March 24, 2017
9 Nasty Women Who Made Fashion History
In honor of International Women's Day 2017 and Women EVERYDAY, I have put together a list of the women who started it all and changed women's fashion through the past century, and the female forces that are still leading and empowering the fashion industry today:
The following are just a few iconic female designers and the eponymous labels they opened through history:
Jeanne Lanvin (1889), Coco Chanel (1909), Madeleine Vionnet (1912), Elsa Schiaparelli (1927), Nina Ricci (1932), and Marie-Louise Carven (1945).
These women were tired of the clothing options available at their time, saw business opportunities, and decided to do what they wanted for themselves and women throughout the world. The designs and aesthetics we consume today are continuations of the values and aesthetic each founder instilled in the industry and fashion houses.
Jeanne Lanvin
One of the earliest female entrepreneurs in fashion, Jeanne Lanvin, opened a millinery house in 1889. The house of Lanvin is still prominent on the runways today.
Gabriel Coco Chanel
She had many firsts for female designers LBD, Iconic 2.55 quilted handbag- still sought after over 50 years later. Credited with liberating females from the norm, Gabriel Coco Chanel created a more casual, sporty look which is now still considered standard. Gabriel Coco Chanel not only became successful after being raised in an orphanage in the late 1800s, but she used her experience there as inspiration to create one of the most sought after bags in fashion history!
She continued to expand her brand throughout the years and is still an icon to women everywhere.
Fashion has a place for women, not just selling to women. This is more than relevant today. Current female designers that a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
These women's fashion labels span from ready to wear jewelry, accessories, handbags and list goes on.
Maria Grazia Chiuri
Dior's First Female Creative Director in the fashion house's 70-year history. She made her debut with a feminist-inspired collection for Spring 2017. Her main goal was to celebrate women.
"WHEN WOMEN UNITE, BIG THINGS HAPPEN".
Clare Waight Keller
Former Chloe designer, Waight Keller will become Givenchy's next and First Artistic Director.Celebrating Givenchy's 65th anniversary, Waight Keller will take over the creative helm.“Fashion has, in recent history, been about a fantasy or concept and not about the reality of how women dress,” Waight Keller says. “Women are more independent, well-traveled and knowledgeable than ever before and want to make their own choices about fashion. It’s no longer about a single trend or voice.”
Phoebe Philo
Celine's Creative Director since 2008, Philo knows what women want and it shows. Women are flocking to anything Celine.
The Celine Tote became coveted and highly carried, and quickly reached ‘IT BAG’ status.
Philo has long been a style icon for women, her clothes and handbags are current, wearable and represent what happens in life.
Stella McCartney
McCartney, a stellar designer, campaigns for animal rights, breast-cancer awareness, and against domestic abuse—so it’s not surprising that politics is front and center for her right now.
McCartney has managed, in business as well as in her personal life, to stick to her beliefs, refusing to use leather or fur in her products. “I have been told many times by various people that I would never have a successful accessories business,” she recalls with a wry smile. “But we now have more iconic bags and shoes than many leather houses. The main thing is to create a beautiful, desirable bag that doesn’t compromise style but is for the conscious consumer.”
Miuccia Prada
Miuccia's professional beginning started in Milan in 1970's when being a woman in fashion was something to fight for. On top of that, add in that it was a time of radicalism and Prada herself being a Marxist and feminist. However, she managed to use this to her advantage and aesthetic, growing her billion-dollar empire of Prada and Miu Miu from her personal worldview.
Paloma Picasso
Paloma is an Italian jewelry designer, and daughter of artist-Pablo Picasso. She revolutionized the industry with her simple, timeless aesthetic. She was first commissioned by long-time friend, Yves Saint Laurent. She then started working exclusively for Tiffany & Co. in 1980.
Some of her most famous designs remain icons today, from the Tiffany & Co. teardrop to the round pendant necklace.
Elsa Peretti
Peretti is a jewelry designer, former model and philanthropist. She was a NYC "it girl" and highly sought after model. She then started designing jewelry.
She joined and created for Tiffany & Co. in 1974. Her organic, slick, sexy and youthful forms revolutionized jewelry design.
Being fashionable is more than keeping up with the latest trends. It is a vital role to showcase women's empowerment. It is the way we can express who we are as a person, show our creativity, views, and strong will!
#NastyWoman #NastyWomenUnite #WomensEmpowerment #2017
-Lisa Edge-