The 50 most important men’s fashion designers in the world

Who is behind each of the most important fashion firms in the world in the present? Today, in Moda Ellos, I want you to know the “hidden face” or who is behind each design, fashion show, magazine covers, interviews, … Today you are going to know who are the most important haute couture designers in the world in the today along with his career and style. Do you want to know a little more about fashion? These are the 50 most important men’s fashion designers in the world.

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The 50 most important men’s fashion designers in the world

The world of fashion is full of firms, some haute couture, others “low cost” and then we find proper names that are not only the ones that set the trend each season, but have made history thanks to their designs, and they have inspired many others thanks to their collections, in some cases elegant, and in others totally risky and innovative.

Names like Gucci, Giorgio Armani or Dolce & Gabbana are constantly heard in the fashion world, but do we really know who they are or how they became famous with their designs? Did you know that some of these firms actually have other designers as creative minds? We explain a little more about all of them and we select the best 50.

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50. Giorgio Armani

This prestigious designer, whom everyone knows, is perhaps one of the most elegant designers that we can find in the world of fashion and specifically when it comes to men’s fashion. He began his career in the 70s, after working for Cerruti and other fashion firms. In 1975, together with Sergio Galeotti, he founded his namesake firm, Giorgio Armani.

Known above all for his suits and dresses, but he will also always be remembered, and he is remembered for the creation of the unstructured jacket with which he swept the 80s and set a trend for years.

49. Tom Ford

Considered by many to be the best men’s fashion designer. The American designer knew how to revive the Gucci firm in the 90s, and currently has his own fashion firm in which the erotic and the eccentric are reference points, although there is no one like him to design the best men’s suits. His masculine proposals are spectacular.

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48.Christopher Bailey

Christopher Bailey is the current creative director of Burberry. He started in the world of fashion with Donna Karan and then, in 1996, he signed as a “senior designer” for Gucci. In 2001, Burberry appointed him creative director and, in 2009, granted him the position of absolute director of the firm, taking charge of the entire image of the brand and successfully recovering its most classic style with which he has managed to raise it once again.

47. Albert Elbaz

After working for Geoffrey Beene, the Israeli designer Alber Elbaz signed for Guy Laroche, where he only worked for a year, before making the leap to Yves Saint Laurent and for whom he designed his ready-to-wear collection before taking charge of the signature.

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Since 2001 he has been in charge of the artistic direction of Lanvin. For the men’s line of this firm, he works together with Lucas Ossendrijver, with whom he has been able to create a universe of clean shapes and designs and pure lines with a sober color chart and no chromatic dissonances.

46.Lucas Ossendrijver

The other half of Lanvin is Lucas Ossendrijver, having led Kenzo’s men’s lines (1997 – 2000) and working as an assistant to Hedi Slimane at Dior Homme (2001 – 2005).

45. Dries Van Noten

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He made his debut as a designer in 1986 with his first men’s collection, in London and as part of the group “The Six from Antwerp”, already selling for Berney’s in New York. It stands out as an essential designer for the practical man and in which functional proposals are the ones that prevail.

44.Italo Zucchelli

The Italian designer in charge of Calvin Klein for some time. He studied architecture before moving into the world of fashion, and signing for Jil Sanders, later taking over the reins of CK, replacing the famous American designer.

A designer who really likes to explore textures and materials and who always surprises with his work with volumes.

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43. Thomas Maier

Designer in charge of the men’s line at Bottega Veneta, who previously worked for Guy Laroche, Sonia Rykiel, Revillon and Hermès. In 1997 he launched his own brand.

A true expert in textures, Tomas Maier’s collections almost always stand out for the good combination of colors among which browns and grays predominate.

42.Hedi Slimane

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Yves Saint Laurent’s star designer has always been quite self-taught. At the age of 15 he already began to develop his first designs. Between 1992-1995 he was a consultant to Jean-Jacques Picart at Louis Vuitton and in 1996 he became director of ready-to-wear for the Yves Saint Laurent men’s line.

At the beginning of 2000 he was placed in charge of Dior Homme, a firm for which he defined the entire concept of men’s fashion in the “skinny” cut that set trends, being also an expert in the use of black and white and androgynous look.

41.Miucca Prada

The first woman to appear on our list of the 50 most outstanding men’s fashion designers is Miucca Prada, head of Prada and Miu Miu. He began after graduating from his grandfather’s company and where in the early 90’s he launched the successful second collection, Miu Miu.

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Refined and minimalist lines define their men’s collections for Prada, and tend to advance trends a year before they are seen in other firms.

