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Yves Saint Laurent Dead at 71

 
 
 
 
 















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Monday, June 02, 2008

Yves Saint Laurent Dead at 71

Yves Saint Laurent died yesterday in Paris.

I was too young to live the original YSL experience but from what I know of fashion history it must have seemed very exciting, sexy, dangerous, innovative, and beautifully crafted - everything that fashion (at it's very best) is suppose to be about

YSL is generally considered one of the top five designers of all-time.
1. Dior (extra points for having discovered YSL )
2. Chanel
3. Yves Saint Laurent
4. Armani (created a revolution in both womens and mens, no other designer has ever had as much influence in both categories)
5. ?????

Who is number #5?
Lagerfeld?
Balenciaga?
Yohji or Rei? (it seems difficult to have a discussion about design without them but does the size of their business exclude them from the the top echelon?)

Like in sports, I think when we discuss fashion designers we will have to create a line between High Couture (pre-70's) and post-Couture (70's - forward)

Today, I would love to hear your Top 5 All-Time Greatest Designers.

Tomorrow I would love to hear your list of Top 5 All-Time Greatest Modern Designers (post 70's)

posted by The Sartorialist at 10:10 AM

Comments on "Yves Saint Laurent Dead at 71"

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:23 AM) : 

#5...Ralph Lauren

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:32 AM) : 

Don't you think that launching straight into a "top 5 designers" discussion, specifically focussing on who is number 5, is a little disrespectful to Mr Saint Lauren? I would have thought that a stand alone tribute would have been more appropriate

 

Blogger Mr.Right said ... (11:35 AM) : 

It's a shocking news!, YSL was the last living icon of the old school.

Himself was an inspiration of style, and revolutionary clothes.

Au revoir Monsieur Saint Laurent!

 

Blogger Enzo AGC said ... (11:37 AM) : 

I have to second Ralph Lauren although I know there will be a backlash...

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:39 AM) : 

don't know women's, so only men's:
Ralph Lauren
Perry Ellis
Bill Blass
Georgio Armani
Levi Strauss

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:40 AM) : 

No. 5 : absolutely and only: Senor Cristobal.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:41 AM) : 

I totally agree with the second anonymous guy: i think it's disrespectful to start a top5 discussion in a post together with the announcement of Yves Saint Laurent's death. Especially for a fashion focused blog!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:42 AM) : 

5. Valentino

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:42 AM) : 

#5 Givenchy

 

Blogger The Sartorialist said ... (11:42 AM) : 

honestly

I don't have a big opinion on YSL

he really wasn't of my time.

I can appreciate his talent and his standing historically but I don't have a ton to say about him personally.

YSL was a man that made people passionate about fashion and this kind of moment is great to remember why we love fashion and the people that create it.

I hope to hear from others that had a deep love for his work and what it meant to them.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:46 AM) : 

1. Dior
2. Givenchy
3. Balenciaga
4. Galliano
5. Lagerfeld

 

Blogger Sunshine said ... (11:47 AM) : 

poiret

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (11:48 AM) : 

While I can't rank them from 1-5, I can certainly name my favourite 5: Chanel, Givenchy, YSL, Tom Ford, and Dior.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:51 AM) : 

I agree with "sunshine", Poiret or Schiaparelli.

 

Blogger TMFA said ... (11:51 AM) : 

I cant really make a top 5 of oldschools only, so I will wait until tomorrow..

It is a sad day tho, but as with everything, life goes on.

 

Blogger Ninehoursahead said ... (12:01 PM) : 

Yves Saint Laurent represents not only an astute and defining sense of style and design in fashion but he represents a theme of hope and possibilities. May his passing shed light on his legacy; one that will live on forever.

He is secured in the top five, and Cristobal Balenciaga should be among him in that list. A master of range and invention.

 

Blogger STREET STYLEZ NYC said ... (12:05 PM) : 

I CERTAILY AGREE WITH THE CDOMMENT ABOVE; IT IS INSENSITIVE TO CREATE FREINDLY COMPETITION ASKING WHO ARE THE TOP 5 DESIGNERS. THE POST SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEDICATED SOLELY TO YVES SAINT LAURENT. BUT SINCE THE QUESTION HAS BEEN RAISED, I WILL RAISE A QUESTION MYSELF, DO AMERICAN DESIGNERS HOLD NO WORTH IN THE WORLD OF FASHION?

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:05 PM) : 

Scherrer!

you must include Jean-Louis Scherrer, one of the best designers.

Very sad, especially for his mother who is still alive.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:07 PM) : 

5. Valentino

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:08 PM) : 

1. Coco
2. Yves
3. Karl
4. Cristobal
5. Marc

I am of my time period. My five can't be based on respect for the esteem of a designer's work (a dior, an armani)
As a fresh face in the fashion world, these are the people I look up to.
Rose Bertin defined our modern idea of fashion as art and joy during the advent of the art of pleasure pre-french revolution. That is a vision that we can't even fathom and obviously the influence has fizzled out but I had to mention..
B.S.M.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:11 PM) : 

My vote? Absolutely, Paul Poirot! He cut the cloth and he lived the life.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:14 PM) : 

O.K. #2 Anonymous Guy - first of all - why anonymous...if you're going to say something - grab a pair and say it with conviction without hiding behind anonimity.

Sda - Why is it disrespectful. The man died, there was a nice tribute and then on to fashion. You people make me laugh...luckily Mr. Sartorialist has thick skin.

My top 5 are:

1. Chanel
2. Givenchy
3. Dior
4. Perry Ellis (* a must!!)
5. Levi Strauss - Still an original and still the best!

 

Blogger Anne Corrons said ... (12:16 PM) : 

Monsieur Saint Laurent as we called him in France was one of the most fabulous French designers. He liberated women about clothes and invented the famous black smoking. None of the young current designers will replace him, trust me. Dior, Chanel,and YSL are part of fashion history, now.

 

Blogger pink glasses said ... (12:21 PM) : 

#1 Dior
#2 Chanel
#3 Yves Saint Laurent
#4 Armani
#5 obviously.... VALENTINO

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:22 PM) : 

R.I.P Yves Saint Laurent

He said, he wished he had invented jeans.

Coco Chanel
Dior
Yves Saint Laurent
Ralph Lauren
Armani

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:27 PM) : 

#5 Balenciaga!

YSL is recognized as a legend by all who write and read this blog. No need to argue about how he should be respected...

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:36 PM) : 

No one has mentioned Helmut Lang who has influenced, in my opinion, every modern designer out now like like Yohji and Rei and even Proenza Schouler. I doubt Slimane could have produced what he has for Dior Homme without some influence for Lang.

He definitely gets #5 in my book and he's had a huge influence on women's and menswear also.

 

Blogger Miss Moss said ... (1:08 PM) : 

i think it's laughable that some posters are attacking sart for being 'disrespectful'

 

Blogger Nina said ... (1:11 PM) : 

Charles Worth. He created contemporary couture as we understand it today, none of those designers would have been able to take the steps that they did without his vision of luxury clothing in an age when mass production was a new and exciting thing.

