Editing Spice Girls (section)

==Cultural impact and legacy==
{{Promotional section|date=July 2023}}

===Pop music resurgence and girl group boom===
The Spice Girls debuted at a time when [[alternative rock]], [[hip hop music|hip-hop]] and [[contemporary R&B|R&B]] dominated global music charts. In the group's first interview in May 1996, Halliwell told ''Music Week'': "We want to bring some of the glamour back to pop, like Madonna had when we were growing up. Pop is about fantasy and escapism, but there's so much bullshit around at the moment."<ref name=firstinterview/> The modern pop phenomenon that the Spice Girls created by targeting early [[Millennials]] was credited with changing the music landscape by reviving the pop music genre,<ref name="landscape">{{Cite news|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/spice-girls-wannabe-was-number-1-20-years-ago-today__10051/|title=Spice Girls' Wannabe was Number 1 20 years ago today|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=5 July 2016|access-date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210217171606/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/spice-girls-wannabe-was-number-1-20-years-ago-today__10051/|archive-date=17 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vh1.com/news/ahpibf/the-90s-ranked|title=Every Year of the '90s Ranked According to Music|publisher=[[VH1]]|date=12 August 2014|first=Stacy|last=Lambe|access-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210303122014/http://www.vh1.com/news/53567/the-90s-ranked/|archive-date=3 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Chuck|title=Britain's Spice Girls come to the rescue of ailing pop scene with the release of 'Spice'|work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |date=15 February 1997|page=102}}</ref> bringing about the global wave of late-1990s and early-2000s [[teen pop]] acts such as the [[Backstreet Boys]], [[Britney Spears]], [[Christina Aguilera]] and [[NSYNC]].<ref name="teen pop">{{Cite news|url=https://www.allmusic.com/subgenre/teen-pop-ma0000002895|title=Teen Pop|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219133844/https://www.allmusic.com/subgenre/teen-pop-ma0000002895|archive-date=19 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="pop music">{{Cite news|url=http://top40.about.com/od/popmusic101/p/teenpop.htm|title=Teen Pop|publisher=[[About.com]]|first=Bill|last=Lamb|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210219134348/https://www.liveabout.com/teen-pop-meaning-3246993|archive-date=19 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="billboard wannabe video">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/pop-shop/girl-group-week/6070253/top-10-girl-group-music-videos|title=Top 10 Most Iconic Girl Group Music Videos: 'Waterfalls', 'Wannabe' & More|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|last=Unterberger|first=Andrew|date=4 March 2015|access-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210219144219/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/girl-group-week/6070253/top-10-girl-group-music-videos/|archive-date=19 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="spice girls ruined 1990s">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/04/1990s-spice-girls-celebrity-culture|title=The 1990s were the best of times ... until the Spice Girls ruined everything|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Sylvia|last=Patterson|date=4 July 2016|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210219134750/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/04/1990s-spice-girls-celebrity-culture|archive-date=19 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Spice Girls have been credited with paving the way for the [[girl groups]] and female pop singers that have come after them.<ref name="eonline">{{Cite news|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/778200/the-spice-girls-wannabe-turns-20-today-20-ways-it-changed-pop-culture-forever|last=Rankin|first=Seija|title=The Spice Girls' "Wannabe" Turns 20 Today: 20 Ways It Changed Pop Culture Forever|work=[[E! Online]]|date=8 July 2016|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708124124/http://www.eonline.com/news/778200/the-spice-girls-wannabe-turns-20-today-20-ways-it-changed-pop-culture-forever|archive-date=8 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://uproxx.com/music/spice-girls-legacy-girl-power-women-dominate-pop/|title=How The Spice Girls' Legacy Of 'Girl Power' Paved The Way For Women To Dominate Pop|publisher=[[Uproxx]]|date=27 February 2017|access-date=12 March 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210219150314/https://uproxx.com/music/spice-girls-legacy-girl-power-women-dominate-pop/|archive-date=19 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="spice girls pop music">{{Cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-spice-girls-wannabe-anniversary-2016/|title=The Spice Girls Saved 90s Pop from Boring Male-Dominated Death|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|last=Joshi|first=Tara|date=9 July 2016|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210310101654/https://www.vice.com/en/article/rmj8ea/the-spice-girls-wannabe-anniversary-2016|archive-date=10 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike previous girl groups, such as [[the Andrews Sisters]], whose [[target market]] was male record buyers, the Spice Girls targeted a young female fanbase.<ref name=johnharlow>{{cite news|title=Wannabe like me?|work=[[The Sunday Times]]|first=John|last=Harlow|page=16|date=27 October 1996 |id={{ProQuest|320504889}} }}</ref><ref name=andrewsmith>{{]cite news|title=Girls on top. After Spice, all-girl groups are dominating the charts. They're successful, but who's got the power?|work=[[The Observer]]|page=7|first=Andrew|last=Smith|date=22 August 1999 |id={{ProQuest|250362717}} }}</ref> In the UK, they are further credited for disrupting the then male-dominated pop music scene.<ref name="spice girls pop music"/><ref name="modern pop phenomenon">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/may/02/popandrock|title=The 50 moments that shaped pop history|last=O'Hagan|first=Sean|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=2 May 2004|access-date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210219152414/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/may/02/popandrock|archive-date=19 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to the Spice Girls, girl groups such as [[Bananarama]] had hit singles in the UK but their album sales were generally underwhelming.<ref name="Intent Media"/> A common opinion within the British music industry at the time was that an all-girl pop group would not work because both girls and boys would find the concept too threatening.<ref name=sinclair200876>{{harnvb|Sinclair|2008|p=76}}</ref> As a result, teen magazines such as ''[[Smash Hits]]'' and ''[[Top of the Pops (magazine)|Top of the Pops]]'' initially refused to feature the Spice Girls.<ref name=johnharlow/>

