)
3 - Area 9 - Union Jack Coat(14 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Copyright: The David Bowie Archive Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario)
4 - Area 10 - Replica of Quilted Bodysuit - Ziggy Stardust Album Cover Shoot(15 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Copyright: The David Bowie Archive Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario)
5 - Area 11 - Rebel Rebel(16 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Copyright: The David Bowie Archive Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario)
6 - Area 19 - Additional Costumes(17 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Copyright: The David Bowie Archive Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario)
7 - Area 6 - Cultural Influences - Cloak with Kanji Letters(18 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Copyright: The David Bowie Archive Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario)
8 - Area 14 - Yamamoto Catsuit, 1973(19 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Copyright: The David Bowie Archive Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario)
9 - Area 14 - Yamamoto Catsuit closeup(20 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Copyright: The David Bowie Archive Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Ontario)
Red platform boots for the 1973 'Aladdin Sane' tour (21 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
Acoustic guitar from the 'Space Oddity' era, 1969(22 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
Cut up lyrics for ‘Blackout’ from “Heroes”, 1977 (23 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
Photo-collage by David Bowie of manipulated film stills from The Man Who Fell to Earth, 1975-6. (24 of36)
Open Image ModalFilm stills by David James (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Film stills © STUDIOCANAL Films Ltd. Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
Print after a self-portrait by David Bowie, 1978 (25 of36)
Open Image Modal (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
Album cover shoot for Aladdin Sane, 1973. (26 of36)
Open Image ModalPhotograph by Brian Duffy (credit:Duffy © Duffy Archive & The David Bowie Archive)
Pierrot (or "Blue Clown") costume, 1980. (27 of36)
Open Image ModalDesigned by Natasha Korniloff for the "Ashes to Ashes" video and Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) album cover.Photograph by Brian Duffy Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
David Bowie with William Burroughs, February 1974. (28 of36)
Open Image ModalPhotograph by Terry O'Neill with colour by David Bowie (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
David Bowie, 1973.(29 of36)
Open Image Modal Photograph by Masayoshi Sukita (credit:© Sukita / The David Bowie Archive)
Life on Mars suit(30 of36)
Open Image ModalDesigned by Freddie Burretti for the 'Life on Mars?' video (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
Original photography for the Earthling album cover 1997(31 of36)
Open Image ModalUnion Jack coat designed by Alexander McQueen in collaboration with David Bowie (credit:Photograph by Frank W Ockenfels 3. © Frank W Ockenfels 3)
Origional lyrics Ziggy Stardust(32 of36)
Open Image Modalby David Bowie, 1972 (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
quilted two piece suit 1972(33 of36)
Open Image ModalDesigned by Freddie Burretti for the Ziggy Stardust tour (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
Stage set model for diamond dogs tour(34 of36)
Open Image ModalDesigned by Jules Fisher and Mark Ravitz (credit:Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive Image © Victoria and Albert Museum)
Striped bodysuit for the Aladdin Sane tour, 1973. (35 of36)
Open Image Modal Design by Kansai Yamamoto. (credit:Photograph by Masayoshi Sukita © Sukita / The David Bowie Archive)
Promotional photograph of David Bowie for 'Diamond Dogs,' 1974. (36 of36)
Open Image ModalPhotograph by Terry O'Neill Image (credit: © Victoria and Albert Museum)