Design is a unique, modular presentation of a structural plan to meet the expectations of consumers in respect to feasibility, aesthetic value, and acceptability from a socioeconomic, safety, and environmental point of view. It is applicable almost to all spheres of life and, not excluding the others, may entail building, fashion, graphics, interior, and Web designing. Unless otherwise predefined, ‘designing’is almost exclusively considered as ‘fashion designing’ and will be the focus of this article.

1. Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs was born in New York City, New York on April 9, 1963. He was educated at High School of Art and Design and Parsons the New School for Design. He was awarded Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Jacob is on the list of the ‘100 Most Influential People in the World.’ Marc is the head designer of Marc Jacobs as well as Marc by Marc Jacobs. The latter is a diffusion line selling at moderate prices at more than 200 retail outlets in 80 countries. He had been the Creative Director of Louis Vuitton, a French designing house.

2.  Michael Bastian

Michael Bastian was born in Lyons, New York, U.S. on October 13, 1965. He graduated from Boston College, Wellesley, Massachusetts. After graduation he moved to New York and worked with Abraham & Straus, Sotheby’s, Tiffany & Co., Polo Ralph Lauren, and as men’s fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman. Having accumulated sufficient and valuable experience, he launched his own menswear line. Michael Bastian launched two new collaborations in 2011 with Randolph Engineering and Brazillian brand Havaianas. He has been nominated for the CFDA Award each year since 2007 and won the 2011 award of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

3. Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lifshitz who became Ralph Lauren was born to Fraydl and Frank Lifshitz in Bronx, New York on October 14, 1939. As an American fashion designer, he is best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren brand of clothing. He got his early schooling from Salanter Academy which was a Jewish day school and Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy then graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1957. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964. He opened a necktie store and got rights from Brook Brothers to use the trademark ‘Polo.’ Ralph Lauren is a famous automobile collector. His 17 collections were exhibited at Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.

4. Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg was born to Leon ‘Lipa’ Halfin and Liliane Nahmias in Brussels, Belgium on December 31, 1946. Her birth name was Diane Simone Michelle Halfin. She was educated at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. She met and married Prince Egon of Furstenberg after which Diane became Princess of Furstenberg. But after her divorce and remarriage, she is no more titled as ‘Princess.’ She married Barry Driller, a famous American media person. In 2011, the Diller-Von Furstenberg Family Foundation made a $20 million commitment to High Lane, which was the highest private contribution. The foundation has donated more than $35 million until now. Diane also heads the board of Vital Voices, a women’s leadership organization.

5. Michael Kors

Michael Kors was born as Karl Anderson, Jr. in Long Island, New York, U.S. on August 9, 1959. He received his professional education from Fashion Institute of Technology. He is best known for designing classic sportswear for American sports women. He was awarded the CFDA Award for the women’s wear designer of the year in 1999. He received the 2003 CFDA Award for the menswear designer of the year. The Kors line includes jeans, footwear, and a full collection of boutiques in several American cities. The celebrities who have worn Michael Kor’s designs include: Michelle Obama, Heidi Klum, Elissa McAdams, and Catherine Zeta Jones. Joan Allen wore a Kor’s gown when she was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in The Contender.

6. Stella McCartney

Stella Nena McCartney was born to Sir Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney in Lambeth, London on September 13, 1971. She was educated at local state schools; Bexhill College, Central St. Martins, and Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. At an early age as a young girl she went on a world tour with her parents and their pop group Wings. She participated in the catwalk fashion show of the Brandery Fashion Show in Barcelona in July, 2011. Her New York City Ballet, Oceans Kingdom, premiered in September, 2011. Her labels are: Stella McCartney, Stella McCartney Kids, and Adidas by Stella McCartney. Stella operates 17 freestanding stores in 50 countries through 600 shops and department stores.

7. Betsey Johnson

Betsey Johnson was born to Lena and John Johnson in Wethersfield, Connecticut, U.S. She is best known for her feminine and embellished designs. She is also known for doing cartwheels as a gymnastic performance following fashion shows. She studied at the Pratt Institute and Syracuse University. Stan Herman, President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, honored her with the Timeless Talent Award in 1999 saying, ‘Very few people have been able to raise their arms and hold the hands of the clock like Betsey.’ Betsey Johnson’s retail empire generated about $50 million from 45 boutiques in the U.S., Britain, and Canada.

8. Vera Wang

Vera Wang was born in New York City, New York, U.S. on June 27, 1949. She was educated at The Chapin School and Sarah Lawrence College. She won the Andre Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award and CFDA’s award for the Women’s Wear Designer of the Year in 2005. Vera Wang was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2009. She is also famous as a costume designer but primarily for her bridal boutiques. She received the Leadership in the Arts Award from Harvard Radcliff Asian American Association. Many celebrities have worn her evening wears. Viola Davis wore Wang’s wear at the event of the 2012 Academy Awards.

9. Phoebe Philo

Phoebe Philo is a British Fashion designer. She was born in Paris in 1973. She graduated from Central Saint Martins in 1996 and joined Stella McCartney as a design assistant the following year.The Gucci Group offered her an opportunity to launch her own label. She is a staunch vegetarian and would not even work with leather. Phoebe Philo, Creative Director of Celine, was named Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, 2010. Accepting the award Philo said, ‘It’s a real honor. I’d like to acknowledge my team. Unfortunately, not everyone I work with can be here. Thanks also mum and dad and Max who privately love me and support me and allow me to do this wonderful job.’

Conclusion:

Designing, regardless of what it is related to, is the overall impact of a whole comprising such smaller and coherent components that none of them can be omitted without having a bearing upon the whole.  A fashion designer is like an architect who considers that the structure of the building is not only durable but also has an element of aesthetics, and the users of the building enjoy using it. Well-designed men or womenswear give happiness and grace to the model and the ultimate wearer.