 

Blogger AT said ... (1:11 PM) : 

Oscar de la Renta would be in my top five, but that's probably more a result of personal taste than anything else.

 

Blogger Helô Coltro said ... (1:17 PM) : 

#5 Courrèges, of course!

 

Blogger elena said ... (1:21 PM) : 

#1 Coco Chanel
#2 Yves Saint Laurent
#3 Cristobal Balenciaga
#4 Christian Dior
#5 Giorgio Armani

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:31 PM) : 

I agree with your top 4. I also agree completely with your division between Haute Couture and Post Couture.

I think the fifth, for the HC group, would be either Givenchy or Balenciaga. I'm not sure of the exact order, but those are definitely the top 6.

As for PC, after 1970 was a whole new world in fashion with the rise of pret a porter and decline of couture. Can you really even compare the two eras?

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:32 PM) : 

Sorry...and VERSACE? Where is he? In my opinion...must to be in that list. Gxx

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:43 PM) : 

I wont forget G.Versace in a top five.

 

Blogger Villamizar said ... (1:49 PM) : 

1.Armani
2.YSL
3.Chanel
4.Valentino
5.Dior

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:52 PM) : 

I too don't think this would be disrespectful or inapropriate for monsieur Saint Laurent.
His death makes us think about what he meant in fashion, and which other designers could be estimated as high as YSL himself.
That certainly includes dior and chanel, but also Cristobal Balenciaga and Madeleine Vionnet. They too had a great influence in fashion, just as Monsieur Saint Laurent did.

 

Blogger a.v. said ... (1:54 PM) : 

In no particular order:

1. Coco Chanel
2. Claire McCardell
3. Bonnie Cashin
4. Mainbocher
5. Halston

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:57 PM) : 

Number 5 def. Balenciaga!

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (1:57 PM) : 

I think Ralph Lauren deserves some respect for bringing design to the mainstream in a big way. You could say the same for Calvin Klein but maybe he's been a bit too mass-oriented to get props with that line-up. I don't know, though. His impact in the 90's basically defined style for the decade.
I definitely agree with your top 4 though.
chrissi

 

Blogger archit said ... (1:59 PM) : 

Elsa Schiaparelli, no question! She was both influential and innovative far beyond anyone named thus far.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:03 PM) : 

louis vuitton? (not those horrible bags but still...he's made a huge impact hasn't he?)
Or cristobal balenciaga, he was greatness himself!
And then we have Ralph Lauren. He's made a huge impact too, especially on american design....but not enough to be #5.

There is a lot of young talents out there, but we just haven't seen enough of them to put any of them on #5! At least that's my opinion...

 

Blogger gem61586 said ... (2:06 PM) : 

#5. two-way tie between Tom Ford and Nicolas Ghesquiere

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:06 PM) : 

1 - Chanel
2 - Vionnet
3 - Poiret
4 - Balenciaga
5 - Dior

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (2:07 PM) : 

Balenciaga! anyone who doubts his masterful eye and the way in which he changed our perception of shape as an expression of the female body needs to take a look back at his creations, there will always be only one Balenciaga. As for respect or disrespect, I think YSL would enjoy everyone throwing his name about as one of the greatest, he lived off attention and expression, I don't see the disrespect at all, it is a tribute!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:08 PM) : 

Very sorry to hear about YSL. Possibly THE most influential designer of the last century for sure.

I would suggest that 'top fives' or whatever are invidious, and no one is ever going to agree on them, but much of the response - with honourable exceptions - is heavily weighted towards recent designers. Are we talking about the entire 20th century? Worldwide?

If so, I'm seconding Poiret for the revolutionary impact he made at the time (1910s).

Balenciaga was amazing too. Heck, this is difficult!

My favourite is Schiaparelli but she probably didn't have as much of an impact on the way 'ordinary' people dress.

A sure sign of a designer's impact is the mass produced rtw copies that follow in his/her wake that your average person can afford (YSL was a pioneer of couture-based rtw, so extra credit for that, monsieur!). If that's what we're talking about - its not that clear.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:19 PM) : 

5.Givenchy

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:26 PM) : 

Armani should not be in that list. Chanel, YSL, Christian Dior and Balenciaga are the ones. Armani, Ralph Laurent, etc stand out for the size or their business (In fact they are the richest designers). However, creatively their work leaves much to be desired compared to ground shaking designers.

Today's top five should be:
Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Vivienne Westwood and Tom Ford. They have taken fashion to the next level.

 

Blogger Abbie said ... (2:30 PM) : 

I am currently reading A Beautiful Fall so to hear about the death of YSL is very sad today. He was such a talent and his personal life was very intriguing. I think the top five is a nice tribute to show respect to Yves and the other top designers of the century who aren't neccessarily with us anymore but keep inspiring and leading fashion.
SCHIAPARELLI can not be forgotten! So many, including Galliano, mimic her innovative designs. I think Karl is a legend and is of the same time period as YSL.
my top five:
1 dior
2 schiaparelli
3 coco
4 ysl
5 lagerfeld

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:31 PM) : 

alber elbaz
marc jacobs
galliano
coco chanel
karl (he creates breakthroughs)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:33 PM) : 

No one has mentioned Helmut Lang who has influenced, in my opinion, every modern designer out now like like Yohji and Rei and even Proenza Schouler. I doubt Slimane could have produced what he has for Dior Homme without some influence for Lang.

He definitely gets #5 in my book and he's had a huge influence on women's and menswear also.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:38 PM) : 

Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Yve Saint Luarent, Givenchy.


I consider Armani post-couture (perhaps I'm wrong)

but thats just me.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:42 PM) : 

Hedi Slimane

He isn't necessarily a heavy weight like others mentioned but I really think he has the potential to become a legend in the world of fashion.

 

Blogger Travis Trott said ... (2:44 PM) : 

I'm shocked that no one has mentioned Gaultier or Versace (the late one, not the cokehead). Surely their craftsmanship, technical prowess, and enormous influence on fashion in the 80s and 90s put them in the top. My list would read:

1. Chanel
2. Dior
3. Versace
4. YSL
5. Gaultier

Maybe I'm just too young, but you also have to think in terms of influence on middle and mass fashions. These five have created the most enduring effects, in my own opinion.

P.S. Tom Ford will never make it into my top 5 (or 10, or 15). He's not a designer, let alone a couturier--he's an art director.

 

Blogger notanotherblog said ... (2:46 PM) : 

a) The top five is a good idea because YSL will be further cemented into history now.