40. Marc Jacobs

A designer among designers, Marc Jacobs has known how to stand out both with his own firm and working for Louis Vuitton. He began in his mid-80s, launching his first men’s collection in 1986, which led him to achieve the Council of Fashion Designer of America (CFDA) award for New Talent a year later, being the youngest designer to achieve it.

Until 1992, he took charge of Perry Ellis with his partner, Robert Duffy, and it was in 1994 when he launched his own firm together with him, also signing in 1997 for Vuitton. Many highlight in him the fact that he has known how to dress today’s urban man like nobody else.

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39. Paul Surridge

The current designer of Z for Zegna, replaced Alessandro Sartori in the Italian brand. She had previously worked for Jil Sander, and carried the men’s lines for Burberry and Calvin Klein.

Surridge usually stands out for its defined classic lines that usually have unexpected details and that end up becoming a trend.

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38. Humberto Leon and Carol Lim

Two names but who think as one mind. Humberto Leon and Carol Lim met at the University of Berkeley (California) and in 2002 they decided to set up their Opening Ceremony store in New York with which they have made history.

In 2002 they were also named as the creative designers of the Kenzo firm. They stand out for their “streetwear” style and knowing how to reflect all the street trends in their collections.

37. Michael Bastian

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A tireless worker, Michael Bastian has taken charge of firms such as Abraham & Strauss, Tiffany & Co., Polo Ralph Lauren or, most recently, Bergdorf Goodman for which he led the men’s line for five years. In 2006 he launched his own firm, which led him to be recognized by the CFDA as Best Male Designer in 2011.

His collections stand out for a marked tendency towards “preppy” and to which he can give a classic sense.

36. Massimiliano Giornetti

He started as an assistant in the Salvatore Ferragamo men’s line, where after ten years working he ended up being appointed creative director in 2010.

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His style is defined by the neatness and elegance of all his creations, in which the good work with the combinations of the color palettes also stands out.

35. Vivienne Westwood

The “mother” of punk aesthetics currently has her own firm, although in the beginning she worked with her second partner, Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols, and with whom she opened the iconic Let it rock store that soon renamed SEX, and where Westwood began selling his first designs.

34. Karl Lagerfeld

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The “kaiser” of fashion has spent years creating excellent collections for Chanel, Fendi, and his own label, Karl Lagerfeld, which he launched in the 1980s.

At just 22 years old, he was awarded a job at Pierre Balmain after winning a contest sponsored by the International Wool Secretariat. This opportunity earned her to know how to create inimitable designs for women, and original ones for men. A tireless worker, he has collaborated in the design department of firms such as Chloé, and the aforementioned Fendi or Chanel.

33. Dolce & Gabbana

They are perhaps the most famous designers in Italian fashion, and in the world. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are the designers who in the early 80s launched the firm that has made them one of the most prestigious, Dolce & Gabbana.

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Domenico Dolce started in the world of fashion from a very young age, his father was a seamstress and had a small textile shop, and he studied at the prestigious Marangoni school. Instead, Stefano Gabbana had to find his passion for fashion after studying graphic arts. They know each other in the 70s working in the same company and they created their firm in 1981.

The Italian style is the key to the success of his work. Its collections present comfortable, comfortable garments with a marked inspiration in the fashion of the 50s and 60s.

32. Stefano Pilati

The current designer for Ermenegildo Zegna began his career working for Cerruti, later working for Giorgio Armani as an assistant (1993), Prada as head of fabrics (1995) and Miu Miu as a design assistant (1998). He came to Yves Saint Laurent in 2000, where he worked as creative director until 2012.

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His designs are somewhat austere and sober although he is undoubtedly one of the best designers of men’s suits.

31. Roberto Cavalli

One of the designers who has best known how to present printed collections, mastering animal print like no one else. He has worked for Hermès or Pierre Cardin. In 1970 he opened his first store and presented his first collection in Paris, he is also credited with creating the first worn jeans.

30. Jil Sander

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He began his career as a “fashion editor” for Petar magazine. It is in 1967 when he opens a multi-brand store where, in addition to his designs, Thierry Mugler or Sonia Rykiel are sold, going on to launch his own firm in 1968. In 2004 she parted ways with her brand and has worked as a consultant for Uniqlo until her return to her namesake firm was announced in early 2013.

The designer who knows how to best represent the 90’s fashion style. She is known as the queen of simplicity.

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29. Rei Kawakubo

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The person in charge of Comme des Garçons firm that she founded in 1969, has a degree in Philosophy and Letters from Keiō University (Tokyo). Launched the men’s line in 1978.

