The general knowledge of some well-known brands
Balenciaga
The son of a seamstress, Cristobal Balenciaga founded this legendary fashion house in Madrid in 1918. After the Spanish Civil War, the designer relocated to Paris where he swiftly built a reputation for refined elegance and was hailed as "the couturier of couturiers". Frenchman Nicolas Ghesquiere has been at the helm since 1997, drawing inspiration from the house's archives and fans including Nicole Kidman (who wore Balenciaga for her 2006 nuptials) can't get enough of the fine finishes. This retro-chic sunglasses collection upholds the brands luxury heritage with oversized Jackie O frames and dramatic tinted lenses.
Burberry
The epitome of English sophistication and classic tailoring, this fashion institution was founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry and his quintessential trench. Add a dash of modern British sensibility to your look with Burberry's sleek separates and bring a rich burst of color to your wardrobe with a fuchsia double-breasted trench.
Chloe
French label Chloe was started in 1952 as an alternative to the norm's strict adherence to haute couture. Founder Gaby Aghion spotted a void in the market and the notion of Pret-a-Porter was born. The list of past designers reads like a who's who of fashion's greatest, including Karl Lagerfeld (who took it to iconic status in the 1970s), Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo. British designer Hannah MacGibbon is the new creative director, look out for her refined take on easy glamour.
Marc Jacobs
With his never-fail, trend-setting vision, Marc Jacobs predicts precisely what women want to wear season after season. After graduating from Parsons School of Design, he founded his namesake line in 1986 with business partner Robert Duffy. Urban styling, impeccable detailing and flawless structure characterize Jacobs' fashion-forward collections and his cool celebrity fans - including Sofia Coppola and Selma Blair - can rest assured if they're wearing Marc Jacobs, they're in with the in-crowd.
Miu Miu
Miuccia Prada is a true trend visionary and her second line Miu Miu has always been the go-to for an instant hit of what's hot. Since its launch in 1992, Miu Miu's sophisticated-eclectic design mix has earned the label a host of devotees such as Nicole Kidman and Chlo? Sevigny. Classic but super cool, a Miu Miu look will take you from the most uptown eaterie to the hippest nightspot.
Prada
Prada S.p.A was founded in 1913 as a leather goods business by Mario Prada. In 1978, the company came under the helm of his granddaughter Miuccia Prada who has since transformed it into one of the world's most respected clothing and luxury goods labels. The Prada style is sophisticated and elegant with a strong sense of craftsmanship - their sunglasses embody this ethos, with crystal embellished aviators and silver rimmed styles among the collection.The general knowledge of some well-known brands
Jimmy Choo
Luxury accessories brand Jimmy Choo has garnered an extremely loyal clientele - many of whom are a-list style icons like Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow and First Lady Michelle Obama (who wore the white satin 'Dale' sandal to the presidential Inauguration Ball), indeed company president Tamara Mellon regularly decamps to Hollywood to provide footwear for her eager clientele during awards season. Put a fabulous spring to your step with their pumps, sandals and boots and the to-die-for selection of bags, totes and clutches.
Yves Saint Laurent
Founded in 1962, Yves Saint Laurent is synonymous with elegance, innovation and flair. From 'le smoking' to the drop-crotch pant, the iconic French label continues to push fashion boundaries while never compromising on style. Under direction from Stefano Pilati, the spring line fuses the kimono shapes of the orient with power tailoring to create a highly covetable collectionĦĦof future classics
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