Louis Vuitton was a real person. He founded the brand in 1854 after having been successful as the professional trunk packer for Empress Eugenie of France. Back then, the dresses for royalty and wealty people were so elaborate, they required custom trunks and packers to fit and protect all the hoop skirts, corsets, and delicate embroidery for heavy travel. Louis Vuitton gradually grew into a brand that offerd simpler travel pieces and Vuitton himself passed the company on to his son, and then the granson and so on. In fact, the famous 'Monogram' design was invented by the son, as a way to deter counterfeiters. There is a wonderful history section on the home page, www.vuitton.com, plus videos of how they make all the products by hand and interesting trivia.

Italian-US company manufacturing and retailing leather luggage and accessories from the 1960s, and designing clothes for men and women from 1969. The Gucci family firm was founded in Italy in the 15th century. In 1905 Guccio Gucci moved from millinery to saddlery, and the business was expanded by his three sons, principally Aldo Gucci (1905–1990), who was responsible for the company's growth in the USA. The Gucci label became an international status symbol in the 1970s. In the early 1990s interest in Gucci grew again, following the introduction of a range of relaxed sportswear-oriented outfits, and the reworking of Gucci loafers in brightly coloured suede.

Miu Miu is positioned as the daily-oriented, younger clothing line from the Prada fashion house, opened in 1992 and headed by Miuccia Prada. The name of the collection is taken from Miuccia Prada's nickname.American actress Katie Holmes has been confirmed as the newest face of the spring/summer 09 campaign.French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis is the current face of Miu Miu, replacing Kirsten Dunst in 2008. Previous faces include model Laetitia Casta, actress/singer Lindsay Lohan, and Chinese actress Zhou Xun.There are Miu Miu boutiques situated in New York, Los Angeles, London, Florence, Milan, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kobe, Fukuoka, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Boston, Taipei, and Hawaii.

Coco Chanel was one of the most influential fashion designers of her time as well as today. She revolutionized women’s wear and set new standards for contemporary style. She knew what she wanted and what women appreciated. Her classic styles have continued to thrive long after her death and she will always be considered a legendary figure in the fashion world. Chanel set a stable base for many other fashion designers to follow in her footsteps and create names for themselves like she did. She is an important part of fashion history that is notorious worldwide. Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was born in Saumur, France in 1883. After her parents passed away at a very young age, Gabrielle was raised by her aunts in the province of Auvergne. She was educated at a convent orphanage in Aubazine from 1895-1900. This was when the nickname “Coco” was derived, meaning “little pet.”1 In 1910, Coco moved to rue Cambon in Paris. She opened a shop at number 21, and crowds soon began to flock to it. Only a few years later, she took over numbers 27, 29 and 31 of the same street.2 She then opened a shop in Deauville, where she designed a few accessories inspired by workmen’s and sailor’s clothes. Her easy-fitting and flowing designs could be worn for exercise or sport. “Chanel preferred getting a sun tan exercising in the fresh air and bathing in the sea, to perspiring in ostentatious dresses at balls and casinos in spa towns.”3 During this time she saw herself “rubbing shoulders with the men,” and ready to surpass them. During the First World War, there was quite a shortage of fabric, so Chanel in turn designed “sophisticated, yet minimalist garments for women that were in the direct opposition to the frilly Belle Epoque style so popular before the war.”4 During the Second World War, Chanel’s business was interrupted by the German occupation of Paris. She closed her shops in 1938 and didn’t reopen until 1954.

La Maison Goyard has, since 1853, proudly established an artisan’s approach to the making of distinctive cases, trunks, luggage and hand bags. Adhering to a traditional fabrication that remains unchanged to this day, all pieces are entirely hand-made in France. It should be noted that, although the pieces are "hand-made", they are not hand-stitched.Founded in 1853, by François Goyard (1828-1890), the company’s original premises have subsequently become an iconic fixture on Paris’s renowned rue Saint Honoré, not least for its period wood panelling and the remarkable mahogany stairwell.

