The Great Fashion Designers : From Chanel to McQueen, the Names that Made Fashion History

"Over the last 180 years designers have propelled fashion from an elite craft into a cornerstone of popular culture. This brilliantly written guide to the lives and collections of 55 iconic fashion designers draws on the latest academic research and the best of fashion journalism, including the authors' own interviews with designers. Beginning with 19th century couturier Charles Frederick Worth and concluding with the star names of the 2010s, Polan and Tredre detail each designer's working methods and career highlights to capture the spirit of their times. This beautifully illustrated revised edition features five new designer profiles: Hedi Slimane, Raf Simons, Phoebe Philo, Alessandro Michele and Demna Gvasalia. It's also been updated throughout to reflect a fashion world in constant ferment, with designers swapping jobs and fashion houses at unprecedented speed. The industry has expanded into a global phenomenon and designers have emerged as true celebrities; The Great Fashion Designers explores their passion and flair to show us fashion at its most inspirational."--Publisher's description Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgements Preface Introduction Part 1: Early days Introduction Chapter 1: Charles Frederick Worth (1825–1895) Chapter 2: Callot Soeurs (1895–1937) Chapter 3: Jeanne Paquin (1869–1936) Chapter 4: Paul Poiret (1879–1944) Chapter 5: Mariano Fortuny (1871–1949) Part 2: 1910s–1930s Introduction Chapter 6: Jeanne Lanvin (1867–1946) Chapter 7: Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel (1883–1971) Chapter 8: Jean Patou (1880–1936) Chapter 9: Madeleine Vionnet (1876–1975) Chapter 10: Elsa Schiaparelli (1890–1973) Chapter 11: Mainbocher (1890–1976) Chapter 12: Adrian (1903–1959) Chapter 13: Salvatore Ferragamo (1898–1960) Chapter 14: Madame Alix Grès (1903–1993) Part 3: 1940s–1950s Introduction chapter 15: Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895–1972) Chapter 16: Christian Dior (1905–1957) Chapter 17: Charles James (1906–1978) Chapter 18: Claire McCardell (1905–1958) Chapter 19: Hubert de Givenchy (1927–2018) Chapter 20: Norman Norell (1900–1972) Chapter 21: Pierre Cardin (1922–) Chapter 22: Mary Quant (1930–) Chapter 23: Rudi Gernreich (1922–1985) Part 4: 1960s–1970s Introduction Chapter 24: Yves Saint Laurent (1936–2008) Chapter 25: André Courrèges (1923–2016) Chapter 26: Valentino Garavani (1932–) Chapter 27: Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019) Chapter 28: Halston (1932–1990) Chapter 29: Kenzo (1939–) Chapter 30: Ralph Lauren (1939–) Chapter 31: Issey Miyake (1935–) Chapter 32: Geoffrey Beene (1927–2004) Chapter 33: Calvin Klein (1942–) Chapter 34: Giorgio Armani (1934–) Part 5: 1980s Introduction Chapter 35: Rei Kawakubo (1942–) Chapter 36: Yohji Yamamoto (1943–) Chapter 37: Vivienne Westwood (1941–) Chapter 38: Paul Smith (1946–) Chapter 39: Azzedine Alaïa (c. 1935–2017) Chapter 40: Gianni Versace (1946–1997) Chapter 41: Jean Paul Gaultier (1952–) Chapter 42: Dolce & Gabbana (Domenico Dolce 1958–, StefanoGabbana 1962–) Chapter 43: John Galliano (1960–) Chapter 44: Donna Karan (1948–) Part 6: 1990s Introduction Chapter 45: Miuccia Prada (1949–) Chapter 46: Martin Margiela (1959–) Chapter 47: Marc Jacobs (1963–) Chapter 48: Tom Ford (1962–) Chapter 49: Alexander McQueen (1969–2010) Chapter 50: Nicolas Ghesquière (1971–) Part 7: 2000s–2010s Introduction Chapter 51: Raf Simons (1968–) Chapter 52: Hedi Slimane (1968–) Chapter 53: Phoebe Philo (1973–) Chapter 54: Alessandro Michele (1972–) Chapter 55: Demna Gvasalia (1981–) Bibliography "From Charles Frederick Worth to Nicolas Ghesquière, designers have propelled fashion from an elite craft into a cornerstone of contemporary popular culture. This brilliantly written analysis of the achievements of the 50 greatest names in international fashion explores their lives, both personal and professional, drawing on the latest academic research and on the best of fashion journalism, including the authors' own interviews with designers spanning a 30-year period.The designers' working methods and career highlights are outlined in detailed and wittily written entries that capture the spirit of their times. From Poiret and Patou to Gernreich and Galliano, the sometimes provocative selection of 50 names poses stimulating questions about the definition of a fashion designer in the modern era. A ground-breaking book, this is a definitive introduction to fashion designers that is essential reading for both students and general readers alike"--Provided by publisher.