Designers
3.1 Phillip Lim
Born in Thailand by Chinese immigrants, American designer Phillip Lim has become synonymous with his accessible youthful everyday with a playful twist. He quickly gained critical and commercial success with his way of combining dressy and casual without ever compromising comfort or substance. Lim creates for the active woman with style, confidence and sportiveness.
Alexander McQueen
British designer Alexander McQueen left school at 16 for an apprenticeship at a famous Savile Row tailor where he gained an in-depth knowledge of bespoke tailoring. In 1992 McQueen attained a master's degree in fashion design from London's Central Saint Martin’s, four years later McQueen was installed as John Galliano's successor at Givenchy where he stayed 5 years. McQueen committed suicide, aged 40, on February 11 2010 to the world’s great loss. New Creative Director Sarah Burton has been head of design for womenswear since 2000, and has proclaimed her intention of staying true to McQueen's legacy – the impeccable mix of fragility and strength, tradition and modernity, truth and myth, as well as a profound respect for the arts and crafts tradition. We love the scull printed scarfs, scarfs that has become modern classics.
Balenciaga
The french fashion house was founded by spaniard Cristobal Balenciaga in 1918 and was immedeatly recognised as one of the world’s most influential designers. Under the current creative direction of self-thought designer Nicolas Ghesquiere, Balenciaga has regained the hype that surrounded the brand at the very beginning when Christian Dior described Balenciaga as ”the master of us all”. Ghesquire has become greatly appriciated for his signature futuristic designs and technical feeling mixed with a great understanding of fabrics and style.
Chloé
French fashion label Chloé, founded by Gaby Aghion in revolt of the haute couture in 1952 stands for easy glamour and sophistication. As the clean and minimalistic style of Chloé conquered the world, the expression of Prêt-à-Porter was born. Famous designers such as Karl Lagerfield, Stella McCartney and Pheobe Philo has all charmed the world of fashion for the house of Chloé. Current Creative Director Clare Waight Keller is giving us a pretty and feminine Chloé woman with a slight nomadic spirit.
Christian Louboutin
Creative Director and founder, Christian Louboutin has made every woman in the world crave his red-lacquered soles that has become the signature of his work. Our most coveted high-end footwear designer launched his first line of womens shoes in France 1991. A year later Louboutin felt that the shoes lacked energy and applied red nail polish to the sole of a shoe - and his trademark was born. Louboutin is primarily known for his dressier designs incorporating everything from feathers to bejeweled straps, but has also been greatly appreciated for his creations for men. The ambition of bringing the high stilettos back into fashion was to "make a woman look sexy, beautiful and to make her legs look as long as possible".
Dolce & Gabbana
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana met in Milan in 1980 and in 1986 they showed their first collection to critical acclaim. Known for their feminine silhouettes and contemporary ‘Dolce Vita’-style this Italian duo is a fashion force extraordinaire and their lifestyle brand now encompass men and womenswear, childrenswear, fragrances, make-up, sunglasses and lingerie. Dolce & Gabbana is all about immaculate tailoring, and playful elements like their signature leopard print. It’s the go-to brand for va va voom dresses with elements from corsets and lots of lace as well as everyday essentials like chic tweed jackets, sleek trousers and silk tops.
Giambattista Valli
The former Ungaro designer Giambattista Valli, launched his own line in Paris 2005 with Italian licensee Gilmar. Since the time at Ungaro, Valli is known for dressing his celebrity friends, such as Victoria Beckham and Olivia Palermo, in his vintage-style tailored looks. His distinct style is obvious in his playful mixes of materials as well as collections made with an expertise and detailed construction that one can only expect of a true artist.
Givenchy
Founded in 1952 by Hubert de Givenchy, the french fashion house has been under the direction of the world's most imaginative and creative designers. John Galliano, Alexander McQueen preceeded italian designer Riccardo Tisci who was appointed creative director in 2005. A man of contradictions, Tisci has revitalized Givenchy with his gothic touches and space-age minimalism, that still manages to have somewhat romantic air. The Givenchy woman is sophisticated, strong and not afraid of expressing her darker sides.
Joseph
Joseph
Joseph Ettedgui was born in Marocco 1936 but later moved to London where he began to establish shops in the 1960's that he later expanded globally. From a rather humble start, Ettedgui's empire at one time included over twenty stores in London, four in New York and four in Paris. 1983 Ettedgui's took his business to the next level, launching his own fashion label under his own name which quickly became a hit. Joseph is now synonymous with basics and knits in impeccable materials and understated chic looks.
Lanvin
Founded in 1909 by Jeanne Lanvin, it is France’s oldest fashion house and perhaps the most revered. As Israeli designer Alber Elbaz took on the role as Creative Director in 2001, Lanvin has grown stronger with every season and his collections are the fashion world’s most anticipated. Celebrated for his respect for Lanvin’s rich history while using contemporary techniques, Alber is also highly loved for his admiration of women. “I am not interested in creating dresses that make men fall in love with the lady wearing them. I prefer to empower women with their own love”.