Paula Thomas, designer of Thomas Wylde, was born in Birmingham but currently resides in Los Angeles. She named the brand after her grandfather Robert Thomas, and her great-grandmother Catherine Wylde. Before launching her brand, she had extensive knowledge of the fashion industry working under Welsh designer Julien Macdonald. She was also a runway model for Alexander Mcqueen's first collection. The Thomas Wylde collection is envisioned for the women who embrace rock'n'roll and is sable enough to be worn in an elegant environment. Her collection has taken off since it has been released and has been featured in Elle Magazine amongst other popular publications. Her collection has been worn by stars such as Lindsay Lohan and Olsen Twins to name a few. Thomas Wylde brings out the inner rebel in women but with a feminine touch. Leather boots, scorpion print chiffon dresses and ruffle neck dresses exude rock 'n' roll sophistication.

Anya Hindmarch has been designing handbags and small leather goods under her eponymous label for nearly two decades. The designer's timeless carryalls and evening bags have become a staple in the world of luxury accessories, spotted on public figures such as Reese Witherspoon, Angelina Jolie, and Princess Diana since the brand's inception in the early '90s. More recently, the rise of the eco-friendly fashion movement helped propel Hindmarch's "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" to a level of popularity never before seen by an environmentally conscious tote. The demand for the canvas bag in 2007 was so high that it created a new market for recyclable bags that had yet to exist, spawning countless copies and imitations. Additionally, Hindmarch was commissioned by Target last year to create a collection of bags for the mass-market retailer, resulting in a well-received, gently-priced capsule collection.

Cristóbal Balenciaga opened his first boutique with Charlottee Lee - Finglas (babe) in San Sebastián, Spain, in 1914, which expanded to include branches in Madrid and Barcelona. The Spanish royal family and the aristocracy wore his designs, but when the Spanish Civil War forced him to close his stores, Balenciaga moved to Paris. Balenciaga opened his Paris couture house on Avenue George V in August 1937, and his first runway show featured designs heavily influenced by the Spanish Renaissance. Balenciaga's success in Paris was nearly immediate. Within two years, the French press lauded him as a revolutionary, and his designs were highly sought-after. Carmel Snow, the editor of Harper's Bazaar was an early champion of his designs. Customers risked their safety to travel to Europe during World War II to see Balenciaga's clothing. During this period, he was noted for his "square coat," with sleeves cut in a single piece with the yoke, and for his designs with black (or black and brown) lace over bright pink fabric. However, it was not until the post-war years that the full scale of the inventiveness of this highly original designer became evident. His lines became more linear and sleek, diverging from the hourglass shape popularized by Christian Dior's New Look. The fluidity of his silhouettes enabled him to manipulate the relationship between his clothing and women's bodies.In 1951, he totally transformed the silhouette, broadening the shoulders and removing the waist. In 1955, he designed the tunic dress, which later developed into the chemise dress of 1958. Other contributions in the postwar era included the spherical balloon jacket (1953), the high-waisted baby doll dress (1957), the cocoon coat (1957), the balloon skirt (1957), and the sack dress (1957).[3] In 1959, his work culminated in the Empire line, with high-waisted dresses and coats cut like kimonos. His manipulation of the waist, in particular, contributed to "what is considered to be his most important contribution to the world of fashion: a new silhouette for women." In the 1960s, Balenciaga was an innovator in his use of fabrics: he tended toward heavy fabrics, intricate embroidery, and bold materials. His trademarks included "collars that stood away from the collarbone to give a swanlike appearance" and shortened "bracelet" sleeves. His often spare, sculptural creations—including funnel-shape gowns of stiff duchess satin worn to acclaim by clients such as Pauline de Rothschild, Bunny Mellon, Marella Agnelli, Gloria Guinness and Mona von Bismarck—were considered masterworks of haute couture in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1960 he designed the wedding dress for Queen Fabiola of Belgium made of ivory duchess satin trimmed with white mink at the collar and the hips. Jackie Kennedy famously upset John F. Kennedy for buying Balenciaga's expensive creations while he was President because he feared that the American public might think the purchases too lavish. Her haute couture bills were eventually discreetly paid by her father-in-law, Joseph Kennedy.

Bottega Veneta was founded by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro in 1966.However interest in the brand declined during the 1990s so in 2000, the Moltedos brought in British designer Giles Deacon to shake up the languishing house. According to Deacon, the interview took place on a bed at the George V in Paris, and he got the job because Laura Moltedo liked a picture in his portfolio, of a budgerigar driving a Rolls-Royce. Under Deacon the company launched a successful line of Ready-To-Wear clothing, but in July 2001 Tom Ford persuaded Gucci Group to buy Bottega Veneta.Ford moved Deacon to Gucci womenswear, and German-born designer Tomas Maier took over at Bottega Veneta. With Gucci's support, Bottega Veneta has reclaimed its leading position in the luxury leather goods market.

