2 Influential Vintage Designers

For the average working woman designer wear is un-affordable. However we cannot have a  vintage blog without discussing some of the designers who have paved the way for other designers and whose designs are timeless and still popular today.

1. Coco Chanel

 

French designer Coco Chanel

Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel, born 19th December 1883, in Samur France; was credited for liberating women from the restrictive corseted silhouettes through the designs of her trademark suits and little black dresses. Chanel was raised in the Aubazine orphanage where she was taught to sew.

Coco Chanel trademark suit

Coco Chanel LBD worn by Audrey Hepburn

In 1910 she opened her first clothing shop. In 1920 she launched her first perfume then introduced the world to the Chanel suit and the little black dress, which is a staple in every woman's closet today. While Chanel is known as a prolific fashion designer, her creative designs were first recognized in jewellery, handbags and fragrance.

Coco Chanel handbag with hot shorts

 Her signature scent Coco Chanel No. 5 has become an iconic fragrance.

Chanel No 5 Ad in the late 1970s

 On  Time Magazine's 100 most influential persons of the 20th century, Chanel is the only fashion designer to be listed.

Coco Chanel puts her finishing touches on that LBD

2. Christian Dior

World famous designer of the 1950s, Christian Dior

Legendary fashion designer Christian Dior, born 21st January, 1905 in Normandy, France was renowned for his revolutionary post world word II designs. During the war years there was fabric rationing, which simplified fashion into a subtle and almost boring look.

World War II fashion minimalist fashion trends

 However,  Dior's designs were quite the opposite. His creations represented opulence. Dior tapered and sloped the shoulders,  tucked the waistlines and produced incredibly full skirts.

Christian Dior 1950s design

 During the 1950s Christian Dior was indisputably the most famous fashion designer in the world. Dior died in 1957 of a heart attack, but his work lives on.

Modern Christian Dior trademark design