Fashion is those preferences that prevail in a particular society. Therefore, fashion varies depending on the continent, nationality, country, and even quarter. In Europe, it is fashionable to be thin, but in Jamaica or South Africa, it is a sign of poverty and disease. In India, women grow their hair, and in the Maasai tribe, a shaved woman is the standard of beauty.
Similar differences apply to the world of clothing and accessories. However, here, in addition to the social environment and geographical location, trends in the development of technologies and lifestyle influence popularity. Therefore, the demand for this or that thing, image, and fabric are rather fleeting. It is believed that fashion trends change every 2-9 years, with new details added to them every year.
For example, who doesn’t remember shiny, tight leggings in the 90s? In the 2020s, fashion has returned, but leggings have been transformed into leggings from more pleasant fabrics in all colors and sizes. Some trends appear and disappear after a year (pleated skirts, leopard slippers), and some, such as jeans, do not go out of fashion for years.
Best Designer Fashion Brands
It is believed that fashion in clothing began to emerge when beauty details began to be actively added to things in addition to the necessary practical parts. And this happened a very long time ago. The first needles date back to 60 thousand years. BC. Already in the Middle Ages, costumes were decorated with embroidery and precious stones. However, these were mostly not sewn in our understanding but pieces of fabric from which tunics, capes, and skirts were formed. The ends of the flaps were fastened with decorations, and sleeves or legs were attached with lacing.
In Europe, only by the 10th century did the profession of tailors appear, who worked with scissors, thread, needles, and sewed suits. And the design of clothes from the back, sleeves, and trousers was formed after the 13th century.
As for the concept of fashion, fashion houses, and shows, they originated towards the end of the 19th century. Here the leadership belongs to the French, or rather, Sir Charles Frederick Worth, who held the first fashion show.
Contemporary top fashion brands represent a delightful fusion of creativity, innovation, and quality, embodying the freshest and most relevant trends in the fashion industry. These iconic brands continually transform themselves, combining unique style, functionality, and comfort to cater to the diverse preferences and needs of modern consumers. From couture houses to popular streetwear labels, contemporary top fashion brands ignite the imagination and stimulate the desire to express oneself through clothing, accessories, and footwear. Delving into the world of these fashion brands, you discover the true art of fashion and style embodied in each unique and up-to-date look.
Alexander McQueen
While developing his brand, the young designer also gained good experience working at Givenchy and Savile Row. Gradually, McQueen developed his unique style, combining confidence, openness, and outrageousness.
The outfits contain elements of the empire style with eye-catching bright shocking details: a voluminous oyster skirt above the knees, shoulders that form a bow, and a dress sewn from small rolls of fabric. This pretentiousness is also visible in the brand’s logo, with a Q resembling a flower and a C inscribed in it.
The combination of the couturier’s talent and the experience of the large company that bought him allowed him to expand the circle of customers, achieve fame, and open mono-brand stores.
After the death of the couturier, who committed suicide in 2010, Sarah Burton, an associate of the master, took his place, successfully continuing the designer’s work. There is more femininity and fluidity in her models; however, a hint of the palace fashion of the past can still be traced.
Balenciaga
Trendsetter with over 100 years of history, member of the Haute Couture Syndicate in Paris. On the design Olympus since 1914. But initially, the founder’s talent was appreciated in Spain when he was 16, and only during World War II did he move to France.
High waist, puffy skirts, stand-up collars, cocoon and barrel dresses, hooded jackets, and shoulder pads in the metro style. However, the ready-to-wear line appeared after the departure of Balenciaga. He worked in high fashion. His unique and unusual outfits were bought only by very famous and wealthy clients. The designer was little known to the layman. A funnel dress or a ball skirt was not suitable for everyday style.
In 1968, the master left fashion, closing his ateliers, and died four years later. Subsequently, his work and ideas were continued by followers in 1986. They made the designer’s ideas available to most buyers. Extravagance and unusual shapes are captured in the brand logo in the form of two letters B, looking in different directions.
Balmain
The house creates creative and colorful outfits with a tightened waist for bright and confident personalities. You can’t wear stuff like that in the city. Sets are ordered from the designer for special occasions. It is difficult to go unnoticed in creations from Balmain. Embossed materials, high-gloss finishes, and avant-garde designs. Hepburn, Lauren, and Dietrich appreciated the images from the fashion house. A similar direction in clothing even got its name, “Jolie Madam.”
