Author: admin

In recent years men’s fashion has become increasingly popular, and a heightened awareness means that many men are known to be selective when it comes to choosing which clothes to buy, and from which designers to choose from. With many men’s designers tending to have signature looks, this is only helping men to become more distinguished in terms of fashion sense. Of all the designers that exist, which are the biggest of all menswear designers?

We couldn’t go on without a nod (or an Ode) to probably the biggest men’s fashion designers of them all – Mr Giorgio Armani. The Armani brand is considered widely as fashion royalty, and has fast become a household name, synonymous with men’s fashion. Armani’s signature lines and fragrances have stood the test of time, yet the Armani brand is as popular now in contemporary circles as it has ever been.

Another stalwart of men’s fashion is Ralph Lauren. His US-based label started out in the early 1970’s and was originally a luxury brand selling sportswear and apparel for Polo and Yatching. Even today, having diversified somewhat into formal and premium casual wear, Ralph Lauren is one of the world’s largest names in men’s fashion, operating in over 180 countries.

Notable British designers have also dominated the landscape of the fashion world – for decades. Among the most prominent of those are Sir Paul Smith, knighted for his lifelong services to fashion in 2000, who is known for his classic-cut suits with a modern colours and textures. Sir Paul expanded the Paul Smith empire to include formal menswear and casual lines and in recent years even added fragrances to the brands name. Another British menswear design powerhouse, although a slightly left-field choice, is Vivienne Westwood. Having helped to define the punk era by styling the Sex Pistols, Westwood used chains, safety pins and ripped clothes amongst her designs, adding to her signature look. Her designs are popular with many notable contemporary musicians known for their alternative styles, such as Iggy Pop, Gwen Stefani and Karen O.

Other notable names in men’s fashion include designers Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Donatella Versace, the niece of the late Gianni Versace, who founded the Versace label. All are recognised throughout the fashion world and can be considered alongside other peers of note, such as the late Alexander McQueen, Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, Heidi Slimane and Jill Sander.

London has been one of the fashion centers of the world for a long time now. Ever since its inception in 1984, the London Fashion Week has remained an awaited annual affair. This fashion week is now counted amongst the most reputed Fashion Weeks of Milan, Paris and New York. London, in any case, has always been popular for eclectic style – right from the prim and proper be garments by Saville Row to the quirky fashions of Portobello Road.

Looking at the developments

Masters of designer fashion, Rose Bertin and Charles Fredrick Worth have both spent time in London and contributed to the fashion world there. Bertin gave his contributions to fashion in London when he was exiled there during the French Revolution. Worth had worked as a draper in London before moving on to Paris. Despite its impeccable fashion designs, London still was not at a stage where it could be compared with Paris as far as fashion was concerned. London, though, did stay and continued to be a centre for fashion throughout the early 20th century.

The gradual changes

The fashion scenario changed in the 1960s. London suddenly became the trendsetter in terms of fashion, which was partly due to the miniskirt, created by the fashion designer Mary Quant. Despite fashion becoming simpler, it became more revealing too, more than what was made in the 1950s. It was now a time when models influenced fashion. London, apart from introducing the miniskirt, also gave birth to the bell bottomed trousers, which became a signature trend of the late 60s and 70s.

With the arrival of the 70s, the influence only increased with the introduction of the punk style. Vivienne Westwood became one of the most prominent designers of this era, making punk the new fashion of the street. She tried to implicate the music scene into her designs, managing to combine the feel of music with clothing styles. She was well-known for creating innovative, and shocking outfits.

London’s influence had not yet become pronounced in the 1980s, but the city became home to some of the best known fashion houses, one of which was the Burberry House. The company became famous for its waterproof cotton and the trench coat. Not only that, but its trench coat became one of the most copied and recognizable coat styles. Burberry, along with other London fashion houses, depicts elegance, style and durability.

The influence of this fashion designer city then only increased, and London now is home to various fashion houses some of which include names like Stella McCartney, Jimmi Choo and Alexandar McQueen. Down the years, London’s reputation as a fashion hub has changed and today, one cannot possibly ignore the importance of the place.