Designing Women: A VFG Fashion Parade

During Women’s History Month, the VFG is honoring the women designers who have contributed to the fashion industry and have left a treasure trove of vintage items to cherish.

Several notable pioneers of the early 1900s come to mind: Madeleine Chèruit, who proved that a woman was capable of running a major French couture house; Jeanne Paquin, who organized the first runway shows to display her beautiful pastel dresses; Jeanne-Marie Lanvin, who recognized the potential of a lifestyle brand with her clothing, perfume and home décor; Coco Chanel, whose focus on practical designs for active women dominated the industry for many years; and Elsa Schiaparelli, who introduced the bright colors and odd shapes of surrealism to the fashion world.

In the years following, other women built on their foundation and continued to innovate. A few of the better known are Claire McCardell and Bonnie Cashin (sportswear), Betsey Johnson (girlish kitsch), Mary Quant (the mini dress), Vivienne Westwood (punk and new wave), Diane von Furstenberg and Donna Karan (career wear), Edith Head (movie costumes) and Vera Wang and Ann Cole Lowe (bridal gowns – Lowe made Jackie Kennedy’s).

See more of this fashion parade in the VFG forums.