The massive commercial success of the Spice Girls led to a boom of new girl groups in the late 1990s and early 2000s.<ref name="andrewsmith" /><ref name="girl thing" /> Around 20 new girl groups were launched in the UK in 1999, followed by another 35 the next year.<ref name="girl thing"/> Groups that emerged during this period include [[All Saints (group)|All Saints]], [[B*Witched]], [[Atomic Kitten]], [[Girl Thing]], [[Girls@Play]], [[Girls Aloud]] and the [[Sugababes]], all hoping to emulate the Spice Girls' success.<ref name=andrewsmith/><ref name="girl thing">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2000/jul/05/artsfeatures3/|title=No more girl power|last=Sullivan|first=Caroline|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=5 July 2000|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210219153024/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2000/jul/05/artsfeatures3|archive-date=19 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="girl groups">{{Cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/as-wannabe-turns-18-here-are-18-things-you-never-knew-about-the-spice-girls/news-story/280ee7ab024ef9240f5d6d9e279c3ae7|title=As Wannabe turns 18, here are 18 things you never knew about the Spice Girls|last=Bond|first=Nick|publisher=[[News.com.au]]|date=9 July 2014|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125235450/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/as-wannabe-turns-18-here-are-18-things-you-never-knew-about-the-spice-girls/news-story/280ee7ab024ef9240f5d6d9e279c3ae7|archive-date=25 November 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Outside of the UK and Ireland, girl groups such as New Zealand's [[TrueBliss]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/110838234/20-years-later-where-are-truebliss|title=20 years later, where are TrueBliss?|publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]|date=26 February 2019|access-date=11 March 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=11 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210311114801/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/110838234/20-years-later-where-are-truebliss}}</ref> Australia's [[Bardot (Australian band)|Bardot]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/exclusive-bardot-reveal-if-a-reunion-is-on-the-cards/news-story/21048adfe1bca9690009fd9776b9a7c5|title=Exclusive: Bardot reveal if a reunion is on the cards|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|location=Sydney|first=Bree|last=Player|date=18 April 2020|access-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210225083322/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/exclusive-bardot-reveal-if-a-reunion-is-on-the-cards/news-story/21048adfe1bca9690009fd9776b9a7c5|archive-date=25 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Germany's [[No Angels]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/girl-band-singer-accused-of-infecting-partners-with-hiv-1669009.html|title=Girl band singer accused of infecting partners with HIV|work=[[The Independent]]|date=17 July 2013|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301065858/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/girl-band-singer-accused-of-infecting-partners-with-hiv-1669009.html|archive-date=1 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Belgium's [[K3 (group)|K3]], Spain's [[Bellepop]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=@tresbcom |first1=TRESB |title=El reencuentro de Bellepop, las ganadoras de Popstars, 15 años después |url=https://www.elmundo.es/f5/escucha/2019/07/05/5d1f680efc6c8362598b4649.html |access-date=15 March 2022 |agency=TRESB |publisher=El Mundo |date=5 July 2019}}</ref> Brazil's [[Rouge (group)|Rouge]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virgula.com.br/musica/banda-rouge-e-versao-brasileira-do-ex-grupo-britanico-spice-girls/|title=BANDA ROUGE É VERSÃO BRASILEIRA DO EX-GRUPO BRITÂNICO SPICE GIRLS|website=Virgula|date=2010-08-02|language=pt-br}}</ref> US's [[The Cheetah Girls (group)|Cheetah Girls]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/disney-plus/2019/11/18/20962882/disney-plus-channel-original-movie-list-best-of-dcom-top-10-high-school-movie|title=The 10 most essential Disney Channel Original Movies on Disney Plus|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=18 November 2019|first1=Petrana|last1=Radulovic|first2=Emily|last2=Heller|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210311113211/https://www.polygon.com/disney-plus/2019/11/18/20962882/disney-plus-channel-original-movie-list-best-of-dcom-top-10-high-school-movie|archive-date=11 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/ae/article/Cheetah-Girls-make-girl-power-cool-again-1214810.php|title=Cheetah Girls make girl power cool again|first=Mary|last=Andom|work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]|date=17 September 2006|access-date=11 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130901233619/http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/article/Cheetah-Girls-make-girl-power-cool-again-1214810.php|archive-date=1 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as South Korea's [[Baby Vox]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/baby-vox-mn0001403244/biography|title=Baby Vox: Biography by Alexey Eremenko|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|first=Alexey|last=Eremenko|access-date=2 May 2021}}</ref> and [[f(x) (group)|f(x)]] were also modelled after the Spice Girls.<ref>{{Cite serial |title= Amber Liu Is Proud To Be An Androgynous Asian-American Artist|episode-link= |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz3AFw-1xKM&t=9s&ab_channel=MTVNews |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Fz3AFw-1xKM| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|series=Homecoming |type=Youtube |series-link= |first= Amber |last= Liu|author-link=Amber Liu (singer)|network=[[MTV News]]|date=29 January 2019|number=3|minutes=3:37 |time= |quote= Did you guys know that f(x) is kind of like modeled after the Spice Girls? ... I was Sporty Spice.}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Twenty-first-century girl groups continue to cite the Spice Girls as a major source of influence, including [[the Pussycat Dolls]],<ref name="pcd">{{Cite news|url=http://www.musicomh.com/features/interviews/interview-the-pussycat-dolls|title=Pussycat Dolls: "It's the next generation of Girl Power" – Interview|work=[[musicOMH]]|first=Talia|last=Soghomonian|date=3 August 2005|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629225551/http://www.musicomh.com/features/interviews/interview-the-pussycat-dolls|archive-date=29 June 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2NE1]],<ref name="2NE1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1695757/2ne1-korean-pop/|title=2NE1 bringing k-pop 'girl power' stateside with will.i.am-assisted debut|publisher=[[MTV News]]|first=Christina|last=Garibaldi|date=17 October 2012|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150104002502/http://www.mtv.com/news/1695757/2ne1-korean-pop/|archive-date=4 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Girls' Generation]],<ref name="snsd">{{Cite news|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/19372/1/girls-generations-k-pop-reign|title=Girls' Generation's K-pop reign|work=[[Dazed]]|date=28 March 2014|first=Taylor|last=Glasby|access-date=23 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140328202702/http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/19372/1/girls-generations-k-pop-reign|archive-date=28 March 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Little Mix]],<ref name="LM">{{Cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a351689/x-factors-little-mix-we-want-to-be-a-modern-spice-girls/|title='X Factor's Little Mix: 'We want to be a modern Spice Girls'|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|first=Alex|last=Fletcher|date=18 November 2011|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210221173740/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a351689/x-factors-little-mix-we-want-to-be-a-modern-spice-girls/|archive-date=21 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="LM 2">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1565747/little-mix-on-spice-girls-influence-us-success-we-feel-like-justin|title=Little Mix on Spice Girls Influence & U.S. Success: 'We Feel Like Justin Bieber'|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|first=Jason|last=Lipshutz|date=5 June 2013|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210221174350/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/1565747/little-mix-on-spice-girls-influence-us-success-we-feel-like-justin/|archive-date=21 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Fifth Harmony]],<ref name="5H">{{Cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/goodmorningbritain/articles/fifth-harmony-are-worth-it-simon-cowell|title=Fifth Harmony get their inspiration from Spice Girls|publisher=[[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]|date=5 June 2015|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210221175709/https://www.itv.com/goodmorningbritain/articles/fifth-harmony-are-worth-it-simon-cowell|archive-date=21 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Haim (band)|Haim]],<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 May 2020|title=Haim: 'We'd be taken more seriously if we were brooding and aggressive'|language=en-GB|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52736756|access-date=5 June 2021}}</ref> and [[Blackpink]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=BLACKPINK Carpool Karaoke (At 7:31 timeframe) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUmE_TRdp0s |access-date=May 13, 2023 |website=YouTube| date=18 April 2023 }}</ref> Solo female artists who have been similarly influenced by the group include [[Jess Glynne]],<ref name="superfans">{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/spice-girls-superfans-bbc-iplayer_uk_57a09d4ee4b0459aae5e7b35|title='Spice Girls Superfans' Documentary on BBC iPlayer Marks 20 Years Since 'Wannabe'|work=[[HuffPost]]|date=2 August 2016|first=Caroline|last=Frost|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221191924/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/spice-girls-superfans-bbc-iplayer_uk_57a09d4ee4b0459aae5e7b35|archive-date=21 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Anne-Marie]], [[Foxes (singer)|Foxes]],<ref name="superfans"/> [[Alexandra Burke]],<ref name="superfans"/> [[JoJo (singer)|JoJo]], [[Charli XCX]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1538841/gimme-five-charli-xcx-on-her-musical-obsessions|title=Gimme Five: Charli XCX on Her Musical Obsessions|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=12 February 2013|first=Jason|last=Lipshutz|access-date=20 April 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210221193234/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/1538841/gimme-five-charli-xcx-on-her-musical-obsessions/|archive-date=21 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Artist Biography by Heather Phares|first=Heather|last=Phares |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/charli-xcx-mn0002688864/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=20 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214083313/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/charli-xcx-mn0002688864/biography|archive-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> [[Rita Ora]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Jules|first=Anny|url=https://www.axs.com/5-things-you-didn-t-know-about-rita-ora-51619|title=5 things you didn't know about Rita Ora|publisher=[[AXS (company)|AXS]]|date=1 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026024237/http://www.axs.com/5-things-you-didn-t-know-about-rita-ora-51619|archive-date=26 October 2016|access-date=21 February 2021}}</ref> [[Billie Eilish]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/billie-eilish-hilariously-reacts-to-britney-spears-playing-her-music-149948|title=Billie Eilish Hilariously Reacts to Britney Spears Playing Her Music|work=[[Entertainment Tonight]]|date=20 July 2020|first=Leena|last=Tailor|access-date=22 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210322133637/https://www.etonline.com/billie-eilish-hilariously-reacts-to-britney-spears-playing-her-music-149948|archive-date=22 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Beyoncé]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skinner |first=Tom |date=6 May 2021 |title=Beyoncé once told Victoria Beckham how the Spice Girls "inspired" her |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/beyonce-once-told-victoria-beckham-how-the-spice-girls-inspired-her-2935395 |access-date=5 June 2021 |website=NME |language=en}}</ref> During her 2005 "Reflections" concert series, Filipino singer [[Regine Velasquez]] performed a medley of five Spice Girls songs as a tribute to the group, citing them as a major influence on her music.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-138408077.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324124727/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-138408077.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 March 2017|url-access=subscription|via=[[HighBeam Research]]|title=Concert Review: Regine Velasquez Gives Nods to Influences in Reflections|newspaper=[[Manila Bulletin]] |last=Panaligan|first=Jojo P.| date=7 November 2005 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> Danish singer-songwriter [[MØ]] decided to pursue music after watching the Spice Girls on TV as a child, saying in a 2014 interview: "I have them and only them to thank—or to blame—for becoming a singer."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.electronicbeats.net/society-waits-for-nobody-sander-amendt-talks-to-mo/|title="Society waits for nobody" – Pop's newest outsider MØ interviewed|publisher=[[Electronic Beats]]|date=24 June 2014|first=Sander|last=Amendt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160801011719/http://www.electronicbeats.net/society-waits-for-nobody-sander-amendt-talks-to-mo/|archive-date=1 August 2016|url-status=live|access-date=21 February 2021}}</ref> 16-time [[Grammy Award]]-winning singer-songwriter [[Adele]] credits the Spice Girls as a major influence in regard to her love and passion for music, stating that "they made me what I am today".<ref name="adele">{{cite web|last=Walker|first=Marie|title=Adele: I Love the Spice Girls!|url=http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celebrity-news/517690/adele-i-love-the-spice-girls/1/|work=[[Now (1996–2019 magazine)|Now]]|date=2 March 2011|access-date=6 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022121800/http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celebrity-news/517690/adele-i-love-the-spice-girls|archive-date=22 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="adele 2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a85061/adele-reveals-spice-girls-inspiration/|title=Adele reveals Spice Girls inspiration|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|first=Alex|last=Fletcher|date=14 January 2008|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210221184235/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a85061/adele-reveals-spice-girls-inspiration/|archive-date=21 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Girl power===
{{Main|Girl power}}
"[[Girl power]]" was a label for the particular facet of feminist empowerment embraced by the band, emphasising female confidence,<ref name=lucyjones/> individuality and sisterhood.<ref name=bbcgp/><ref name="girl power article"/><ref name="girl power 3">{{cite web|url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/people/spice-girls-wannabe-feminism-pop-girl-power-feminist-nineties-empowerment-posh-scary-sporty-baby-ginger/28605|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170221232809/http://pages.stylist.co.uk/people/spice-girls-wannabe-feminism-pop-girl-power-feminist-nineties-empowerment-posh-scary-sporty-baby-ginger|url-status=live|archive-date=21 February 2017|title='Girl Power is just a Nineties way of saying it'. How feminism went pop during the reign of the Spice Girls|website=Stylist|date=20 June 2016|access-date=19 February 2021}}</ref> The Spice Girls' particular approach to "girl power" was seen as a boisterous, independent, and sex-positive response to "[[lad culture]]".<ref name="Ashby">{{cite journal |last1=Ashby |first1=Justine |date=Winter 2005 |title=Postfeminism in the British Frame |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3661101 |journal=Cinema Journal |volume=44 |issue=2 |pages=127–133 |doi=10.1353/cj.2005.0002 |jstor=3661101 |s2cid=144778931 |access-date=31 October 2021| issn=0009-7101 }}</ref> The phrase was regularly espoused by all five members—although most closely associated with Halliwell—and was often delivered with a [[V sign|peace sign]].<ref name="girl power book">{{cite book|last=Leonard|first=Marion|year=2007|title= Gender in the Music Industry: Rock, Discourse and Girl Power|publisher=[[Ashgate Publishing]]|chapter=Chapter 6: The Development of Riot Grrrl|page=159|isbn=978-0-7546-3862-9}}</ref> The "girl power" slogan was originally coined by US punk band [[Bikini Kill]] in 1991 and subsequently appeared in a few songs in the early and mid-1990s; most notably, it was the title of British pop duo [[Shampoo (band)|Shampoo]]'s 1996 single which Halliwell later said was her introduction to the phrase.<ref name="shampoo">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/girl-power-spice-girls-jenny-stevens-geri-horner/|title=How the Spice Girls Ripped 'Girl Power' from Its Radical Roots|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|first=Jenny|last=Stevens|date=4 November 2016|access-date=12 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210209093501/https://www.vice.com/en/article/bn3vq5/girl-power-spice-girls-jenny-stevens-geri-horner|archive-date=9 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="spice girls at 20">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jul/07/the-spice-girls-at-20-women-werent-allowed-to-be-like-that-in-public|title=The Spice Girls at 20: 'Women weren't allowed to be like that in public'|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Caroline|last=Sullivan|date=7 July 2016|access-date=10 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210217073408/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jul/07/the-spice-girls-at-20-women-werent-allowed-to-be-like-that-in-public|archive-date=17 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Although the term did not originate with them, it was not until the emergence of the Spice Girls in 1996 that "girl power" exploded onto the mainstream consciousness.<ref name="Power">{{cite magazine|title=Spice Girls' 'Wannabe': How 'Girl Power' Reinvigorated Mainstream Feminism in the '90s|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/features/7439005/spice-girls-wannabe-girl-power-feminism|access-date=21 March 2019|date=15 July 2016|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|first=Jennifer Keishin|last=Armstrong|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210212080415/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/features/7439005/spice-girls-wannabe-girl-power-feminism/|archive-date=12 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Chisholm, the band were inspired to champion this cause as a result of the [[sexism]] they encountered when they were first starting out in the music business.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/mel-c-spice-girls-sexism-girl-power-jessie-ware-table-manners-podcast-a9688926.html|title=Mel C Says Spice Girls Started Talking About Girl Power Because of Sexism in Music Industry|work=[[The Independent]]|date=26 August 2020|first=Sabrina|last=Barr|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210219174409/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/mel-c-spice-girls-sexism-girl-power-jessie-ware-table-manners-podcast-a9688926.html|archive-date=19 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Industry insiders credit Halliwell as being the author of the group's "girl power" manifesto,<ref name=sinclair200876/><ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|p=60}}</ref> while Halliwell herself once spoke of former British prime minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] as being "the pioneer of our ideology".{{refn|group=nb|Her bandmates demurred. Said Chisholm: "I'm from working-class Liverpool. I think Margaret Thatcher is a complete prick after what she has done to my home town."<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2019|p=134}}</ref>}}

