Founded: by designer Nigel Preston, 1972. Preston born in Reading, Berkshire, 1946; studied painting and graphic art at Dartington Hall, then interior design; by late 1960s was designing for popular musicians.
Founded: in 1951 by Achille Maramotti. Company History: Launched Commerciale Abbigliamento Company, 1976, and Marina Rinaldi, Max Mara SpA, fall/winter 2001-02 collection.
Born: Vera Huppe in New York, 22 April 1903. Family: Married Raymond J.
Born: Frederick, Maryland, 24 May 1905. Education: Attended Hood College, Maryland, 1923-25, and Parsons School of Design, New York and Paris, 1926-29.
Born: Notting Hill, England, 1972. Education: Attended Central St.
Born: Jessica Gagnon in Presque Isle, Maine, 19 June 1930. Education: Studied at Boston University; received Bachelor of Arts degree, San Jose State University, California, 1963; no formal training in design.
Born: New York City, 1 October 1938. Education: Studied at the École Lubec, 1955-56, at the Sorbonne, Paris, 1956-57; studied fashion at the Traphagen School of Design, 1956; studied sociology at Columbia University and at the New School for Social Research, New York, 1958-60.
Born: Lee McQueen, London, England. Education: Left school at the age of 16; apprenticed as a tailor with Saville Row tailors Anderson & Shepard and later Gieves & Hawkes, 1990-92; M.A., St.
Born: 23 February 1962 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Education: Bachelor of Design, magna cum laude, University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, 1985.
Born: 1952, in Lenox, Massachusetts. Education: Graduated from Rhode Island School of Design, Providence; spent third year attending the École de la Chambre Syndicale Parisienne.
Founded: in Gallarate, Varese, Italy, 1953, by Ottavio Missoni (born in Dalmatia, 11 February 1921) and Rosita Jelmini Missoni (born in Lombardy, 20 November 1931). Company History: First collection produced for Rinascente Stores, 1954; Missoni label introduced, from 1958; first Paris showing, 1967; Missoni SpA workshop and factory established, Sumirago, 1968; first New York showing, 1969; first boutiques opened, Milan and New York, 1976; fragrance line introduced, 1981; Missoni Uomo and Missoni Sport lines introduced, 1985; Angela Missoni collection introduced, 1992; Angela took control of firm, 1997; launched footwear line, 1998; M Missoni debuted, spring-summer 1999; new flagships opened in New York and Paris.
East Meets West, edited by Kazuko Koide and Ikko Tanaka, Tokyo,1978.
Born: New York City, 14 October 1961. Education: Attended New York High School for the Performing Arts; graduated from Parsons School of Design, New York, 1982.
Born: Hampstead, London, 5 September 1891. Military Service: Served as captain in the British Army, World War I.
Founded: in Munich by Herwig Zahm, 1967. Company History: Accessory collections added, 1970s; fashion lines, mainly women's ready-to-wear, included Elementi, Mondi, Portara, Patrizia S, Braun, and Chris (by Christa Zahm); opened freestanding shops in Budapest, 1989, and New York, 1993; company purchased by Investcorp, 1993; issued its own credit cards in U.S., 1997; lost Investcorp backing and forced into bankruptcy, 1999; Mondi trademarks and worldwide licensing rights bought by Fehmi Chama, 1999; Gilmar Group signed license for women's apparel line, launching in 2000; Patrizia S collection set to debut with new German licensee, 2001.
Born: Paris, 29 June 1949. Education: Studied chemistry and law.
Born: Annalisa Moreni in Turin, Italy, 3 December 1947. Education: Istituto Statale d'Arte, Moda e Costume, Turin, 1961-64.
Born: Tokyo, 8 January 1926. Education: Graduated in literature from Tokyo Christian Women's University, 1947.
Born: Nuremburg, Germany, 7 July 1947. Education: Graduated from Beloit College, Beloit, WI.
Born: Digby (Henry) Morton in Dublin, 27 November 1906. Education: Studied architecture at the Metropolitan School of Art and Architecture, Dublin, 1923; London Polytechnic.
Born: Abbiategrasso, 1950. Education: Studied fine art, Accademia delle Belle Arti, Milan, 1968-71.
Born: New Jersey. Career: Developed her first collection at age 21; closed her New York-based design company, 1992; replaced Gianni Versace as designer for Donnatella Girombelli's clothing label Genny Collection and Genny Platinum, 1993; continued as a consultant for Genny and Genny Platinum for some years; developed her current label, 1996; designed for the Gerani line, 2000; continues her clothing label to date.
Born: Strasbourg, Alsace, France, 1948. Education: Studied at the Lycée Fustel de Coulange, 1960-65, and at the School of Fine Arts, Strasbourg, 1966-67.
Born: Jean Elizabeth Muir in London, circa 1930. Education: Dame Harper School, Bedford.
Founded: in 1983 by retail conglomerate Seiyu. Company History: Joint venture with Liberty Plc, 1991-97; opened first European outlet, London, 1991; spun off as part of Ryohin Keikaku Ltd., 1997; announced intention to open 40 stores in Germany over next decade, 1997; majority stake in Ryohin sold by Seiyu, 1999; launched company websites for online sales, 2000.