Schiaparelli
Balenciaga
Dior
YSL
Versace
Thierry Mugler
Calvin Klein

b) For some odd reason, one of the things I'll remember YSL as the man who understood how to make women of all races chic. It felt like that of my impression of the 1970's, and his designs seemed to cater to everyone,l especially those who wanna have fun but wanted to be classy as well.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:53 PM) : 

#1Christian Dior
#2Karl Lagerfeld
#3John Galliano
#5Hedi Slimane

 

Blogger CB said ... (2:54 PM) : 

Pertegaz of course !!!

My top ten:

1. Balenciaga
2. Pertegaz
3. Chanel
4. Dior
5. YSL
6. Schaparelli
7. Rabanne
8. Valentino
9. Cardin
10. Givenchy

 

Blogger Bradlex said ... (2:55 PM) : 

Tragic loss.

1. Dior
2. Vivienne Westwood
3. Karl Lagerfield
4 + 5 not sure, very tough....

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:58 PM) : 

Death of a true legend. One of the few desginers who blurred the lines of fashion, culture and personal empowerment. He single handedly got this jock interested in fashion. Au revoir Mr. Laurent. Top 5 All time:

1.Dior
2.Balenciaga
3.YSL
4.Chanel
5.Givenchy

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:02 PM) : 

1- Balenciaga
2- Dior
3- Chanel
4- Yves Saint-Laurent
5- Lagerfeld

Balenciaga definitely tops my list! Dior and Chanel both looked up to him and praised him as being the KING of Haute Couture!

RIP YSL

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:08 PM) : 

Like TJT's comment earlier, I will point out that in my opinion Ralph Lauren is a stylist, not a designer per se. Coordinating and repackaging English style and 'reinventing' American westernwear doesn't make one a designer. Besides, his stuff is so mass market they sell it at Sam's Club!

And if we're judging on commercial empire, as an earlier poster did, do we include Tommy Hilfiger (please, try to suppress the vomit instinct)?

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:09 PM) : 

I can't seem to make a choice!
Personally, I'm not that fond of Armani. He has built an incredible imperium, but I do not feel anything innovative for the past years. And I don't really fancy the Italian generation.

Chanel
Dior
YSL
Balenciaga
Marc Jacobs or Lagerfeld

 

Blogger DJN said ... (3:14 PM) : 

Levi Strauss

 

Blogger grant said ... (3:16 PM) : 

i would put yves saint laurent at #1 and vionnet at #2, after that everything is debatable. YSL was perfection and made everything possible, vionnet was the most innovative.

 

Blogger TresChic said ... (3:21 PM) : 

I agree with the old favourite...dior..ysl et al...

but some future greats?? marc jacobs for his humuor, creativity and business mind... Proenza Schouler duo for always looking at all aspects of each design particularly texture and colour.... Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, Doo Ri Chung---for their new take on femininity...
I dont think Armani deserves a place in the top5. He may have been great back in the day but he hasnt wowed me for a looooong time...and dont you think that style and true talent transcend time and change??

halston and galliano don't seem to be getting enough recognition on this blog by the way!!!!!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:26 PM) : 

1. Chanel
2. Christian Dior
3. YSL
4. Givenchy
5. Valentino

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:30 PM) : 

1.Coco
2.Valentino
3.Armani
4.YSL
5.Calvin Klein

P.S. Not trying to be confrontation but making a statement that Tom Ford isn't a designer is the most ignorant comment I have ever read on this blog.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:33 PM) : 

I agree with YSL, Dior and Chanel deserving their places on the list. Young Mr Gere was certainly properly dressed in American gigolo, but I would not raise Armani to the same league as the European designers.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:48 PM) : 

Pucci
Galliano
Valentino
Chanel
Cavalli

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:56 PM) : 

Hi Folks,

Just a quick note to say that if you put Dior or YSL and Armani in the same category you are really mixing apples and oranges.

Armany can hardly draw. He can't cut. He is, well, just a 'stylist.' His original job was to dress windows at a dpt store and he evolved by advising industries on what to do, and others did it.

 

Blogger the Launderette said ... (3:57 PM) : 

I find it surprising that so many people thought it was disrespectful to start a discussion of top five designers as part of a post recognizing Yves Saint Laurent's death. I'm sure any designer would find it wonderful that a mention of them, whether it be of their life of their death, would bring up such a great discussion of fashion. I don't find it disrespectful at all.

Also, ditto to the Ralph Lauren people.

 

Blogger jkh said ... (3:58 PM) : 

YSL gets extra points for having discovered hedi slimane.

top five designers with most historical impact and longest legacy (no particular order)
dior
lagerfeld
ysl
chanel
armani

top five all time favourite designer (no particular order)
slimane
slimane
slimane
slimane
slimane

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:01 PM) : 

Vuitton was a trunkmaker, responsible only for those "awful bags".
For credit where credit is due, Marc Jacobs introduced Louis Vuitton ready to wear 10 years ago. I'm surprised Marc doesn't get more shout outs from this crowd. (Although I admit I misread and didnt notice that modern designers are the discussion tomorrow)
P.S. I love that you posed this question. I enjoy your blog as a thinktank and not as a lookbook. This way I walk away with inspiration and not ideas to copy.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:02 PM) : 

#5 has got to be MIUCCIA PRADA.
My top 5 designers are

Miuccia Prada
Raf Simons
Cristobal Balenciaga
Nicholas Ghesquiere
Yves Saint Laurent

Lagerfeld is an incredible man who presides over an enormous empire but I don't think he's that great a designer. Armani has revolutionised things and has built a hugely successful brand but it all seems a bit bland and formulaic, and lacking in creativity.

And people, when you're asked to name 5 designers, name 5 NOT 8 or 9. Use some self discipline and have justification in your choices rather than spewing every designer you kind of like!!

 

Blogger raguandroses said ... (4:04 PM) : 

I think Gianni Versace deserves to be on the list...

 

Blogger American in Zurich said ... (4:07 PM) : 

1. Chanel
2. Yves
3. Armani
4. Rei Kawakubo
5. Nicolas Ghesquiere (achieving this simply because he is a consistent innovator being watched by the ENTIRE fashion community at the present time - imagine looking at his career after another decade or two)
*Honorable Mention: Loeb Strauss aka Levi Strauss simply because of the power of 1 garment and the components used to make it based upon the needs of that moment in time.

 

Blogger Andrea said ... (4:07 PM) : 

Definitely add Balenciaga. I'm surprised there are no votes for Mme. Gres. No Claire McCardell? I mean, really, Ralph Lauren before her? No.

 

Blogger Litchee said ... (4:10 PM) : 

I would definitely put Vivienne Westwood as #5.
Revolutionary, unique, and lasting.