In all, the focused, consistent presentation of "girl power" formed the centrepiece of their appeal as a band.<ref name=johnharlow/> The Spice Girls' brand of [[postfeminism]] was distinctive and its message of empowerment appealed to young girls, adolescents and adult women; by being politically neutral, it did not alienate consumers with different allegiances.<ref name="spice girls legacy"/><ref name="girl power article"/><ref name="Ashby"/> Virgin's director of press Robert Sandall explained the novelty of the group: "There had never been a group of girls who were addressing themselves specifically to a female audience before."<ref name=sinclair7173>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|pp=71–73}}</ref> Similarly, John Harlow of ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' believed it was this "loyal[ty] to their sex" that set the Spice Girls apart from their predecessors, enabling them to win over young female fans where previous girl groups had struggled.<ref name=johnharlow/> While "girl power" put a name to a social phenomenon, it was met with mixed reactions.<ref name="girl power article">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/38786.stm|title=Special Report: You've come a long way baby...|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=30 December 1997|access-date=23 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718135340/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/38786.stm|archive-date=18 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="spice girls feminism">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/20-years-of-girl-power-were-the-spice-girls-feminists-or-just-opportunists-34859274.html|title=20 years of Girl Power: Were the Spice Girls feminists or just opportunists?|work=[[Irish Independent]]|date=6 July 2016|first=Tanya|last=Sweeney|access-date=23 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170801030407/http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/20-years-of-girl-power-were-the-spice-girls-feminists-or-just-opportunists-34859274.html|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Some commentators credit the Spice Girls with reinvigorating mainstream [[feminism]]—popularised as "girl power"—in the 1990s,<ref name="Power"/><ref name="huffpost">{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/spice-girls-feminist-history_n_55c36cafe4b0923c12bbb16f|title=It's Time To Give The Spice Girls The Credit They Deserve|work=[[HuffPost]]|first=Zeba|last=Blay|date=6 August 2015|access-date=15 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210223234115/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/spice-girls-feminist-history_n_55c36cafe4b0923c12bbb16f|archive-date=23 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> with their mantra serving as a gateway to feminism for their young fans.<ref name=bravo/><ref name="spice girls feminism"/><ref name="girl power gateway">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/13/spice-girls-feminism-viva-forever|title=The Spice Girls were my gateway drug to feminism|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=13 December 2012|first=Rhiannon Lucy|last=Cosslett|access-date=13 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210223224253/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/13/spice-girls-feminism-viva-forever|archive-date=23 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Conversely, critics dismiss it as no more than a shallow marketing tactic and accuse the group of commercialising the social movement.<ref name=lucyjones>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/spice-girls-tour-2019-reunion-emma-bunton-geri-horner-mel-b-c-a8624301.html|title=Spice Girls reunion: Why we need Girl Power more than ever|work=[[The Independent]]|date=13 June 2019|first=Lucy|last=Jones|access-date=23 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210223214139/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/spice-girls-tour-2019-reunion-emma-bunton-geri-horner-mel-b-c-a8624301.html|archive-date=23 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="spice girls legacy"/> Regardless, "girl power" became a cultural phenomenon,<ref name="newstatesman">{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Rosie |date=2021-06-07 |title=Will there ever be another girl band like the Spice Girls? |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/music-theatre/2016/07/will-there-ever-be-another-girl-band-spice-girls |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=New Statesman |language=en-US}}</ref> adopted as the mantra for millions of girls<ref name=bravo/><ref name="girl power article"/> and even making it into the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]''.<ref name="girl power dictionary">BBC News. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1765706.stm Article on "Girl Power" being added to the Oxford English Dictionary]. [[British Broadcasting Corporation]]. 17 January 2002.</ref>
In summation of the concept, author Ryan Dawson said, "The Spice Girls changed British culture enough for Girl Power to now seem completely unremarkable."<ref name="Spice-Beatles comparison">Dawson, Ryan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050428082355/http://people.pwf.cam.ac.uk/rd286/rock/beatlemaniagirlpower.html ''"Beatlemania and Girl Power: An Anatomy of Fame"'']. ''Bigger Than Jesus: Essays on Popular Music''. University of Cambridge. Archived from [http://people.pwf.cam.ac.uk/rd286/rock/beatlemaniagirlpower.html original] on 28 April 2005. Retrieved 17 February 2017.</ref>

