Portraits of the world's most creative fashion designers

Top 5 fashion designers of all time

To classify clothing designers or fashion houses is very difficult because tastes are subjective. However, many people agree that these five fashion designers have had a significant impact on the industry:

• Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel, the queen of French fashion, revolutionized the clothing industry with her iconic and innovative style. His simple yet sophisticated outfits of timeless elegance gave women freedom, freeing them from the painful corsets and complicated petticoats of the past. From her famous "Little Black Dress" to the classic Chanel suit for women, consisting of a slim skirt and collarless tweed jacket, worn by important figures such as Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn or Jackie Kennedy, her creations remain a symbol of sophistication and class.

"Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury," she believed, and because many people agreed, the pieces designed by Coco Chanel are still very popular today. In fact, we also owe to her the use and popularization of shiny, bronze and multi-faceted jewelry, with designs made up of an abundance of stones or fake pearls.

Giorgio Armani

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani is renowned for the clean lines, simple shapes and neutral colors of his menswear collections. Reaching a net worth of $7 billion in 2012, Armani initially began his career as a doctor before working at fashion house Nina Cerutti and finally creating his own brand in 1975.

In addition to his luxury fashion line, which introduced a number of new techniques and silhouettes to men's and women's fashion, Giorgio Armani is also known for his Emporio Armani line, which offers a more affordable range of clothing, accessories and fragrances . This line retains its distinctive aesthetic, but with a greater emphasis on casual and urban style.

Alexander McQueen

The British designer Alexander McQueen began his career creating theater costumes, then managed to become the head designer at the Givenchy fashion house and set up his own brand.

Bold and provocative, with a distinctive aesthetic that combines chaos and beauty, McQueen has come to be called the "terrible child" of British fashion. His collections, always made using the latest technological inventions, were often inspired by dark and emotional themes, extravagance and drama brought to the catwalk becoming his signature.

1. Christian Dior

Although he witnessed all the tragic events of the first part of the 20th century, amid the ruins of post-war France, Dior managed to change the fashion industry. In 1947, Dior introduced the world to the New Look, a style of voluminous calf-length skirts, fitted waists and cream jackets. The style contrasted with the brutality of war and reminded people of a simpler era, giving them courage and optimism.

Overall, Christian Dior's creations are considered symbols of elegance and sophistication in the fashion world. The designers who followed him, such as Yves Saint Laurent, John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri, continued to innovate and preserve the heritage and distinctive aesthetic of the house of Dior.

1. Donatella Versace

After the assassination of Gianni Versace in 1997, his younger sister Donatella took over the leadership of the Versace brand and took it to new heights. The fashion designer is known for her distinctive approach that combines luxury, glamor and innovation in a strong and sensual style.

Versace collections are characterized by bold designs, vibrant prints, metallic details, chains and innovative cuts. These lend a touch of rebellion and power to each piece, with Donatella acclaimed for her non-conformist approach and the way she manages to blend tradition with innovation in her creations.

When we say "top fashion designers" we can also say other weighty names such as: Ralph Lauren (with his famous polo player logo), Tom Ford (who even saved the Gucci brand from bankruptcy), Yves Saint Laurent ( the pioneer of androgynous fashion for women), Marc Jacobs (who explored trends in pop culture) or Calvin Klein (known for a comfortable style without anything exaggerated).

Top 5 fashion designers of the moment

Currently, the fashion industry is animated by a number of talented creators who bring new directions and trends to the world of fashion. Among them are:

Virgil Abloh

Known for his Off-White brand and his role as artistic director of fashion house Louis Vuitton (menswear line), Abloh brings an urban and street aesthetic to luxury fashion.

Although an architect by profession, the young man began collaborating with Kanye West, then opened an art gallery that was also a menswear boutique, and slowly began to capture the attention of the biggest manufacturers in the industry.

Phoebe Philo

Former artistic director of Chloé and Céline fashion houses, Philo is recognized for her minimalist and sophisticated style that emphasizes clean lines and impeccable tailoring. His collections are characterized by simplicity and elegance, and his color palette is often sober, dominated by neutral shades such as black, white, gray and beige.

In addition, Philo is appreciated for her ability to create versatile and timeless pieces that stand the test of time and remain relevant from one season to the next.

Christopher John Rogers

In 2020, the American Christopher John Rogers became one of the most recommended fashion designers, being crowned with important awards and with the appreciation of artists such as Lady Gaga or Zendaya, who wore his creations.