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (4:10 PM) : 

There seem to be generational differences here! - and maybe geographical. Perhaps not surprising.
As one who remembers the effect of YSL in the 60s/70s - he was huge, loved - and so influential! He introduced the trouser suit for goodness' sake, the wonderful smoking jacket - as well as those amazing Russian and other romantic collections, that so often get copied by others.
For me he is so great because he designed divine, sexy and beautiful clothes (in fabulous fabrics) that yet were easy to wear by real women! And because of his move into pret-a-porter, his influence was felt and appreciated by many more than just the wealthy and privileged, as was the case with earlier designers. Further down the line it was felt by the likes of me and my friends! RIP YSL.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:10 PM) : 

Marc Jacobs

 

Blogger jkh said ... (4:11 PM) : 

i quote: "For some odd reason, one of the things I'll remember YSL as the man who understood how to make women of all races chic. It felt like that of my impression of the 1970's, and his designs seemed to cater to everyone,l especially those who wanna have fun but wanted to be classy as well."

and agree.

 

Blogger MyFashionAddictions said ... (4:16 PM) : 

I would have to say Ralph Lauren for #5

 

Blogger Violet Harrington Pickles said ... (4:24 PM) : 

Dearest Sartorialist,

Thank you for the lovely words in homage to Yves Saint Laurent.

I remember the first collection of our young Yves.
The unimaginable pressure of the Dior legacy and future, resting on his shy and slender shoulders.
Yet, when we beheld the collection, it was clear that what lay beneath his fragile frame was the visionary power and confidence of a master.
For like his mentor, Dior, he would come to redefine fashion.
I have been an admirer of, the great Saint Laurent, throughout my life and will mourn the passing of a pure soul, whose gift of beauty, I was privileged to share.

Respectfully,
Violet Harrington PIckles

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:25 PM) : 

miuccia prada would be my number 5

 

Blogger jkh said ... (4:26 PM) : 

YSL - timelessly modern.
the cleanest line ever (almost german - but even cleaner).

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:29 PM) : 

I don t know the order but Christian LACROIX would be my choice

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:34 PM) : 

ralph lauren is not a designer he is a merchandiser, poiret, halston , yoji, rei and beene are all much more important in the world of original design than little ralph in his riding costume.

 

Blogger American in Zurich said ... (4:37 PM) : 

Revised list:

1. Yohji Yamamoto - I believe his influence on mainstream fashion to be much greater than what Westerners perceive. His fashion is less classist, more innovative & UNIversal.
2. Chanel
3. Yves Saint Laurent
4. Giorgio Armani
5. Nicolas Ghesquiere
*Honorable Mention: Loeb Strauss aka Levi Strauss

There's no disrespect to Monsieur Saint Laurent. His best work and legacy will be honored these days and in days to come.

THANKS SART.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:45 PM) : 

Prada, and to say Tom Ford is not a designer is the most ignorant thing I have heard.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:54 PM) : 

Maybe because I'm french, surely because i've been lucky growing with a mother mad about Saint Laurent, i can say that Yves Saint Laurent is more than a top 5.
I remember how many dreams he created in my mind when i was watching his haute couture catalogs. Like a precious book, a hero, like every magic reference of the childhood, Mr Saint-Laurent is still alive in each day of my life, and when i think of his creations, i still feel myself like a little girl in a big and fabulous universe of candies ! Amazing colours, perfect cut, womanhood, élégance ... I still wear the YSL pieces of my mother, it's always a magic act. And he taught me what the perfection, the posture, the subtlety and the discretion are. In the attitude, but also in my relation with life and people.
God bless YSL ! With all my LOVE. M

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:54 PM) : 

I am very sad about this news, cause for me he was the number one !!! Todas I was wearig black. I can´t live without french fashion. I love this decad of french fashion, which is back again with Lanvin, Balenciaga etc.

My List:
1) Chanel (sorry Yves, but it´s Coco)
2) YSL (here you are!)
3) Dior (the french top three)
4) Balenciga, Lanvin, Poiret, Schiaparelli, Givenchy, Worth
5) no 5, see 4

 

Blogger Saucy said ... (4:56 PM) : 

Rose Bertin, dress designer for Marie Antoinette.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:04 PM) : 

BALENCIAGA
Chanel
Dior
YSL
Lanvin
Poiret
Grès
Vionnet
Fortuny
Fath
Balmain
Givenchy
Karl
Galliano
Versace
Doucet
Worth
McQueen
Elbaz
Bohan
Ferrè
Rabanne

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:06 PM) : 

Ohh I forgot:
Lacroix
Valentino
Armani

 

Blogger Augusto said ... (5:06 PM) : 

and about Valentino?

 

Blogger Lisa said ... (5:11 PM) : 

Hi,
I would like to add Madeleine Vionnet as the top 5 designers. Her work with the bias is, almost, unequaled.

 

Blogger OndrejS said ... (5:15 PM) : 

I think it is nigh impossible to do actual ranking at the top. Of course that you can have personal preferences, but to rank as to greatness as an objective measure is a different story. I think top 5 should include of course Valentino (the way he handled female sensuality is still amazing to me whenever I see his models), Gianni Versace, Armani, Prada, Chanel, Balenciaga, Dior, Lagerfeld, Galliano, and others. By naming many more than 5 I want to show that I simply do not know how to make a ranking... Who do I like the most? Right now probably Valentino Garavani. But can I say that this will last forever? no... Chanel was so innovative and ingenious... Than Dior who gave fashion back the grace and nobles.. Really... my mind is flying from one another in an erratic pattern

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:16 PM) : 

While reading some of the comments, I have realized that a majority of people tend to confuse who is/were at the vanguard of clothing construction & who is commercially successful.

Granted, some of you will refute the idea that economic profit & artisanal revolutionism go hand in hand when discussing fashion design; but I have to express my disbelief when I hear people placing Ralph Lauren, Valentino Garavani, & Christian Lacroix (to name a few) on the same echelon of genius as Yves Saint Laurent, Cristobal Balenciaga, Christian Dior, & Gabrielle Chanel.

These five individuals uniquely reshaped the requisites of a woman's closet because they were discontented with the habitudes of their society, but most importantly, they had an answer to fixing the situation.

For example, Chanel despised how the women of her time dressed, specifically because of the corset. In practical terms, it was painful to wear (squeezing the rib cage into abnormal positions). In symbolical terms, it was fulfilling the hour glass shape that wetted the occidental man's mouth of the early 20th century; this was not about women dressing the way they wanted (this concept didn't exist at the time). What did she do? I think everyone knows that her disregard of boundaries --adopting ideas from men's clothing to suit the woman's body; using fabrics deemed vulgar or only permitted for the construction of undergarments; using a textile culturally attached to another country (the tweeds of the Duke of Westminster, Chanel's British lover)...-- made her the figure we cherish her to be; a revolutionary.

To finish off, I would simply like to remind everyone that when thinking about the 'top 5 designers of all-time', one should think of revolutionary individuals, people who were able to make society rethink the norms of clothing, and make them understand that, above the idea of making money or pleasing people, it concerns the search for ultimate beauty.

Adieu Yves Saint Laurent, vous qui etiez le dernier grand maitre du vingtieme siecle. Sachez que votre place sur l'echelon de la mode est indiscutable.