[[File:SpiceGirlWembley150619-122 (49000557707).jpg|thumb|left|The Spice Girls perform "Wannabe" as a four-piece on 15 June 2019. The song has become emblematic of the group's girl power manifesto.]]

In keeping with their "girl power" manifesto, the Spice Girls' songs have been praised for their "genuinely empowering messages about friendship and sisterhood,"<ref name=bbcgp>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48381340|title=Spice Girls: What happened to Girl Power?|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=24 May 2019|first=Alex|last=Taylor|access-date=23 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210223213413/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-48381340|archive-date=23 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> which set them apart from the typical love songs their pop contemporaries were singing.<ref name=bravo>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/how-the-spice-girls-changed-feminism-37483613.html|title=How the Spice Girls changed feminism|first=Lauren|last=Bravo|work=[[Irish Independent]]|date=4 November 2018|access-date=18 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210217225945/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/how-the-spice-girls-changed-feminism-37483613.html|archive-date=17 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine said their lyrics "demonstrated real, noncompetitive female friendship," adding that the messages the Spice Girls imparted have held up well compared to the lyrics sung by later girl groups such as the Pussycat Dolls.<ref name="Power"/> The group's debut single "Wannabe" has been hailed as an "iconic girl power anthem".<ref name="wannabe story">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/heres-the-story-from-a-to-z-how-the-spice-girls-made-wannabe/|title=Here's the story, from A to Z: how the Spice Girls made Wannabe|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|date=8 July 2016|first=Alice|last=Vincent|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160712022804/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/heres-the-story-from-a-to-z-how-the-spice-girls-made-wannabe/|archive-date=12 July 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/7/5/12099730/spice-girls-wannabe-girls-feminist-whatireallyreallywant|title=Watch: Spice Girls' iconic "Wannabe" transformed into an epic 2016 feminist anthem|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|first= Victoria M.|last=Massie |date=5 July 2016|access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1820393/11-girl-power-tracks-90s/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720123759/http://www.mtv.com/news/1820393/11-girl-power-tracks-90s/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 July 2014|title=The 11 Most Iconic Girl Power Tracks of the '90s|publisher=[[MTV News]]|first=Elizabeth|last=Lancaster |date=6 May 2014|access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref> In 2016, the [[United Nations]] launched their #WhatIReallyReallyWant [[Sustainable Development Goals|Global Goals]] campaign by filming a remake of the "Wannabe" music video to highlight gender inequality issues faced by women across the world. The video, which premiered on [[YouTube]] and ran in movie theatres internationally,<ref name=unitednations/> featured British girl group [[M.O]], Canadian "[[Viral phenomenon|viral sensation]]" Taylor Hatala, Nigerian-British singer [[Seyi Shay]] and [[Bollywood]] actress [[Jacqueline Fernandez]] lip-syncing to the song in various locations around the world.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7424115/spice-girls-wannabe-united-nations-campaign-video|title=Spice Girls' 'Wannabe' Meets United Nations in This Incredible Lip Sync Video|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|first=Monique|last=Melendez|date=5 July 2016|access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref> In response to the remake, Beckham said, "How fabulous is it that after 20 years the legacy of the Spice Girls' girl power is being used to encourage and empower a whole new generation?"<ref name=unitednations>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/05/spice-girls-wannabe-video-gets-remake-for-female-equality-push|title=Spice Girls' Wannabe video gets remake for female equality push|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Mark|last=Sweney|date=5 July 2016|access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref>

