Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

From Charles Frederick Worth to Nicolas Ghesqui¿re, designers have propelled fashion from an elite craft into a cornerstone of contemporary popular culture. This brilliantly written analysis of the achievements of the 50 greatest names in international fashion explores their lives, both personal and professional, drawing on the latest academic research and on the best of fashion journalism, including the authors' own interviews with designers spanning a 30-year period. The designers' working methods and career highlights are outlined in detailed and wittily written entries that capture the spirit of their times. From Poiret and Patou to Gernreich and Galliano, the sometimes provocative selection of 50 names poses stimulating questions about the definition of a fashion designer in the modern era. A ground-breaking book, this is a definitive introduction to fashion designers that is essential reading for both students and general readers alike.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword
• Introduction
• Section 1 Early days
• Introduction
• Charles Frederick Worth
• Callot Soeurs
• Jeanne Paquin
• Paul Poiret
• Mariano Fortuny
• Section 2 1910s-1930s
• Introduction
• Jeanne Lanvin
• Gabrielle Chanel
• Jean Patou
• Madeleine Vionnet
• Elsa Schiaparelli
• Mainbocher
• Adrian
• Salvatore Ferragamo
• Madame Alix Gres
• Section 3 1940-1950s
• Introduction
• Cristobal Balenciaga
• Christian Dior
• Charles James
• Claire McCardell
• Hubert de Givenchy
• Pierre Cardin
• Mary Quant
• Rudi Gernreich
• Section 4 1960s-1970s
• Introduction
• Norman Norell
• Yves Saint Laurent
• Andre Courreges
• Valentino Garavani
• Karl Lagerfeld
• Kenzo Takada
• Ralph Lauren
• Halston
• Issey Miyake
• Geoffrey Beene
• Calvin Klein
• Giorgio Armani
• Section 5 1980s
• Introduction
• Rei Kawakubo
• Yohji Yamamoto
• Vivienne Westwood
• Paul Smith
• Azzedine Alaia
• Gianni Versace
• Jean Paul Gaultier
• Dolce & Gabbana
• John Galliano
• Donna Karan
• Section 6 1990s-
• Introduction
• Miuccia Prada
• Martin Margiela
• Marc Jacobs
• Tom Ford
• Alexander McQueen
• Nicholas Ghesquiere
• Acknowledgements
• Further Reading