Can we talk Designer?

Angie

Just for fun

Include both couture and pret a porter lines.

I have long been a fan of the following genius designers:

Chanel, Valentino, Prada, Chloe, Armani, Burberry, Georges Chakra, Carolina Herrera, Alexander McQueen, Rag & Bone, Theory, Hugo Boss, Kate Spade, L.A.M.B., Smythe, Karen Millen, June, DVF, Stuart Weitzman, Equipment and Anne Fontaine.

I am also a new fan of Jason Wu.

Marc Jacobs does not sing to my sensibilities like he used to. Although I would still see his shows in a heart beat.

Over to you! You don't need to have these brands in your wardrobe at all! Nobody is stopping you from window shopping

14 years ago

Shopping

46 replies

Latest reply was from Polly (thunalata)

Nadya

Veteran

I love Jason Wu's clothes. I have a special place in my heart for him because he started out designing beautiful fashion dolls and clothes. I have this Jason Wu in my collection. How could I resist a fashionable doll named Nadja?

http://superbdolls.com/product.php?id_product=32

14 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

I need to study up on this! I only know a signature look (i.e. DVF wrap dress) by a handful of these names. . .

Through Nordstroms, I've come to love Kate Spade, Theory, Equipment - but Kate Spade and Theory are NOT designed for my body type without significant alterations.

I do enjoy the occasional Nannette Lepore and Trina Turk item.

But those higher end designers have been off my radar.

14 years ago

rosee

Veteran

Ooooh I have to get back to you when I think about it. I tend to like a lot of designs from a particular designer but not all of them, or one season and not another, so nobody sticks out in my memory as such. I really should pay more attention to who designs what. In general, I second many of the names you listed.

I also like some of the things by Isabel Marant and Vanessa Bruno, but I haven't liked it enough to lay down cash -- I use them as inspirations to find similar pieces.

I also like the vibe of eco-designers Stewart+Brown and Grace & Cello -- I would have purchased some pieces as I really liked them but something didn't quite work perfectly at the time. I will be keeping my eyes on them to see what they produce in future seasons.

I am just starting to learn the designers from vintage periods, and I really like Christian Dior's New Look (late 40s , early 50s) and Elsa Schiaparelli (30s). I have been researching the lesser-known names from these periods who produced great pieces, but I can't remember the names off the top of my head.

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I tend to try and not covet that which is beyond my means. Someday soon I will treat myself to a real DVF wrap dress. I guess Vince leather jackets are the biggest designer item I've been eyeing wistfully. As for names I can afford and wear, I like Calvin Klein, Guess jackets, and for shoes - Steve Madden, Michael Kors and some Nine West.

14 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

camille skovgaard, united nude, lanvin (shoes), chloe (shoes)

celine, armani in his heyday, ysl in his, calvin klein (still very covetable), donna karan in the 80s.

14 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

I've been finding Haider Ackermann interesting. When I take a closer look at
a fashion mag pic, I often find out that's who designed the piece that caught my eye.

14 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I'm a little overwhelmed when it comes to high end designers. I'd love guidance on who to follow (based on my evolving style), but I don't want to derail your thread. I would be following them strictly for inspiration, admittedly. I do not have a "high end" budget, sadly. Is this an "Ask Angie" separate post situation?

14 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Miu Miu, Prada, Marni, Jil Sander (both the original and current incarnation), Alexander McQueen, Rag & Bone, LAMB, Alexander Wang, Elizabeth and James, sometimes 3.1 Phillip Lim, Vince, Camilla Skovgaard.
I'm sure there are others but these are the first ones that come to mind. I used to love John Galliano but in light of his recent tirades not so much.

14 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

My favorite high end designer is Michael Kors (not the Michael by Michael Kors line, which doesn't do much for me). Just the clothing. His designs exude a timeless elegance that is also effortless. One of these days I will acquire something. I feel I would treasure and wear it for many years.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oooh! There are some designers that I do not know. Must do some research too.

Nadya, I did not know that Jason Wu made dolls. How fab that you have one named after you!

Sara, Theory silhouettes do favour tall-ish rectangles. Same with Boss and Prada. You are right. But Kate Spade I see no problem with. Keep trying her on if you like her handwriting

No disrespect to anyone, but for the moment I am absolutely off Nanette Lepore. I passed on all my NL stuff last year and this year. I couldn't handle it in my wardrobe anymore. But that doesn't mean that I don't love her stuff on other people! I have NL-crazy clients.

Vince, Lanvin, Dries van Noten and Marni I love on others! But not for my style at the moment.

Anna, I LOVE Jill Sandler too. She should have been on my original list.

Denise, MK's couture line is fabulous for sure. Bj, so is Donna Karan's current couture line.

As much as I try to like Philip Lim, Alexander Wang and Derek Lam, they are not for me. But I do love their stuff on other people - like you, Anna. I am a Jason Wu gal through and through.

MPJ, you don't need to ever purchase high-end brands in order to appreciate them. It's fun to draw inspiration from their signature styles and window shop.

14 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I am not so familiar with Jason Wu but Angie you have made me a new fan! Just LOOK at these...

They have that effortless chic thing going that MK does but more edgy. Yet, they all look like you could get a lot of use out of them. Check out the use of lace, it's got just the right touch of "sweet". And the pants designs are perfect. I added the shirtdress because it has a nice 40s thing going on, yet still very modern.

Thank you for introducing us Angie.

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I'm loving Erdem and Celine, just for the inspiration. It's nice to daydream!