His style is characterized by being austere and minimalist, and also breaks all codes established by Western fashion.

28.Guillaume Henry

Designer responsible for Carven’s men’s collections. He studied at the French Fashion Institute in Paris, and in 2003 signed for Givenchy, leaving in 2009 to work at Paule Ka, until a year later he received a phone call to direct Carven’s creative line.

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Patterns and volume are his hallmark, with a style heavily influenced by French fashion.

27. Alexis Mabille

He worked for firms such as Christian Dior or Yves Saint Laurent, until 2005 when he launched his own firm with a unisex collection that would later be divided into its men’s and women’s lines. Since 2010, he has been a member of the Paris Haute Couture Syndical Chamber.

It has a markedly classic style for its women’s collections that contrast with the somewhat more risky style for its men’s proposals.

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26.Yohji Yamamoto

Yohji Yamamoto’s firm was born in 1972 when this designer launched Y’s, considered today as his second line. In the 80s he presented himself in Paris, reaping great success since then and which has allowed him to collaborate with other brands such as Hermès, Mandarina Duck or Adidas. .

His style is framed in loose-cut suits with a marked Japanese influence with designs reminiscent of kimonos. It is considered suitable for both mature people and young people.

25. Veronique Nichanian

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Designer for the Hermès firm, she began her career as a male stylist for Cerruti. It is in 1988 when she signed for ca Hermès as artistic director of ready-to-wear for men, and since 2009, she has been deputy director of the men’s line.

It is distinguished by its special attention to materials, colors, cuts and proportions, and above all to the small details that have always set the firm apart.

24.Neil Barrett

Graduated from St. Martins, specialized in menswear from the Royal College of Art in London, he began his career in the early 90s working for Gucci. Also in the 90s he proposed to Prada to launch a line for men and it was in 1999 when he launched his own firm.

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Working in his time for Prada, is when he began to be known as the “father of masculine minimalism” and who has defined each and every one of his collections.

23. Frida Giannini

She studied at the Fashion Academy in Rome, and in 1997 she was appointed director of ready-to-wear at Fendi before moving on to the firm’s leather goods division. In 2002 she became part of the Gucci work team, being responsible for the accessories line, and it was in 2005 when she was promoted to become the firm’s creative director.

Her style is faithful to the foundation of the firm for which she works, although transforming some of her classics, such as prints, into innovative designs.

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22.Paul Smith

A young accident cut short his career as a cyclist and led him to opt for fashion. In 1970 he opened his first store, together with his wife, and in 1976 he showed his first men’s collection in Paris.

He has a marked “British” style, although he always opts for somewhat risky designs in his chromatic compositions. His hallmark is the multicolored striped print and his knitted work.

21.Kean Etro

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After having been part of the firm and family business founded by his father, Gimmo Etro, he is now in charge of the creative direction of the firm’s men’s line.

Bold prints, among which cashmere stands out, as well as the games of textures and exotic materials are its hallmark.

20. John Varvatos

His work began for Ralph Lauren in 1983. In 1990 he signed for Calvin Kelin where he was in charge of the entire men’s line until 1995, the year in which he returned to Ralph Lauren and became in charge of design for the Polo men’s division. Ralph Lauren and launch Polo Jeans Company. At the beginning of 2000 he launched his own firm.

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His designs have a certain classicism, although he defines himself as a designer with a “grunge dandy” style.

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19. Rick Owens

After studying several fashion courses, he founded his own firm in 1994. His designs are based on deconstructed garments with great pattern work and in which dark tones prevail.

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18.Michael Kors

The American designer Michael Kors began studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and it was in 1981 that he launched his own brand with great success. In 1997 he was appointed the first creative director of the French house Céline, which he exalted until his departure in 2003.

Nobody like him to combine European sophistication with the functionality of American design.

17. Nicola Formichetti

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Known for being the fashion director of Vogue Hommes Japan, he is also a regular stylist for Lady Gaga and the design director for the firms Uniqlo and Thierry Mugler.

His style is somewhat gothic, with a tendency towards futuristic and somewhat provocative designs.

16. Alessandro Sartori

In 2003 he began to lead the creative direction at the firm Z Zegna, until in 2011 he was appointed creative director of the accessories firm Berluti.

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He is a specialist in taking Italian luxury to its maximum power with the use of high quality materials and classic cuts.

15. Phillip Plein

In 1998 he began designing furniture for friends and family, and it was in 2004 that he surprised by presenting his first fashion collection.

It is distinguished by a marked New York style, and in which modern suits and tuxedos for men stand out.

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14. Riccardo Tisci

After graduating from St. Martins School of Design in London, he worked in various textile companies until, in 2005, he launched a single collection of his own that led him to be named creative director of the women’s and couture line at Givenchy and, since 2008, of all lines in the house.

Her style is distinguished by a certain darkness and gothic overtones that are mixed with a Parisian style with great importance in unusual volumes, cuts and prints.

13. Dean and Dan Caten

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Canadian twins of Neapolitan ancestry who were creative directors of Ports 1961, as well as having worked at Gianni Versace and Diesel studios before founding their own label in the 1990s.

His style is defined by having “streetwear” proposals that are innovative and groundbreaking, among which “denim” and “slim fit” jackets prevail.

12. Naoki Takizawa

In 1982 he joined the Issey Miyake firm, and it was in 1993 that he became responsible for the men’s line. In 1999 he was appointed creative director of the firm. In 2010 he signed for Helmut Lang as creative director of the men’s line for the fall-winter collection of that year and in 2011 he was appointed design director of Uniqlo.

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One of the greatest exponents of Japanese design, his style is full of colors and with a strong oriental accent.

11. Olivier Rousteing

After having worked for Roberto Cavalli, he was signed by Balmain where he worked as workshop manager, Christophe Decarnin’s right-hand man, and is currently its creative director after the departure of his mentor.

His style is distinguished by a detailed line in which the somewhat baroque prints stand out and with a marked French accent.

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10.John Galliano

He graduated from St. Martins School in London in 1984, and dares to launch his own fair after finishing his studies. In 1995, the LVMH group appointed him the creative direction of Givenchy, being the first Briton to run a French Haute Couture house, and in 1997 they transferred him to Christian Dior, where he worked until 2011.

His theatrical and somewhat excessive style are his source of inspiration, also focusing on previous and decadent French times.

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9.Christophe Decarnin

After finishing his studies at the ESMOD school in Paris, he was appointed creative director of the firm Paco Rabanne. Between 2005 and 2011 he is in charge of renewing the style of Balmain.

His style is framed between military reminiscences, marked shoulders and skinny cut pants.

8. Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren

They met while studying at the Arnhem Academy of Art and Design (Holland) and in 1993 they founded their own firm Viktor & Rolf, launching their first men’s line in 2003.

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His style is defined by his conceptual designs, which are also, in a certain way, the creators of the “hipster” style that is now prevailing.

7. Donatella Versace

She is named creative director of her brother’s firm, Gianni Versace after his assassination in 1997.

In his men’s line, he has known how to impose himself thanks to the riskiness of many of his designs and prints.

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6. Kris Van Asche

After graduating from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, he created his own firm in 2004 and three years later was appointed creative director of Dior Homme.

The refined and minimalist lines define their designs among which black and white prevail.

5. Raf Simons

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He graduated in industrial design in 1991, later working for Walter Van Beirendonck, one of “The Antwerp Six”. In 1995 he launched his own firm focused on men’s design and in April 2012 he was appointed creative director of the Dior house.

The classic tailoring cut mixed with the influences of the urban style is the style that best defines him and that makes him an innovator.

4.Sarah Burton

After graduating from Central Saint Martins School in London, he became a personal assistant to Alexander McQueen. In 2010, she was appointed creative director of McQueen’s firm after his death in 2010.

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Sarah Burton has known how to continue the legacy left by McQueen, although with a somewhat calmer and less groundbreaking style than the British used to be.

3. Dirk Bikkembergs

In 1982 he graduated with Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten or Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Bikkembergs and launched his own firm.

His style is sporty and it shows in the large number of “sport” lines launched by the designer, including Dirk Bikkembergs Sport Couture, Bikkembergs and Bikkembergs Sport. He is always inspired by soccer, which he considers the universal language of the 21st century.

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2.Bill Gaytten

Being an architecture student, he began his career in the world of fashion with Victor Edelstein. It became part of the John Galliano house 23 years ago, becoming one of his most important pieces together with Steven Robinson.

After Galliano’s departure from his own firm, he has known how to continue launching collections very similar to those of the Gibraltano’s style and that allow him to maintain the prestige of the brand.

1.Brendan Mullane

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Until 2013 he was Givenchy’s Senior Head Menswear Designer, in addition to having worked for firms such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Alexander McQueen. At the beginning of July 2013, his appointment as creative director of Brioni was announced.

It has a style of refined and simple lines, among which innovative and modern designs stand out, which have allowed Givenchy to prevail in men’s fashion as well.

These are the 50 most important men’s fashion designers in the world, those who have known how to completely renew the men’s fashion style and have managed to surprise each season with their proposals and trends.

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