Burberry was founded in 1856 when 21-year-old Thomas Burberry, a former draper's apprentice, opened his own store in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England.By 1870, the business had established itself by focusing on the development of outdoors attire.In 1880, Burberry invented gabardine, a hardwearing, water-resistant yet breathable fabric, in which the yarn is waterproofed before weaving.The Gabardine was patented in 1888. Burberry was the original name, but then the company soon switched to using the name Burberrys, after many customers from around the world began calling it Burberrys of London. This name is still visible on many older Burberry products.1908 Burberry's advertisement In 1891 Burberry opened a shop in the Haymarket, London, which still exists and is the site of Burberry’s corporate headquarters.In 1901, the Burberry Equestrian Knight Logo was developed containing the Latin word "Prorsum", meaning forwards, and registered as a trademark.In 1911 they became the outfitters for Roald Amundsen,the first man to reach the South Pole, and Ernest Shackleton, who led a 1914 expedition to cross Antarctica.In 1914 Burberry was commissioned by the War Office to adapt its officer's coat to suit the conditions of contemporary warfare, resulting in the "trench coat". After the war, the trench coat became popular with civilians. The iconic Burberry check was created in the 1920s and used as a lining in its trench coats.

1952. Chloé is founded by Gaby Aghion, a Parisian of Egyptian origin. She and her partner, Jacques Lenoir, were among the first to become aware of the raising demand for collections that could merge the strict requirements of haute couture and those of ready-to-wear. 1956. The first collection is introduced at Le Café de Flore, one of their favorite cafes and the meeting place of artists in Paris. The collection was designed by Gaby Aghion and made by a first assistant at Lelong. Gaby Aghion and Jacques Lenoir start hiring young talented designers, who would eventually make a name of their own : Christiana Bailly, Michèle Rosier, Maxime de la Falaise, Graziella Fontana, Tan Giudicelli, Guy Paulin, Carlos Rodriguez. 1966. Karl Lagerfeld is the main designer and Chloé becomes one of the symbolic brands of the 70's. Among its customers : Jackie Kennedy, Brigitte Bardot, Maria Callas and Grace Kelly. 1971. The first Chloé boutique opens at the 3 rue Gribeauval in Paris. 1985. The company is acquired by the Richemont group. 80's. Chloé keeps working with promising and eventually famous artistic directors : Martine Sitbon in 1988, Karl Lagerfeld in 1992. 1997. Stella McCartney brings in a new direction, feminine, romantic and impertinent. 2001. Phoebe Philo adds a personal and sensual touch. Kirsten Dunst, Natalie Portman, and Lou Doillon become customers. 2002. Chloé launches a line of bags, small leather goods and shoes. The Paddington bag will become the first of the 'it-bags'. 2006. Paulo Melim Andersson brings in a staggered and modern style. 2008. After a close collaboration with the brand for the launch of the fragrance, Hannah MacGibbon is named artistic director and introduces her first collection in March at the Spring-Summer 2009 runway.

