Iconic female fashion designers you need to know about

Every year on the 8th of March the world celebrates International Women’s Day. To mark the occasion we’ve selected four female fashion designers known for their trailblazing careers and remarkable design inspiration. 

Miuccia Prada 

Co-chief executive officer and lead creative director, Prada. 

This multi-award winning creative has worked for Prada since 1978, initially coming on-board as the founder’s granddaughter. Miuccia’s introduction of Prada’s now signature aesthetic (classic and elegant with a modern twist) has seen the fashion house transformed from modest handbag manufacturer to global powerhouse.  

Miuccia is the very definition of an accomplished woman, with a PhD in political science and numerous accolades under her belt. She also founded Prada’s secondary line Miu Miu in 1993 which has now become a successful brand in its own right. 

As of 2017, Miuccia is listed as the 79th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. In 2018, the British Fashion Council awarded her the iconic Outstanding Achievement Award at The Fashion Awards 2018.

Phoebe Philo

Former creative director of Celine 

This designer is often credited with changing the way women dress and has become synonymous with a back-to-reality, strong aesthetic that is widely copied by the high street. 

Starting her career as an assistant at Chloé, Phoebe soon became creative director. Under her leadership the once-tired fashion house became one of Paris Fashion Week’s most in-demand invites. It was during this time that Phoebe became renowned for creating covetable commercial designs including many profitable and successful “It” bags. 

Phoebe then moved on to Celine which was when her work achieved star status. Her mood-of-the-moment designs inspired by real women resulted in a double-digit growth for the company, with Phoebe leaving on a high a few years later to take a hiatus from the fashion world. But could 2020 signal a Philo comeback?

Rihanna

Founder of Fenty 

Famous for her impeccable personal style and stellar singing career, Rihanna has branched out to become one of the most exciting names in fashion and beauty. In 2016 she launched the athleisure line Fenty Puma by Rihanna while her lingerie range Savage X Fenty continues to break boundaries. Rihanna has also made waves in the world of beauty with her brand Fenty Beauty generating €500 million in its first year.

Part of Rihanna’s success comes from rewriting the rules and challenging ‘norms’. Her beauty range is one of the most inclusive brands around and has effectively made 40 shades of foundation the minimum requirement for brands. While her lingerie line has been praised for its diversity and size inclusivity. 

Rihanna now continues to make history thanks to a partnership with LVMH (one of fashion’s most influential luxury conglomerates). She’s the first woman to create an original brand at LVMH and the first woman of colour at the top of an LVMH maison. Amazing stuff. 

Vera Wang 

Founder of Vera Wang 

When you think weddings, you think Vera Wang. This incredibly talented business woman’s career spans decades starting with a position as one of Vogue’s youngest ever editors. After a stint at Ralph Lauren, Vera went it alone, growing her eponymous brand one step at a time. 

Speaking about her brand, she once said: “It was brick by brick, client by client, store by store. It’s been a trip of passion, but it has not been a quick trip. Nor has it been easy. And that is the truth.”

She has now grown a single bridal boutique into a global empire that spans product categories from engagement rings and ready-to-wear garments to dinner plates and cosmetics. Her designs have infiltrated pop culture and she’s won numerous awards including the André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Vera Wang’s journey is all the more inspiring as it’s said the retail value of goods bearing her name is estimated to be upwards of $1 billion per year. In 2018, her revenues reached $630 million and she became one of the most powerful women in fashion. 

Which inspiring female fashion designers motivate you?

It was super hard to whittle our list down to these big names. Especially when there are so many talented female creatives out there. If there’s someone you think should be on our list or a particular designer that has inspired your aesthetic, let us know over on Instagram!

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