Bottega Veneta
One of the unique brands without a logo. Actually, the brand had practically no name. “Workshop in Veneto” (region of Italy). Just a workshop. The tannery, launched in 1966, sewed products and accessories for other brands, so it did not care much about visual identity and recognizability.
However, everything changed with the release of the first model of the Cabat bag, which brought instant popularity to the company. They did not change their marketing approach after working “for themselves” at Bottega Veneta. No big name, no sign.
The handmade products of the brand are a real hallmark of the Italian manufacturer. The best grades of leather, more than 700 thousand shades, and unusual techniques for forming a web from the interlacing of leather strips distinguish Bottega Veneta products from all designer products.
In addition to bags, suitcases, shoes, and other goods, the brand presented women’s and men’s clothing collections of leather jackets, skirts, and coats, complemented by knitwear, which can be purchased in 140 of the company’s boutiques around the world.
Burberry
A British home with a rich history dating back to 1856. The brand’s founder worked in a fabric store and was well-versed in their properties. Initially, the brand was valued for its quality tailoring and elegant outerwear cut, especially after the invention of the gabardine.
In Burberry boutiques, you can buy coats, raincoats, and trench coats of the brand, accessories with the famous white-black-beige check, jeans, underwear, and cosmetics.
The Burberry logo with a knight on a horse is reminiscent of the glorious time when the house was the official clothing supplier for the British army. This is one of many major achievements. The company received a patent from the royal court twice.
Chanel
All childhood and youth in the orphanage, without maternal influence, education by nuns did not create a prerequisite for developing taste and understanding of fashion. However, this did not stop Gabrielle Chanel from becoming the most famous couturier in the world.
She left the monastery shelter, knowing how to sew and work in a women’s clothing store. A career in a cabaret named Coco helped her acquire the necessary knowledge and acquaintances. Using her charm, with the help of friends and fans, Chanel opened the first store and revolutionized the fashion world.
Even though after Chanel, two equally famous designers replaced her at the head of the house, it is with the name of the immortal Gabrielle that the Chanel brand will always be associated. The two open crossed rings in the logo are the capital letters of the founder’s surname and stage name.
The main direction of the atelier’s work is to make everyday things simple but feminine. A mini dress without decorations and a corset from Coco is considered the standard of elegance and style. For the opportunity to wear skirt suits, ladies should also be grateful to the couturier.
If the style of Chanel in clothes is conciseness, then the smell of the brand’s perfume conveys all the shades of a diverse female nature. Chanel was the first to use many essences in perfume, creating a unique trail.
Clothes, jewelry, handbags, and perfumes of the fashion house can only be purchased in branded boutiques, of which there are 310 worldwide.
Dior
The first Dior collection was presented in the designer’s small studio in 1947. After the war, asceticism, and the decline in fashion, his flared dresses brought a fresh stream to the female image, so they were immediately remembered.
No matter how envious the master was scolded for excessive waste and exorbitant consumption of the canvas; this did not prevent him from receiving female love and multiple orders. A year later, the Dior boutique was already in New York with clothes, furs, bags, and accessories from couturiers.
However, luck did not accompany the house for long. After ten years of work, Dior is dying, taking original ideas with it. Only three years later, Mark Boan took the place of the chief designer, who managed to continue the couturier’s work. His approach attracted celebrity admirers in the form of Lauren and Dietrich.
The brand is based on a sophisticated silhouette, feminine shapes, floral motifs, and long flared skirts. The Dior logo, in the form of elegant letters, perfectly supports the idea of simplicity and elegance.
Dolce & Gabbana
The brand is a joint creation of two designers who named the elite clothing line by their proper names. Popular ripped jeans are the brand idea. The partners brought the underwear to the light, turning it into a visible image detail. Then, on the contrary, having removed it, they offered to put on the suit directly on the naked body. Animal prints are also a brand discovery.
Perhaps the sexuality of the images was inspired by the romantic relationship between Domenico and Stefano, who not only worked but also lived together. In tandem, the designers created lines of perfumes, watches, glasses, and even bicycles and cars. They developed costumes for Madonna’s tour, Houston, Minogue, and uniforms for Milano football players.
A successful partnership is also captured in the company’s logo, which consists of the first letters of the designers’ names.
Interestingly, most of the company’s collections were not sewn by craftsmen but under license by other companies until, in 1999, they acquired a tailoring company.
Fendi
The glamor of fur and leather perfectly reflects the Italian style. Since the opening of the first store, handmade products have immediately gained fans. And after Lagerfeld joined the company, the brand began to flourish. The FF logo was associated with luxury, beauty, and lightness. Closer to the 2000s, handbags became another successful direction for the brand. The Baguette and Spy models are very popular.
