Born: Oslo, Norway, 1939. Education: Studied at School of Fine Arts, Oslo, and École de la Chambre Syndicale, Paris.
Born: Ohio, 1953. Education: Attended Rhode Island School of Design for three months.
Born: Tripolis, Greece, 20 January 1920. Family: Married Nancy Angelakos, 1960; children: Peter.
Formed: in Treviso, 1959, by Carlo Stefanel (1925-87); son Giuseppe joined firm, 1970s. Company History: Signed licensing agreements with Romeo Gigli, the Girbauds, Peter Handley and others; company went public; announced joint venture with Calvin Klein, 1995; formed K Service SpA and SKY Company SpA with Klein, 1996; opened first CK store, Milan, 1997; signed with Joyce Ma to license apparel in Hong Kong, 1997; expansion planned for the U.S., 2001-02.
Born: Sioux City, Iowa, 30 June 1957. Education: Parsons School of Design, 1978-81.
Education: Self-taught in design. Family: Married Nancy McTague, 1982; children: two.
Born: 16 August 1959 in Rome, Italy. Education: Graduated with degree in fashion design, Kingston Polytechnic, 1981.
Founded: from family clothing company by Gerd Strehle in Nordlingen, 1968. Company History: Joined by wife Gabriele Strehle as designer, from 1973; launched Strehle Collection, 1976; Strenesse Blue, sportswear line debuted, 1993; opened flagship store, Dusseldorf, 1995; launched ready-to-wear in the U.S.
Born: Daughter of Lynn Stuart, New York City designer-merchandiser. Education: Dalton School; the Rhode Island School of Design.
Born: Dearborn Heights, Michigan, circa 1955. Education: Studied at Parsons School of Design, New York, circa 1973-75.
Born: 26 April 1948, in Shanghai, China; immigrated to Paris, 1966; immigrated to Canada, 1972. Education: Studied fashion design at Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, Paris; studied one year at Parsons School of Design, New York, 1967-68.
Born: Sybilla Sorondo in New York City, 1963, to Polish/Argentinian parents; moved to Madrid, age 7; moved to Paris, 1980. Family: Married Enrique Sirera, 1992; children: Lucas.
Born: Yin Yok Tam in Guangzhou, China, 1957. Education: Graduated from Hong Kong Polytechnic University; also studied in London.
Born: Tokyo, Japan, 29 July 1945. Education: Kuwazawa Design School, Tokyo; Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City, 1960s.
Born: Hong Kong. Education: Graduated in Economics and Business, University of Guelph, Canada; studied fashion design, London School of Fashion.
Born: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 February 1926. Education: Studied at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Born: Chantal Genty in Malakoff, Seine, France, 4 September 1947. Family: Married Bruce Thomass, 1967; children: Louise, Robin.
Born: Washington, D.C., 21 October 1943. Education: Studied fashion design at Pratt Institute, 1961-62, and at Fashion Institute of Technology, 1962-64.
Founded: in New York City in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John Young as a stationery and "fancy goods" emporium. Company History: Began jewelry sales, 1840s; added the manufacture of silver, 1850s; purchased the Tiffany Diamond, one of the world's largest yellow diamonds, 1878; introduced a six-prong diamond engagement ring, exhibiting what became known as the "Tiffany" setting, 1886; company moved to its present Fifth Avenue location, 1940; Tiffany family sells to the Hoving Corporation, 1955; company sold to cosmetics giant Avon Products, 1979; management repurchased Jewelry designs by Tiffany & Company, 2000.
Born: Chenevelles, Loire Valley, France, 11 October 1927. Education: Early training in Paris couture house until World War II.
Company History: Began as family business in Nice, 1949, expanded into sportswear with factories in the South of France. Company Address: 14 avenue de Verdun, 06000 Nice, France.
Founded: in London in 1980 by husband and wife team Sue Timney (born 9 July 1950) and Grahame Fowler (born 12 January 1956). Timney educated at Carlisle College of Art, 1966-67; Newcastle-upon-Tyne Polytechnic 1971-76, B.A.; Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, postgraduate diploma, textiles, 1976-77; Royal College of Art, M.A., Textiles, 1977-79.
Born: Eastbourne, 23 June 1910. Military Service: Served in the British Army, 1939-47, Lieutenant Colonel.
Born: Malaysia, 11 June 1961. Education: Studied fashion design at Parsons School of Design, New York, 1981-83.
Born: Cuba, 9 April 1961. Education: Studied painting and ceramics, then fashion design, at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design, New York.