-Alex PC

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:19 PM) : 

BALENCIAGA without question.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:35 PM) : 

Yves Saint Laurent was the first designer to book afro american models for his haute couture show, this was in 1983. Among countless things, I give him credit for that.

 

Blogger nanashi said ... (5:37 PM) : 

While I love Balenciaga, I would choose Yohji, Rei Kawakubo or Martin Margiela---in the sense that they also were revolutionary in changing the way people look at couture, they opened up new ways of thinking about clothings--bringing black, and flat shoes, challenging us to keep on thinking--and if I had to add only one more to the list it would be Yohji. I would say why not make it top 7 or 8 and also add Westwood, too.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:38 PM) : 

Given that today everything is disposable and nothing stands the test of time, I'd have to say the, or my top five desigers are:

1. Christian Dior - original
2. Cristobal Balenciaga - original
3. Perry Ellis - original
4. Halston - original
5. Vivienne Westowood

 

Blogger Acrata said ... (5:41 PM) : 

a) Worth
b) Vionnet
c) Balenciaga
d) Dior
e) Saint-Laurent

 

Blogger Holly Golightly said ... (5:44 PM) : 

#5. Givenchy/Balenciaga

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:46 PM) : 

1. Christian Dior (Without a doubt)
2. Yves Saint Laurent (RIP)
3. Coco Chanel
4. Miuccia Prada
5. Gucci

I really just don't think Marc Jacobs or Ralph Lauren have places on this list. Marc would positively be on my post-70s list, but greatest of all time list? not really.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:59 PM) : 

#5 Kenzo ...or Christian Lacroix

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:10 PM) : 

1. Balenciaga
2. Dior
3. Saint Laurent
4. Schiaparelli
5. Chanel

And anyone who says a top-5 list in insensitive to YSL's passing is being a bit overemotional: being placing him alongside greats like Dior or Balenciaga is one of the highest complements a designer could receive.

 

Blogger gabrielazeanadal@hotmail.com said ... (6:12 PM) : 

YSL was great, marvelous artist, and great worker and he'll always be remembered. I'm a fan. Edition 24 is one of the most wonderful and clever collections I've ever seen.

BTW, I think that this discussion of who are the 5 top designers doesn't lead anywhere because it is only based in subjective and personal opinions.

Like above commenters mentioned, I don't think that a 'comparing designers dicussion' is the most sensitive thing to do in this post.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:22 PM) : 

Ralph Lauren would be no. 5

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:23 PM) : 

.





Ralph Lauren


.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:23 PM) : 

ralph Lauren

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:30 PM) : 

NOBODY mentioned Issey Miyake? Only one mention of Kenzo (so far)? smh

Americans...Mainbocher or Oscar de le Renta, but there was also the lesser known but incredibly gifted James Galanos, Adolfo, and Pauline Trigere

Italy...Versace or Valentino, but way too many to name

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:31 PM) : 

#5 for me has be either Balenciaga or Vionnet, and at a pinch i go for Vionnet.

Yves St Laurent was an amazing unique talent, a great artist and designer. Yet he was all too often portrayed as a tortured soul despite his luxurious lifestyle and money, i can't imagine his life was happy. I hope his passing was peaceful. we must rejoice in his legacy, the beauty he has left in the world.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:31 PM) : 

Ralph Lauren

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:39 PM) : 

ySL
Issey Miyake
Dres Van Notten
Helmut Lang
Raf Simmons

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:42 PM) : 

5. Ralph Lauren
6. Giannii Versace (not Donatella)
7. Dolce & Gabbana
8. Prada
9. Helmut Lang
10. Donna Karan

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:50 PM) : 

Coco Chanel
Christian Dior
Yves Saint Laurent
Karl Lagerfeld
Crystobal Balenciaga
(not necessarily in that order)

But definitely not Giorgio Armani, I'm sorry I think to be legendary you need to keep up the ability to create new and noteworthy collections. His last 5 (at the least) collections have been worse than Sui or Furstenburg... not legends. Seriously Spring 08, what is that?

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (6:51 PM) : 

hmm tough.
YSL
Chanel
Dior
Gaultier
Elbaz
Westwood
McQueen

and at the risk of controversey, I find it slightly offensive that people would include Tom Ford alongside such luminaries.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:58 PM) : 

Chanel
YSL
Vionnet
Claire McCardell
Gaultier
Issey Miyake
Balenciaga
Perry Ellis (the real Perry-- not that crap now, not the rip-offs that Marc Jacobs did on staff and afterwards-- look at the old pictures)
Halston
Charles James

Sorry! I can't count!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:03 PM) : 

LAGERFELD.
that man is amazing.

actually slimane could be up there too.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:04 PM) : 

I agree with everyone who said Ralph Lauren for #5. I can't believe you left him out Sart!

 

Blogger jacqueline | the hourglass files said ... (7:04 PM) : 

I also say Charles Frederick Worth deserves to be included in your list. Perhaps he should even be number one.

Worth was the original designer. Before him, a woman went to her dressmaker and told her what the dress should look like. Worth reversed this thinking, telling women what they should wear and how to wear it.

Plus, he was the first man to design. He paved the way for all these other revolutionary male designers.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:05 PM) : 

If I were to finish yours I would say Lagerfeld.

Here is mine:

-Coco Chanel
-Schiaparelli
-YSL
-Miuccia Prada
-Marc Jacobs

I have to be honest though I dont know if I can settle on that order. Every designer adds something different to the fashion scene.

 

Blogger chip said ... (7:10 PM) : 

I'm not sure of what the criterion is for this top five list, however I can give my subjective fifth pick: Ralph Lauren. He is my number one designer actually.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:12 PM) : 

I Think the last century we had the greatests fashion designers ever...
1.Chanel
2.Dior
3.Schiaparelli
4.YLS
5.balenciaga(the fashion architect)

and It´s difficult to choose only 5!

 

Blogger Susie said ... (7:13 PM) : 

Ralph Lauren, Levi Strauss, your kidding right? I think they both changed fashion in very large measure but they are hardly in the same category as YSL or Chanel!
In my view Armani does not belong on the list either.

My vote would be for Balenciaga.

Also, I don't think its inappropriate at all to discuss YSL, fashion, other designers, the fashion world, the history of design, our opinion of the top designers, on the day after his death. I think its most appropriate.

 

Blogger muranogirl said ... (7:21 PM) : 

Recently I caught this documentary: Yves Saint Laurent: 5 Avenue Marceau, 75116 Paris (2002) and was really struck by his presence and talent.



I would add Valentino to your list Sart.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:24 PM) : 

I wouldn't say that making a Top Five here is disrespectful to M. Yves Saint Laurent...but I'm sure this isn't very elegant.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:28 PM) : 

Valentino?

 

Blogger Peter said ... (7:31 PM) : 

1. CoCo Chanel
2. YSL
3. Cristobal Balenciaga
4. Issey Miyake
5. Elsa Schiaparelli


There are so many people who make me passionate about fashion that I think it makes most sense when compiling this list to leave the new school out of it. I also chose people on the basis of innovation plus excitement. So yes, my list is very personalized.

