Four women have shaped the houses at the heart of fashion: Coco Chanel, who made trousers a staple for women; Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski, creative director of Hermès ready-to-wear since 2014; Maria Grazia Chiuri, the first woman in 69 years to lead Dior creatively; and Frida Giannini of Gucci.
Coco Chanel changed how women dressed
Google most famous women designers and Coco Chanel is the first result, considered by many the greatest fashion force who ever lived. She changed the way women wore clothes, capitalizing on the changing times. During the war, women only wore trousers when working a traditionally male job, and Chanel played a massive role in making trousers a popular fashion item for women. She was a fashion icon in every sense.
Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski keeps Hermès equestrian
The creative director of Hermès studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Antwerp, then became the design director of The Row, and she has also worked for Celine. In 2014 she became the creative director of Hermès ready-to-wear, and in 2015 she presented her first collection with a strong equestrian theme, staying true to the house's roots.
Maria Grazia Chiuri broke a 69-year barrier at Dior
Dior's creative director is an impressive résumé in motion: she spent 17 years working for Valentino and also served as creative director of Fendi. In 2016 she was appointed creative director of Dior, the first woman in 69 years to lead the label creatively. She is heavily inspired by the feminist movement, and it shows in her work.
Frida Giannini brought Gucci back to its heritage
Frida Giannini joined the Fendi team in 1997 designing ready to wear and was promoted to designer of their leather goods. In 2002 she joined Gucci as design director of handbags, and we have her to thank for some iconic designs. Gucci at the time was focused on monogram canvas bags, and she was determined to go back to the house's heritage: based on the 1960s Grace Kelly scarf, she developed the Flora collection of colorful bags. In 2006 she was promoted to creative director of the entire Gucci label.
Luxe Du Jour is founded by a strong woman who leads a team of wonderful women to success, and these four are the proof of what that leadership looks like. Browse Gucci and Chanel, or meet another icon in the Queen's bag story.
