Coco Chanel

10 Iconic People In The History Of Fashion

While the fashion industry continuously undergoes changes in trends and styles, the industry was built and developed by men and women who are considered titans today. The ideas and contributions these people have given have changed the way we look at fashion and the way we dress. Here we will talk about ten iconic people in fashion who have changed the history of the fashion world forever.

10.  Audrey Hepburn, British Actress

Audrey Hepburn was a British actress who is said by many to be the reason why the little black dress is so popular. Her role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s been a real game-changer and is still remembered today. The large tortoiseshell sunglasses and the simple Givenchy column gown is a popular look that was inspired by her.

In the year 1954, Cecil Beaton (French photographer) called Audrey Hepburn as the “public embodiment of our new feminine ideal” in Vogue magazine. Several people after her have tried to imitate her appearance.

9. Coco Chanel, French Fashion Designer

This Titan has truly influenced the industry as her ideas and concepts are still relevant even after her death.

Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer whose ideas and designs were new to the industry. Despite this, her ideas for fashion have been in the front line of fashion for more than 80 years. The designs are usually a blend of male and female touch and are at the same time glamorous.

In 1920, Coco launched her famous fragrance dubbed No. 5. No. 5 was the first cologne to bear the name of a famous designer. The fragrance has become an iconic product today. After that, she released the Chanel suit, which she designed along with a fitted shirt and a collarless jacket. Coco’s fashion ideas helped women worldwide move past the norm at that time. Time magazine calls her one of the most influential people in the 20th Century.

Many may not know that she was a Nazi spy during World War 2. She was in the mission by name Operation Modellhut, (‘Operation Model Hat’) and her role was to inform Winston Churchill from Hitler’s Foreign Intelligence regarding Nazis attempt for peace with allies.

8. Ralph Lauren, American Fashion Designer

Ralph Lauren started venturing into the fashion world as a tie manufacturer. In the late 1860s, he launched his company by making trending ties. In 1967, Ralph Lauren went on to launch his company Ralph Lauren Corporation. Today, the corporation produces mid-range to luxury fashion products. It is a multibillion-dollar enterprise operating across the globe.

It was in the 1970s that Lauren launched the Polo shirt and as we all know it was a big fat hit. After this, he created and launched the first female suit which had the Polo logo on it. This suit borrowed some traits from the men. This suit was so popular that it rivaled the Armani business suit.

Polo as a fashion line is still as popular as it was back in the day. Every man today owns a polo shirt. This success is due to the creativity and uniqueness in Ralph Lauren’s designs, these qualities are what will make the Polo line continue for years to come.

7. Valentino Garavani, Italian Fashion Designer

Valentino Garavani has won the Neiman Marcus Award for many of his fashion designs and is also credited for designing Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress. His clothes are designed from slick fabrics and have a unique business style. Valentino usually designs his clothes to suit the tastes of his fans.

His company is still one of the leading fashion labels even though he doesn’t run it anymore. His creations usually pique the interest of fashionistas and that works to draw attention to his label. This was what made Jacqueline Kennedy choose him as her wedding dress designer and after one of her friends wore his clothes. Since then Valentino became the designer of all her suits and dresses.

6. Kim Haller, American Knitwear Designer

Kim Haller is a queen in knitting as her talents lie in creating yarn products like one-piece garments, dresses, sweaters, skirts, and more. Her career began by designing knitwear for labels like Jason Wu and Calvin Klein. After spending time in these companies she then launched her own line of knitwear.

The popularity of her designs sparked the proliferation of knitwear in the fashion industry. This also made her a well sought after knitwear designer, consulting for labels that needed her services like Michael Kors Collection. She has also designed knitwear for labels like Derek Lam, DKNY, Anne Klein, TSE Cashmere, Adrienne Vittadini, Maiyet, and others. When it comes to knitwear, there is no other big-name than Kim Haller.

5. Madonna, American Singer

Madonna

Madonna is well-known as a fashionista. However, in the 80s, she was known as a tomboy but that soon changed as she adopted the diva lifestyle and became one of the most influential female fashion gurus in the industry. Madonna is the reason concerts are extravagant today as she showed us that, we can be so much more. Her style also changed the public’s view of celebrities.

Maripol is responsible for the style of Madonna on stage. In some of her videos, she portrayed herself as a Hispanic mixed street style which became the fashion trend of the 80s. Layered skirts, boleros, skirts over capri pants, crucifix, and bleached hair were her adoptions.

4. Marc Jacobs, American Fashion Designer

This titan also grew up with knitting, which he learned from his grandmother. These skills are what brought Marc Jacobs into the fashion industry as he began by creating oversized sweaters. He attended Parsons Design School, after which he began working for Perry Ellis and then Louis Vuitton.

The brands’ Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs are owned by him. His work for various labels especially Louis Vuitton has made him an icon in the fashion industry as his designs are available in over 50 countries around the world. In 2010, Time magazine included him in the “2010 Time 100” list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

3. Tom Ford, American Fashion Designer

Tom Ford started out by working for Marc Jacobs at Perry Ellis. After making a name for himself here, he then left to work at Gucci as the Creative Director, where he revitalized the company and gave it new life (Gucci was at the edge of bankruptcy). While at Gucci he produced products like chic satin shirts and other fashions made of metallic fabric, these designs are what saved Gucci and made it a giant again as these products were a hit. His creative works for Gucci has been called the “golden era” of Gucci.

Tom Ford has worked for labels like Yves Saint Laurent, Perry Ellis, and Cathy Hardwick who even carry some of his designs. Today, he is a fashion icon and style icon. He features several best-dressed lists by various magazines around the world.

2. Miuccia Prada, Italian Fashion Designer

Everybody knows Prada, and as the founder of this label, Miuccia Prada deserves to be on this list.

She started out as a manager for her grandfather’s leather goods company in Milan. Under her management, the company prospered, and she also managed different labels like Jil Sander, Fendi, and Helmut Lang.

In the mid-1980s, her brand Prada took the fashion industry by a storm as her black nylon handbags and other similar products were loved by the public. What made Prada different was that her products were adorned with understated labeling; the opposite of other brands.

In 1988, Prada launched the Uniforms for the Slightly Disenfranchised. These products paved the way for Prada’s new designs, and she continued with her knack for deviating from the normal fashion trends. This trait is what has made Prada a world-renowned Brand even though Miuccia Prada had no formal fashion training.

1. Giorgio Armani, Italian Fashion Designer

Designer Giorgio Armani at his studio.

Armani is a brand that everyone wants to wear. This popularity is due to the work and creativity of Giorgio Armani. Surprisingly, he had started as a window designer before he faced menswear design. His legacy has been around for more than 35 years and will be around for years to come.

Giorgio Armani created the Emporio Armani and Giorgio Armani Privé lines of clothing which are powerhouses in the world of fashion. He also produces shoes, accessories, home décor, and cosmetics.

Giorgio Armani is well-known for the male and female power suites he designed in the 1980s. These suites were designed for comfort and impeccable tailoring which gave people a sense of pride. Armani today is a brand that celebrities flaunt and will be providing people with value and style for a long time.