At the [[43rd People's Choice Awards]] in 2017, [[Blake Lively]] dedicated her "Favorite Dramatic Movie Actress" award to "girl power" in her acceptance speech; she credited the Spice Girls, saying: "What was so neat about them was that they're all so distinctly different, and they were women, and they owned who they were, and that was my first introduction into girl power."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/awards/2017/01/18/peoples-choice-awards-2017-blake-lively-speech/ |title=Blake Lively delivers 'girl power' call-to-action at People's Choice Awards|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=18 January 2017|access-date=22 February 2017}}</ref> In 2018, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' named the Spice Girls' "girl power" ethos on ''The Millennial 100'', a list of 100 people, music, cultural touchstones and movements that have shaped the [[Millennial]] generation.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Millennial 100: #2. The Spice Girls' 'Girl Power'|date=17 October 2018|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/the-millennial-100-737215/the-spice-girls-3-737224/|access-date=28 May 2019|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Elisabeth|last=Garber-Paul|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210301121249/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/the-millennial-100-737215/believing-in-toy-story-738101/|archive-date=1 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing in 2019 about the group's influence on what she called the "Spice Girls Generation", Caity Weaver of ''[[The New York Times]]'' concluded, "Marketing ploy or not, 'Girl power' had become a self-fulfilling prophecy."<ref name=sggen>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/19/style/spice-girls-reunion.html|title=The Rise of the Spice Girls Generation|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=19 July 2019|access-date=12 February 2021|first=Caity|last=Weaver|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190719231730/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/19/style/spice-girls-reunion.html|archive-date=19 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cool Britannia===
{{Main|Cool Britannia}}
[[File:Geri Halliwell in concert cropped.jpg|thumb|Halliwell wearing a replica of her iconic [[Union Jack dress]] that she had worn at the [[1997 Brit Awards]] which was a defining image of the era]]
The term "[[Cool Britannia]]" became prominent in the media in the 1990s and represented the new political and social climate that was emerging with the advances made by [[New Labour]] and the new British prime minister [[Tony Blair]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-06-21 |title=Cool Britannia |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6766539.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626090734/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6766539.stm |archive-date=June 26, 2007 |access-date=2025-05-03 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=25 February 2012 |title=Coalition recreates Cool Britannia 15 years on |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/oscars/9106009/Coalition-recreates-Cool-Britannia-15-years-on.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225232353/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/oscars/9106009/Coalition-recreates-Cool-Britannia-15-years-on.html |archive-date=February 25, 2012 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> Coming out of a period of 18 years of [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] government, Tony Blair and New Labour were seen as young, cool and appealing, a driving force in giving Britain a feeling of euphoria and optimism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6766539.stm|title=Cool Britannia|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=21 June 2007|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150203143152/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6766539.stm|archive-date=3 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although by no means responsible for the onset of "Cool Britannia", the arrival of the Spice Girls added to the new image and re-branding of Britain, and underlined the growing world popularity of British, rather than American, pop music. This fact was underlined at the [[1997 Brit Awards]]; the group won two awards<ref name="brit 1997">{{cite web|url=http://brits.co.uk/shows/1997/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060418203744/http://brits.co.uk/shows/1997/|title=The BRIT Awards 1997|publisher=[[Brit Awards]]|access-date=11 March 2006|archive-date=18 April 2006}}</ref> but it was Halliwell's iconic red, white and blue Union Jack mini-dress that appeared in media coverage around the world,<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2019|p=140}}</ref> becoming an enduring image of "Cool Britannia".<ref name="dress poll">{{cite web|first=Hilary|last=Alexander|author-link=Hilary Alexander|url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG7740201/Online-poll-announces-the-top-ten-most-iconic-dresses-of-the-past-fifty-years.html|title=Online poll announces the top ten most iconic dresses of the past fifty years|website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|date=19 May 2010|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708053349/http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG7740201/Online-poll-announces-the-top-ten-most-iconic-dresses-of-the-past-fifty-years.html|archive-date=8 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/201202027142/geri-halliwell-launches-new-union-jack-range/|title=Geri revisits Spice Girls' heyday in Union Jack dress|date=2 February 2012|work=[[Hello! (magazine)|Hello!]]|access-date=3 February 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150203140426/http://us.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/201202027142/geri-halliwell-launches-new-union-jack-range/|archive-date=3 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The Spice Girls were identified as part of [[Second British Invasion#End of the Invasion|another British Invasion]] of the US,<ref name=britishinvasion>{{cite web|last=Wong|first=Sterling|date=13 April 2011|title=Are Adele, Mumford And Sons Sign of a New British Invasion? – Music, Celebrity, Artist News|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1661905/adele-mumford-and-sons-british-invasion.jhtml|access-date=1 September 2011|publisher=[[MTV News]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210217175200/http://www.mtv.com/news/1661905/adele-mumford-and-sons-british-invasion/|archive-date=17 February 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in 2016, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' acknowledged the Spice Girls as "arguably the most recognisable face" of "Cool Britannia".<ref name="Time magazine"/>

===Image, nicknames and fashion trends===
The Spice Girls' image was deliberately aimed at young girls, an audience of formidable size and potential. Instrumental to their range of appeal within this demographic was their five distinct personalities and styles, which encouraged fans to identify with one member or another. This rejection of a homogeneous group identity was a stark departure from previous groups such as the Beatles and [[the Supremes]],<ref name="spice girls legacy">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-36714177|title=How the Spice effect still packs punch|publisher=[[BBC News]]|first=John|last=McKie|date=6 July 2016|access-date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210223231710/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-36714177|archive-date=23 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="brian masters">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/9709663/Brian-Masters-Why-I-love-the-Spice-Girls.html|title=Why I love the Spice Girls|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|date=29 November 2012|access-date=9 February 2017|last=Masters|first=Brian|author-link=Brian Masters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228115517/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/9709663/Brian-Masters-Why-I-love-the-Spice-Girls.html|archive-date=28 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Bravo|2018a|loc=chpt. 1|pp=1–2}}</ref> and the Spice Girls model has since been used to style other pop groups such as [[One Direction]].<ref name="1D">{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/one-direction-styled-look-male-equivalent-spice-girls-10082823.html|title=One Direction's style was inspired by the Spice Girls|work=[[The Independent]]|first=Emma|last=Akbareian|date=3 March 2015|access-date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210224090045/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/one-direction-styled-look-male-equivalent-spice-girls-10082823.html|archive-date=24 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="1D style">{{Cite news|url=http://themuse.jezebel.com/behind-the-boy-band-q-a-with-caroline-watson-one-dire-1687594935|title=Behind the Boy Band: Q&A with Caroline Watson, One Direction's Stylist|work=[[Jezebel (website)|Jezebel]]|first=Brodie|last=Lancaster|date=2 March 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210224090531/https://themuse.jezebel.com/behind-the-boy-band-q-a-with-caroline-watson-one-dire-1687594935|access-date=19 February 2017|archive-date=24 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

The band's image was inadvertently bolstered by the nicknames bestowed on them by the British press. After a lunch with the Spice Girls in the wake of "Wannabe{{" '}}s release, Peter Loraine, the then-editor of ''[[Top of the Pops (magazine)|Top of the Pops]]'' magazine, and his editorial staff decided to devise nicknames for each member of the group based on their personalities. Loraine explained, "In the magazine we used silly language and came up with nicknames all the time so it came naturally to give them names that would be used by the magazine and its readers; it was never meant to be adopted globally."<ref name="Intent Media"/> Shortly after using the nicknames in a magazine feature on the group, Loraine received calls from other British media outlets requesting permission to use them, and before long the nicknames were synonymous with the Spice Girls.<ref name="Intent Media">{{cite news|last1=Barrett|first1=Christopher|title=Spice Girls: From Wannabes to World Beaters|work=[[Music Week]]|date=10 November 2007 |id={{ProQuest|232226522}} |page=13 }}</ref><ref name="girl power 3"/> Jennifer Cawthron, one of the magazine's staff writers, explained how the nicknames were chosen:

<blockquote>
Victoria was 'Posh Spice', because she was wearing a [[Gucci]]-style mini dress and seemed pouty and reserved. Emma wore [[pigtail]]s and sucked a lollipop, so obviously she was 'Baby Spice'. Mel C spent the whole time leaping around in her [[tracksuit]], so we called her 'Sporty Spice'. I named Mel B 'Scary Spice' because she was so shouty. And Geri was 'Ginger Spice', simply because of her hair. Not much thought went into that one.<ref name="girl power 3"/>
</blockquote>

In a 2020 interview, Chisholm explained that the Spice Girls' image came about unintentionally when, after initially trying to coordinate their outfits as was expected of girl groups at the time, the group decided to just dress in their own individual styles. According to Chisholm, they "never thought too much more of it" until after "Wannabe" was released and the press gave them their nicknames. The group embraced the nicknames and grew into caricatures of themselves, which Chisholm said was "like a protection mechanism because it was like putting on this armour of being this, this character, rather than it actually being you."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelovemagazine.co.uk/article/melanie-c-imagines-how-the-spice-girls-would-fare-in-2020|title=Melanie C Imagines How The Spice Girls Would Fare In 2020|work=[[Love (magazine)|Love]]|date=2 April 2020|first=Amelia|last=White|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210314085742/https://www.thelovemagazine.co.uk/article/melanie-c-imagines-how-the-spice-girls-would-fare-in-2020|archive-date=14 March 2021|access-date=14 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

Each Spice Girl adopted a distinct, over-the-top [[trademark look|trademark style]] that served as an extension of her public [[persona]].<ref name="iconic looks">{{cite web|url=https://www.sleek-mag.com/article/spice-girls-fashion|title=20 Years Later: How the Spice Girls' Fashion Transcended Time|work=Sleek Magazine|date= 12 July 2016|first=Gloria|last=Cardona|access-date=23 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127004556/https://www.sleek-mag.com/article/spice-girls-fashion/|archive-date=27 November 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Moore|first=Jennifer Grayer|year=2015|title=Fashion Fads Through American History: Fitting Clothes into Context|publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group|Greenwood]]|chapter=Chapter 4: Living Out the Fantasy: Television, Music, and Movies Take to the Streets: Spice Girls Style (1996–1999)|pages=125–127|isbn=9781610699020}}</ref>

