Famous American Fashion Designers
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Anyone who has ever flipped through the pages of the fashion magazines will know the Pradas, the Laurens, the Armanis, the Vuittons and the DGs of the fashion diaspora. These designers, who dominate world runways, ramps and the wardrobes of the rich and the elite, are the biggest names in fashion. Sure, the clothes they design are iconic. But what truly makes them a brand name to reckon with is the style, panache and the sheer passion with which they fashion a cloth. Oozing refinement and sophistication, these designers are responsible for making everyone — from page three celebs and movie stars to entrepreneurs and first ladies of the land, look good and turn heads. They are the ones who kick off a trend, who tell you what is in vogue and what is a passé. Their designed dresses are not merely apparels but a way of life. Possibly that justifies the exorbitant price that comes tagged with every garment. If you too vie for a slice of la dolce vita, then reading their inspiring biographies of America's famous fashion designers and exploring their timeline, trivia, and facts would answer your questions on why these designers are considered as high and mighty of fashion.
Vote for Your Favourite American Fashion Designers
1
Ralph Lauren(Fashion Designer, Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of the ‘Ralph Lauren Corporation’)
Birthdate: October 14, 1939
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York City, United States
Fashion designer and businessman Ralph Lauren is the founder of the Ralph Lauren Corporation, a global multibillion-dollar fashion enterprise. Beginning his career as a salesman for a tie company, he went on to launch his own fashion lines and established himself as a popular name in the fashion industry within years. He is known to be a generous philanthropist.
2
Virgil Abloh
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: September 30, 1980
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
Virgil Abloh is not just a designer but also a qualified architect. He has been a DJ, too. Apart from heading Louis Vuitton's menswear collection as its artistic director, he also became the first Black designer to lead a major fashion brand. He has also launched the luxury streetwear label Off-White.
3
Kate Spade(Fashion Designer, Founder and Co-Owner of the Designer Brand ‘Kate Spade New York’)
Birthdate: December 24, 1962
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Died: June 5, 2018
Kate Spade was an American entrepreneur and fashion designer. Spade is credited with founding Kate Spade New York, a popular luxury fashion design house, which competes with the likes of Michael Kors. Kate Spade is also credited with creating stylish and affordable handbags that caused quite a revolution in the fashion world.
4
Tom Ford(Fashion Designer & Founder of His Eponymous Luxury Brand 'Tom Ford')
Birthdate: August 27, 1961
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Austin, Texas, United States
Tom Ford is an American fashion designer. During his time as the creative director at Gucci, Ford saved the fashion house from near bankruptcy and turned it into a powerhouse. In 2006, he established his eponymous luxury brand and has since been referred to as a style icon and fashion icon; he was named in All-TIME 100 Fashion Icons list.
5
Halston
(Fashion Designer)
Birthdate: April 23, 1932
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Died: March 26, 1990
Designer Halston began his career designing hats for American milliner Lilly Daché. He is primarily remembered for pioneering cashmere, or Ultrasued, in the mid-1970s. Known for his party-loving personality, he popularized the halter dress for women. He was also known for his homosexual relationship with Victor Hugo.
6
Tommy Hilfiger(American Fashion Designer and Founder of ‘Tommy Hilfiger Corporation’)
Birthdate: March 24, 1951
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Elmira, New York, United States
Thomas Jacob Hilfiger, better known as Tommy Hilfiger, is a legendary fashion designer who has gained worldwide fame with his eponymous fashion line. He had begun his career with the fashion chain People's Place. His brand is now owned by Phillips-Van Heusen, though he remains its chief designer.
7
Calvin Klein(American Fashion Designer and Founder of 'Calvin Klein Inc')
Birthdate: November 19, 1942
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, United States
Known for designing tight-fitting signature jeans, the award-winning American designer is the co-founder of the New York-headquartered fashion brand 'Calvin Klein Inc'. Calvin Klein featured in The International Best-Dressed Hall of Fame. Father of noted television producer, Marci Klein, Calvin has funded Democratic Party candidates and made financial contributions to the Political Action Committee.
8
Mary-Kate Olsen(American Former Child Actress and Fashion Designer Known for Her Role in the Sitcom 'Full House')
Birthdate: June 13, 1986
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, United States
Mary-Kate Olsen began her career when she was 9 months old, starring in Full House with her twin, Ashley. Since then, the Olsen twins have starred in several Dualstar productions, launched a fashion brand, and written a book. Mary-Kate is also a competitive equestrian and has struggled with anorexia nervosa.