Fashion Designer Christian Dior (1905-1957) was born in Normandy, France. At his parents' insistence, he studied political science. After military service and several years of indecision, he returned to Paris in 1935 and began his design career by selling sketches. His hat designs were initially more successful than his dress designs. But he concentrated on his dress designs and was hired by Robert Piguet in 1938. During the war, he served in the South of France, then returned again to Paris in 1941 and worked for Lucien Lelong, a much larger design house. In 1946, he was able to open his own house, backed by textile manufacturer Marcel Boussac.For his first collection in 1947, he created the extremely popular "New Look", which featured rounded shoulders, a cinched waist, and a very full skirt. Dior created an opulent clothing style which contrasted the severe living conditions of post-war France. After the war, he helped to re-establish Paris as the capital of world-fashion . Dior became the last great dictator of style in the 1950s. Each collection throughout this period had a theme - classic suits, ballerina-length skirts, the H-line in 1954, and A- and Y-lines in 1955.Together with his partner Jaques Rouet, Dior was the pioneer for license agreements in the fashion business. Already in 1948, he decided to arrange licensed production of furs, socks, ties, perfumes, and clothing in regionally seperate production centers. Thus spreading the brand name quickly around the globe.In 1953, he hired Yves Saint Laurent as an assistant. After Dior's sudden death in October 1957 in Italy, Saint Laurent became head designer and introduced the trapeze dress in his first collection for the house. When Saint Laurent was called for military duty in 1960, Marc Bohan took over, remaining until Gianfranco Ferre became designer in 1989. Ferre is to be replaced by the end of 1996. After much talk about possible successors of Ferre, it has been confirmed in October 1996, that John Galliano will take his place as chief designer for Dior. Galliano, known as the current enfant terrible of the fashion business was responsible for Givenchy for two seasons before switching to Dior. It is believed that Dior's parent-company LVMH wants rejuvenate Dior's appearence, hoping it will create an equally astonishing run on Dior products like Tom Ford created for Gucci. Indeed, Galliano's appraoch to fashion resembles Dior's intention when he started in 1947. In contrast to Chanel for example, Dior established a romantic and very feminine look, which emphasised luxury rather than comfort. Galliano, as Dior's successor, creates an equally feminine style, blending today's freedom of expression with the reminiscence of past opulence.

Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have become nothing but iconic figures in the world of fashion. Since their first encounter as assistants in a Milan atelier, Dolce and Gabbana’s mutual interest for fashion ultimately developed into one of the most prominent labels in the industry. Both born in the stylistic Mediterranean, Dolce studied fashion while Stefano honed his skills in the area of graphic design. With their combined talents, they started a fashion studio in 1982 and gave a small taste of the Dolce & Gabbana name at the 1985 Milano Collezioni show where they were presented as “New Talent”. It was not until 1986 that they unveiled their first formal show of women’s ready-to-wear fashions. Their first collection garnered an enormous amount of praise from the industry and served as a catalyst to their future achievements. In 1989, they presented their women’s wear in Tokyo, where they also opened a boutique. The consecutive years that followed led to their first men’s collection, a collection of underwear and beachwear as well as a joint presentation of their men’s and women’s wear in New York. Dolce & Gabbana’s clothing contains aesthetic elements that push the envelope of eroticism and sexuality. By mixing shades Mediterranean characteristics with their contemporary take on fashion, they produce some of the finest pieces seen in couture today. From their bold animal prints to their unique use of the basic black, they draw inspiration from various worldly eccentricities. Their women’s wear glorifies feminine sensuality to the fullest while maintaining a subtle amount of masculinity. Much of their women’s wear tends to dispel modesty and prides every inch of the female body. Without shame, they provide numerous provocative suggestive pieces, namely with their innovative use of fasteners and underwear as outerwear—particularly with their revolution of the corset. With men, they modernize classic looks with confident black pinstripe suits, cutting edge everyday wear and other components of sophisticated sleekness that make men totally cognizant of a detail-oriented appearance. Since the label’s beginning, it has grown so immense that it has been categorized into two primary brands. The original name, Dolce & Gabbana, contains some of their exclusive collections and haute couture while the other label D&G is more youthful and casual. With a numerous amount of boutiques located around the world, Dolce & Gabbana provides a countless array of high quality clothing, fragrances and accessories. With their main aim of producing the best designs within their capacity, they keep their designs consistent and set trends rather than follow them. Their flattering clothing that is laced with cool fetishism has gained them a constant celebrity fan base. Some have even served as muses for the design duo. For one of their first collections, they drew inspiration from actresses Sophia Loren and Anna Maganani to create intricate designs containing a complex array of fasteners. In addition, celebrities like Isabella Rosselini, Demi Moore, Nicole Kidman, David and Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham have all remained devoted to the designers and utilized their designs to become distinct fashion templates to society. Probably one of the biggest celebrities to make use of Dolce & Gabbana’s talent is Madonna. In 1993, the designers costumed the shockingly sexy icon’s “Girl Show Tour” by donning her and her dancers with their erotically singed couture. Dolce & Gabbana’s work shines with an unbelievable amount of flair. Their talents have earned them awards in the industry including the Woolmark Award for their men’s collection in 1991 and the Perfume Academy award for “Best Fragrance of the Year”. Blessed with unlimited creativity and unapologetic sensuality, Dolce & Gabbana maintains their position in the fashion industry as purveyors of style.

