100 Most Influential People in Fashion

MARIO TESTINO Born: October 30, 1954 in Lima, Peru Famous subjects: Princess Diana, Claudia Schiffer, Gisele Bundchen, Elizabeth Hurley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts, Janet JacksonShot for: Gucci, Michael Kors, Valentino, Estee Lauder Beginnings.Mario Testino was born in Peru, and he attended five different universities before deciding to pursue a career in photography. He was interested in fashion but didn't have the talent for drawing or design, so taking pictures...Read Full Story

Designer Ralph Lauren walks the runway at the Ralph Lauren Fall 2008 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2008 at Skylight Studios on February 8, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images North America) RALPH LAUREN Born: October 14, 1939 in The Bronx, New York City Labels: Polo/Ralph Lauren for Men, Ralph Lauren for Women, Double RL, Ralph Lauren Home, Ralph Lauren PaintFans:Dustin Hoffman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, Debra Messing, Blake...Read Full Story

DAISY DUKE First Apparence: 1979Last Apparence: 1985Occupation: Server at the Boar's Nest, sex symbolVehicles: 1974 Plymouth Road Runner, 1980 Jeep CJ-7 Beginnings. The device of adding a sex symbol to a storyline has been around since before the invention of television, but few characters’ attire leaves so little to the imagination while leaving pubescent boys wanting so much more. And, aside from Daisy Duke, are there any other characters whose namesake entered the American lexicon as a...Read Full Story

Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens in Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch A Thief. Photo via Hitchcock Dream Hosters. GRACE KELLY Born: November 12, 1929 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Died: September 14, 1982 in MonacoFilms: Rearranged (1982), High Society (1956), The Swan (1956), To Catch a Thief (1955), The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1955), Green Fire (1954), The Country Girl (1954), Rear Window (1954), Dial M for Murder (1954), Mogambo (1953), High Noon (1952), Fourteen Hours (1951) Favorite designers...Read Full Story

images via fashion encyclopedia and papier doll CLAIRE MCCARDELL Born: May 24, 1905 in Frederick, MD Died:March 22, 1958 in New York City, NY Inspired: Donna Karan, Cynthia Rowley, Isaac MizrahiInnovations:zippers, spaghetti straps, ballet slippers, tweed evening coats, jersey dresses, drawstrings Beginnings.As a child, Claire McCardell noticed the clothes she wore were terrible for everyday activites like playing with her brothers. When she entered design school at what is now Parsons...Read Full Story

Legendary hairstylist Vidal Sassoon attends a party in West Hollywood in 2006. VIDAL SASSOON Born: January 17, 1928 in London, EnglandDied:May 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, California Famous Cut:Mia Farrow's $5,000 cut for Rosemary's BabyFans:Mary Quant, Nancy Kwan, Fan of: Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster Beginnings.In 1948, Vidal Sassoon went to Israel to fight in the Israeli War of Independence. He wanted to stay in Israel and study to become an architect, but he returned to London to...Read Full Story

MICHAEL JACKSON Born: August 29, 1958Died: June 25, 2009, of cardiac arrest. [read more] Fan of: The Bee GeesRecords sold: 750 Million Relationships: Brooke Shields, Tatum O'Neal, Lisa Marie Presley Read more about Tragic Child Stars Beginnings. Shortly after signing with Motown in 1968, Rolling Stone called Michael, then with the Jackson 5, “a prodigy” with “overwhelming musical gifts.” He did, after all, begin performing in front of classmates when he was 5. It wasn’t until 1978 when...Read Full Story

Farrah Fawcett was a pinup queen of the '70s and '80s. Image via Flickr. FARRAH FAWCETT Born: February 2, 1947, Corpus Christi, TXDied: June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA [Read More] Stylish roles:Myra Breckenridge, Logan's Run, Charlie's Angels Fans:Mary-Kate Olsen, Gwen Stefani, the Victoria's Secret hair and makeup department Beginnings.Texas-born Farrah Fawcett hit megastardom with her role as athletic crimefighter Jill Munroe on Charlie's Angels - but it was really the timeless...Read Full Story

BARBIE Born: March 9, 1959, New York, New YorkNet Worth: Several billionRelationships: Ken CarsonFavorite Vehicles: Barbie Corvette, Jeep, Commerical AirlinerOccupation: Astronaut, Doctor, NASCAR driver Beginnings.Before Barbie, children played with dolls that more resembled infants. When Mattel launched the doll in March 1959, it had an idea that the new product would be popular, though no one could have predicted Barbie’s success. Barbie was marketed as a "Teen-age Fashion Model," and her...Read Full Story

Fashion great Yves Saint Laurent. Image via thehuffingtonpost. YVES SAINT LAURENT Born: August 1, 1936, Oran, Algeria Died:June 1, 2008, Paris France Popularized:Le Smoking Suit (a tuxedo suit for women), the beatnik look, thigh-high boots, safari jackets, peacoats, leopard print, etc.Fan of:Betty Catroux, Talitha Pol, Katoucha Niane, Iman, Laetitia Casta, Catherine DeneuveFans:Catherine Deneuve, Paloma Picasso, Lauren Bacall, his mother Beginnings.Yves Saint Laurent, like his design...Read Full Story