9
Ashley Olsen(American Businesswoman, Fashion Designer and Former Actress)
Birthdate: June 13, 1986
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, United States
Ashley Olsen is best known for appearing as Michelle Tanner, with her twin sister, Mary-Kate, in the hit sitcom Full House. The sisters starred in many projects of Dualstar Entertainment. They now own a number of fashion brands and have also co-written a book based on fashion.
Birthdate: August 9, 1959
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Long Island, New York, United States
11
Vera Wang
(Fashion Designer Known for Balancing Modern Designs with Traditional Elegance)
Birthdate: June 27, 1949
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Beginning her career as an editor for Vogue, American fashion designer Vera Wang began to work independently at the age of forty, designing wedding dresses, evening gowns and figure skating costumes for her celebrity patrons, eventually opening retail stores in several big cities across the world. Also a successful figure skater, she competed at the 1968 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Birthdate: July 10, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Abilene, Texas, United States
Jessica Simpson is an American singer, fashion designer, and actress. Her journey from being a teen idol to a sex symbol has been quite inspirational so far. Also a well-known philanthropist, Jessica Simpson has worked with several nonprofit organizations, such as Make-A-Wish Foundation. She has also performed at many benefit concerts.
Birthdate: March 18, 1963
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, United States
14
Gloria Vanderbilt(Artist and Fashion Designer Best Remembered for her Custody Battle)
Birthdate: February 20, 1924
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: June 17, 2019
Gloria Vanderbilt was an American fashion designer, actress, author, and socialite. As a child, she was subjected to a child custody trial, which the press named trial of the century due to its high-profile nature. As a designer, Vanderbilt is credited with developing and popularizing designer blue jeans. She also launched a line of household goods and perfumes.
15
Mena Suvari(Best Known for Starring in Films Like ‘American Beauty’ and ‘American Pie’)
Birthdate: February 13, 1979
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Newport, Rhode Island, United States
Mena Suvari soared to fame with her SAG Award-winning role of Angela Hayes in American Beauty. Fans also loved her in the American Pie movies and the horror anthology American Horror Story. She also appeared as Edie in Six Feet Under. Mena endorses Lancôme cosmetics and uses cruelty-free products only.
16
Chloë Sevigny(Actress, Model & Filmmaker Known for Her Work in Independent Films)
Birthdate: November 18, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
Chloë Sevigny is an American actress known for playing important roles in experimental or controversial independent films. Also a model and fashion designer, Chloë Sevigny is widely regarded as a style icon, thanks to her alternative fashion sense. She has also released many clothing lines designed by herself!
Birthdate: December 31, 1946
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
18
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe
(Actress)
Birthdate: October 10, 1978
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cliffwood Beach, New Jersey, United States
19
Tan France(British-American Fashion Designer and Host of the Web Series ‘Dressing Funny’ and ‘Next In Fashion’)
Birthdate: April 20, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Doncaster, England, United Kingdom
British-Pakistani-American fashion designer Tanveer Wasim France, or Tan France, broke barriers by becoming one of the first openly gay South Asian and Muslim men on American TV. He soared to fame with shows such as Queer Eye, Dressing Funny, and Next In Fashion. He has also released a memoir.
20
Steve Madden
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: 1958 AD
Birthplace: Far Rockaway, New York, United States
Birthdate: August 20, 1979
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA
Birthdate: October 15, 1977
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Long Beach, California, USA
Jarrod Schulz went from being a sales manager of a carpet-cleaning company to a reality star, when he soared to fame with the A&E reality show Storage Wars, with his girlfriend, Brandi Passante. Schulz and Passante also starred in the spin-off, Brandi & Jarrod: Married to the Job.
23
Mossimo Giannulli(American Fashion Designer and Founder of the Clothing Company ‘Mossimo’)
Birthdate: June 4, 1963
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: California
Mossimo Giannulli is an American fashion designer. He is credited with founding a mid-range clothing company named Mossimo, which specializes in teenage and youth clothing. Mossimo Giannulli stirred controversy in 2019 when he was arrested in connection with the college bribery scandal. In 2020, he was asked to cough up $250,000 fine and sentenced to five months in prison.
24
Tina Knowles(Businesswoman & Founder of the Fashion Brand ''House of Deréon')
Birthdate: January 4, 1954
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Galveston, Texas, United States
Tina Knowles is an American fashion designer and businesswoman. In 2004, she launched House of Deréon, a now-defunct ready-to-wear fashion line. While her fashion brands, such as Miss Tina and House of Deréon, have been generally regarded as one of her most important contributions, her biggest contribution to the society is letting her daughters, Beyoncé and Solange ,follow their passion.
