by Gabriella D'Anton

Created on: November 15, 2009   Last Updated: November 17, 2009

From haute couture to pret-a-porter

"Fashion changes - Elegance endures" by Coco Chanel

The world of fashion was dominated in the 20th century by French and Italian designers. With incredible imagination, with daring attitude and undeniable flair, all of them were obsessed by enduring elegance.

The most influential designers left an individual mark, made a statement, changed the norms, and created an identifiable style; in the process they redefined the image of the modern woman and paid her tribute.

Driven by enormous energy and inflated egos, but most importantly blessed with talent and originality, their craftsmanship was impeccable. Authentic in their creations those giants of haute couture dictated fashion trends and imposed a style that will endure time.

COCO CHANEL. The fascinating world of high fashion begins with Coco Chanel whose name alone conveys prestige, impeccable quality, unique taste and unmistakable style. As early as the 1924 she was setting trends for women of all ages, instituting what will be later called "haute couture".

Her design was simple, practical and sophisticated all at the same time.

After her success with Chanel nr. 5, she was well established and in 1926 her "little black dress" was the new and definite stone marker of her career.

She introduced the jersey suite, the chemise, the pleated skirt, the turtleneck sweater and the strapless dress.

Coco Chanel started the pants revolution and the craze for bobbed hair style using the philosophy "luxury must be comfortable, otherwise is not luxury" as well as another famous quote "elegance is refusal". She firmly believed that "a woman has the age she deserves" and that every time a woman leaves the house she should "be prepared to eventually meet destiny that day".

Convinced that "fashion is architecture and a matter of proportion" she dressed some of the most beautiful women of her time, from Marlene Dietrich to Ingrid Bergman and Princess Grace.

Her style of simple elegance never changed much with time and it is easily recognizable. Since taking over the House of Chanel, designer Karl Lagerfeld kept the image of distinguished elegance.

CRISTOBAL BALENCIAGA known as "The Master" was the only Spanish giant in the fashion world dominated by French and Italian designers. His first store opened in San Sebastian in 1919 and was followed soon after by stores in Madrid and Barcelona. Eventually he moved to Paris, the undisputed capital of the fashion world and he was known both

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next Page >>