The world of fashion is built upon a rich tapestry of history. Over the past century alone the world has witnessed many pioneering and immensely talented designers who have influenced the way we dress today.
There are a great number of iconic male fashion designers who have not only impacted men’s clothing but women’s clothing, too. Learn about 10 of fashion’s most famous mavericks below. (List in no particular order.)
- Gianni Versace (1946 – 1997)
Gianni Versace (sister of designer Donatella Versace) was an Italian fashion designer and founder of the eponymous iconic fashion house, Versace. He is known for his glamorous, luxurious and daring designs, and through his friendships with famous pop stars such as Madonna, Cher and Elton John in the 1980s and 1990s, he was one of the first to incorporate high fashion into the music scene.
- Oscar de la Renta (1932 – 2014)
Oscar de la Renta was an award-winning Dominican-American fashion designer who became internationally recognised in the 1960s for dressing First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. He worked with French fashion houses Balmain and Lanvin as well as designing for his eponymous fashion label, Oscar Renta. His designs are adored by celebrities and royalty the world over.
- Tom Ford (1961 – )
Tom Ford is an American fashion designer and filmmaker. He was the creative director of luxury fashion houses Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci before launching his own eponymous label in 2006, which has dressed some of the world’s most rich and famous. Ford also directed, produced and adapted the screenplay of Academy-nominated films A Single Man (2009) and Nocturnal Animals (2016).
- Christian Dior (1905 – 1957)
Christian Dior is one of the world’s most influential fashion designers. Born in France, he founded the fashion house Christian Dior, which garnered international recognition in the 1940s and 1950s after World War II. Aside from fashion, the Dior name has also manufactured some of the world’s most luxury cosmetics and perfume.
- Marc Jacobs (1963 – )
Marc Jacobs is an American fashion designer best known for being the head designer for his own label, Marc Jacobs, which first launched in 1986. He is perhaps best known for influencing the “grunge” era in 1990. He was also the creative director of fashion house Louis Vuitton from 1997 to 2014.
- Tommy Hilfiger (1951 – )
Tommy Hilfiger is an American fashion designer who began designing menswear for his eponymous label in the 1980s before moving into womenswear. His signature style is preppy and he uses his iconic red, white and blue tag throughout his designs.
- Giorgio Armani (1934 – )
Giorgio Armani has been touted as the world’s most successful Italian menswear designer. He launched his company Armani in 1975 and is considered the most influential menswear red carpet designer. His style is luxurious, clean-cut and tailored.
- Alexander McQueen (1969 – 2010)
Alexander McQueen (born Lee Alexander McQueen), CBE was a British fashion designer who founded his eponymous label in 1992 and worked as chief designer for Givenchy from 1996 – 2001. He awarded British Designer of the Year in 1996, 1997, 2001 and 2003, and in 2003 he was also awarded the CDFA’s International Designer of the Year. His style features gothic motifs and is considered innovative and boundary-breaking.
- Calvin Klein (1942 – )
Calvin Klein is an American fashion designer whose internationally adored company Calvin Klein (launched in 1968) sells womens’ and mens’ apparel, jewellery, watches. Klein is perhaps best-known for his underwear campaigns which have been heavily endorsed by famous celebrities and models since the 1990s, including Kate Moss, Brooklyn Beckham, the Kardashian-Jenners, Justin Bieber and more.
- Karl Lagerfeld (1933 – 2019)
Karl Lagerfeld was a legendary German fashion designer, photographer and artist. He was the creative director of the French fashion house Chanel since 1983 and the creative director of the Italian fashion house Fendi since 1967. He also owned his own eponymous label. He is best-known for reviving Chanel and for his iconic work with fur.
