By Lucy Burton

Katharine Hepburn made trousers trendy, Jackie O churned sunglasses into fashion accessories, and Venus Williams is holding court in a mini lace jumpsuit. When digging deep into the fashion pocket, it’s women with the greatest power, be it cultural impact or political influence, whose fashion word is gospel.

But todays fashion icons are going beyond narrow visions of beauty and glamour – Lady Gaga, Beth Ditto and Helena Bonham Carter all get designers giddy for the power they represent. Lady Gaga, who was placed at number seven on Forbes’ annual list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women in 2010, was honored the fashion icon prize by the CFDA awards in June this year – celebrating a woman who, in her meat dress and bullet bras, is as fearless as she is fashion-forward.

Venus Williams has also aced the style victory this month, going against the grain by appearing Centre Court in a yellow lattice-effect top and clashing floral skirt. In another game, the five-times Wimbledon champ flew the playsuit flag by ditching a traditional tennis kit for a cream and gold one piece. Credited as a powerhouse in professional tennis, Venus Williams proves that style can be a balance between beauty and brawn – ending up somewhere challenging and playful.

Yet those credited for creating or crippling trends don’t have to be as unconventional as Lady Gaga or Beth Ditto – the secret to their sauce is what they represent. Female politicians and royals are increasingly portraying classy, trend-setting women, with the newest addition to the royal family, Kate Middleton, vowing to be a frugal fashion icon. The Duchess is known for merging high and low cost outfits, but media outlets exploded last week when she wore the same dress to the Duke of Edinburgh’s 90th gala that she wore to a friends wedding in 2009.  2009?! The Duchess has been quick to respond, saying that in this economic climate clothes must be re-worn and re-used. And we’ll raise our glasses to that.

Influencing what we buy, when we buy and where we buy it, strong women will continue to lead the fashion pack, using fashion as a tool for social change and self expression.

Just stay away from that meat dress, will you.