Still In Fashion
Much like fast fashion, what’s trendy one day can be last year’s news in no time. With that in mind, the industry can seem like a revolving door, with new names appearing while old names are famous. To help you keep on top of what’s hot in the industry, here’s a rundown on designers that stand the test of time, and those that don’t.
1. Kim Jones
Kim Jones is a well-renowned English fashion designer for Dior Homme and Fendi. Since the debut of his first collection in 2018’s Men’s Fashion Week in Paris, people just can’t get enough of his blend of “luxury” and “streetwear.” With awards such as the Trailblazer Award from the British Fashion Council in 2018 and the ELLE Style Award for Designer of the Year in 2023, Kim Jones doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Kürschner (talk) 15:15, 28 October 2022 (UTC) on Wikimedia
2. Raf Simons
This famous Belgian fashion designer started building his brand way back in 1995, and he is still at the top of his game. Simons’ fashion style captures the essence of youth, combining his knowledge of industrial design with his firm belief in self-expression. His designs push the bounds of what clothing can represent and have been worn by a number of celebrities, such as Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.
3. Miuccia Prada
Miuccia Prada is an Italian staple of fashion. Her brand, Prada, is highly regarded and well respected in the fashion world for its minimalist, luxury design, with a focus on clean lines, simple shapes, and high-quality materials. Prada’s leather handbags, shoes, travel accessories, eyewear, and even fragrances, are an icon recognized by anyone across the world.
Pavel Gromov (Pagan) on Wikimedia
4. Daniel Lee
From advisor to Chief Creative Officer, Lee has made a name for himself as a highly praised designer for Burberry. Lee introduced a successful line of accessories that modernized the brand’s famous leather weaving technique to create durable and textured high-quality fashion pieces. As a master of reinvention, Lee continues to be at the top of his fashion game.
5. Virgil Abloh
Abloh was an iconic American fashion designer who brought “Off-White” into the fashion world. Abloh’s ability to challenge traditional fashion norms bridged the gap between luxury and streetwear. His legacy challenges the fashion world to rethink the boundaries of creativity.
6. Alessandro Michele
Best known for his work at Gucci, Michele’s maximalist designs are considered to have brought fashion into a new era. Referring to himself as an art archaeologist, Michele says that clothes are meaningless without a historic context. With the Geek-Chic aesthetic, Michele earned his title as Valentino’s creative director in 2024.
Johanne Pold Jacobsen on Unsplash
7. Jonathan Anderson
Jonathan Anderson is a fashion staple from the UK. Despite being diagnosed with severe dyslexia early on, Anderson made a name for himself in 2008 by launching his own menswear collection and even being recognized by the British Fashion Council as an up-and-coming fashion designer. With celebrities and moviemakers using his line of clothing, Anderson’s brand has seen worldwide recognition.
8. Phoebe Philo
Influenced by minimalism in fashion, Philo developed a loyal following with her modern wearables. She has worked with brands such as Chloe and Celine. As one of the rare women who owns her own clothing brand, Philo is undoubtedly a gem in the fashion world.
9. Riccardo Tisci
This Italian fashion designer made his mark as the creative director of Burberry. Under his supervision, Burberry made bold shifts toward dark gothic charms and modern silhouettes. While he prefers to focus on personal projects nowadays, his influence continues to guide Burberry and solidify its standing as a fashion giant.
10. Pierpaolo Picciolio
Italy is just full of high-performing fashion designers, and Pierpaolo Piccioli is another one to add to the list. Best known for his work leading the Couture Department at the Valentino House, he has built up everyday items from T-shirts to opera coats.
Now that we have discussed some of the strongest names continuing to thrive in the fashion industry, here's a list of 10 unfortunate designers whose glory days are behind them.
1. Marc Jacobs
Most people are familiar with the name Marc Jacobs; however, the once-renowned fashion brand has hit a bit of a cold spell. Many complain that the brand has lost its way and feels more like a business than a fashion house. The younger generation just isn’t as excited by the forgettable looks.
2. Donna Karan
Despite being once hailed as the Queen of American fashion, in current times, Donna Karan simply hasn’t held up. In fact, she had it a long time coming, as her work started to show slowing in 1996, probably having to do with key business decisions when the company went public.
JD Lasica from Pleasanton, CA, US on Wikimedia
3. John Galliano
Many people consider the rise and fall of John Galliano to be similar to a drama. He started off strong working with brands like Dior but was later dismissed due to some less-than-ethical comments. Sometimes your image is more important than the work you produce, and Galliano’s terrible personality cost him everything.
Patrick from Compiègne, France on Wikimedia
4. Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein was definitely one of the biggest brands in the 90s, but things change with time. While the prices continue to remain high, the quality and innovation simply aren’t there anymore. The company has been experiencing notable decreases in revenue, and the newer generation simply isn’t interested.
5. Tommy Hilfiger
Despite having a popular brand, Tommy Hilfiger’s work began to decline as early as the late 90s. The company experienced issues with distribution, and to this day, they fail to change and adapt to modern times. The clothes simply feel like a fossil in today’s bustling era.
Kunstakademiets Designskole on Wikimedia
6. Zac Posen
You might not have heard of Zac Posen’s brand, but for a while, it gained prominence for its inclusions in red-carpet events. However, the designer has lamented having to shut down his business due to financial struggles and creative challenges. Even the high-profile collaborations can’t save him now.
Arthur from Westchester County north of NYC, USA, at [email protected] on Wikimedia
7. Herve Leger
This French fashion house made waves redesigning a Chanel silhouette and working alongside Lagerfeld. However, constant struggles to solidify an identity and the changing of hands have left this designer’s legacy a little questionable.
8. Betsey Johnson
Initially, Betsey Johnson invigorated the American fashion industry with her whimsical and over-the-top designs. However, her brand has declined since its peak in the 70s. In fact, the company had to file for bankruptcy, as the older designer has shifted her focus to other things.
9. Roberto Cavalli
This is another Italian fashion house which faced eventual bankruptcy, leading to the end of all North American operations. Unfortunately, the one adored designer lost the battle with age; however, even before his passing, the company was struggling with debt and image.
Ed Kavishe for http://www.fashionwirepress.com/ on Wikimedia
10. Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang stood out in the fashion field due to his ability to blend skilled craftsmanship with bold design. However, fans soon found out about his troubling and dangerous behavior, and he quickly lost his reputation. Rather than focus on high couture, Wang should have prioritized being a decent human being first.
