As promised, part 2 of 'A Guide to Fashion's most Influential Designers' ; designers who shaped today's industry and had say on what we wear today. Haven't seen Part 1? Check that out here.



John Galliano - After graduating from Central Saint Martin's, he first caught the fashion industries attention for his graduating collection 'Les Incroyables' . The master of intricate couture techniques and flamboyant outfits, Galiano started his own brand but soon came across money troubles and started designing for Givenchy in 1995, showcasing is rebellious talent. He became the first British designer to head a French Fashion House. He then moved to Dior but was dismissed after alleged anti-semetic remarks. He re-entered the fashion industry with Martin Margiela, which I wrote a post about here.

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Jean Paul Gaultier - The self-taught designer proves anything is possible, not just because you can have so much success by teaching yourself the skill set but because all his work is a juxtaposition- from men in corsets to metal and leather paired with chiffon. He works outsides fashions boundaries and challenges gender roles, with every collection becoming more eccentric than the last.

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Manolo Blahnik - A man known for reviving the stiletto in the time of platforms, the shoes "better than sex" (according to Madonna) focus on elongating the leg with a careful mix of style and function. His shoes are the major choice for designers with catwalk collections and in 2012 he won the Outstanding Achievement Award, it was well deserved as he did design thousands of artistic shoes single-handedly unlike many of his competitors. 

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Jacques Heim and Louis Reard - In 1946, Heim, a french designer created the 'atome' (atom for those of you who didn't take French) a two piece swim suit, t advertise his product he hired a sky writer to write "Atome - the world smallest swim suit" in the sky. Reard, a competitor submitted 3 weeks later the first bikini to the markets, (named Bikini after the Bikini Atolls in the Pacific Ocean I am told..for those who also didn't know what an atoll is, the Bikini Atoll is a collection of 23 small islands). The first swim suit to show a belly button... Reard once said that a two piece wasn't a real bikini "unless it could be pulled through a wedding ring". So far my favourite fashion story..

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Hubert de Givenchy - A master of fabrics and simplicity; his first collection included the Bettina Blouse, made from raw cotton that had previously never been used with finished designs. Best known for designing for Audrey Hepburn (above) personally and professionally, his garments can be seen in Breakfast at Tiffany's and Charade. A main innovation of Givenchy was the sack dress which had a less structured column silhouette rather than the typical hourglass of the time.

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Rudi Gernreich - His creations shocked the people of the time, especially his topless swimming costume, worn by Peggy Moffitt, a feminist statement, along with his no-bra bra which was developed to follow the natural shape of a breast. His creations in the 60's and 70's reflected the social revolution of the time with women's liberation. Not only did he give women a liberating wardrobe but created practical clothes which were often unisex. He also was the founder of the Mattachine Society, a Gay-rights organisation.

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I hope everyone had a merry Christmas, look out for Part 3.