Marc Jacobs has nothing to do with YSL. If it wasn't for the huge changes in fashion business that YSL's career created Marc Jacobs would not be the millionaire multi-company conglomerate that he is today. (no disrespect to Jacobs, an impressive individual in his own right.)

For my list, I choose to expedite Dior all together. He was certainly important and influential, but his big innovations were not entirely original.

Chanel — she was not only innovative and original, but she's such an interesting character and had the power to come back from the dead more than once. By the time she was YSL's age, she was starting up again!

YSL — truly innovative and masterful with tailoring. Along with the guidance of Pierre Berge, changed the way fashion does business.

Balenciaga — even Dior knew Balenciaga was the best and his work just makes me so excited. He has to be on my list!

Miyake — this man may not have as large an impact on those of us in Europe and the US, but if we talk about the whole world, not just Europe; Miyake has invented so much. Miyake stands alone when we talk about creating something entirely new and undoubtedly innovative.

Schiaparelli — another personal favorite, and I almost put Vionnet, but Schiaparilli just made such exciting and daring clothes.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:41 PM) : 

Balenciaga. It is about invention, which includes shape/form.

Pierre Cardin? He did future/space minimalism way before Helmut.

And correction: Helmut did not inspire Yohji...Tom for? as stylistnot a creator. I thought this was a serious fashion blog.

 

Blogger Kanani said ... (7:54 PM) : 

It's hard because I think over the generations and each time I come up with different ones. I mean, how can I leave out Pierre Cardin in the 1960's or even Paco Rabanne or Coureges? Or into the 80's and Issey Miyake? Ah, you make my head work in overdrive, Sart!
But off the top of my head, the ones who I always heard about when I grew up as a kid in my Mom's sewing room...
For Haute Couture:

1. Mainbocher
2. Dior
3. Givenchy
4. Chanel
5. Vionnet

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:55 PM) : 

Ungaro!

 

Blogger luckybastard said ... (7:57 PM) : 

ralph lauren. he romanticized the staple of americana like no one before or since and makes styles of clothing for almost anyone- not just fashionistas and hipsters.

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (8:02 PM) : 

Saddened by the loss of one of the most influential designers EVER. I loved almost everything he did, and still can not give up my vintage YSL blazer and other items, even though they really do not fit me now. I have had them for 20 years, and when I come across them in my closet, I smile.... so beautiful. Great Legend.... no one to compare to. Chanel and YSL.... after that it is another level.

 

Blogger rohan said ... (8:32 PM) : 

What about Calvin Klein !? He is the one who really defined and brought to the forefront of fashion the american modern minimalist chic.

 

Blogger kira said ... (8:33 PM) : 

top fives are extremely subjective and the canon of fashion history is still being written. Five very influential couture designers would be (in order of appearance):

Vionnet
Chanel
Balenciaga
Dior
YSL

I would throw Poiret, Lucille (Lady Duff Gordon), Schiaparelli, and Courreges on if this was a top 10 (reserving the last for Issey Miyake who is not couture)


Also, I would define tomorrow's top 5 as "Post-Modern" or "Contemporary" or "Post-Couture" (acknowledging that couture is indeed dead), not "Modern" with a capital M. Ancient Greeks and Romans were Modern. The 20's were Modern. The 60's were Modern. We live in a Post-Modern era.

 

Blogger Elana said ... (8:43 PM) : 

I am so sad to hear about Yves Saint Laurent!

I think brilliant designers that will be recognized in the future will definitly include:
Lagarfield
Balenciaga
Marc Jacobs (while he is more modern, he will definitly be an icon and a legend in the future)
Alber Elbaz
Nicholas Ghesquiere
Olivier Theyskens
Dries Van Noten
Miucca Prada
John Galliano

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8:47 PM) : 

GALLIANO is #5! He's a freakin' genius.

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (9:20 PM) : 

Fashion is a such a personal thing. Everyone has their own taste & personal style so I am sure each list submitted will be different. Since my tastes and personal styles have evolved over the years based on mood or life stage I had to submit 3 - they are only my opinions reflecting my own tastes. I am certainly not saying mine are better than any other lists here or anywhere else.

List #1 - Those who have always inspired me - personally and professionally
1. Yves Saint Laurent
2. Christobal Balenciaga
3. Karl Lagerfeld
4. Christian Dior
5. Coco Chanel

List #2
Those who showed me how to create something new with knowledge of the past
1. Calvin Klein
2. Halston
3. Giorgio Armani
4. Donna Karan
5. Geoffrey Beene & Bill Blass
(it's my list so I can have a tie)

List 3 - (my personal favorite)
Those who march to the beat of their own drum - love their work or not I always feel compelled to watch what they are doing...

1. Dries Van Noten
2. Miucca Prada
3. Olivier Theyskens
4. Marc Jacobs - Signature & L.V.
5. Alexander McQueen
6. Nicolas Ghesquiere
Thank you for creating this forum to share opinions Mr.Schuman you are doing a fabulous job!

Jeffrey

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:22 PM) : 

dior, ysl, balenciaga, givenchy, armani

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:23 PM) : 

Lacroix or Valentino could be one of the top five.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:23 PM) : 

Carolina Herrera and Ralph Lauren.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:24 PM) : 

Rudi Gernreich or Claire McCardell.

 

Blogger anyimage said ... (9:38 PM) : 

Sorry but to suggest Ralph Lauren or Marc Jacobs is a bit of a joke in the context of influential 20th century designers. They'd be high on a list of INFLUENCED designers since all they do is rip off other designers. If we're going to throw any Americans into the discussion it ought to be Geoffrey Beene and Donna Karan.

Also I don't quite understand this distinction between High Couture and Post Couture. True Haute Couture has not changed except in style and accessibility. The Dior Couture of Galliano and Christian Dior is no different in the experience of having a garment fitted perfectly to your body and made completely by hand. This is why YSL could not pass the reigns of his Couture house to Tom Ford, because he is incapable of performing such a task.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:40 PM) : 

definetly Cristobal.. easily... and those designers (top 5) should be placed no order.. they just are great...

have you thought about designers like poiret and gris and lanvin though???

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (9:58 PM) : 

post 1970s

Jean Paul Gaultier
Alexader McQueen
John Galliano
Karl Lagerfeld
Miucca Prada

 

Blogger go boo boo said ... (10:00 PM) : 

Lagerfield. Nice tribute to YSL.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:05 PM) : 

I think #5 on your list should be Pucci or Valentino, I can't decide!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:23 PM) : 

Top 5 of all times :

Vionnet
Balenciaga
Schiaparelli
Chanel
Dior

Top 5 modern ( post 70's) :

Yves Saint Laurent
Rei Kawakubo
Jean Paul Gaultier
Valentino
Giorgio Armani

 

Blogger Kristoff said ... (10:29 PM) : 

Yves. Such a monkey person. Fabulous in this way. For him, I create Le Singe mort ...

