No matter who you are or your style is, staying up to date with fashion designers can only benefit you in terms of trendsetter or style icon status. Here are some of the greatest fashion designers ever featured on runways or clothing stores.
Vivienne Westwood’s revolutionary designs played an instrumental role in shaping London’s punk-rock and grunge scenes, offering the ideal blend of subversion and tradition.
Alexander McQueen
McQueen began his career at Savile Row before working as a designer for theatrical costume designers Angels and Bermans. Later he attended Central Saint Martins to earn a master’s degree in fashion design, where Isabella Blow bought all his graduate collection as soon as it had been presented at graduation.
McQueen made his mark as an innovative fashion designer during his time as chief designer at Givenchy from 1996 to 2001, known for his elaborate runway shows and innovative use of technology.
After his death in 2010, the Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted a retrospective that broke attendance records, while his former assistant Sarah Burton took over creative direction of his brand.
Isabel Marant
French designer Sophie Boch’s collection exudes casual, cool Parisian chic. From paisley-print dressing gowns to rock ‘n’ roll heeled ankle boots, her designs manage a balance between androgynous and feminine elements in their designs.
She began her career by designing jewellery and co-founding Twen Kniwear Line with her mother. Subsequently, she studied fashion at Studio Bercot and in 1994 established her eponymous label.
Rebellious French charm combined with girlish but rock ‘n’ roll style has enabled her to remain at the top of her game and create a worldwide following for herself and her collection online. Shop her collection today to capture this nonchalant Parisian aesthetic!
Jill Sander
Heidemarie Jiline Sander, commonly referred to by her moniker – Jil Sander fashion house- is a German minimalist fashion designer and one of the primary architects behind 90s minimalism.
In 1968, she opened her first Hamburg store and is widely known for her minimal designs that comprise her signature label – often being dubbed as the Queen of Less.
Since 2017, Jil Sander+, designed by Lucie and Luke Meier under creative director Lucie Simons has taken its place alongside many eras from designers like Raf Simons and Rodolfo Paglialunga. Jil Sander+ draws its inspiration directly from outdoor activities while maintaining the brand’s signature refined craftsmanship.
Anna Sui
Sui’s designs caught the attention of New York department stores Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s after two years at Parsons School of Design. She began creating sportswear companies’ designs while styling photoshoots with former classmate Steven Meisel (fashion photographer). Sui also brought five of her creations to a trade show and got them noticed there as well.
Sui, who made her debut runway show in 1991, revolutionized boutique fashion with her distinctive combination of rock ‘n’ roll glamour style and high fashion aesthetic. Acclaimed for her extensive research in history, culture, and art references such as music albums, books, exhibits, films and time periods in both her collections and interior design projects.
The World of Anna Sui showcases archived garments, sketches, photographs and cultural ephemera. Additionally, mood boards provide insight into Sui’s creative process as she collaborates on long-term collaborations with models like Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington.
Alexandre Herchcovitch
Alexandre Herchcovitch’s designs have graced runways at New York, Paris, London and Sao Paulo Fashion Weeks. His expertise lies in turning classic pieces into modern pieces while keeping things simple yet glamorously sophisticated – not to mention turning easy into complex.
At age 10, Herchcovitch began learning sewing from his mother and soon started selling the garments he produced to parties. While attending Religious Zionist Orthodox Jewish school, he also regularly frequented alternative clubs of So Paulo night life – this combination greatly shaped his later work.
Herchcovitch is an enthusiastic team player who enjoys working closely with brands in other creative industries. Recently, he opened his first store in Tokyo carrying men’s, women’s and denim collections.
Tom Ford
Ford made his directing debut with A Single Man, starring Julianne Moore, Mathew Goode and Colin Firth and receiving several accolades. Additionally he owns his own fashion label and established his film production company in 2005.
Ford currently owns and operates 106 freestanding TOM FORD stores around the world, opening his flagship store and menswear and accessories collection for the first time in 2007. Ford’s designs were often inspired by films; watching one, then trying to capture its mood in his designs. Ford has been widely criticized for using nude women as part of his advertising campaigns.