Pictured above: Christopher Kane bag from his collaboration with Versace, Close-up shot from Marc Jacobs Spring 2008, and Close-up shot from Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2008
Now, when I had to think of three designers, whom I admire the most, I knew exactly who to chose. One is an American man who lived in Teaneck New Jersey as a boy. His eye for style eventually lead him to become the head designer for a French fashion house that's perhaps the biggest luxury brand in the world. Another is an Italian man, who made his first sketches for his older sisters, now he is designing for one of the most legendary French names in high-fashion. Lastly, we have the son of an engineer and a housewife. This up-in-coming British designer is quickly becoming a major force in the fashion industry. Compared to a young Gianni Versace by Donatella herself - this man is surely going to become one of the next big stars in high-fashion.
1. Marc Jacobs
Pictured above: Marc Jacobs on the cover of Interview Magazine. (My favorite cover of any magazine)
Marc Jacobs represents the American dream in a way. His customers are in love with his unique take on fashion - a view unlike the majority of American-born designers. He has become famous for the idea of taking something classic and traditional and essentially renovating it with a modern edge, and a twist of that sense of rebellion he has become known for - ultimately creating a somewhat awkward take on beauty and sophistication, that can only be labeled as Marc Jacobs. Born in 1963, Marc was raised by his mother in New Jersey, Jacobs seamed to be inspired by New Jersey's next-door neighbor New York City - and was destined to be in that New York atmosphere. He has said that he used to visit Studio 54 - and was determined to be the youngest person let into the club - unfortunately Drew Barrymore beat him to it. After attending an arts High School in New York City in 1981, Marc Jacobs began studying at Parsons The New School For Design. From there, he won many awards including the Design Student of the Year Award. Jacobs produced his first collection featuring oversized sweaters - the collection is what landed him a job designing for Perry Ellis. Marc spent a few years designing for Perry Ellis until 1993. His now famous, "grunge" collection is what lead to his departure from the brand. In the early nineties, fashion was still 1980's glam. Even though a new decade had begun, you'd open up a magazine and still see lots of makeup, big hair, sequins etc.. It wasn't until Marc Jacobs decided to go for a new look - inspired by the Seattle music scene -that things slowly started to change. His "grunge" collection, featuring oversized flannel shirts, beanie hats, and worker boots was a critical success, but a disaster commercially. A lot of people in the mainstream of society weren't ready for this new look at the time. After struggling for a while, Marc was able to create his own namesake brand - Marc Jacobs - which has become hugely successful. Later on, in 1997 Marc was offered by LVMH to design ready-to-wear collections for their luxury brand Louis Vuitton. Up until he was appointed Creative Director of the house, the brand had only really produced luggage and handbags. Now, Marc's success continues to reach new heights and his creativity is more evident in each of his collections for not only his namesake brand; Marc Jacobs, but also for his secondary - more affordable line - Marc by Marc Jacobs (in which he started a few years after taking on the position at Louis Vuitton), and his work for Louis Vuitton.
Pictured above: Marc in 1993 along side two models, dressed in his now legendary grunge collection.
Pictured above: Outfit from Marc Jacobs Fall 2008, and evening dress from Louis Vuitton Fall 2008
Above, you see pieces from two of my favorite collections designed by Marc; Marc Jacobs Fall 2008, and Louis Vuitton Fall 2008. Marc Jacobs' collection for his namesake brand for the Fall 2008 season is my top favorite of his though. The reason I love it so much is because it's purely Marc. It's the perfect demonstration of his design aesthetic. He took old styles - you can spot so many different references in that collection - and transformed them into something very Aujourd'hui. Above, you see an almost antique-like faded peach colored feather headpiece and a rendition of a sort of Victorian-inspired ruffled blouse. On paper, it sounds like something extremely elegant, yet the way Marc Jacobs, shall I say, manipulates it, the look actually becomes extremely severe, edgy, and a bit rebellious in a way.
2. Stefano Pilati
Pictured above: Stefano Pilati on the cover of I-D Magazine alongside his muse Naomi Campbell.
Stefano Pilati was born in Italy in 1965. He has had a love for fashion since he was a boy - when he used to sketch fashion illustration for his older sisters. He completed at internship at Cerruti while studying environmental design in the 80's. Later on, in the early nineties, Stefano began working for Armani as a menswear assistant. In 1995 he then switched over to another company - Miu Miu. There, as a part of the Prada Group, Pilati designed for men's and women's collections for Miu Miu. In March of 2000, Stefano Pilati first joined the house of Yves Saint Laurent where he held a position right under then, designer for the house - Tom Ford. Now, since Tom left in 2004 Stefano Pilati remains the creative force behind this legendary French fashion house, creating incredibly innovative collections each season.
Pictured above: outfit from Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2008, dress from Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2008
I loved Stefano Pilati's work for both the Fall 2008, and the Spring 2008 season. Above you see a beautifully crafted somber black look on Natasha Poly, with a touch of personality in those shiny gold platforms. For the dress on the right from his Spring 2008 season, it is demonstrated that Stefano Pilati has a wide variety of feelings that he puts into each piece. He can create the darkest, most morose - yet strangely seductive almost all-black collection for fall, or he can make a feminine silver day dress with colorful sparkly stars - and yet, despite the differences, Stefano still manages to keep a style that is all his - when designing. Keeping your very own style when designing such different things, is something that not many designers can accomplish.
3. Christopher Kane
Pictured above: Christopher Kane in an editorial for Interview Magazine
One of the most talented fashion-newcomers today, Christopher Kane already famous for his fresh view on fashion in general, and his impeccable tailoring skills is taking over the world of fashion - at just 26 years old. Born in Glasgow, Christopher Kane was the youngest of five children. His mother was a housewife, and his father was an engineer and draughtsman. Just years ago, while still at college Kane took on jobs working for fellow designers including Giles Deacon. His work there, caught the eye of Donatella Versace. After winning numerous design awards including the Harrods Design Award, he was immediately hired to work for Versace's Atelier Couture collection as well as consulting on shoes and accessories. Now, after starting his own namesake line, Christopher Kane is still involved with Versace, collaborating on Donatella's more affordable line - Versus, as well as collaborating with many other companies including Manolo Blahnik, Top Shop and more. Christopher Kane's career is sky-rocketing fast because of his extremely evident talent and drive. Donatella Versace - herself - has compared Kane to a young Gianni.
Pictured above: Dress from Christopher Kane's Spring 2009 collection, and outfit from Christopher Kane's Fall 2008 collection.
Christopher Kane is a master when it comes to silhouettes. In each and every single one of his looks from his Spring 2009 and Fall 2008 collections there are very shapely, modern silhouettes. Whether it's a boxy gown the shape of a rectangle, or pants with a repeating circle shape at the seam - Christopher Kane's clothing are what fashion should be. Real fashion should look interesting at every angle - that's what runway shows are for - to see the different angles when the model is walking, and with Christopher Kane's shapes, details and silhouettes you could stare at some of his pieces every time you visit Style.com and not get bored. His tailoring skills are just incredible, and his mind is one of a fashion genius.
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