DAMMIT!

(forgive my outburst)

So fabulous. Please, no?

I think so, yes.

www.cafepress.com/singemort

 

Blogger The Federalist said ... (10:30 PM) : 

Off topic:

Has anyone seen that excellent photograph of YSL and Audrey Hepburn, where they are walking down a city street?

I thought of it yesterday and I'd love to save it to my hard drive for inspiration.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:38 PM) : 

Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, Christopher Bailey, Olivier Theyskens, and JP Gaultier...in no order in particular.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:42 PM) : 

Dior
Balenciaga
Yves Saint Laurent
Chanel
Givenchy or Vionnet

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:56 PM) : 

goes without saying marc jacobs

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:57 PM) : 

For any Montrealers visiting this, there is a fabulous YSL exposition debuting this week at the Musée Des Beaux Arts.. be sure to check it out

 

Blogger Dovid said ... (11:17 PM) : 

Not very fashion forward –– I know. But my favorite nonetheless: Ralph Lauren. He's a man with impeccable tastes, whose tailored clothing is always beautiful.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:23 PM) : 

I DO appreciate his ground breaking early design.....I have to say, I'm much more impressed with the French designers with the more forward thinking artistic bent:
-Thierry Mugler
-Claude Montana
-Gaultier

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:30 PM) : 

1. Chanel - for creating fashion for women
2. Dior - for creating fashion for the other kind of woman
3. Vionnet - for her contribution to the science and craft of fashion
4. Miyake - for broadening the idea and perception of fashion
5. Balenciaga - for bringing truth to fashion

 

Blogger Sariush said ... (11:36 PM) : 

I second Diego Montoya:

Schiaparelli
Balenciaga
Coco Chanel
Christian Dior
Yves Saint Laurent

Modern:
Oscar de La Renta
Givenchy
Karl Lagerfeld
Christian Lacroix
Proenza Schouler

I read your comment above, and I can honestly say that he made a revolution as to womens daily wear, pants for one thing and the incident with Nan Kempner where she was trying to enter a retaurant in NY and she was not allowed because she was wearing pants; she took them off making a statement entering only with a jacket. Where would modern day women be today if not for Mr. Ives' pants and safari jackets?

 

Blogger Sterling-haired Lady said ... (11:37 PM) : 

Are we still on pre-70s? Oleg Cassini would have to be on the list for me, with his designs for Gene Tierney, Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy. No one else with designs quite like his! His fashions for the women are so beautiful and feminine---not frilly or fussy, but more subtly womanly. Love them!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:04 AM) : 

1. Dior
2. Lauren
3. Saint Laurent
4. Browne
5. Sternberg

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:34 AM) : 

REI REI REI REI

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:34 AM) : 

Paul Poiret - he did after all remove the corset

 

Blogger Guapóloga said ... (12:52 AM) : 

I may be not very original, but I love Valentino's work and think he deserve his place in the list.

I like the androgine tendency of YSL, it has been a success!

Regards!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:56 AM) : 

Modern designers:
1. Viktor and Rolf. It is worth it to study the construction of their early prototypes: Classic and thorough.
2. Westwood, Gaultier and others, for their playfulness.
3. Yamomoto and others, for the way they use textiles.
4. Young designers coming from the new Europeans. They have a new way of using colors, construction, materials and decorations.
5. Us. Yes. we who are incorporating ideas from the catwalks into our own daily clothes.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:25 AM) : 

armani is not in my top 5. i think a lot of what he did was just a continuation of what ysl had started. balenciaga before armani

 

Blogger mwade said ... (1:47 AM) : 

1. dior
2. ysl
3. coco
4. balenciaga
5. lagerfeld

tom ford not a designer? seriously that is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. he didn't reinvent the wheel, but he revitalized two flailing brands, one of which was that started by the man whom we mourn today......

 

Blogger zilch said ... (2:21 AM) : 

There are too many great talents and inspirational designers to just rank them.

I mean how does one rank them anyways? Based on what? How does one really measure talent??

I am certainly sad about the departure of YSL who was such an influential fashion figure but now that I am over the shock, I think I will just celebrate his talent.

Rest in peace ☆

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:04 AM) : 

You don't put Chanel at number 1? There has been no day of my life that I haven't seen some woman, on some street, wearing -

small neat twinset with pencil skirt
or
jacket or cardigan with contrasting piping
or
two tone shoes
or
shoes with contrasting piping
or
crisp white with crisp black
or
oversized pearl necklace to accessorise black
or
oversized pearl ear clips to accessorise black
or
the famous tweed suit.

And it's bullet proof. It's very rare for it not to work at some level.

Is that not a more fundamental effect on fashion than any one thing any other designer has done?

Dear M. Yves St Laurent, today I will take out my mahogany half moon YSL bag which was the first grown up handbag I've ever bought, and the most pleasing tool I use in my daily life.

And thank you for making your garden in Marrakech open to the public.

 

Blogger Ammie said ... (3:10 AM) : 

It is now tomorrow where I am.

Alexander McQueen.

 

Blogger irma la dulce said ... (3:13 AM) : 

1-BALENCIAGA
2-Chanel
3-Dior
4-YSL
5-Valentino

Balenciaga is, no doubt, in first place.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:20 AM) : 

Historically:
1- Chanel
2-Vionnet
3- Balenciaga( after Hubert de Givenchy , Courreges , Oscar de la Renta,...)
4- Christian Dior
5 - Yves saint Laurent .

I think this before 1970

Regards

 

Blogger joanna said ... (3:28 AM) : 

5. Balenciaga, for revolutionizing the female silhouette

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:31 AM) : 

MARGIELA...ELA...ELA...

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:37 AM) : 

I can't believe not a single person has said Margiela thus far!?!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:49 AM) : 

Viv West

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:16 AM) : 

I am surprised that you did not include Mr Valentino amongst those 5.
1. Christian Dior
2. Yves St Laurent
3. Coco Chanel
4. Hubert de Givenchy
5. Valentino

Mr Valentino and Mr Givenchy dressed the most iconic women in the last 40 years. How come he who dresses an icon is not included?

If asked what Valentino for fashion the answer would be embellish women. He may not have revolutioned the designs yet noone will ever make those wonderful red dresses and no one will ever draw the most iconic wedding dresses of our times. IE. Princess Marie Chantal of Greece, Lavinia Borromeo or Princess Maxima of Holland recently. Jacquie Kennedy when married Aristotle Onassis.

Mr St Laurent shall be greatly missed. His genious will last forever

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:29 AM) : 

Number 5 is tricky when their in the company of the other four who are so obviously legends.

