French Fashion Designers

French fashion designers are known for blazing trails in the style world. While France has long dominated fashion, the 20^th century was particularly known for the powerful fashion houses of Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy and Guy Laroche.

Coco Chanel
One of the most hallowed names in fashion belonged to Coco Chanel. A true innovator, Chanel focused her designs on the idea of sleek elegance through uncluttered lines, giving women a look of femininity while remaining practical and comfortable. Achieving flattering lines without the need for corsets and binding clothing was a major element in Chanel designs.

Christian Dior
In direct contrast to Chanel, Christian Dior's designs incorporated corsets, cinched waists' and billowing skirts. Christian Dior founded his fashion house in 1946 and its impact on fashion was the exact opposite of Chanel and, also popular at the time, Balenciaga. His designs incorporated the use of corsets and bustier-style bodices to achieve an hourglass effect when worn, a complete change from the sleek lines and uncluttered look of Chanel and the ornamental pieces of Balenciaga.

Hubert de Givenchy
Hubert de Givenchy opened his own salon in 1952, shortly after he left the salon of Elsa Schiaparelli. His designs focused on fusing together sophistication and accessibility, creating simple designs that reflected a refined taste. These features were evident in the line of separates he introduced as part of his collection. Givenchy was the go-to designer for leading female Hollywood stars and was considered fashion royalty for many years. After 40 years in the limelight, the designer retired, but his House of Givenchy continues to produce design haute couture, womenswear and fragrances.

Guy Laroche
Like Chanel, designer Guy Laroche began as a milliner, working his way up the ranks to become an assistant at Jean Dresses. In the mid 1950s, Laroche opened a high-fashion boutique in Paris featuring designs in vibrant colors; the signature design detail was a plunging neckline. His designs were haute couture, but they also had the ability to seem practical. In 1961, he introduced his first ready to wear line and in 1966 created Fidji, his first women's fragrance.

Yves Saint Laurent
A powerhouse for more than 40 years, Yves Saint Laurent began his career in 1954, working for Dior as assistant designer. Laurent made his first debut the following year and, upon Dior's death in 1957, became head of the Dior fashion line.

In 1961, Laurent opened his own haute couture salon with Pierre Berge. His designs were innovative for the time, with the tuxedo for women, androgynous fashion, ethnic designs, safari style and transparent fashions making their debuts under the Laurent line.

In 1966, Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, the first ready to wear salon by a top designer, opened for business. Laurent retired in 2002 with his last show for Rive Gauche, paying tribute to more than 250 selected outfits of his previous work and newly designed creations.