[[File:Spicy spice girls (8089395518).jpg|thumb|Fans dressed up as the Spice Girls, replicating their [[signature look]]s]]
* [[Victoria Beckham]] (née Adams): As '''Posh Spice''', she was known for her choppy brunette [[bob cut]], reserved attitude, signature pout and form-fitting designer outfits (often a [[little black dress]]).<ref name="iconic looks"/><ref name="posh spice">{{cite web|url=http://www.girlfriend.com.au/article/celebs-celeb-goss-nina-dobrev-dressed-as-posh-spice-for-halloween-we-can't-even-tell-them-apart|title=Nina Dobrev Dressed As Posh Spice For Halloween & We Can't Even Tell Them Apart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303151706/http://www.girlfriend.com.au/article/celebs-celeb-goss-nina-dobrev-dressed-as-posh-spice-for-halloween-we-can't-even-tell-them-apart |archive-date=3 March 2017|work=[[Girlfriend (magazine)|Girlfriend]]|access-date=15 January 2017}}</ref>
* [[Mel B|Melanie Brown]]: As '''Scary Spice''', she was known for her "in-your-face" attitude,<ref>{{cite news|title=Mel B: 'I got used to lying. I didn't want anyone to find out'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/dec/01/mel-b-i-got-used-to-lying-i-didnt-want-anyone-to-find-out|access-date=6 January 2021|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=1 December 2018|first=Simon|last=Hattenstone|author-link=Simon Hattenstone|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210210095529/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/dec/01/mel-b-i-got-used-to-lying-i-didnt-want-anyone-to-find-out|archive-date=10 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> "loud" [[Leeds]] accent,<ref name="dolly">{{cite web |title=Melanie Brown, aka Scary Spice |url=http://www.dolly.com.au/celebrity/melanie-brown-aka-scary-spice-7043 |work=[[Dolly (magazine)|Dolly]] |access-date=6 January 2021 |date=9 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228144922/http://www.dolly.com.au/celebrity/melanie-brown-aka-scary-spice-7043|archive-date=28 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> pierced tongue<ref name="dolly"/> and bold manner of dress (which often consisted of [[animal print|leopard-print]] outfits).<ref name="iconic looks"/>
* [[Emma Bunton]]: As '''Baby Spice''', she was the youngest member of the group, wore her long blonde hair in pigtails, wore [[Pastel (color)|pastel]] (particularly pink) [[babydoll]] dresses and platform sneakers, had an innocent smile and a [[girly girl]] personality.<ref name="iconic looks"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nylon.com/articles/baby-spice-appeal|title=Why Everyone Wanted to be Baby Spice|work=[[Nylon (magazine)|Nylon]]|first=Hayden|last=Manders|date=21 January 2017|access-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210210194606/https://www.nylon.com/articles/baby-spice-appeal|archive-date=10 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Melanie C]]hisholm: As '''Sporty Spice''', she usually wore a tracksuit paired with [[sneakers|athletic shoes]], wore her long dark hair in a [[ponytail|high ponytail]], and sported tattoos coupled with a tough-girl attitude.<ref name="iconic looks"/><ref name="sporty spice"/> She also showcased her athletic abilities on stage, such as by performing [[handspring (gymnastics)|back handsprings]] and high kicks.<ref name="sporty spice">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/melanie-c-opens-up-about-the-pressure-of-being-a-spice-girl-in-e/|title=Melanie C celebrates her 90s Sporty Spice style in 'LOVE Magazine' shoot|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|date=30 August 2016|first=Emma|last=Spedding|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210501182100/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/melanie-c-opens-up-about-the-pressure-of-being-a-spice-girl-in-e/|archive-date=1 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/a-touch-of-northern-soul-from-a-cracking-liver-girl-701842.html|title=A touch of Northern soul from a cracking Liver girl|work=[[The Independent]]|first=Mark|last=Simpson|date=22 September 2011|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210501184837/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/a-touch-of-northern-soul-from-a-cracking-liver-girl-701842.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Geri Halliwell]]: As '''Ginger Spice''', she was known for her bright red hair,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/beauty/at-home-hair-dye-red-hair-geri-halliwell-ginger-hair-iconic-90s-hairstyle/268590|title=Geri Halliwell just dyed her blonde hair a vivid copper red, and Ginger Spice is back|first=Lucy|last=Partington|work=Stylist|date=22 May 2019|access-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027130957/https://www.stylist.co.uk/beauty/at-home-hair-dye-red-hair-geri-halliwell-ginger-hair-iconic-90s-hairstyle/268590|archive-date=27 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> feistiness,<ref name=geri90s>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38737104|title=Spice Girl Geri Horner to look back on 1990s|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=24 January 2017|access-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180112194053/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38737104|archive-date=12 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> "glammed-up sex appeal" and flamboyant stage outfits.<ref name="iconic looks"/> She was also identified by the media and those who worked with the Spice Girls as the leader of the group.<ref name="Sinclair2728">{{harvnb|Sinclair|2008|pp=27–28}}</ref><ref name="ginger spice 2">{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/life-after-spice-for-ginger-and-sporty-just-money-for-scary-baby-posh-1.158763|title=Life after Spice for Ginger and Sporty, just money for Scary, Baby, Posh|first=Caroline|last=Sullivan|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=1 June 1998|access-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210226052744/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/life-after-spice-for-ginger-and-sporty-just-money-for-scary-baby-posh-1.158763|archive-date=26 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ginger spice">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/01/spice-girls-ginger-geri-halliwell-pop-1998|title=From the archive, 1 June 1998: Ginger Spice and the bubble that went pop|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=1 June 2015|first=Helen|last=Carter|access-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210226052933/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/01/spice-girls-ginger-geri-halliwell-pop-1998|archive-date=26 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Spice Girls are considered style icons of the 1990s; their image and styles becoming inextricably tied to the band's identity.<ref name="iconic looks"/><ref name="platform shoes">{{cite web|url=https://www.glamour.com/story/90s-spice-girl-inspired-platforms|title=Designers Are Bringing This Spice Girls-Inspired '90s Shoe Trend Back|work=[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]|date=1 March 2016|first=Avery|last=Matera|access-date=23 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924050346/https://www.glamour.com/story/90s-spice-girl-inspired-platforms|archive-date=24 September 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="style icons">{{cite web|url=https://www.flavorwire.com/486828/musics-40-biggest-style-icons-ranked|title=Music's 40 Greatest Style Icons, Ranked|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210223204338/https://www.flavorwire.com/486828/musics-40-biggest-style-icons-ranked|archive-date=23 February 2021|work=[[Flavorwire]]|first=Shane|last=Barnes|date=14 January 2015|access-date=23 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> They are credited with setting 1990s fashion trends such as [[Buffalo (footwear)|Buffalo]] [[platform shoe]]s<ref name="footwear">{{cite web|url=https://footwearnews.com/2016/fashion/celebrity-style/spiceworld-the-exhibition-celebrates-20th-anniversary-of-spice-girls-shoe-style-218638/|title='Spiceworld: The Exhibition' Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Spice Girls Shoe Style And More|work=[[Footwear News]]|first=Charlie|last=Carballo|date=4 May 2016|access-date=19 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210223205054/https://footwearnews.com/2016/fashion/celebrity-style/spiceworld-the-exhibition-celebrates-20th-anniversary-of-spice-girls-shoe-style-218638/|archive-date=23 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[bun (hairstyle)#double bun|double bun hairstyles]].<ref name="double bun">[http://fashionista.com/2016/08/double-bun-hairstyle '90s Double Buns are Officially Back]. fashionista.com. 3 August 2016.</ref><ref name="scary spice buns">[http://evoke.ie/style/beauty-buzz/spice-girl-hair-trend Spice up your barnet! Spice Girl hair is back with a vengeance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929025357/http://evoke.ie/style/beauty-buzz/spice-girl-hair-trend |date=29 September 2017 }}. Evoke.ie. 21 April 2016.</ref> Their styles have inspired other celebrities including [[Katy Perry]],<ref>[http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/katy-perry/news/spice-girls-image-fashion/ Katy Perry Says Current Look Is Inspired By The Spice Girls – Audio]. [[Capital (radio network)|Capital FM]]. 15 December 2013.</ref> [[Charli XCX]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Catarinella|first=Alex|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/music/news/a21935/interview-with-charli-xcx/|title=Interview With Charli XCX|work=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]|date=19 July 2012|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150215190017/http://www.elle.com/culture/music/news/a21935/interview-with-charli-xcx/|archive-date=15 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Bollywood]] actress [[Anushka Ranjan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Anushka-Ranjans-style-inspired-by-Spice-Girls/articleshow/52025753.cms|title=Anushka Ranjan's style inspired by Spice Girls|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=28 January 2017|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210225135357/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Anushka-Ranjans-style-inspired-by-Spice-Girls/articleshow/52025753.cms|archive-date=25 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Lady Gaga]] performed as Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) in high school talent shows<ref>{{cite news |title=Lady Gaga is huge Spice Girls fan |url=https://www.bramptonguardian.com/whatson-story/6848602-lady-gaga-is-huge-spice-girls-fan/ |access-date=5 December 2021 |work=Brampton Guardian}}</ref> and [[Emma Stone]] chose the name "Emma" inspired by Emma Bunton after she previously used the name Riley Stone.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/emma-stone-reveals-hilariously-bad-reason-stopped-using-real-name-094537813.html|title=Emma Stone reveals the hilariously bad reason she stopped using her real name|access-date=17 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606155337/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/emma-stone-reveals-hilariously-bad-reason-stopped-using-real-name-094537813.html|archive-date=6 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The group have also been noted for the memorable outfits they have worn, the most iconic being Halliwell's [[Union Jack dress]] from the [[1997 Brit Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/galleries/TMG9356053/6/The-Spice-Girls-most-memorable-fashion-moments-in-pictures.html|title=The Spice Girls' most memorable fashion moments in pictures|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|date=26 June 2012}}</ref> The dress was sold at a charity auction to the Las Vegas [[Hard Rock Cafe]] for £41,320, giving Halliwell the ''[[Guinness World Record]]'' at that time for the most expensive piece of pop star clothing ever sold.<ref name="world records">{{cite web |url=http://philbrodieband.com/muso-world-record-holders.htm |title=Pop World Records, Music World Records, Record Breaking Achievements |website=Philbrodieband.com |access-date=6 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715074341/http://philbrodieband.com/muso-world-record-holders.htm |archive-date=15 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="geri world record">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26226117|title=Brit Awards: A dozen lesser-known moments|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=19 February 2014|first=Mark|last=Savage|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150205222613/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26226117|archive-date=5 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Commercialisation and celebrity culture===
{{see also|Spice Girls merchandise and sponsorship deals}}

