Christian Lacroix - Fashion Designer

Christian Lacroix Biography: Christian Lacroix was born in 1951 in Trinquetaille, France. As a child Lacroix, like innumerable other young fashion designers, had a knack for the art. Lacroix loved to sketch famous dresses and menswear from history. Lacroix attended the University of Montpellier, presumably studying Art History. He continued his studies at the world-renowned Sorbonne in Paris, where he completed a dissertation on 18th-century French art. The budding art historian also pursued a degree in museum studies at Frances Louvre Museum. Lacroixs young maturation was unusual for its intellectuality and emphasis on art history. Christian Lacroix in Fashion: The French design company Hermes hired Lacroix in 1978 as a color scheme and hands-on design assistant. There Lacroix honed his budding skills for the next three years, until he opted for employment at Jean Patous fashion house. From 1981 to 1987 Lacroix worked in a happy relationship with Patou. By 1987 Lacroix was confident enough to begin his own couture venture. Christian Lacroix's Success: Lacroix grew to become internationally renowned for his elegance, opulence, and attention to design all which can be seen to stem from the designers rich appreciation of traditional forms of fashion. The Council of Fashion Designers named Lacroix the most influential foreign designer in 1987, only the first year of his couture. The designer from Arles has also been noted for his ability to draw from a variety of cultures in his couture designs. His 1994 Bazar line constituted an entire collection based on a culture, folklore, and tradition. Christian Lacroix at Emilio Pucci: As early as 1989 Lacroix had jumped on the growing bandwagon among designers to branch out into ready-to-wear clothing, jewelry, eyewear, ties, scarves and other accessories and he did so with considerable success. In 2002, Lacroix accepted an offer to serve as design director for the prestigious Emilio Pucci label, a position he was to hold for the next three years. Shop Christian Lacroix:: To view Christian Lacroix collections, past and present, visit his website. Here you can find a list of the dozens of Christian Lacroix boutiques worldwide.

GUCCIO GUCCI
Birth: 1881 Place of birth: Italy Couture line: Gucci (GG) The vision to make it big in the country had enlightened a spark in Guccio Gucci who made his strength as a craftsman his biggest asset. Though he had a humble beginning but it earned him a lot of reputation and made the brand a globally recognized one. The aim to provide luxury has been well met all these years as the brand continuously savors to provide it to its regular clients and the new ones. Early Life Gucci was born in the year 1881 in the Italy's northern manufacturing region. He was the son of an Italian merchant. He started the House of Gucci as a small family owned leather saddlery shop in 1906. Being an excellent craftsman he stated selling leather bag to the horsemen in 1920. Manufacturing high-quality products he soon started gaining reputation for his work and started hiring people to work in his small organization. But the expansion plans were on cards and Gucci expanded his business to the capital, Rome in 1938 where he opened his first retail outlet. The business which was solely handled by him turned out to be a family affair as all his sons joined the company. In 1951 Gucci further expanded his business to Milan where he opened his store and a couple of years later in Manhattan. Promotions and Success House of Gucci is an Italian iconic fashion and leather good items. It is one of the most famous and prestigious brands known globally. It was one of the premier manufacturing leather good suppliers. It also holds a Guinness Book of World Record for one of its apparel collection called "Genius Jeans" which were priced at $3,134. The organization has also won many awards. Some of the prestigious awards won by the organization are:

VH1/Vogue Best New Designer (1995) Designer of the Year (1996) CFDA International Designer of the Year (1996) Elle Style Awards' Style Icon Award (2000) British GQ International Man of the Year Award (2000) Time's Best Fashion Designer (2001) GQ Designer of the Year (2001) First Annual Fashion Design Achievement Award at the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum's National Design Awards (2003)

The brand also occupied 46th position in the Business Week magazine which featured Top 100 Brands chart in 2007. Brand and Clientele The brand started as the manufacturer of leather products and has subsequently extended its shores to manufacturing wallet, clothing, jewellery, watches and much more. The brand has its headquarters in Florence, Paris, London and New York. The brand is adored by likes of people such as Hollywood actress Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy, the wife of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. They also have their stores all around the globe to cater to the needs of the people, giving them a taste of luxury products from the brand.

JEANNE LANVIN.
Fashion Designer LANVIN, date of creation: 1889 Founded in 1889 at 22, Rue du Faubourg Saint Honore by Jeanne Lanvin (Paris 1867 - 1946), Lanvin is the oldest Parisian fashion house. From Haute couture (1909) to men's fashion (1926), decoration (1920), and perfumes ("My Sin" in 1925, "Arpege" 1927), the young milliner became the Ambassador of French elegance; transforming her hat and clothing workshops into a veritable fashion empire.

Jeanne Lanvin drew inspiration from her only child; Marguerite (later known as Marie-Blanche de Polignac, a talented opera singer). Marguerite succeeded her mother in 1946 and remained in charge until her death in 1958.

The delicately gilded figure on the spherical Arpege perfume bottle depicting Jeanne Lanvin and her daughter going to a ball has remained the symbol of this motherly love. It became the House logo in 1954.

The Lanvin blue came to life through Madame's spontaneous enthusiasm for a Fra Angelico painting. Along with the motifs created by Armand-Albert Rateau, Jeanne Lanvin's decorator and partner, Lanvin created a distinctive image which remains to this day.

Jeanne Lanvin's successors include Antonio del Castillo, Dominique Morlotti, Jules-Francois Crahay, Maryll Lanvin, Claude Montana and Patrick Lavoix. Their work has successfully immortalised a very Parisian, elegant couture style.

