16 Inspiring Quotes By Iconic Fashion Designers

Overview:

Peek behind the seams of fashion history with an intimate look at 16 iconic designers who shaped the industry. Through their powerful quotes and lesser-known stories, explore how visionaries like Versace, Saint Laurent, and McQueen viewed style, creativity, and self-expression. Each designer's journey reveals surprising facts – from Manish Malhotra's modeling beginnings to Edith Head inspiring a Pixar character – making this a must-read for fashion enthusiasts.

Table of contents

• Three Things You Might Not Know About Gianni Versace
• Three Things You Might Not Know About Yves Saint Laurent 
• Three Things You Might Not Know About Manish Malhotra
• Three Lesser Known Things About Miuccia Prada
• Three Things You Might Not Know About Marc Jacobs
• Three Things You Might Not Know About Alexander McQueen
• Three Things You Might Not Know About Giorgio Armani
• Three Things You Might Not Know About Cristóbal Balenciaga
• Three Things You Might Not Know About Hubert de Givenchy
• Three Things You Might Not Know About Ralph Lauren
• Three Things You Might Not Know About Edith Head
• Three Things You Might Not Know About Vivienne Westwood

 

Staring at a full closet with nothing to wear – a feeling many can relate to. The pressure to keep up with ever-changing trends and fit a certain aesthetic can feel like a constant battle against your own identity. The barrage of fashion information can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of inadequacy. It's easy to blame the clothes themselves, but perhaps a different approach is needed.

Ever-shifting trends leave us in a constant state of flux: skinny jeans to has-beens, replaced by wide-leg flares from a bygone era. Navigating the ever-changing fashion landscape and finding a balance between comfort and style can be a daunting task.
Fashion's a two-way street. Trends can be exciting playgrounds to explore, not just cages to be trapped in. Don't feel pressured to follow everything. Pick what fits your style, or borrow from fashion icons and make it your own. It's all about how you rock it – that's the beauty of fashion. It's personal, it's yours to define.

The hallmarks of a truly iconic fashion designer go beyond trendsetting collections. It's a distinct perspective, a voice that resonates through every stitch and silhouette. These 16 quotes offer a glimpse into the minds that have not only shaped the fashion landscape but also expanded the very scope of fashion design . They're not just words of advice; they're a masterclass in cultivating the visionary spirit that defines a fashion icon. Whether you're an aspiring student of fashion design course or simply a passionate enthusiast, these insights will empower you to express your unique vision through fashion.

Here are 16 memorable quotes by iconic fashion designers that inspire: 

1. "Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live." —Gianni Versace

Italian designer Gianni Versace would not want you to become a yes-man or a yes-woman. His audacious designs, from power-dressing bombshells to fearless colour and texture explorations, were a rebellion against conformity. Versace saw fashion as a megaphone for self-expression, a way to project confidence and forge your own path. Following trends blindly makes you a follower, not a leader.

Three Things You Might Not Know About Gianni Versace

• Versace's fashion education began at home. His mother, a dressmaker, gave him his first runway: her boutique.
• Versace's empire wasn't a solo act. He launched his label, Gianni Versace SpA, in 1978 with his brother Santo and his fashion-forward sister, Donatella.
• Versace staged his seasonal fashion shows like rock concerts that included the likes of Elton John and Madonna. In fact he was the first one to involve celebrities. 

2. "Fashions fade, style is eternal." —Yves Saint Laurent

Fashion is what's on the runway–trends dictated by designers. Style, however, is what you make of it.  It's personal, a reflection of your unique self and Italian designer Laurent reflects it absolutely. Don't get caught chasing trends thanks to the relentless influence of social media and fast fashion.  Focus on cultivating your own style—it'll outlast any fleeting fad.

Three Things You Might Not Know About Yves Saint Laurent

• He gained recognition early in his career in fashion after winning an international design contest and joined Christian Dior as an assistant at just 17.
• His designs incorporate different types of fabrics such as metallic and transparent in his collections. Also introduced the Haute peasant look in the 1970s, inspired by traditional Russian attire.



• He sold the ready-to-wear business to Gucci for around $1 billion in 1999 and shut down the couture house when he retired in 2002. 

3. “Stay true to your DNA, But keep reinventing yourself” — Manish Malhotra

Indian designer Manish Malhotra hits the style sweet spot: embrace who you are, but don't be afraid to evolve.  His message? Stay true to yourself, but play with fashion! 

Three Things You Might Not Know About Manish Malhotra

• Manish Malhotra, a celebrated figure in the Indian fashion industry, has dominated the costume design industry for over three decades. However the fun part is he had the best of both worlds—he started his career as a model.
• He never went to design school and learned everything about designing through experience.
• He became the first Indian designer to create an outfit for Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop”.

4. "What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language." — Miuccia Prada

Clothing speaks volumes, it's your silent language.  Prada reminds us fashion is self-expression, a first impression that shouts your individuality without a word. Powerful stuff in today's fast-paced world.

Three Lesser Known Things About Miuccia Prada

• Italian fashion designer Miuccia Prada, originally known as Maria Bianchi is best known for using minimalist designs to achieve a traditional style with modern influence.  
• In 1978, she took over her family's struggling luxury goods business, Fratelli Prada, and met a leather goods manufacturer at a trade fair, leading her to produce a line of unlabeled handbags to revive the company.
• With the encouragement of her business partner and husband, Patrizio Bertelli, Miuccia revolutionised the company by introducing ready-to-wear in 1988. 

5. "Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them" — Marc Jacobs

American fashion designer Mark Jacobs emphasises that clothing gains significance when styled by the wearer, highlighting the personal connection between individuals and their garments. This underscores how clothing shapes and expresses identity, experiences, and lifestyle, becoming meaningful through the wearer's interactions.

