5 Influential Women Who Changed The Fashion Industry

Happy Women’s History Month!

Happy Women’s History Month! To kick off the month, I am appreciating and reflecting on some of the most influential women and designers that have pioneered the Fashion Industry. Their creativity and dedication to excellence have paved the way for so many women today. As a female-dominated field, the women in fashion have had to work extra hard to gain respect from society. But these 5 women have used their individualism and self-expression to forever change the face of the industry.

Madame Gres

Madame Gres is the mother of couture. In 1936, she took the alias of Alix Barton in order to gain respect from her male counterparts. Under the name Alix, she made her mark on couture, demonstrating immense draping skills and the use of silk and wool. She experimented with unique fabrics and patterns and was infamous for her pieces resembling Grecian-inspired gowns. Gres’ approach to her art was pure genius, demanding respect and admiration from those around her. Her death was devastating to the fashion industry, but her legacy and commitment to couture live on today.

Ann Lowe

Born in Clayton, Alabama, Ann Lowe learned the art of dressmaking from her mother, who created gowns for women in the South. When Lowe was 16, her mother suddenly passed away, leaving her to carry on the family business. She moved to New York and enrolled in ST Taylor College of Design, which hadn't realized Lowe was Black and required her to segregate from the rest of the school. In 1950, she opened up a store for custom designs in Harlem. The store's popularity quickly grew in size and number, and Lowe became the go-to designer for high society women. Though Lowe loved to create for fabulously wealthy people, she often did not receive credit for her work. In 1953, Lowe was hired to create the wedding dress of Jacqueline Bouvier. When asked the designer of the dress, Jackie simply responded it was by "a colored designer." Though Lowe was never fully credited for her work, she still heavily influenced the fashion industry and became the first-ever Black woman to own a store on Madison Avenue.

Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel is widely considered one of the greatest fashion forces to ever live. Aside from influencing an entire societal reset and some of the best designers of all time, Chanel has a lingering impact on the scope and style of women’s clothing. Her signature style consisted of simple looks that were opposite of the constraining looks that women sported at the time. The sporty-chic, casual look took the post-war world by storm, changing how women viewed themselves and how society viewed women. This translated into the early 20th century’s increased feminism. So, not only was Coco Chanel an artist, but also an influential feminist that offered women freedom from corsets and lace frills and the misogynist expectations that came with them.

Dame Vivienne Westwood

Dame Vivienne Westwood may be solely responsible for the convergence of punk with high fashion and couture. The designer is no stranger to controversy, with her avant-garde look challenging what people thought they knew about fashion. Her mixed references to army combat gear, motorcyclists' leathers, and fetishwear are just a few examples of revolutionary looks that shocked the public. Similarly, Westwood often uses her designs as a platform to speak out about controversial politics she feels strongly about. An activist for the climate revolution and human rights, Westwood supports several charities and encourages others to pay attention to the injustices of the world around them. Dame Vivienne Westwood’s intense dedication to changing the world through her art is deeply prevalent today and has influenced many young artists to use their voices in an expressive manner as well.

Zelda Wynn Valdes

More than half a century ago, before a “curvy” model ever graced the cover of Vogue, designer Zelda Wynn Valdes understood the importance of creating clothes for more than just one body type. Valdes was infamous for fitting clothes for curvaceous women and was the creator of the iconic Playboy bunny corset, which will forever be a symbol of female seduction and allure. Yet, there is much more to this incredible woman’s legacy than the Playboy Bunny attire. Valdes came from humble beginnings working as a stock girl in a boutique until she was able to open up her own store, making her the first-ever black woman to open up a store on Broadway in Manhattan. She then went on to create beautiful pieces structured to enhance curvaceous women’s silhouettes, producing powerful and ethereal looks. Valdes made it her mission in life to open up doors for Black designers who needed guidance facing a still predominantly white industry. In short, Zelda Wynn Valdes is not only a master of her craft but also a pioneer of Black women in fashion.

Happy Women's Day!

xoxo

Amelia's Closet