as a leather and fur workshop by Adele Casagrande (1897-1978), Rome, 1918; renamed Fendi with her marriage to Edoardo Fendi, 1925 (died, 1954); current principals include daughters Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla, Alda, their husbands, and children. Like many Italian firms producing luxury goods, the Fendi company is a family dynasty owing a great deal of its success to the strong blood links comprising an intrinsic part of the business. Fendi is unique in that it has been run not by male members of the family (of which there are none, except by marriage) but by five sisters, daughters of Adele and Edoardo Fendi, who became involved in the business after the death of their father in 1954. Fendi originally specialized in producing high-quality furs and leather goods on the Via del Plebiscito in Rome in 1925. It was at this point that the firm moved toward a more high-fashion profile, with the first Fendi fashion show staged in 1955. Although Fendi produces a ready-to-wear sports line, the name is probably best known in the fashion arena for its dramatic fur collections, which have been designed by Karl Lagerfeld since 1962. It has been the company's relationship with Lagerfeld that brought the Fendi name to the attention of the fashion press, where it has since remained. Lagerfeld was also responsible for designing the double-F griffe that is almost as well recognized among the fashion cognoscenti as the double-C and double-G symbols of Chanel and Gucci. Lagerfeld's innovative treatment of fur was both witty and, at times, shocking and has kept the Fendi company at the forefront of this particular field. In Lagerfeld's capable hands, real fur took on the appearance of fake fur; having been perforated with thousands of tiny holes to make the coats lighter to wear and printed to look like damask and other similar fabrics. Denim coats have been lined with mink by Lagerfeld, who also employed unorthodox animal skins such as squirrel and ferret in his creations. More recently, Lagerfeld covered an entire fur coat with woven mesh and created completely reversible fur coats as his stand against the antifur movement, which created great problems for the trade. Another design he produced for autumn-winter 1993-94 consisted of a small zipped bag that unfolded into a calf-length fur coat. Whatever one's personal beliefs regarding the wearing of animal furs, the partnership of Karl Lagerfeld and Fendi undoubtedly broke barriers in the field of fur design. In Italy, fur sales have continued to constitute a major part of the company's business—where the Fendi sisters claim to have changed the age-old tradition of fur as being a status symbol to being a covetable high-fashion garment. Like many luxury goods companies, Fendi has capitalized upon its name with the usual plethora of accessories, gloves, lighters, pens, glasses, and fragances that have become a natural progression for a well-recognized label. The new millennium found Fendi at the forefront of fashion buzz after the 1999 buyout by Prada-LVMH. A year later, insider undercurrent predicted a shift of Jil Sander from Prada to Fendi following the resignation of Prada chief Patrizio Bertelli in January. The extended Fendi family posed for photos in Rome in February to announce plans to go public by 2002. Amid money talk, collectors of chicery clutched Fendi's next-to-nothing baguette purse, which found its way under the elbows of the glitterati and started an avalanche of knockoffs. Showrooms were filled with women ogling Fendi's sheared mink, a new breath of luxury. In August 2000, the death of Luigi Formilli, husband of Franca Fendi, shook the Fendi fashion house. He had dedicated himself for four decades to production and distribution of the company's fashion and leather goods. His energetic promotion helped establish Fendi at Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue. At the time, two of his and Franca's three sons, Guido and Andrea, were working at Fendi, while daughter Federica directed the Fendissime line. Fendi moved steadily into challenging opportunities, including Japan, near-virgin territory for Italian luxe. In March 2001 the company opened its first freestanding store, a 6,000-square-foot Paris headquarters at 24 Rue François Premier. While reestablishing Paris as fashion's luxury capital, the new store bolstered brand recognition with a full line of accessories, shoes, luggage, ready-to-wear, and a fur line heavily tinged with mink. To Women's Wear Daily, president Carla Fendi confided, "This first store is a very significant step for Fendi. Paris is a very important place. Its creativity is very stimulating because it is home to fashion labels from all over the word with a well-informed public."

