The Most Influential Fashion Designers of All Time

Fashion is a reflection of the times. It captures our mood, our hopes, and our dreams. Fashion is also a reflection of our political and social climate, and can also be used as a form of self-expression. 

How Fashion Influences the World

• During the Great Depression, fashion was all about practicality and comfort. But after World War II, there was a shift. Women were stepping into the workforce in droves and they wanted clothing that reflected their new status. This is where Christian Dior comes in. He designed luxurious dresses that made women feel feminine and powerful at the same time. It was a style that would come to be known as “The New Look” and it changed fashion forever.
• During the civil rights movement, African American designers like Thea Porter and Stephen Burrows were creating clothing that celebrated black culture and featured bold prints and bright colors. This was in stark contrast to the more conservative, “safe” fashion that had come before. And it paved the way for designers of all colors to be able to express themselves freely through their clothing.
• For many people, clothing is a way to show the world who they are and what they believe in. During the punk rock movement of the 1970s, fashion was all about rebelling against the Establishment. Punk fashion was all about DIY style, with people creating their clothes out of whatever materials they could find. This was a way of thumbing your nose at the Establishment and saying that you didn’t need their approval to be who you are.

Fashion Designers Who Have Made The Greatest Impact

Certain fashion designers have been able to truly capture the zeitgeist of their eras and become icons in the process. Here are some of the most influential fashion designers of all time.

Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer who founded the famous fashion brand that bears her name. She is credited with popularizing the “little black dress” and revolutionizing women’s clothing by popularizing casual wear and sportswear. Her designs were elegant yet simple, and she favored using materials like jersey and straw that were traditionally associated with men’s clothing. Chanel was also one of the first designers to use synthetic materials like rayon and nylon in her garments. She died in 1971, but her fashion empire lives on to this day.

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent was a French fashion designer who was one of the first to use non-white models on the runway. He was also one of the first designers to popularize ready-to-wear collections. His most famous designs include the “smoking jacket” for women and the “safari jacket.” He passed away in 2008, but his fashion house continues to produce coveted collections each season.

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer best known for his Polo brand clothing line. He initially gained notoriety for his menswear designs, but he later branched out into designing womenswear, children’s clothes, home furnishings, and even fragrances. Lauren is also known for his work on costumes for films such as “The Great Gatsby” and “My Fair Lady.” His design aesthetic favors classic, preppy styles with a touch of luxury.

Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein is an American fashion designer who is perhaps best known for his denim jeans with the Calvin Klein logo emblazoned on the back pocket. He has also designed everything from underwear to fragrances to home goods bearing his name. Klein’s design aesthetic is clean, modern, and minimalistic. In addition to his work in fashion, Klein has also dabbled in photography and film directing.

Donna Karan

Donna Karan is an American fashion designer best known for her namesake womenswear label as well as her more affordable DKNY label. She favors simple, elegant designs that can be easily incorporated into a woman’s everyday wardrobe. Karan began her career working for Anne Klein before striking out on her own in 1984. In recent years she has shifted her focus to more philanthropic endeavors such as Urban Zen, a lifestyle brand that supports artisans around the world.

Conclusion

Fashion designers have a huge influence on the world around us—whether we realize it or not! The next time you get dressed in the morning, take a moment to think about which designer influenced your outfit choice—you might be surprised at how much they’ve shaped your style!