If you Google New York fashion designers you will find that the majority of the major league fashion designers in this particular fashion hub are men. Of course, there is nothing wrong with giving credit where it’s due, and appreciating the greats like Marc Jacobs and Jason Wu. But this does beg the question, ‘Is it easier to make your mark in the New York fashion scene if you’re a man?’ Over the past eight years, the Vogue Fashion Fund prize has only gone to a woman on two occasions. Considering the substantial role female designers have played in the evolution of fashion, this is disheartening. Especially when you think of groundbreaking designers like Mary Quant and Coco Chanel who changed the industry and paved the way for contemporary fashion. So, in recognition of these vanguards of fashion, here is a list of 25 of the most influential women in fashion.

Madeleine Vionnet

Madeleine Vionnet
Wikipedia

 Introduced the bias cut and made Greek style popular. She is one of the 20th century’s most influential designers.

Madame Grès

Madame Gre
source: theredlist.com

 

 Created the floor-length pleated gown and is known as the mistress of the draped and wrapped dress.

Coco Chanel

coco chanel
Wikipedia

 is as influential today as when she first introduced her unique line by ‘borrowing’ from menswear.

Valentina

valentina
Wikipedia

 

Valentina is the pioneer of red carpet glamour and responsible for hundreds, if not thousands of dramatic evening dresses for the elite of Hollywood.

Mary Quant

Mary Quant
Wikipedia

Mary Quant is credited with inventing the mini-skirt and hot-pantsץ She played an integral role in the female fashion liberation.

Rei Kawakubo

Rei Kawakubo introduced a merge between Japanese and Western fashion in the 1980s.

Jeanne Paquin

Jeanne Paquin
Pinterest

Jeanne Paquin was recognized not only for her fashion designs – pastel colored evening dresses – but also for her knack for courageous and original advertising. She organized fashion shows and planted her models in various high-society events. She is also considered as one of the first female couturiers.

Elsa Schiaparelli

 Elsa Schiaparelli
Pinterest

Elsa Schiaparelli is known as the grandmother of avant-garde fashion. She was also influential in developing structure jackets made for women.

Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood

 

Vivienne Westwood can be thanked for taking the new wave and punk into mainstream fashion.

Claire Mccardell

claire mccardell

Claire Mccardell invented American sportswear and was the first fashion designer to get the America’s Women of Achievement award from President Truman.

Bonnie Cashin

Bonnie Cashin

Bonnie Cashin was also known for her ready-to-wear clothing, the functional yet aesthetic layered look, and also for drastically minimizing darts and seams.

Sonia Rykiel

Sonia Rykiel
Mirror

Sonia Rykiel created super soft sweaters and dresses and is known as the Queen of knits.

Barbara Hulnicki

Barbara Hulnicki
Twitter

Barbara Hulnicki brought floppy felt hats, mini-skirts, velvet pantsuits and feather boas to a sparkling clientele that included The Rolling Stones and David Bowie.

Katharine Hamnett

Katharine Hamnett
Fashion model directory

Katharine Hamnett revolutionized the slogan t-shirt. It sounds simple but it has lasted, just take a look at your wardrobe.

Madeleine Chèruit

medelein cheruit
Wikipedia

Madeleine Chèruit was a dressmaker at Raudnitz & Cie House of Couture. Her exceptional talent helped her become the first woman in charge of a top fashion house in France. She renamed it to Chèruit.

Carolina Herrera

carolina herrera
Wikipedia

Carolina Herrera made sure that the white shirt became a staple in every woman’s cupboard and built an empire on her chic and elegant ranges.

Vera Wang

vera wang

Vera Wang not only created some of the most famous wedding dresses, but is also known as a formidable business person.

Stella McCartney

stella mccartney

Stella McCartney brought flattering and feminine clothing to the world with a focus on keeping it environmentally conscious and vegan.

Phoebe Philo

Phoebe Philo
TIME

Phoebe Philo is responsible for Chloe and Celine and known as one of the most powerful and respected contemporary designers of our time.

Donna Karan

Donna Karan

Donna Karan developed stylish items that became the staple for career women. Her lines are comfortable, but also powerful.

Miuccia Prada

Miuccia Prada
TIME

Miuccia Prada is iconic for her ever-increasing range that includes nylon handbags and 50s inspired clothing.

Kate and Laura Mulleavy

Kate and Laura Mulleavy
Designmom

Kate and Laura Mulleavy founded the Rodarte label in 2005 and took the fashion world by storm with pinked chiffons and soft flutters. They have won several awards and honors.

Jeanne Lanvin

Jeanne Lanvin
AG Nauta couture

Jeanne Lanvin was a trained dressmaker and milliner. She became known for her beautiful children’s clothing designs and was eventually the first designer to create a lifestyle brand with home décor, perfume, and clothing design incorporated into the label.

Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg
Inc.

 

Diane von Furstenberg introduced the wrap dress and works tirelessly to set healthier standards in the fashion industry.

Betsey Johnson

Betsey Johnson
Biography

Betsey Johnson used her over-the-top designs to become a preferred designer to the 1970s style icons. She brought the fun into fashion and was also the first to suggest a cartwheel at the end of the runway.

Source: Here

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