Marc Jacobs
Only one man manages to create cravings and hype every time a new collection is presented, and that is american designer Marc Jacobs. Awarded and acclaimed for the rich artist he his, not only running his own label, but also Creative Director at Louis Vuitton where he introduced ready-to-wear. Launched in 1986, the creative genius without limits has since created looks inspired by everything from grunge to fairytales, from jet-set to Tokyo nightclubs.
Marni
Probably the fashion world's most eclectic brands, swiss-born designer Consuelo Castiglioni has created a truly unique concept, mixing her quirky designs with the most refined fabrics and materials. The Milan-based company consciously creates trans-seasonal collections, made to be mixed with eachother and as they're not following any trends, made to last forever. The following around Marni is growing by the minute as women has started being bold through color, print, and shape rather than through overt sex appeal.
Michael Kors
American fashion designer Michael Kors studied at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and was designing clothes at the age of 19. Adored for his clean sophisticated looks with an elegant feel for the working woman, Kors have designed several outfits for celebrities like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchet and Michelle Obama.
Missoni
Fashion dynasty Missoni rules the world of pattern and colour. When founded in 1953 all knits were made from home by married couple Tai and Rosita . Famous for their creative use of different fabrics and knits as well as their signature zigzags, the family company is today run by the founders children Vittorio, Luca och Angela Missoni. Together they have successfully taken the company into the 21st century with their glamorous boho looks.
Rag & Bone
The US-based label Rag & Bone was started in 2002 by British designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville. Initially the designers made menswear only but in 2005 they started their womenswear collection, which became an instant success. Rag & Bone is the go-to label for sharp tailoring and stylish sportswear, their luxe urban essentials will give you an effortlessly cool look.
Saint Laurent
One of the world's leading luxury brands, Yves Saint Laurent was founded in 1962 by french designer by the same name. Genius, fashion icon and legend, his legacy is recognisable by the signature "Le Smoking" tuxedos, silk jumpsuits, sarong-tied tops and tailored sleeveless blazers. Hedi Slimane, newly appointed Creative Director, renamed the brand in 2012 and it is now referred to as Saint Laurent. Despite this clean start, Slimane understands the spirit of Yves Saint Laurent and we can look forward to a promising new chapter in the story of the famous fashion house.
Stella McCartney
Daughter of ex-Beatle Paul McCartney, Stella McCartney opened her own fashion label in 1995 which she in 2001, after a few years as Creative Director at Chloé, developed further under the protective wings of Gucci Group . Aside of her sharp tailoring, her minimalist chic looks blended with a touch of British charm, McCartney has also become known for her commitment to animal rights, never using any leather or fur.
The Row
Named after historic and prestigious tailor's street Savile Row in London, super twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen founded The Row in 2007 with the simple mission to create the perfect t-shirt. With the aim to update classic basics with tailored precision, Mary-Kate and Ashley doesn't believe in trends but rather focus on clean lines, ultra-refined silhouettes and the perfect fit, for which the sisters have gained much appreciation and praise. A 100% manufactured in the U.S.A., the Row's low key tempered sensuality and quiet confidence has left the world in no doubt that their success is far from based on their celebrity status, but their unquestionable talent.
Theyskens' Theory
Growing up, Belgian designer Olivier Theyskens was tormented by the fact that girls "got to be princesses", and proclaimed he wanted to "do haute couture" at the age of 7. Dropping out from his studies, he started his own label in 1997 that he shortly had to liquidate. Theyskens progressed to creating stage costumes for Théâtre de la Monnaien. Later appointed Creative Director at Rochas and Nina Ricci, Theyskens became known for gothic extravaganzas and demicouture. For S/S -11 Theyskens designed a capsule collection for Theory, and the company soon announced him Artistic Director. Successfully incorporating his signature sultry chic, his new venture is comprised of democratic easy-to-wear pieces we want to wear now. Theyskens’ Theory is foremost sharp, imaginative tailoring, with a mix of lingerielike, attenuated and elongated silhouettes.
Tibi
Amy Smilovic made her dream come true in 1997 as she founded Tibi in New York, U.S.A. Earlier interests in art and illustrations influence her vibrant creations with the mixed touch of ''city chic'' and ''casual down town''. Smilovic is celebrated for her floral prints and feminine touch all over the world.
Tory Burch
Tory Burch was born 1966, she was raised and educated in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. After her graduation she moved to New York where she began her career working with Harper's Bazaar magazine, Ralph Lauren and Vera Wang. She launched her fashion label in 2004 that has become celebrated for the classic tailoring and bohemian details.
Valentino
Italian fashion emperor Valentino Garavani, known simply as Valentino, studied fashion design in Milan and Paris and early won acknowledgement from the fashion world for his über-feminine glamorous yet classic designs. After having worked for couturiers Jean Desses and Guy Laroche in Paris, Valentino returned to Italy to open his own store on Via Condotti, Rome. A man of extravaganzas both in his designs and life, Valentino IS Italian luxury personified. Having dressed his personal friends, the entire international jetset glamorati, for over 40 years, Valentino retired in 2008 and handed over his legacy to Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, his long-time associates. Valentino’s diffusion line REDValentino youthfully plays with the timeless beauty of the distinguished fashion house and dresses the modern girl hailing from a long lineage of iconic ladies.