Birthdate: November 18, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Annapolis, Maryland, United States
Birthdate: March 2, 1984
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sacramento County, California, U.S.
27
Marc Jacobs
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: April 9, 1963
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Birthdate: January 15, 1974
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: San Bernardino County, California, United States
29
LisaRaye McCoy(Best Known for Her Role as Diamond in Film ‘The Players Club’)
Birthdate: September 23, 1967
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
LisaRaye McCoy is best known as Diana "Diamond" Armstrong from The Players Club. Fans also loved her as Neesee James in All of Us and as Keisha Greene in Single Ladies. She has earlier served as the First Lady of Turks and Caicos, as the wife of Premier Michael Misick.
30
Carson Kressley(American Television Personality, Actor, and Designer Known for His TV Series ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’)
Birthdate: November 11, 1969
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States
31
Donna Karan
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: October 2, 1948
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York City
32
Zac Posen
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: October 24, 1980
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
33
Samaire Armstrong
(Actress)
Birthdate: October 31, 1980
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
34
Olivia Palermo
(American Socialite, Model and Fashion Influencer)
Birthdate: February 28, 1986
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Olivia Palermo is an American fashion influencer, socialite, model, entrepreneur, and television personality. Palermo made headlines in 2007 when she sued socialiterank.com for false news. As a model, Olivia Palermo has appeared on the cover of popular magazines like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and L'Officiel. Olivia Palermo has also been the face of brands like Banana Republic, Aerin, and Max&Co.
35
Whitney Port
(Television personality)
Birthdate: March 4, 1985
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Birthdate: March 13, 1959
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
37
Betsey Johnson
(Costume designer)
Birthdate: August 10, 1942
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Wethersfield
38
Aubrey O'Day
(Singer-songwriter)
Birthdate: February 11, 1984
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States
39
Alexander Wang
(Fashion designer)
Birthdate: December 26, 1983
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States
40
Georgia May Jagger
(Fashion Model and Designer)
Birthdate: January 12, 1992
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: West End, London, England
Born to Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger and supermodel Jerry Hall, Georgia May Jagger was no stranger to the entertainment world in childhood. Now a popular model in her own right, she has promoted many brands such as Hudson Jeans and Louis Vuitton. She has also ventured into designing.
Birthdate: July 18, 1964
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ocean Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey
Wendy Williams is an American media personality, businesswoman, television host, and author. She was the subject of a TV series titled The Wendy Williams Experience, which chronicles her work as a radio show host and her on-air spats with celebrities. As a businesswoman, Williams has created several product lines, including a jewelry collection, a fashion line, and a wig line.
Birthdate: October 15, 1990
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas
Born to a Korean-Japanese mother and an American father, Kiko Mizuhara plunged into modeling after winning a Seventeen Japan contest. After winning hearts in the Japanese modeling circuit, she became a Chanel ambassador. Her designs, made in collaboration with Opening Ceremony, have been worn by artists such as Beyoncé.
Birthdate: August 30, 1966
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Evansville, Indiana, USA
44
Edwin Schlossberg(American Designer, Author, and Artist Who Specializes in Designing Interactive Experiences)
Birthdate: July 19, 1945
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Artist and interactive designer Edwin Schlossberg is the husband of John F. Kennedy’s daughter Caroline Kennedy. Apart from designing structures such as Terrell Place, He has also authored several books, including Interactive Excellence and Einstein and Beckett. He has been part of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, too.
Birthdate: June 17, 1966
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, United States
Birthdate: April 28, 1964
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Died: March 17, 2014
47
Rick Owens
(Edgy fashion designer who became known for his many labels: Rick Owens, Palais Royal, DRKSHDW, and RickOwensLilies)
Birthdate: November 18, 1962
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Porterville, California, United States
Birthdate: March 10, 1992
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: New York City, United States
Fashion designer and stylist, Natali Germanotta, worked as a stylist on set for the film A Star Is Born. She is the sister of actress and singer, Lady Gaga. She studied fashion at Parsons School of Design. She often works with Lady Gaga and has designed clothes for her. She appeared as herself in a documentary film about her sister.
Birthdate: November 20, 1975
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Rochester, New York, USA
50
Julia Haart
(CEO of Elite World Group)
Birthdate: April 11, 1971
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia