Top Four Designers of the Decade!
January 5, 2010 § 2 Comments
Anybody who knows me knows that I hate end-of-the-year listicles. But! having a list of the hottest designers of the decade is so much more fabulous than an ordinary list. It is a service to mankind. You’re welcome!
So who were those iconic designers who defined a cultural moment in the 21st century, who could release a line of couture toilet paper that would sell-out in seconds and still have a 6-month wait list?
Find out below!
_ALEXANDER WANG_
You’d never guess that Alexander Wang only launched his line in 2007. This F.I.T. drop-out won the Council of Fashion Designers of America CFDA Designer of the Year Award in 2008 and, more importantly, his “It” bags sell out even before they are, like, actually made! Wang is known for a kind of masculine, urban chic aesthetic. Sally Singer of Vogue calls it “humorously slutty.” Plus, he’s kind of adorable: “It’s, like, weird to see my name on things,” the designer has said.
_RODARTE_
I am obsessed with the newly released distressed Rodarte mens crewneck sweater! Also, I now have a tough choice to make: two months of rent OR a Rodarte?! Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the brains behind this red hot brand, launched the label in 2005. And since then they, too, have won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award. And when Anna is behind your label, you’re instantly famous. Just say the name aloud … “Rodarte.” Doesn’t it just sound fabulous? Apparently so! Everybody wears it – including Michelle Obama! And now, you can get it at Target!
_HEDI SLIMANE_
This French dude completely changed mens fashion in the 21st century by making it, like, exciting! He created the Dior Homme label for Christian Dior in 2003, and immediately rose to fashion stardom. Hedi fused fashion and rock and roll, giving an androgynous, chic edge to menswear. Think Balmain – but for men. He dressed every indie rock band you’ve ever heard of, put dudes in voluminous swaths of black fabric, leather jackets, skinny ties, high heels, sparkly jackets, and super skinny jeans. That’s right, if you’re a dude and you’re wearing skinny pants right now, you can thank Hedi! Too bad he left Dior in 2007, leaving the House of Dior to crumble in the untalented hands of Kris Van Assche.
_JOHN GALLIANO_
A Christian Dior show is always the height of Paris Fashion Week. What will Galliano do THIS TIME? So much theatre, so much glamour, such high heels!!! Do I really need to say anything else?
So, that’s it! Who are YOUR favorites?
Interesting, Madison…
Some folks I would put down (right now, at 12.47 am on a Tuesday morning) would be:
Alber Elbaz
Jil Sander
Nicolas Ghesquiere
Martin Margiela
This is all correct, and I love all these labels – Balenciaga and Lanvin being total favorites. But you know what? I would put some of these four down on a list of the top designers to rejuvenate a house – you see what i’m saying? i also love gareth pugh, rick owens, and ann. it’s always hard to do a top 5!