Giorgio Armani
The master decided to found a fashion house only at the age of 40. Before that, he worked as a fashion designer in other firms. Armani style is a classic. Elegant trouser suits for men and women, nice silhouettes, no unnecessary details. Models became especially famous after the release of the cult film “Pretty Woman,” where Richard Gere wore them.
Interestingly, the master created models and developed new fabrics for them. The house independently managed the sales system, including the online store. In addition to clothing, Armani took part in the opening of a restaurant and a hotel system and developed designs for luxury cars.
Whatever the creative genius undertook, everywhere he was accompanied by success. The growth and achievements of the brand are confirmed by the logo of an eagle raising its wings in the shape of a symbol of victory – the letter V.
Givenchy
Fashion house Givenchy has never welcomed strange, extravagant clothes. Even though the young Hubert had great respect for the creations of Balenciaga, he was inspired by his example and even worked and lived with the designer.
The clothes of the master, on the contrary, are simple, comfortable, and elegant. For this, she was appreciated by such style standards as Hepburn and Kelly. Givenchy presented his first collection at the age of 25. The world owes his fantasy to sports dresses, wedding dresses with bare shoulders, fluffy floor-length skirts, and small sleeveless dresses.
Givenchy perfumes and cosmetics are no less famous than clothing.
After the sale of the LVMH brand and the departure of the master, the fashion house could not find its ideal designer for a long time. No one lingered on this post and could not feel the well-known style. Until Ricardo Tisci came along.
Inspired by past models, he managed to create clothes in the style of the master but added fatal passion and courage. The Givenchy code of the 4 Gs favored the follower’s work, allowing him to remain at the helm for 12 years.
After the departure of Tisha, the house is again a series of replacements, and it is a launching pad for talented designers. On the one hand, this is a constant influx of fresh ideas; on the other hand, maintaining face and style with such a turnover is problematic.
Gucci
One of the largest fashion houses, second in terms of sales after Louis Vuitton. It has 300 mono-brand stores and representative offices in France, Italy, America, and Britain. It is owned by a large concern Kering and a constellation of famous brands, including Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and McQueen.
Gucci outfits have delighted shoppers for over 100 years. However, the master had been looking for his calling for a long time: the seller of horse harnesses, porter, bellhop, elevator operator. Guccio took on any job. Eighteen years passed before the first products from the designer appeared. But upscale bags, racing clothes, and bridles immediately found their connoisseurs.
The master and his heirs put their whole soul into the work, thought through the steps for the development of the brand to the smallest detail, created a memorable logo from crossed Gs looking in different directions, and purchased the best leather.
Red-and-green braid, which adorned many models of bags and clothes, trousers with stripes, bright colors, and glamorous open evening dresses from the designer, have become firmly established in everyday life. Many stars choose the brand’s outfits for the red carpet.
Hermes
Hermes is one of the houses whose outfits have been in demand for almost 200 years.
The logo with a carriage and a horse communicates the venerable age of the brand and points to the product with which the company’s development began – horse harnesses. Yes, in 1837, the design house was engaged in fashion for horses. And very successful. In 1867, the harness from the founder of the company Thierry Hermes was recognized as the best in the world.
In the 1900s, leather of excellent quality was used in the manufacture of bags, as the first saddle, and from 1920 elegant women’s. By the way, the company is still most famous for its beautiful bags. You can buy some, for example, from the Birkin line, only through the waiting list.
After the expansion went by leaps and bounds: leather jackets, collections of women’s clothing, watches, bracelets, perfumes, and dishes, everywhere the fashion house left a mark.
No less than 13 designers have had a hand in creating the Hermes style over the course of a century. Valuable works of art inspired the models. Therefore, all the company’s proposals are distinguished by elegance and high style. They are sewn from natural materials: ordinary and elite leather (python, ostrich, crocodile), silk, and cotton.
Lanvin
The history of the Lanvin house deserves respect and attention. The company has been famous and popular since 1889. There are only three such old-timers in France. The designer of the brand is considered the founder of children’s fashion. Starting to sew for her daughter, Zhanna Lanvin found admirers and customers of clothes. Everyone wanted to have the same dresses for children. And when the models began to be ordered by mothers of babies, the Parisian Syndicate recognized the couturier in Lanvin. It allowed them to have a Fashion House and a logo. Given the direction of the work, it is not surprising that the silhouette of mother and child has become a trademark.