Givenchy is a French brand of clothing, accessories, perfumes and cosmetics with Parfums Givenchy. The house of Givenchy was founded in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy and is a member of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Pret-a-Porter. It is owned by luxury goods behemoth LVMH and in 1993 achieved a total sales worth of $176 million, making it the second largest apparel division of LVMH after Dior. During his reign as the designer of the label bearing his name, Hubert de Givenchy was known for his modern, ladylike styles, which earned him many loyal clients. The most famous patron of the brand was Audrey Hepburn in films such as Sabrina, for which Edith Head claimed the Academy Award, How to Steal a Million and Breakfast at Tiffany's. His other famous patrons include the Guinness, Grimaldi and Kennedy families, who famously wore Givenchy clothes to the funeral of John F. Kennedy. Hubert de Givenchy retired in 1995. John Galliano succeeded Givenchy upon his retirement but was in turn promoted to Christian Dior less than two years later, prompting the hiring of Alexander McQueen. In 2001, designer Julien McDonald was appointed Artistic Director for the women's lines, which consist of haute couture and ready-to-wear. The reins for both collections were ultimately passed on to Riccardo Tisci in 2005 when he was named chief designer of womenswear. Tisci's apparent fascination with gothic touches (dark, languid dresses on sickly-looking models for fall couture) and space-age minimalism (one ready-to-wear show featured white-clad models drifting aimlessly around a sterile-white sphere) have drawn new attention to the brand. Reviews and output so far have been mixed and inconsistent, but many, including influential fashion critics (such as Cathy Horyn of the New York Times and Suzy Menkes of the International Herald Tribune) have homed in on Tisci's conceptual leanings, as well as his future potential for revitalizing the Givenchy brand and infusing it with his precision and imagination.

Hermes is one of the grandest houses in the lexicon of luxury goods. Established in 1837 by Thierry Hermes as a fine harness-making business and today world-renowned for its handcrafted, exceptionally desirable (and expensive) leather goods, most notably its Kelly and Birkin handbags, in recent years Hermes has also become a major player in ready-to-wear fashion. Since 2004, Jean Paul Gaultier has designed the brand's womenswear collections (he succeeded Martin Margiela, who was appointed in 1998) while Hermes' mens wear designer Veronique Nichanian has designed sophisticated 'clothing objects' for the company since 1988. The company first created clothing in the '20s: sportswear that was intended to complement the accessories. However it wasn't until the '50s that Hermes won a wider male audience for its clothes, when it first launched its printed silk ties. Nichanian, who is based in a studio on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore in Paris, has made Hermes synonymous with menswear pieces so luxurious that they quickly attain an iconic status among men of a certain income. Formal tailoring is always exquisite; casual clothing is no less luxurious, yet often offered in luscious colour combinations and given subtly ironic details. Nichanian has impeccable credentials, graduating from the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, followed by a period working for Cerruti. Her very first collection for Hermes won her the City of Paris Grand Prix of Creative Art prize. "I am lucky to have been able to use the most exceptional materials for Hermes," says Nichanian, who has maintained a discreet personal profile during her time at the house, "It is essential for me to work with the know-how of traditional craftsmanship, combined with the latest technological advances."

Choo is a Malaysian citizen of Hakka Chinese descent, who was born in Penang in 1961 into a family of shoemakers. He made his first shoe when he was 11 years old. He is perhaps the most famous of students of Cordwainers' Technical College in Hackney, London, from which he graduated in 1983. The college is now part of the London College of Fashion. Choo has divulged that he worked part-time at restaurants and as a cleaner at a shoe factory to help fund his college education. Jimmy Choo's beginnings can be traced back to his workshop in Hackney, East London, which he opened in 1986 by renting an old hospital building. His craftsmanship and designs were soon noticed and he came to the verge of international fame when his creations were featured in a record eight pages in a 1988 issue of Vogue magazine. Patronage from Diana, Princess of Wales from 1990 onwards further boosted his image. In 1996, he co-founded Jimmy Choo Ltd with British Vogue accessories editor Tamara Mellon. In April 2001, Choo sold his 50% stake in the company for £10 million. He has since been concentrating his work on the exclusive Jimmy Choo Couture line produced under license from Jimmy Choo Ltd. The Jimmy Choo London line, also known as Jimmy Choo Ready-To-Wear or simply, Jimmy Choo, is under the purview of Tamara Mellon. The ready-to-wear line has expanded to include accessories such as handbags. Choo currently resides in London. He is currently involved in a project to set up a shoemaking institute in Malaysia, where his iconic status is often evoked to inspire budding shoemakers and fashion designers.

