Fashion Friday- Back To School Designers 101

            Since it’s time for the kids to go back to school I thought a little education of your own would be a nice change of pace!  So down below I’ve listed 11 designers in no particular order you should know, and why they are so important.

1.      Madeleine Vionnet

a.      She was queen of the bias cut.  She was the first designer to utilize this cut.  Paving the way for other designers to create garment that are cut at a 45 degree angle on the fabric.  This cut was so popular because the fabric would then flow softly around the body, following the wearer’s movements.

2.     Elsa Schiaparelli

a.      This Italian designer created garments by using Surrealism and transferring that into the fabric.  Blurring the lines between fashion and art.  During her time she created things from a white empire waist dress with Salvador Dali’s lobster on it, to a black velvet telephone purse!  She definitely paved the way for artists like lady gaga.

3.     Hubert De Givenchy

a.      One of my favorite designers for one sole reason.  He was inspired by a muse, and ended up working with this muse for quite some time, designing garments solely for her.  His muse was Audrey Hepburn.  He was the designer of that famous black dress Holly Golightly wore in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

4.     Valentino Garavani a.k.a. Valentino

a.      He was the only designer to ever have a color named after him, “Rosso Valentino”.  The reason why he is one of the only designers to ever have a color named after him is the “Rosso Valentino” which is a shade of red, is impossible to find on any color chart!

5.     Tom Ford

a.      While someone of you may know him for his high end suits for men and amazing smelling cologne.  A lot of you may not know, he was the reason for the successful re-launch of Gucci in the 90’s.  Bringing the collection back to life and in its rightful place among top brands with his perfectionism. 

6.     Hussein Chalayan

a.      A designer who utilized technology with fashion.  A metal paneled dress that would expand with the touch of a button.  A hat the doubles as a lamp, and a fashion show presentation in where the upholstery was removed and then worn.  A true visionary again, inspiring designer’s today as well as artists like Cher and Madonna.

7.     Stella MacCartney

a.      She designs her collections without leather, lives on a strict vegan diet and campaigns for animal rights.  No other designer does high end with a green thumb like she does.  Not to mention her design aesthetic which is a mixture of romanticism and urban functionality.

8.     Emilio Pucci

a.      Dubbed as the “Prince of Prints”, was the creator of tunic dresses made out of silk jersey.  They were elegant, easy to wear, and extremely light, making it easy to pack away as well as store.  He drew his inspiration from nature, art, and beauty in far-away lands.  He allegedly created over 500 patterns.

9.     Mary Quant

a.      You can thank Mary Quant for the invention of the miniskirt!  Because she considered high heels to be a form of torture, she decided to create a hemline that got shorter and shorter; she did this to allow the leg to look elongated, while eliminating the use of high heels.

10.  Yves Saint Laurent

a.      YSL.  The creator of the dinner jacket for women.  After a traumatic period in his life and losing his position at Dior as head designer because of the draft, he went on his own.  Successful in what he did, his biggest success was when he created the women’s tuxedo in 1966.

And Last But NEVER least:

Coco Channel:  She was the first designer to make women's dresses out of Jersey knit. She encouraged women to forgo the corset and tight binging clothing. Her rise to fame after World War I coincided with the Flapper style. She is most famous for the Little Black Dress and the Bell Bottom Pant.

Hope you moms enjoyed learning about some of the most influential designers in history.  Now go out and impress your kids with your new knowledge.  Let your daughter know where that miniskirt originated!  And remember, stay fabulous!