But i think mabye Lagerfield and Valentino deserve a mention

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:59 AM) : 

pre-70's
1.Vionnet
2.Chanel
3.Balenciaga
4.YSL
5.Dior

post-70's
1.Armani
2.Rei Kawakubo
3.Massimo Osti
4.Helmut Lang
5.Jean-Paul Gaultier

 

Blogger alterego said ... (5:02 AM) : 

1.- Chanel
2.- Dior
3.- Balenciaga
4.- YSL
5.- Givenchy

YSL was a genious. We miss him.

 

Blogger TMFA said ... (5:32 AM) : 

post 70:
1. alexandre herchcovitch
2. Yamomoto
3. Marc Jacobs
4. Galliano
5. dsquared

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:36 AM) : 

I am so stunned NO ONE even mentionned Emanuel Ungaro...
Just go back and check his work, there are all masterpieces.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:04 AM) : 

I always had this admiration for Christian Lacroix. (Beauty in the details...) md

 

Blogger lucas said ... (6:20 AM) : 

“Haute Couture is like an orchestra, for which only Balenciaga is the conductor. The rest of us are just musicians, following the directions that he gives us.”


Christian Dior

 

Blogger Cristina de la Peña said ... (7:25 AM) : 

Wihout any doubt... Balenciaga number one. Dior didn´t proposed anything new. Every thing Balenciaga did was new.
Best regards to everybody!!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:28 AM) : 

Poiret
Vionnet
Balenciaga, cristobal
Coco Chanel
Christian Dior, no galliano
Yves Saint laurent, R.I.P.
Comme des Garcons
Vivienne Westwood/ malcom mc laren
Romeo Gigli, transformed the business suit in something far more poetic , in the 80s, way beyond Armani
Martin Margiela
Helmut lang
Balenciaga, Nicolas
Lanvin, Alber

Here we are talking.. these designers really changed fashion and the attitude towards fashion

here we are talking designers not stylists.

Please do add designers to it which you think made or make a diffference and are in this leaque

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:29 AM) : 

so it's tomorrow - Top 5 Greatest modern designers. tougher than yesterday, so many to chose from, nowadays we live in the age of the designer and widespread designconciousness in so many fields. So, ok, here goes:

1.Karl Largerfeld - he is modernity
2.Margiela
3.Muiccia Prada
4.Donna Karan - 7 easy pieces
5.early Galliano tied= with mid career Westwood for romance, beauty and fantasy.
Sart - Thank you - i've really enjoyed this challenge and reading all the thought provoking and inspirational posts - all the discussions. it's been great, and a worthy and positive tribute to the great YSL.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:40 AM) : 

Hard to choose betwen Balenciaga and Schiaparelli.

What on earth is someone like Donna Karan or Ralph Lauren doing being mentioned in the same sentence as the greats?

HC: Chanel, Givenchy, Yves St. Laurent, Schiaparelli, Dior, Balenciaga.

PC: Dolce & Gabanna, Lanvin, Roberto Cavalli, Lacroix, Galliano and my new favourite Osman Yousefzada

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8:10 AM) : 

WOW!!!!!!!!!! How can NOBODY even mention the Iconic Ozwald Boateng! This man has revolutionized Savile Row... and thus has my #1 Spot!

#2 Ralph Lauren
#3 Calvin Klein
#4 Donna Karan
#5 Versace

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8:47 AM) : 

to anon 7:40 from anon 7:29

Donna Karan- i'm a woman, for me Donna Karan revolutionised dressing in the same way Claire McCardell did for women with her sportswear approach in the 40s and 50s. Donna Karan has made great fashion for women regardless of body shape and size, i'm 5'6" never been more than 115lb but i know from my friends and all the magazines out there female body image issues are huge and so many women suffer because of them.
Donna Karan may not be Gabriele Chanel but i feel she deserves a mention.
I'm with you on Ralph Lauren, however although he's one great marketer...

 

Blogger Emily said ... (8:56 AM) : 

There are too many fabulous designers for me to narrow down a top five. I do, however, feel that we can't have this discussion with Hermes. Along with Armani, they remain one of the last great houses to be family owned and operated.

As for the respect/disrespect issue: this entire blog is an homage to the art we wear and because the artists are by nature very incestuous (how many houses did Tom Ford put his name on?) then singing the praises of YSL and his colleagues feels completely fitting to me.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8:57 AM) : 

Valentino!!!

Mme

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (9:07 AM) : 

I don't think Fashion is about competition, it's about beauty and about the time we are living in.
Acctually I think its quite disrespectfull to start a top5 on day a person like Mr. YSL passed away.
Pitty

THNKS

JRRT

 

Blogger Marianna said ... (9:47 AM) : 

Lagerfeld has to be somewhere in a """top 5""". Yet at the same time how is this top 5 thing classified? It seems almost impossible to limit it to just 5. There are like the first 50,60 years of the 20th century designers (Chanel, Dior, YSL) and then the later 20th century designers (Versace, Armani..) and then more recent (Jacobs, Galliano..). I think it is all very relative- the impact they created in fashion is measured vs society, WWII, etc etc... I don't know if there are only 5 that fit in a list,so many designers have done good and created their own signature. I honestly could not do a top 5 list. It's also easier to relate to designers in most recent periods- I could not "feel" the impact of Chanel and what she did for women. But I can today more clearly see the impact of someone like Marc Jacobs, McQueen, Galliano, Ford, etc.

ANYWAY, so I do not have a top5 list, but I do definately admire Lagerfeld. Another designer that is amongst my personal favourites (although not comparable in magnitude to YSL for instance) is Elie Saab. That's it for my overly long comment!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:15 PM) : 

1. CHANEL
2. YSL
3. PRADA
4. GIVENCHY
5. DIOR

//////

1. CHLOE
2. MARC JACOBS
3. COMME DE GARCONS
4. YAMAMOTO
5. ALEXANDER MC QUEEN

 

Blogger Isa said ... (12:39 PM) : 

My 5ht is Tom Ford, but the best has yet to come so I will understand if you don't agree with me NOW.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:04 PM) : 

1. Dior
2. Chanel
3. YSL
4. Armani
5. VALENTINO!!!!!

 

Blogger Travis Trott said ... (2:23 PM) : 

I'm beating a dead horse now, I'm sure, but I want to clarify my Tom Ford comment: I don't deny the greatness of Mr. Ford. He certainly DID revive two of the greatest fashion houses...because he's a brilliant art director with an eye for what works commercially; not because he's a brilliant designer. Tom Ford really did revolutionize the fashion industry by launching the luxury brand on a global scale. Did he revolutionize the actual fashions people wear? No. And if you say otherwise, look around you. In the couture realm, every girl has SOMETHING that looks "so Chanel." In the "post-couture" every girl has something that Donna Karan gave voice to. Tom doesn't have that. Sorry, friends.

 

Blogger T38 said ... (2:38 PM) : 

RL!!! oh my god you are mad. All-Time Greatest born in Europe!!! (not about the modern designers)

No doubt: Balenciaga is number 5.

 

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