3 Influential Fashion Designers to Know for Women’s History Month

Photo by Boris Dunand on Unsplash

It’s 2021, and ironically, male designers still outnumber women designers in the fashion industry. However, there are plenty of women that have been kicking ass since day one and have changed the industry for the better. So, for this Women’s History month, I’ve put together a list of some designers that you may or may not know that have made some great strides in fashion and some pretty great clothes, too.

Rei Kawakubo

Rei is a Japanese designer and the founder of label Comme des Garcons, which is French for “like the boys.”

Even though she had no formal design training, she started designing clothes in the late 60s and officially set up her label in 1973. Kawakubo is known for her unconventional designs as well as a heavy emphasis on the color black. Over the years, she has stayed true to her vision and isn’t one to be in the media. However, she takes on the task of designer as well as keeps an eye on everything that goes into her brand, from marketing to graphic design. And at age 78, her designs are still as relevant as ever.

She is now considered an influential and iconic fashion designer and even had 150 pieces on display in 2017 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Talk about an amazing career.

Simone Rocha

Simone Rocha is a half-Irish, half-Chinese designer and showed her first collection in 2010, which was the one she developed while training at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. Since then, she’s won multiple awards and even dressed Michelle Obama. 

Rocha is daughter to designer John Rocha but has really made a name for herself through her namesake label. She lives in London but stays true to her Irish roots, which is reflected in her designs. But mostly, super-feminine with a bit of edge is what you’ll find in her designs.

She just recently launched a collection with H&M full of sheer fabrics, ruffles, plaids and color combinations like red and pink. The collection includes everything from outerwear to chic accessories. It’s absolutely stunning and pretty much sold out on the first day. 

At 35, Rocha is really just getting started.

Stella McCartney

As in Paul McCartney’s daughter? Yep, that’s the one. But, more importantly, she’s an amazing designer that is also a lifelong activist. 

She started designing clothes at a very young age and since graduating from college, Stella has been creative director at Chloe, launched her own namesake label, which includes women’s wear and menswear as well as lingerie and a skincare line. But always with an emphasis on zero animal products.

Stella consistently tries to find suitable alternatives that are not only sustainable but vegetarian. She has always made an effort to keep her brand as sustainable as possible, which is, of course, the future of fashion.

Even though you won’t find any leather or fur in her designs, you can always count on her clothing to be beautiful and feminine with a hint of flair. 

This is definitely not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start to knowing the female designers that have made an impact on the fashion industry and continue to make changes for the better.

Sally Espinosa

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