Let's face it - fashion and music have a very closely connected relationship.

In fact, neither would exist without the other. So much of what we wear today is influenced by the bold and vivacious video clips that are constantly being shown on MTV and the actual stars of these video clips have an even bigger influence. Many of them have, no doubt, acquired fashion icon status.

        Hip-Hop is one of the hottest genres in music today. Over the past decade, its popularity has continued to grow from strength to strength and the influence it holds over the entertainment industry is huge.

        The major players in hip-hop today are some of the most powerful celebrities on the planet. No longer do they just dominate the music charts - no, hip-hop is taking over fashion lines too and might I say, the world.

        It's a clear and simple equation: Fashion + Rap = Celebrity Success. The birth and success of Phat Farm, Baby Phat and FUBU fashion lines prove the indisputable reign that hip-hop has over the fashion industry.

        However, that is not to say you have to be a copycat to dress hip-hop. It's all in the attitude - more so than the look per se - because street-wear is not definitive and can be interpreted in so many different ways by so many different demographics.

        In recent years, the teaming of Sports label Adidas with the Rap Queen Missy Elliot herself has led to a style revolution resulting in women's fashion relaxing a little.

        Thanks to our fair lady Missy and her creation of the ‘RESPECT ME' line, baggy jeans, man style singlets, polo shirts, funky trainers and trucker caps - trends which had previously been reserved solely for men - have now been made acceptable fashion items for females to wear.

        However, like all who attempt to dress hip-hop, Missy has attitude and this factor alone grants her the grace to carry herself in an admirably hip and funky manner.

        HOOKED on "How to dress like a hip-hop star":

• 1. Stock up on the essentials - funky trainers, loud slogan tees, baggy denims, visors
  
  
• 2. Get your blings on. Hip-hop stars have heaps of them and they're not afraid to flaunt them. So, why should you?
  
  
• 3. For a more feminine look, get low-waisted skirts and jeans to accentuate those hips and tight singlets to emphasize the chest.
  
  
• 4. Lastly, LOADS of attitude. After all, Hip-hop's all about the attitude. If you got ‘em, flaunt ‘em, honey!

You've been "punk'd"

        With the ever-growing popularity of punk rock music, and the rise of its stars in the likes of Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne, it is only natural that the mainstreaming of punk rock fashion would materialize and unleash the rebel in all of us.

        Punk rock's do-it-yourself style has been embraced by the masses and alternative dressing is oh-so-welcomed!

        Taking a leaf off of Avril Lavigne's textbook of punk rock chick fashion, we see how the tiny rebel made a huge impact on the fashion world with just one video - Complicated.

        Alright fine, we were hardly impressed when she came on screen with the arm sock thing-a-majig but we've got to give the girl some credit. Avril's look of relaxed white singlet with low slung loose fitting shorts was one great fashion moment for the girls. It screams out guy-casual, yet deliciously sexy.

        And let's not forget the tie trend that she set, which saw almost every tween girls (and, yes some boys too) walking on the streets, wearing white collarless shirts with their Daddy's ties.

        HOOKED on "How to dress like a Punk rocker":

• 1. Flares = Big no-no in punk rock fashion. It's all about skin-tight jeans or low-slung leather pants. Think long and lean. Tuck them in high cut leather boots and top them off with a chain belt and a bomber jacket.
  
  

• 2. Paris Hilton and/or boy bands are NOT your style icon for this genre. Unless you want to get stoned to death, frou-frou dresses and girly stuff are huge faux pas. Think more along the lines of graphic tees emblazoned with anarchist messages such as "I'm Kind of a Big Deal" and ripped jeans spray painted with graffiti. For girls, clearly it's the singlets paired with suspenders and a pair of Chuck Taylor Converse shoes!  
  
  
• 3. Just because it's punk, it doesn't mean you ignore colour. That is under goth - which I am not even going to start because the faux pas in that are just too many to list down. Black may be the colour, but when combined with bright colours in subtlety like neon pink and bright red, it creates a more striking impression.
  
  
• 4. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Rubber bracelets, studded wrist cuffs and chokers, chains, bold pendants and costume style jewellery all stand out from the crowd and give your outfit more attitude.