Since 1993, the House has focused on luxury ready-to-wear and accessories as well as perfumes. Dominique Morlotti has designed Men's ready-to-wear since 1992. However, a new addition, Christina Ortiz, designs the women's ready-to-wear collection since Autumn/Winter 1998/99.

Tommy Hilfiger, Fashion Designer

For 25 years, Tommy Hilfiger has brought classic, cool, American apparel to consumers around the world. His designs give time honored classics a fresh look, and his discerning taste has provided the foundation for the growth of a global brand. Under Hilfiger"s guidance, vision and leadership as Principal Designer, the Tommy Hilfiger Group has become one of very few globally recognized designer brands offering a wide range of American inspired apparel and accessories. Born the second of nine children in Elmira, New York, Hilfiger"s career in fashion began as a high school student in 1969 when he opened a small chain of stores called People"s Place with just $150. His goal was to bring fashion from New York and London to upstate New York. Self taught, he soon began designing for the boutiques he had always admired. In 1979 he moved to New York City to pursue a career as a full time fashion designer. In New York, Hilfiger caught the eye of Mohan Murjani, a businessman who was looking to launch a line of men"s clothing and believed that Hilfiger"s entrepreneurial background gave him the unique ability to approach men"s fashion in a new way. With Murjani"s support, Hilfiger introduced his first signature collection in 1985 by modernizing button down shirts, chinos, and other time honored classics with updated fits and details. The relaxed, youthful attitude of his first designs has remained a distinctive hallmark throughout all of Hilfiger"s subsequent collections. Through his creative efforts as a designer, and in working on a series of bold marketing campaigns, Hilfiger has both influenced and developed lasting relationships with a wide range of cultural influencers and trendsetters. In 1985, Hilfiger hired legendary ad man George Lois to develop a billboard to place in the center of New York"s Times Square. The now famous hangman ad "ignited the designer"s career and launched a dynamic and productive relationship between Hilfiger and Lois. In 2007, Hilfiger and Lois collaborated on the book Iconic America: A Roller Coaster Ride through the Eye Popping Panorama of American Pop Culture, which presents a mosaic of over 400 iconic and iconoclastic images from the melting pot of the American experience. In the 1990"s, Hilfiger became a pioneer in the industry by featuring emerging musical talent such as Britney Spears and Lenny Kravitz in his advertising campaigns. As Hilfiger"s designs merged with popular culture, he began to extend his company"s distinct brand message across a variety of mediums and platforms. Celebrating the long association between Hilfiger Denim and the music world, in 2009 the Company launched the brand"s online evolution www.hilfigerdenim.com. The website allows visitors to peruse the latest cutting edge Hilfiger Denim collection, while enjoying the music behind the designs. Hilfiger"s diverse achievements in business, retail and fashion have earned him a variety of distinguished awards. In 1998, Parsons School of Design in New York City honored him with their Designer of the Year award, as did GQ magazine for their annual Men of the Year "issue. In 1995 he was named Menswear Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

John Galliano
John Galliano is a British fashion designer who served as head designer of the French haute couture houses Givenchy (1995-1996) and Christian Dior (1996-2011). Fashion designer John Galliano was born on November 28, 1960, in Gibraltar, Spain. After graduating from Central Saint Martins, he launched his own line. Famous for whimsical, outrageous designs, he headed the French haute couture houses Givenchy (1995-1996) and Christian Dior (1996-2011). In 2011, his career went into a tailspin when he was arrested for making anti-Semitic remarks in a Paris bar. Early Life British fashion designer John Galliano was born in Gibraltar, Spain, on November 28, 1960. His Spanish mother and Gibraltarian father moved the family to South London when he was 6. The transition was difficult. His mother, a flamenco teacher, prided herself on the familys appearance and would dress her son in elaborate outfits, even when toting him along on the simplest of errands. Despite being teased by his sloppily dressed schoolmates, Gallianos mother instilled in him a bold and creative sensibility. Professional Career Galliano enrolled at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 1981. While in school, he worked as a dresser for Britain's National Theatre, the eminent company in London, ensuring that the companys thespians looked perfect. His graduating collection in 1984, inspired by the French Revolution and entitled "Les Incroyables," was bought in its entirety by the independent London fashion boutique, Browns. Galliano soon established his own label and enjoyed the support of various financial backers. His collections were both dramatic and intricate, but within just a few years his elaborate visions were squashed by a lack of business prowess. He went bankrupt in 1990. Galliano struggled financially for years, still producing work intermittently, until he met and gained the support of American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and Vogues creative director for the American edition, Andre Leon Talley. These high-powered connectors introduced him to the Portuguese fashion patron Sa Schlumberger. To regain his footing, Schlumberger loaned him her house for a fashion show, and several top models worked for free. He designed the entire collection from one bolt of fabric. Schlumbergers adoration brought several new financiers to the fore. As a result, Galliano was appointed head designer of Givenchy in 1995, thus becoming the first British designer to head a French haute couture house. In two year's time, he moved to Christian Dior. Galliano created some of the industry's most famous collections, including the Blanche Dubois in October 2008 (inspired by the 1951 film A Streetcar Named Desire), the Napoleon and Josephine in March 1992 (inspired by the love story of these famous historic figures) and the Princess Lucretia in October 1993 (inspired by the Russian princess). Beyond the clothing donned by his models, Galliano is known for his own dramatic final-bow-costumes, finishing his shows wearing fantastical get-ups inspired by the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte and U.S. astronauts.