Three Things You Might Not Know About Marc Jacobs

• Marc Jacobs began his journey in fashion as a teenager after learning knitting from his grandmother and later worked with designer Perry Ellis, who became his mentor.



• In 1997, Jacobs signed on as creative director for Louis Vuitton, where he revitalised the brand, designing its first line of ready-to-wear clothing and getting more into accessory design.
• His first customer was the actress Julia Roberts at his own Marc Jacobs label store.

6. "Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment." – Alexander McQueen

British fashion designer and icon Alexander McQueen believes fashion should liberate rather than restrict. He suggests fashion can transport individuals to realms of imagination and creativity, enabling them to escape everyday confines. 

Three Things You Might Not Know About Alexander McQueen

• Alexander McQueen rose to fame starting his career in fashion as a tailor at 16.
• Named British Designer of the Year in 1996, he became the head designer at Givenchy, while still producing groundbreaking work under his own design label.



• He had a flair for drama and orchestrated provocative fashion shows that shocked audiences.

7. "Elegance is not standing out, but being remembered." — Giorgio Armani

Italian designer Giorgio Armani suggests true elegance lies in subtle refinement, leaving a lasting impression rather than drawing attention. He emphasizes that grace and authentic style have a more enduring impact than being the center of attention.

Three Things You Might Not Know About Giorgio Armani

• After leaving medical school to pursue fashion, he worked as a buyer before launching his own label in 1975. 
• Armani's androgynous approach to fashion revolutionised the industry, with his minimalist style gaining popularity, notably with the film "American Gigolo". 



• Armani served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and designed uniforms for various athletic teams. 

8. "Elegance is elimination." — Cristóbal Balenciaga

Spanish dress designer Cristóbal Balenciaga says that true elegance is achieved by removing the excess, rather than the addition of ornaments and by stripping away the unnecessary distractions.

Three Things You Might Not Know About Cristóbal Balenciaga

• He began studying dressmaking at 10 after his father's death when his mother supported the family by sewing. 
• At 15, his first trip to Paris inspired him to become a couturier, and by 20 he had his own boutique in San Sebastián in Spain. 
• In the next 15 years, he became Spain's leading couturier before relocating to Paris in 1937 due to the Spanish Civil War.

9. "The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress." — Hubert de Givenchy

French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy believed that clothes should be tailored to fit the person wearing them, not the other way around. True elegance and beauty arise when clothing is designed to flatter and harmonise with the wearer's physique.

Three Things You Might Not Know About Hubert de Givenchy

• He was especially known for the outfits he created for actress Audrey Hepburn. 
• Apprenticed to Jacques Fath at 17, he swiftly climbed the fashion ladder, working for esteemed houses like Robert Piguet and Elsa Schiaparelli.



• His “Bettina blouse,” named for a popular model, reintroduced tailored shirts into high fashion.

10. "I don't design clothes. I design dreams." — Ralph Lauren

American fashion designer Ralph Lauren believed that fashion has the ability to inspire and transport people to a realm of imagination and possibility. Clothing is not just a utility but also serves as a means of storytelling and self-expression. 

Three Things You Might Not Know About Ralph Lauren

• Starting with a unique line of ties marketed under the name ‘Polo’, his creations exuded a rich style inspired by English aristocracy and adapted by the American East Coast elite. 
• His signature piece, the mesh sport shirt featuring a polo player emblem, debuted in 1972. 



• He gained nationwide recognition after creating the looks for the 1974 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby and creating clothing for Annie Hall in 1977. 

11. You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it. — Edith Head

American costume designer Edith Head suggests that one's attire plays a significant role in shaping their opportunities and outcomes in life. Head implies that dressing appropriately for one's goals and aspirations can boost their confidence and manifest their ambitions.

Three Things You Might Not Know About Edith Head

• The eight Academy Awards winner helped define the style of classic Hollywood with her striking work at Paramount and Universal. 



• She inspired the character of Edna Mode in The Incredibles.
• Surprisingly, she only liked to wear four colours herself: black, white, beige and brown.

12. "Fashion is very important. It is life-enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well.” —Vivienne Westwood

TVivienne says that fashion is not shallow, it plays a vital role in enhancing our existence. Like other pleasurable pursuits, such as art or music, fashion can uplift our lives and moods when approached with care and excellence. 

Three Things You Might Not Know About Vivienne Westwood

• Originally a schoolteacher, Westwood became a self-taught designer after meeting McLaren in 1965. 
• Together, they operated a boutique selling second-hand 1950s vintage clothing and customised T-shirts with shocking anti-establishment slogans, which became a fashion centre for the youth.



• Westwood's "mini-crini" design, introduced in 1985, marked a turning point in her career in fashion. 

Beyond Fashion Design Quotes

These quotes from fashion icons share a common message: find your personal style through experimentation and express yourself confidently through your clothes. They encourage discovering your unique style, daring to be different, and exploring your individuality. Even if you don't know the principles of fashion, you know your body and style. This approach will bring joy to choosing what to wear each day.

Explore More About Fashion Design 

-Curious about the different roles in fashion? Dive into Difference Between Fashion Designers And Fashion Stylists to understand how these creative professionals shape the industry in unique ways.

-Love learning about materials and creativity? Don't miss Fashion Designers and their Fabric of Designing to see how designers transform textiles into art.

- Ready to be inspired by groundbreaking visionaries? Explore Celebrating Iconic Women Fashion Designers Who Revolutionised How We Dress Today to learn how female designers changed fashion forever.

- Navigate your educational journey with All About Fashion Designing Courses And Careers In India - exploring degree options, top institutions, and future prospects. For a more niche guide read the best fashion design colleges in Delhi and India.