14 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Is there some controversy around Lepore?

14 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Is there some controversy around Lepore?

I do think there is a lot of inspiration to be drawn from high end designers, but I do not follow anyone right now, other than ones you feature during NYFW.

14 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Ralph Lauren - my all-time favorite.
Donna Karan for her fabulous, wearable clothes.

Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga - he is at the top of my WISH list!

And I adore all the gorgeous Missoni knits.

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

I love Burberry, Michael Kors, LAMB,Chanel,Theory, for right now the are the brands I love to shop and window shop!

Burberry , Michael Kors and LAMB are the 3 I really have the most of in my wardrobe.

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Of all those designers, I enjoy Theory the most. I think I have one of their shirts in my donate pile ... it doesn't fit me very well.

I am looking at a Burberry bag for my residency though I can't wait!

14 years ago

DressLover

Veteran

Oh boy - what a question! I'm going to lump everything in one, but some designers I prefer for certain items over others. Here we go, in no particular order, but the more strictly shoe and accessory designers are at the end:

Valentino, Chanel, Prada, Armani, Chloe, Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Jason Wu, Burberry, Helmut Lang, Erdem, Pucci, Issa London, Diane von Furstenberg, LAMB, Miu Miu, Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Stuart Weitzman, Salvatore Ferragamo, Kate Spade, and Judith Leiber.

I also like elements and pieces of Dolce and Gabanna, Christian Dior, Gucci, Fendi, and Missoni, but there are always strong likes and dislikes, especially based on the season. Therefore, I wouldn't consider these designers I like for the bulk of their collections, but certain influences and time periods.

14 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I am designer illiterate.

I wish I could 'read' them enough to post something sensible here. If I must, I'd say I can 'read' some Armani, Chanel, YSL, D&G or Vivienne Westwood.

I once borrowed a book in the library which explained some big names to mere mortals like myself, I remember mentioning it here... it was a good read and the penny dropped when looking at many examples... but would I be able to recognize some of them?

I'm learning...

But, I do remember Angie's post from the A/W Fashion week about Jason Wu and his wonderful, feminine designs, so I am waiting for the season to see how his influences will filter down to the blog and forum

14 years ago

Anonymous

LIke Ornelia I feel designer illiterate and don't follow any of them. I'd love to add some designer things to my wardrobe but no idea what. I visited an upscale consignment shop in another city this weekend that had some Prada but even those things in my size overwhelmed me. From what you have shown us of Chanel, that would probably be my pick and I love a Burberry coat.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

MPJ, not that I know of? Personally I'm just off her designs.

Rita, I like Celine too!

Denise, there is a lot to love about Jason Wu for sure.

Barbara, nice selection. I have two clients who wear virtually nothing but Ralph Lauren - both his affordable collections that sells at Macys, and the couture collections.

Taylor, you are my Burberry, Theory and Chanel buddy :). Lyn and Joy might be joining our Burberry party by the sounds of things.

Dresslover, I see lots of similarity between your favourite designers and mine. High Five!

Ornela, you become familiar with the handwriting of the designers when you watch their shows, and browse their collections in stores. Some designer looks are more distinctive than others - like Chanel, Valentino and Prada. Or LAMB and Burberry.

I think that Vivienne Westwoood and Betsey Johnson put on a good show, but I do not like their styles for my wardrobe. I appreciate them as artists!

14 years ago

DressLover

Veteran

*high fives Angie* I need to get to Fashion Week sometime. I LOVE looking at runway shows. I'm looking forward to your reports even more now because we like many of the same shows.

14 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Marie Saint Pierre, Andy Thê-Anh, Karina Ackert (Kaliyana), Simon Chang.

Stores: designers from Kookai and Rodier.

14 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I love Jil Sander, and I also love Carolina Herrera - I know, very different designers, but that's me! DVF is a bit too preppy/bohemian for me, and Valentino is a bit too sweet. I also like Chloe. I liked Marc Jacobs spring fashions and I typically like McQueen. I haven't had the time to check out the shows on vogue.com like I usually do. (-:

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I'm mostly designer-illiterate like Ornelia and Joy, but Kate Spade just SINGS to me. Her stuff is just completely magical to me. It makes me giddy.

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Every once in a while I will click over to a site that shows the runway collections of Christopher Kane, Anna Sui, Ann Demeulemeester, Matthew Williamson, G-Star, and of course Burberry. I've also been liking William Rast.

14 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

As usual, my taste runs the gamut.

Armani, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Escada, Gucci, Kate Spade, Pucci, Ralph Lauren, Stuart Weitzman, Theory, Versace is all I can think of at the moment.

14 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

I'm not terribly literate on this subject but I love Michael Kors, Chanel and Donna Karan. Jason Wu is new to me but I think great inspiration can be drawn from him.
Betsy Johnson has some fun accessories.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Jenava, it's interesting that you describe Valentino as sweet. I'd have described Oscar de la Renta as sweet. Valentino is a lot more sculptural with his designs. In my mind anyway :). DVF described as bohemian is another surprise. I'd have described her as romantic. And very colourful - which I love. I guess her blouses this year were a little hippie, though. High five on Jill Sandler !

Dresslover, are you in the Rag Trade?

Krish, never heard of those designers - which I can barely pronounce!

Rae, I also like William Rast from time to time. G-Star is Dutch you know :). Anna Sui is another who does a very fun fashion show, although I don't think I would wear her designs.

Lisa, we like some of the same designers!

Debbie, you and Denise can start the YLF MK fan club

14 years ago

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