Among the clothing features from the company: are beads, floral prints, lace ribbons, and flying fabrics.
Loro Piana
The Peruvian vicuña, the New Zealand merino, and the Mongolian yak are just a few animals whose wool turns the Loro Piana house into a magnificent fabric. The family has been keeping unique secrets about woolen fabric production since the 19th century. Therefore, their goods are in demand by garment factories around the world.
From the obtained fabrics, the company also sews its brands of clothing. These are coats, suits, dresses, trousers for every day and specialized sportswear for racing, sailing, horse polo, etc. The company has developed a technology that makes materials warm and waterproof.
Brand products are out of fashion trends and trends, as wool products are always in demand. The company’s logo demonstrates respect for nature and the elegance of models.
Louis Vuitton
Bags and suitcases from Louis Vuitton are an expensive luxury. Starting with the service of the royal house, the followers of the couturier still sew their products for famous people only on order and no more than 300 products per year.
The brand appeared on the clothing market relatively recently – 100 years after its foundation (1998), and in 2016 it introduced a line of perfumes. We owe him the fashion for a combination of dresses and boots, airy blouses, strict jackets, and polka dot things. All collections are a tandem of past and modern, strict and light, and play with fabrics and styles.
Geometric shapes in the visual sign (four petals in a circle, a rhombus and a star, a cage, and the founder’s initials superimposed on each other) testify to the harmony and accuracy of all images and products from Louis Vuitton. The impeccable quality of tailoring is a special feature of the brand.
Along with things, the brand, from its first days, has been engaged in the architectural image of branded stores opened in 53 countries.
Maison Martin Margiela
The outrageous and shocking brand that creates clothes from the most unpredictable materials, from aprons to cards. The designer loves recycled materials. He knows how to create something luxurious from a simple and cheap one. Even the house logo is far from the usual – just four stitches. The master made the first invitation to show the collection by distributing newspapers with free advertisements. Despite the things that are too shocking and unsuitable for everyday life, Margiela still managed to create something in demand and popular – modified Replica military sneakers.
Marni
Vibrant colors, brilliance, prints, and varied textures are what make the young (1994) Milanese brand stand out. Individuality can be traced in everything, even the name, in which the designer immortalized not her last name or place of work but her sister’s name.
Starting with a rather unpopular and old-fashioned fur at the time, the fashion designer breathed new life into the material. Consuelo came up with the idea of sewing all toilet items with fur.
After switching to a combination of dissimilar fabric textures, delivering a special feeling when touched and worn, a loose fit without emphasizing the figure is another Marni trend. A hint of it is reflected in the loose company logo, with a large spacing between the letters.
Today, the brand is owned by another owner, and a new designer is working on it, but he adheres to the founder’s basic techniques while maintaining the brand’s individuality. At the same time, collections are regularly released in collaboration with other fashion houses.
Prada
When, in 1913, Mario Prada began selling bags, suitcases, and other accessories made of tortoiseshell, ivory, expensive wood, silver, and stones, he was more of a distributor and merchant than a designer. Other craftsmen created models for the store.
The brand’s real debut in the fashion field took place after the founder’s granddaughter came to the brand’s leadership. Miucci created a collection of bags, then shoes, after casual wear with a low waist. All developments were to the taste of buyers.
Discreet colors distinguish the brand’s products for office and work meetings. At the same time, they emphasize the sexuality of the owner and have a perfect cut. The image personifies an educated, well-mannered businesswoman. In the company logo, this is shown by the transformation of letter elements into ties.
Women’s collections come out in the Donna line, and men’s – Uomo. The Miu Miu series for youth is produced separately.
Ralph Lauren
What does the Ralph Lauren house do not do. From clothes to accessories, dishes to wallpaper, furniture to pet products. The Jewish roots of the founder played a role, allowing the giant empire to develop successfully. After all, the real name of the couturier is Livshitz.
Ralph opened a fashion house with a then exorbitant $50,000 loan and focused on creating polo models. Constant contact with celebrities made the fashion designer famous. And all of America knew his logo of a jockey on a horse. Therefore, when Lauren expanded its range, they bought everything from him.
The most famous piece of clothing is the polo shirt, which is still popular worldwide.
Rick Owens
The designer adheres to a bisexual view of the world. He calmly dresses men in skirts and trousers at the same time and women in men’s frock coats and heavy, bulky jackets. The effect of wear and the visibility of torn or torn parts is also inherent in the couturier. His logo in the form of an illegible signature is quite consistent with his views.
