Zandra Rhodes, a Textile Art Designer was born in 1940 in England.
She is among the first designers to capitalize on punk, on street style trend.
Rhodes designed the textile she used for her clothes creating a connection between art and fashion. She has designed outfits for British rock band Queen, Princess Diana and many other celebrities.
In 2003, Zandra Rhodes opened the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. Definitely a must to visit when I’ll be in London :-).
Madeleine Vionnet ( 1876- 1975, France), was the first female couturier. She was the one who dared freeing women from wearing the corset completely. She even designed lingerie that were looser, comfortable and women where finally able to have much more freedom of movement.
Her big contribution to couture was the famous “bias” cut dress. I would actually wear her dresses to this days. 🙂
In the 1930’s the internet was not available but the photography was ( of course :-)), and her art of work started to be copied. She fought to protect her work, going as far as having her fingerprint included on the labels.
Worth, The First Couturier, was born in England in 1825. He worked and had an atelier in Paris, France where he died in 1895. His “art” was worn by many celebrities, foreign aristocracy and royalty. The only royalty of England who did not wear Worth’s dresses was Queen Victoria….hmmm, wonder why!!??
He designed for each client a unique gown, no two dresses were the same.
He also was the first one that introduced daytime dresses which were shortened to the ankle and he created the “Princess dress” , which was not anymore consisting of a bodice and skirt, but was cut in one piece!
iuliaharsan 