subject: Who Is The Greatest Fashion Designer [print this page] It's subjective and personal, even critics debate, but still opinions are open for interpretation. Is it Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood, Jean Muir? How does one make the determination? What makes a great fashion designer? I leave the decision to you.
Smith
Born in 1947, in Nottingham, England, Fashion Designer Paul Smith always wanted to become a professional bicycle racer. But an accident prevented him from pursuing this career further. In 1969, Smith met Pauline Denyer, who studied fashion design at the Royal College of Art. She became a motor for the career in the fashion business that should follow for Smith. He opened up a tiny shop for clothing in 1970. Since then he worked hard to establish himself as a unique fashion designer for classic men's wear with a twisted appeal.
In 1993, Smith took over the traditional (established in 1885) but bankrupt work-wear company R.Newbold and quickly incorporated many of their famous cuts into his collection. With brief modification, he sells now the "4239 shirt" (42 inches on the back, 39 in the front) of R.Newbold under his name. This shirt was originally designed for agricultural laborers in Lincolnshire.
In 1995, the London-based Design Museum opened a retrospective of Smith's 25 years of work in the fashion business called True Brit, marking the first time this renowned museum devoted an entire exhibition to a single fashion designer.
Westwood
Dame Vivienne Westwood's popularity constantly gains momentum. Her punk attitude is more alive in the Noughties than ever and her outspoken, Union Jack waving Englishness (with a few added safety pins and tea stains), is undiminished. It is fitting that the Establishment has recognised her work by making her a Dame.
Vivienne Westwood -fashion's older stateswoman that many wish to emulate, with her younger husband Andreas Kronthaler and energy for shaking things up whilst keeping her feet on the ground - seems to only recruit admirers. Cutting edge but classic, she is unflinchingly rooted in what matters, whether it ishuman rights or classical fiction. No trendy noise for her, just cleavage, mischief, and CAPITAL LETTER MESSAGES such as 2005's "I AM NOT A TERRORIST, please don't arrest me" baby T-shirts.
McQueen
In less than 10 years McQueen became one of the most respected fashion designers in the world. In October 1996 he was appointed Chief Designer at the French Haute Couture House Givenchy where he worked until March of 2001.
In December 2000, 51% of Alexander McQueen was acquired by the Gucci Group, where he remained Creative Director. Collections include women's ready-to-wear, men's ready-to-wear, accessories, eyewear and fragrance (Kingdom 2003 and MyQueen 2005). Expansion followed and included the opening of flagship stores in New York, London, Milan, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
The following awards have recognized Alexander McQueens achievement in fashion: British Designer of the year 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2003, International Designer of the Year by The Council of Fashion Designer's of America (CFDA) in 2003, A Most Excellent Commander of The British Empire (CBE) by her Majesty the Queen in 2003, GQ Menswear Designer of the Year in 2007.
Jean Muir
Career: Sales assistant in lingerie and made-to-measure departments, Liberty, London, 1950-55; studied fashion drawing and modeled at St Martin's School of Art, London; joined Jacqmar then Jaeger, 1956-63; studied knitwear design and manufacture, especially jersey, and visited Paris collections; worked at Courtaulds, 1966-69; created own label, Jane & Jane, 1967; formed Jean Muir Ltd. with husband, 1986; sold majority interest to Coats Paton group; bought back 75-percent stake in company, 1989; Jean Muir department in Jaeger's flagship store, London.
Awards: British Fashion Writers Group Dress of the Year award, 1964; Harper's Bazaar trophy; Ambassador award for Achievement, 1965; Maison Blanche Rex awards, 1967, 1968, 1974, 1976; Churchman's Fashion Designer of the Year award, 1970; Royal Society of Arts Royal Designer for Industry, 1972; elected fellow of RSA; Neiman Marcus award, 1973; elected fellow of Chartered Society of Designers, 1978; Bath Museum of Costume Dress of the Year award, 1979; named Honorary Doctor, Royal College of Art, 1981; appointed to the Design Council, London, 1983; made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, 1984; awarded Hommage de la Mode, Fdration Franaise du Prt--Porter Fminin; British Fashion Council award for Services to Industry, 1985; Chartered Society of Designers medal; Textile Institute Design medal, 1987; Australian Bicentennial award, 1988; The Ford award, 1989. Honorary Degree, Doctor of Literature, University of Newcastle. Died: 28 May 1995, in London.
And who am I? A meager designer that has barley caused a ripple, but I'm continually inspired by Smith, Westwood and McQueen, true Grit Brits. My best effort is a range of designer silk ties and funky hand enameled cufflinks