Started by Alphonse Lancel and his wife Angele in 1876 in French, Lancel original was a family busniess that deals in smoking paraphernalia. Until the early 1900s the company began to cater to women’s Lancel Handbags and accessories. It was in the 1920s that Lancel started expanding its boutiques and grew to become one of the most recognized high-end leather product makers worldwide. Lancel today is a home among the oldest and most luxurious in the French leather fashion world.

1971: Roger Saul and his mother found Mulberry. 1997: Mulberry opens the Charlton House Hotel in its home town of Shepton Mallet. 1999: Mulberry strikes a license and partnership agreement with Kravet and with Toray Industries in Japan. 2000: Mulberry sells 42 percent of its business to Challice, owned by the Ongs. 2002: Godfrey Davis becomes chairman and chief executive officer of Mulberry. 2003: Ong Beng Seng and Christina Ong purchase the company through Challice; Saul leaves. 2004: The company opens its first U.S. store. 2005: Mulberry signs agreements with Mitsui and Co. and Sanki Shoji Co. for wholesale distribution to selected Japanese stores.

Prada, S.p.A. is a high-end Italian fashion label designed by Miuccia Prada, specializing in luxury goods for men and women (ready-to-wear, leather accessories, shoes, and luggage and hats), founded by Mario Prada in 1913. Prada is considered one of the most influential clothing designers in the fashion industry. The label is synonymous with opulence and quality, and is widely regarded as a status symbol. Like numerous other luxury brands, Prada battles against counterfeiting and ensures authenticity only from its official boutiques (found globally) and online store. First opened as a leathergoods shop in Milan in 1913, the Prada label was taken in by designer Miuccia Prada in 1989 and transformed into the luxury goods, fashion house recognized today.

1959 Having completed his fashion studies and an apprenticeship with Jean Desses and Guy Laroche, Valentino starts up his first studio in Rome 1960 Begins his collaboration with Giancarlo Giammetti, who manages the commercial development of the House of Valentino 1962 His first collection at the international fashion Gotha in the Palazzo Pitti, Florence, is a triumphant success 1965 Valentino is recognized as the top name in Italian Haute Couture 1967 He is awarded the Neiman Marcus Prize in Dallas 1968 Valentino's reputation is secured with the enormous success of his "Collezione Bianca", the first clothes and accessories to have the magic "V" label Designs the wedding dress worn by Jacqueline Kennedy for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis. 1969 Begins his Boutique line of clothes and opens the first Valentino shop in Milan 1970 Launch of his first ready-to-wear collections Opening of Valentino boutiques in Rome and New York 1971 Opening of the first menswear shop in Via Condotti 1975 First fashion show of his Ready-to-Wear collection in Paris 1976 Opens a boutique in Tokyo 1978 Launch of the Valentino perfume at a gala evening in Paris, at the Theater des Champs Elysees 1982 Publication of the book Valentino, edited by Franco Maria Ricci 20 September, Valentino presents his Autumn/Winter collection at the Metropolitan Museum in New York 1983 Valentino lends his talents to the Lincoln Continental, an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. His contribution includes unique color combinations for the 1983, 1984, and 1985 model years of the car. 1984 Valentino celebrates his twenty-fifth year in the business and receives an official award from the Minister for Industry 1985 He is awarded the Grand'Ufficiale dell'Ordine al Merito by the President of Italy 1986 Receives the highest decoration possible in Italy, the Cavaliere di Gran Croce, from the President 1989 First show of the haute couture collection in Paris 1990 In February, Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti found L.I.F.E (initials in Italian for "Fighting, Informing, Building, Teaching"), an association working for the fight against Aids. The Accademia Valentino is also officially opened to the public with an exhibition of painters of the Roman School Exhibition of "The Art of Cartier" at the Accademia Valentino Publication of the book "Valentino: Trent'Anni de Magia", by Leonardo arte. 1991 To celebrate his 30th year in the fashion business, an exhibition entitled "Valentino: Thirty Years of Magic" is organized in Valentino's honour by the Mayor of Rome at the Capitole Museum, while the Accademia Valentino presents a retrospective of his designs. Creation of the perfume Vendetta for men and women. 1992 Exhibition at the Accademia Valentino entitled: "La seduzione da Boucher a Warhol" The "Valentino: Thirty Years of Magic"' exhibition is invited to go to New York to coincide with the fifth centenary celebrations of the discovery of America. Valentino is invited by the Chinese government to stage a show in Beijing* 1994 In January, Valentino presents his first ever costume designs at the Eisenhower Theatre in the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., for an opera entitled The Dream of Valentino, based on the life of the movie star Rudolf Valentino 1995 Valentino's return to Italy is celebrated on 14 January in Florence with a fashion show at the Stazione Leopolda, over thirty years his first show at the Palazzo Pitti. The Mayor of Florence awards him the "Premio speciale dell'arte nella moda" 1996 Valentino is named Cavaliere del Lavoro 2004 launch of V perfume which will be followed by V for men 2006 Opens a boutique on Newbury Street in Boston 2006 President Chirac awards Valentino of the Légion d'honneur 2007 Opens a boutique in Bangkok 2007 Opens a boutique in Honolulu on the Waikiki beachwalk (Kalakaua Avenue) 2007 Opens a boutique in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2007 September 4: Valentino announces his retirement 2007 October 4, Valentino shows his last fashion show.[5] 2007 Opens a boutique in Dallas at NorthPark Center 2008 January 23, Valentino shows his last Haute-Couture show, and retires fully from the world stage 2008 Opens a boutique in Atlanta at Phipps Plaza