At the height of Spicemania, the Spice Girls were involved in a prolific marketing phenomenon.<ref name=brandweek/><ref name=spicebrand/><ref name=sinclair106113>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2004|pp=106–113}}</ref> Under the guidance of their mentor and manager [[Simon Fuller]], they advertised for an unprecedented number of brands and became the most merchandised group in music history.<ref name="spice girls at 20"/><ref name="cadbury">{{cite web|url=https://www.marketingweek.com/cadbury-plans-spice-girls-range/|title=Cadbury plans Spice Girls range|work=[[Marketing Week]]|date=2 October 1997|access-date=9 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222101526/https://www.marketingweek.com/cadbury-plans-spice-girls-range/|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The group were also a [[#Portrayal in the media|frequent feature of the global press]].<ref name="rolling stone interview"/><ref name="slate">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/1997/11/the_spice_girls.html |title=The Spice Girls |magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |date=16 November 1997 |first=David|last=Plotz|author-link=David Plotz|access-date=8 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222100849/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/assessment/1997/11/the_spice_girls.html|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, said biographer David Sinclair, "So great was the daily bombardment of Spice images and Spice product that it quickly became oppressive even to people who were well disposed towards the group."<ref>{{harvnb|Sinclair|2004|p=112}}</ref> This was parodied in the video for their song "Spice Up Your Life", which depicts a futuristic dystopian city covered in billboards and adverts featuring the group. Similarly, the North American leg of their 1998 Spiceworld Tour introduced a whole new concert [[revenue stream]] when it became the first time advertising was used in a pop concert.<ref name="latimes spiceworld concert">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-aug-23-ca-15645-story.html|title=What, No Old Spice Commercials?|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=23 August 1998|first=Steve|last=Hochman|access-date=19 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210222092859/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-aug-23-ca-15645-story.html|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bbc spiceworld concert">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/157378.stm|title=The Spice Girls – after this break|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=24 August 1998|access-date=19 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210222092459/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/157378.stm|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Overall, the Spice Girls' earnings in the 1990s were on par with that of a medium-sized corporation thanks in large part to their marketing endeavours,<ref name=brandweek>{{cite magazine|last1=Rogers|first1=Danny|title=The Spice trade|magazine=[[Brandweek]]|volume=39|issue=37|date=5 October 1998|pages=32–36 |id={{ProQuest|218071431}}}}</ref> with their global gross income estimated at $500–800 million by May 1998.<ref name="ewspice"/>{{refn|name=earnings|group=nb}}

In his analysis of the group's enduring influence on 21st-century [[popular culture]], John Mckie of the [[BBC]] observed that while other stars had used brand endorsements in the past, "the Spice brand was the first to propel the success of the band".<ref name="spice girls legacy"/> Christopher Barrett and Ben Cardew of ''[[Music Week]]'' credited Fuller's "ground-breaking" strategy of marketing the Spice Girls as a brand with revolutionising the pop music industry, "paving the way for everything from [[The White Stripes]] cameras to [[U2]] iPods and [[Girls Aloud]] phones."<ref name=spicebrand>{{cite news|last1=Barrett|first1=Christopher|last2=Cardew|first2=Ben|title=Spice Girls: The power of Brand Spice|work=[[Music Week]]|date=10 November 2007|page=22 |id={{ProQuest|232153193}}}}</ref> Barrett further noted that pop music and brand synergy have become inextricably linked in the modern music industry, which he attributed to the "remarkable" impact of the Spice Girls.<ref name="Intent Media"/> ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s Sylvia Patterson also wrote of what she called the group's true legacy: "[T]hey were the original pioneers of the band as brand, of pop as a ruthless marketing ruse, of the merchandising and sponsorship deals that have dominated commercial pop ever since."<ref name="spice girls ruined 1990s"/>

The [[mainstream media]] embraced the Spice Girls at the peak of their success. The group received regular international press coverage and were constantly followed by paparazzi.<ref name="Sinclair 2004, pp. 115–116">{{harvnb|Sinclair|2004|pp=115–116}}</ref> [[Paul Gorman]] of ''Music Week'' said of the media interest in the Spice Girls in the late 1990s: "They inaugurated the era of cheesy [[celebrity culture|celebrity obsession]] which pertains today. There is lineage from them to the [[Kim Kardashian|Kardashian]]isation not only of the music industry, but the wider culture."<ref name="spice girls legacy"/> The ''[[Irish Independent]]''{{'s}} Tanya Sweeney agreed that "[t]he vapidity of paparazzi culture could probably be traced back to the Spice Girls' naked ambitions",<ref name="spice girls feminism"/> while Mckie predicted that, "[f]or all that modern stars from [[Katy Perry]] to [[Lionel Messi]] exploit brand endorsements and attract tabloid coverage, the scale of the Spice Girls' breakthrough in 1996 is unlikely to be repeated—at least not by a music act."<ref name="spice girls legacy"/>

===1990s and gay icons===
{{blockquote
 |text = Much as the Spice Girls broke (and still retain) records for chart-climbing in their prime, they remain an anomaly of the pop machine—still household-name famous two decades on. Perhaps it was their original prowess, or the press's continued fascination with them, but the Spice Girls remain a cultural touchstone while their contemporaries{{nbsp}}... have struggled to.
 |source = ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' in a 2018 article.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/cancellations-fall-outs-no-posh-spice-girls-reuniting/|title=Cancellations, fall-outs, and no Posh: why are the Spice Girls reuniting?|first=Alice|last=Vincent|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|date=5 November 2018|access-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210512114748/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/cancellations-fall-outs-no-posh-spice-girls-reuniting/|archive-date=12 May 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