His collections are characterized by an explosion of color, he uses bold combinations and graphic prints, pleats, ruffles and drapes to create pieces that exude energy and optimism.

Pierpaolo Piccioli

Former artistic director of the Valentino fashion house, Piccioli brings to the attention of the public a romantic and dreamy aesthetic, characterized by delicate ruffles, floral prints, elaborate decorative details, such as embroidery and artisan appliqués, as well as a rich palette of colors.

Known for his modern and poetic approach to design, blending Italian tradition with contemporary influences, Piccioli is also acclaimed for promoting diversity and inclusion in fashion, collaborating with artists and designers around the world to celebrate the diversity and beauty of each person.

Rei Kawakubo

The founder and designer behind Comme des Garçons, Kawakubo is known for her radical and experimental approach to fashion. Kawakubo's collections are often characterized by exaggerated forms, unusual constructions and innovative use of materials, the resulting whole often questioning traditional conventions and standards.

Rather than focusing on conventional beauty or the purely commercial aspect of fashion, Kawakubo seeks to challenge and inspire, explore boundaries and redefine perceptions of what can be considered fashion.

Top 5 Romanian designers

Doina Levintza

One of the most respected fashion designers in Romania, Doina Levintza is recognized for the elegance and sophistication of her designs, which reflect Romanian cultural and historical influences. Born in Brașov, the creator debuted as a costume designer for the National Theater in Bucharest.

In addition to her activity as an internationally recognized fashion designer, Doina Levintza was also involved in education, being a professor at the Bucharest National University of Arts and contributing to the training of several generations of Romanian fashion designers.

Andreea Badala

Andreea Badala, the owner of the Murmur brand, started this business taking care of every branch of it, from creation to promotion and deliveries. In a short time, however, his creations, characterized by geometric constructions and a specific air of the '40s-'50s, ended up being worn by celebrities such as Madonna, Beyonce or Lady Gaga.

His pieces, mostly underwear items that can be worn during the day, but also in the evening, can be found in stores in the USA, Japan, China, Russia, Holland or Germany, with the plan being that the brand expands even more in Asia and America.

Maria Lucia Hohan

Starting with just two sewing machines, located in the basement of her parents' house, Maria Lucia Hohan became the most famous Romanian designer in Hollywood, her clothes being worn by stars such as Rihanna, Nicole Kidman, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Dita von Teese or Maria Sharapova.

Maria's strategy was to focus on as much visibility as possible on the Internet and at international trade fairs for professional buyers, at the expense of fashion shows. The strategy worked, as her fame led to the opening of three showrooms in Bucharest, Paris and Los Angeles, while her dresses can be purchased in over 150 stores worldwide.

Andrea Constantin

Interested in the same market as Maria Lucia Hohan, that of wedding and occasion dresses, Andreea founded the Rhea Costa brand from her own apartment, which she also used as a showroom.

Through her passion, Andreea ended up dressing stars like Demi Lovato, Britney Spears, Catherina Zeta Jones or Ciara and expanding her business in Europe, USA, Asia and the Middle East. Even though she creates seasonal collections focused on certain colors or on-trend silhouettes, Rhea Costa's best-sellers are the timeless designs with a nostalgic and diaphanous air reminiscent of the outfits worn in Hollywood's golden age.

Irina Schrotter

Although she graduated in medicine with a very high average, Irina Schrotter reoriented towards tailoring, the passion that also animated her mother. After years of hard work, he became the first Romanian designer accepted at the Pret-a-Porter Salon in Paris, meanwhile the brand became accessible on 4 continents.

Irina's feminine but practical clothing collections have always been appreciated by the international press and by buyers around the world, and her fashion house has mostly employed Romanian creative directors mentioned in the pages of Vogue or graduates of the University of Arts and Design of in Cluj, such as Diana Flore, Lucian Broscățean or Raul Lazăr.

Other important fashion designers from Romania are: Cătălin Botezatu (known for his elegant and extravagant collections), Lana Dumitru (famous for experimenting with unconventional materials), Răzvan Ciobanu (who was known for creations with punk and rock influences), Ioana Ciolacu (a designer with a distinct vision, combining streetwear elements with sophisticated details), Mirela Bucovicean (who focuses on luxury women's clothing) and Alina Cernătescu (known for casual-chic pieces, characterized by fluid lines and refined details).