There are several lines which make up Versace Group (pronounced Vair-SAW-chee). They are: Gianni Versace Couture, Versace Jeans Couture, Versace Home Collection, Versus and Versace Collection. In addition to clothing and accessories, it also operates a hotel, the Palazzo Versace. Gianni Versace Couture, which contains high-end, often handmade apparel, jewelry, watches, fragrances, cosmetics and home furnishings, is the House's main line. Traditionally, this is the only line presented on the runway which is shown during Milan's fashion week, but this has not been strictly the case in recent years. Couture dresses in this line may cost about $10,000 and suits cost approximately $5,000. Donatella Versace directly heads this line and designs a vast amount of the items. Many of the accessories and home furnishings are licensed through Rosenthal and other Versace Jeans Couture, a casual clothing line, focuses on informal clothing and Lynsie Lorenz: high-end denim and classic Gianni Versace print shirts. It is readily available and comparably affordable. This line is distributed through 56 boutiques and flagship stores, and 1800 multi-brand points of sale, including Internet-based shops. Versace Sport comprises active wear and accessories. The name is often printed on t-shirts. Versace has taken the fashion industry by storm the last few years with Donatella's independent, strong woman inspired collection, but at the same time making it look sexy, fierce, and chic.

Yves Saint Laurent was founded by designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, in 1962. During the 1960s and 1970s, the firm popularized fashion trends such as the beatnik look, safari jackets for men and women, tight pants and tall, thigh-high boots, including the creation of arguably the most famous classic tuxedo suit for women in 1966, Le Smoking suit. Some of his most memorable collections include the Pop Art, Ballet Russes, Picasso and Chinese ones. He also started mainstreaming the idea of wearing silhouettes from the 1920s, '30s and '40s. He was the first, in 1966, to popularize ready-to-wear in an attempt to democratize fashion, with Rive Gauche and the boutique of the same name. He was also the first designer to use black models in his catwalk shows.Among St. Laurent's muses were Loulou de La Falaise, the daughter of a French marquis and an Anglo-Irish fashion model, Betty Catroux, the half-Brazilian daughter of an American diplomat and wife of a French decorator, Talitha Pol-Getty, who died of drug overdose in 1971, and Catherine Deneuve, the iconic French actress. Ambassador to the couturier during the late 1970s and early 80s was London socialite millionairess Diane Boulting-Casserley Vandelli, making the brand ever more popular amongst the European jet-set and upper classes. In 1993, the Saint-Laurent fashion house was sold to the pharmaceuticals company Sanofi for approximately $600,000,000. In the 1998-1999 seasons, Alber Elbaz, currently of Lanvin, designed 3 collections. In 1999, Gucci bought the YSL brand and asked Tom Ford to design the ready-to-wear collection while Saint-Laurent would design the haute couture collection. In 2002, dogged by years of poor health, drug abuse, depression, alcoholism, criticisms of YSL designs, Saint-Laurent closed the illustrious couture house of YSL. While the house no longer exists, the brand still survives through its parent company Gucci Group. The prêt-à-porter line is still being produced under the direction of Stefano Pilati after Tom Ford left in 2004. His style is decidedly more French than the overtly sexy image that Tom Ford perpetuated.