Saint Laurent
When it comes to unisex style, it’s impossible not to mention Yves Saint Laurent. The couturier dressed women in men’s tuxedos and suits, popularized military motifs, and laid the foundation for a shared fashion for both genders.
The master made even the usual women’s clothing simpler and more practical. For example, the most famous silhouette is a dress with a straight cut, neckline, and sleeveless, decorated with geometric stripes connecting individual details.
The designer also expressed female sexuality directly and frankly with the help of transparent elements of clothing.
Now the house belongs to the Gucci concern but remains true to the couturier’s basic principles. A combination of male and female, high fashion and everyday style, the use of national elements, adding avant-garde to the classics.
The brand uses signs developed back in 1963. The interlacing of the three capital letters of the founder’s name shows a penchant for harmonizing different styles.
Stella McCartney
The daughter of a famous member of the Liverpool Four was able to write her name in the history of fashion and become popular due to her talent, not her father’s name.
Starting her career at Chloe, the girl quickly reached heights and was recognized as the best designer of the year in 2000. Feeling confident, she opened her own house but never abandoned joint projects that increased her popularity.
Stella specializes in women’s and children’s clothing and accessories. The fashion designer does not use natural materials, advocating nature conservation. Fitted silhouettes with loose legs and sleeves create an elegant yet relaxed look for today’s young women. The brand’s logo is also light and weightless as if pierced by a sewing machine needle.
Valentino
Despite the house’s name, Valentino would never have achieved such success if it were not for his beloved friend Giancarlo Giammetti, who believed in his partner’s talent so much that he left his studies and devoted himself to promoting the brand.
The fresh look of the young Italian, his bright dresses, lace, and ruffles, appealed to the stars of that time. This is reflected by the letter V, opening the capsule in the logo Valentino. It seems to take the customer beyond the borders, showing a new world of images.
The master created many dresses for the red carpet and wedding celebrations. Hathaway, Taylor, and Lopez were his clients. Among the features of the master are a fatal red color and elegant long dresses with unusual details. The outfits are perfect for formal occasions.
Now the house tradition is continued by Piccioli, who successfully adopted the style of the founder and supplemented it. Valentino approved a successor, allowing the designer to remain at the head of the house for 14 years.
Versace
Another brand that has found its niche in a wide variety of directions. However, the brand’s shoes and clothing are best known. This is one of the few houses that remain in the ownership of the family that founded it.
The house’s style is “super-sexy,” involving mini-skirts, maximally open necklines, and cuts up to underwear. The Versace logo accurately reflects the idea, spreading the Medusa Gorgon’s charms as a femme fatale.
The idea of Gianni Versace fashion proved to be in demand. He designed outfits for police detective series about the Miami police, uniforms for the Milano club, and Real Madrid. The costumes were bought by couturiers Crawford, Princess Diana, Madonna, Pavarotti, and Tina Turner.
Now the founder’s sister is at the helm. It took her a lot of effort to revive the brand’s popularity after Gianni’s death. But now the house of Versace is back on horseback.
Who determines what will be fashionable?
Modern trends define fashion houses. These are teams of designers, stylists, seamstresses, and other professionals who work on creating fashion collections that come out 2-4 times a year.
However, determining future trends is a two-way process. You need to understand, to catch what people will like today. The designer’s proposals may not be to society’s taste, and after several unsuccessful collections, the house will lose customers and fall into disrepair.
On the contrary, there are houses so sensitive to the moods and changes of society that their collections always hit the target and are liked by many buyers. Everyone knows about such houses: Versace, Gucci, and Dior. The ability to feel what society will accept and translate the idea into real captivating images is the talent of a real designer.
What distinguishes a thing from a good fashion house?
When you watch a fashion show, it seems that some outfits and collections are not only not suitable for wearing but are basically indigestible. However, one should distinguish high fashion (haute couture, haute couture) from casual (pret-a-porter).
In the first, the designer conveys his vision of the world and a look at the place of clothing and it. Models are sewn in a single copy and at least 75% by hand, sometimes by individual orders. The second option is fashion for everyday, mass-tailored outfits that are sold in boutiques. Only certain trends pass from high fashion into everyday fashion: fabrics and their combinations, length, cut, and colors.
At the same time, a self-respecting fashion house approaches responsibly, tailoring haute couture and pret-a-porter. Therefore, if you buy a thing from a certain house, then this is not just an individual style but also:
- Qualitative study of all seams.
- Thoughtful wearability.
- Functional fittings and materials.
A classic outfit from a famous couturier will last more than one year.