The Spice Girls have been labelled the biggest [[pop icon|pop phenomenon]] of the 1990s<ref name="spice girls form"/> due to the international record sales,<ref name="outstanding contribution"/> iconic symbolism, global cultural influence<ref name="iconic looks"/><ref name="slate"/> and apparent [[omnipresence]] they held during the decade.<ref name="spice girls bio">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/spice-girls-mn0000008828/biography|title=Spice Girls: Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|first=Stephen Thomas|last=Erlewine|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210209090213/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/spice-girls-mn0000008828/biography|archive-date=9 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=sinclair106113/> The group appeared on the cover of the July 1997 edition of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' accompanied with the headline, "Spice Girls Conquer the World".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dickerson |first1=James |title=Go, Girl, Go!: The Women's Revolution in Music |date=2005 |publisher=[[Schirmer Trade Books]] |page=124|isbn=978-0825673160}}</ref> At the [[2000 Brit Awards]], the group received the [[Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music|Outstanding Contribution to Music Award]] in honour of their success in the global music scene in the 1990s.<ref name="outstanding contribution">{{cite magazine|title=Brits: And The Nominees Are...|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=4 March 2000|last=Duffy|first=Thom|volume=112|issue=10|page=68|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> The iconic symbolism of the Spice Girls in the 1990s is partly attributed to their era-defining outfits,<ref name="iconic looks"/> the most notable being the [[Union Jack dress]] that Halliwell wore at the [[1997 Brit Awards]]. The dress has achieved iconic status, becoming one of the most prominent symbols of 1990s pop culture.<ref name="spice girls form"/><ref name=harpersbazaar/> The status of the Spice Girls as 1990s pop culture icons is also attributed to their vast marketing efforts and willingness to be a part of a media-driven world.<ref name="spice girls legacy"/> Their unprecedented appearances in adverts and the media solidified the group as a phenomenon—an icon of the decade and for British music.<ref name="sherrie"/><ref name="spice girls pop music"/>

A study conducted by the [[British Council]] in 2000 found that the Spice Girls were the second-best-known [[British people|Britons]] internationally—only behind then-Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]]—and the best-known Britons in Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/nov/10/britishidentity.ewenmacaskill|title=World's youth sees Britons as racist drunks|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Ewen|last=MacAskill|author-link=Ewen MacAskill|date=9 November 2000|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210301120523/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/nov/10/britishidentity.ewenmacaskill|archive-date=1 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The group were featured in [[VH1]]'s ''[[I Love the '90s (American TV series)|I Love the '90s]]'' and the sequel ''[[I Love the '90s: Part Deux]]''; the series covered cultural moments from 1990s with the Spice Girls' rise to fame representing the year 1997, while Halliwell quitting the group represented 1998.<ref>{{Cite episode |title= 1997 |series=I Love the '90s |network=[[VH1]] |date= 15 July 2004|season=1 |series-no= |number=8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title= 1998 |series=I Love the '90s: Part Deux |network=[[VH1]] |date= 21 January 2005|season=1 |series-no= |number=9}}</ref> In 2006, ten years after the release of their debut single, the Spice Girls were voted the biggest cultural icons of the 1990s with 80 per cent of the votes in a UK poll of 1,000 people carried out for the board game ''[[Trivial Pursuit]]'', stating that "[[Girl Power]]" defined the decade.<ref name="90s icons">{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2006/04/03/spice-girls-are-icons-of-the-90s-40525/|title=Spice Girls are icons of the 90s|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|first=Oliver|last=Stallwood|date=3 April 2006|access-date=13 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210223171645/https://metro.co.uk/2006/04/03/spice-girls-are-icons-of-the-90s-40525/|archive-date=23 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.contactmusic.net/spice-girls/news/spice-girls-top-cultural-icons-poll_28_03_2006 |title=Spice Girls Top Cultural Icons Poll |publisher=[[Contactmusic.com]] |date=28 March 2006 |access-date=13 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211074134/http://www.contactmusic.net/spice-girls/news/spice-girls-top-cultural-icons-poll_28_03_2006 |archive-date=11 February 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Spice Girls also ranked number ten in the [[E!]] TV special, ''The 101 Reasons the '90s Ruled''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/e!s-101/reasons-the-90s-ruled-20---1/episode/315329/summary.html |title=Reasons the '90s Ruled 20 – 1 |publisher=[[TV.com]] |access-date=8 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207181848/http://www.tv.com/shows/es-101/reasons-the-90s-ruled-20-1-315329/|archive-date=7 February 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some sources, especially those in the United Kingdom, regard the Spice Girls as [[gay icon]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9847145/G-A-Y-founder-takes-back-nightclub-chain-from-HMV.html|title=G-A-Y founder takes back nightclub chain from HMV|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London|first=Denise|last=Roland|date=4 February 2013|access-date=20 February 2021|archive-date=20 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210220083534/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9847145/G-A-Y-founder-takes-back-nightclub-chain-from-HMV.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/how-old-does-microsoft-think-these-18-gay-icons-are010515/|title=How old does Microsoft think these 18 gay icons are?|work=[[Gay Star News]]|date=1 May 2015|first=Joe|last=Morgan|archive-date=20 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210220083959/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/how-old-does-microsoft-think-these-18-gay-icons-are010515/|url-status=live|access-date=22 March 2017}}</ref> In a 2007 UK survey of more than 5,000 gay men and women, Beckham placed 12th and Halliwell placed 43rd in a ranking of the top 50 gay icons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2007/01/05/gordon-ramsay-50th-most-popular-gay-icon/|title=Gordon Ramsay 50th most popular gay icon|work=[[PinkNews]]|date=5 January 2007|first=Tony|last=Grew|access-date=20 February 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210220085012/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2007/01/05/gordon-ramsay-50th-most-popular-gay-icon/|archive-date=20 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Halliwell was the recipient of the Honorary Gay Award at the 2016 [[Attitude (magazine)|Attitude Awards]]<ref name="attitude awards 2016">{{cite web|url=https://attitude.co.uk/article/interview-geri-horner-talks-spice-girls-solo-regrets-and-her-kinship-with-the-gay-community/13210/|title=Interview: Geri Horner talks Spice Girls, solo regrets, and her kinship with the gay community|work=[[Attitude (magazine)|Attitude]]|date=5 January 2017|access-date=13 February 2017|first=Juno|last=Dawson|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210220085620/https://attitude.co.uk/article/interview-geri-horner-talks-spice-girls-solo-regrets-and-her-kinship-with-the-gay-community/13210/|archive-date=20 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> and Chisholm was given the "Celebrity Ally" award at the 2021 [[British LGBT Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Demi Lovato, Nicola Adams and Olly Alexander honoured at British LGBT Awards|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/news/demi-lovato-nicola-adams-and-olly-alexander-honoured-at-british-lgbt-awards/ar-AANPh36?ocid=BingNewsSearch|access-date=1 September 2021|work=Evening Standard|location=London|language=en}}</ref> In a 2005 interview, Bunton attributed their large gay following to the group's fun-loving nature, open-mindedness and their love of fashion and dressing up.<ref name="Emma Bunton Interview">{{cite web |url=http://dancemusic.about.com/od/artistshomepages/a/EmmaBuntonInt_3.htm |title=Emma Bunton Interview |publisher=[[About.com]]|first= DJ Ron|last=Slomowicz|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20050917141334/http://dancemusic.about.com/od/artistshomepages/a/EmmaBuntonInt_3.htm |archive-date=17 September 2005|access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> The LGBTQ magazine ''[[Gay Times]]'' credits the Spice Girls as having been "ferocious advocates of the community" throughout their whole career.<ref name=gaytimesemma>{{cite web|url=https://www.gaytimes.com/amplify/emma-bunton-on-the-spice-girls-lyric-they-changed-to-be-more-inclusive-amplify-by-gay-times/|title=Emma Bunton on the Spice Girls lyric they changed to be more inclusive|work=[[Gay Times]]|first=Lewis|last=Corner|year=2019|access-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210303044710/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/amplify/emma-bunton-on-the-spice-girls-lyric-they-changed-to-be-more-inclusive-amplify-by-gay-times/|archive-date=3 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Bunton, the LGBTQ community was a big influence on the group's music. A desire to be more inclusive also led the group to change the lyrics in "2 Become 1"; the lyric "Any deal that we endeavour/boys and girls feel good together" appears in their debut album but was changed to "Once again if we endeavour/love will bring us back together" for the single and music video release.<ref name=gaytimesemma/>