So as we bid a farewell to another Black History Month, GQ took the time to bless us with their 20 Black Style Pioneers. The original 20 who showed us what Fresh was, is, and forever will be. From Marvin Gaye to Dick Gregory, these cats were Forever Fresh.

Dick Gregory
b. 1932
Stand-up comedian; civil rights activist
Left: circa 1964

“He was a brilliant comedian, but I think of him more as an icon of 1950s and ’60s American style—the width of his tie and lapels and the cut of his suit jacket are all very much of that era… which also means they’re very now. And today, as an older gentleman, he’s a pro at pattern mixing.”

Marvin Gaye
1939-1984
Singer and songwriter
Left: circa 1980

“Everyone’s wearing denim shirts these days, and I like to think Marvin has something to do with that. This is a true workwear look he’s pulling off here—vintage Americana, the stuff everyone’s wild for now. He made denim-on-denim cool for us… and I love the way he contrasts it with the red knit hat.”

Otis Redding
1941-1967
Singer
Left: January 21, 1967, backstage at Hunter College, New York, NY

“You see photos of Otis, and he was just always so stylish; even if you don’t know who he is, you see a photo of him and think, there had to be something to this guy. I love the silhouette here. A double-breasted shawl blazer with a turtleneck underneath, and that overcoat. It looks like he just put on what he had and went with it. And a turtleneck—it’s a piece you either love or hate. Our next blog post is going to be about turtlenecks.”

See the rest at GQ.com