Icons of Style: The Women Behind Fashion's Most Timeless Pieces

The world of luxury fashion is a playground for self-expression and has been for many decades. Luxury fashion dictates global trends, it is a world of its own that thrives on creativity, passion, and innovation.  

Fashion as a discipline is built on the idea of confidence. To instill it, to wear it, and be bold with it. No matter which fashion house or designer you choose to look at, the clothes will always embody the essence of confidence. To have a hand in the confidence that women all over the world exude is some serious responsibility! 

This March, during Women’s History Month, we’re paying homage to the women who revolutionized fashion, and remain inspiring to this day. These women have brought the epitome of innovation to the table throughout their careers, they have revolutionzed the game as we know it and so, their impact cannot possibly be overstated.  

Let’s begin! 

1. Coco Chanel

First and foremost, and rightfully so, we have the amazing Coco Chanel; truly a timeless hero.

Born to a laundrywoman and a street vendor, Coco Chanel was part of a family of 8 that moved through the French Countryside in poverty.

At the age of 11, Coco was moved into an orphanage after the passing of her mother; this was her blessing in disguise, because within the walls of that orphanage is where the most influential and iconic designer the world has ever seen, learnt to sew. Taking her first few steps towards her potential, Coco found an outlet for her creativity in sewing.

At just the age of 18, Coco moved to Moulins, where she attended school while living in a convent. Her most iconic saying, “My life didn’t please me, so I created my life” probably took shape in this era of her life when she became a seamstress and worked as a cafe singer, though she wasn’t a gifted singer, she was best known for her charisma. Her ability to keep going, no matter her circumstance, is what solidifies her as an icon.

You can already tell that she was determined, and we’ve only really covered her life until the age of 18 at this point. 

Now picture this, in the 1920’s once Coco had become a reputable designer; she sat in her studio to find her “it” factor; surrounded by corsets, frills, and dramatic sleeves, she takes a careful look around and sighs in absolute disgust. Thinking of just how restricted these clothes make a woman feel. Put her in a corset and you limit her movement and so she said, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury” and she never looked back.

It was at this point that the Little Black Dress (aka LBD), and the iconic Chanel Suit were born! In a time when women were put in clothes to accentuate their bodies, Coco Chanel rose to give them a sense of comfort while bringing out their best features.

The Chanel Suit literally liberated women from the restrictions of corsets, proving that sleek functionality outweighs all. The LBD is a concept still used to this day, more than a hundred years after its debut. Coco showed the world that Black isn’t just for mourning, it can be classy, elegant and sleek. Today, black is a silhouette, a blueprint for all that exudes class.

During World War 2, Chanel had to close up shop (like many other designers). It was only until the 1950’s that she was able to plan an iconic comeback. Now one might think, how does it get more iconic than the LBD and the suit? And Coco Chanel delivered the answers.

Returning to the scene in the 1950’s, French fashion had witnessed a revolution at the hands of none other than Christian Dior, who coco claimed, “He doesn’t dress women, he upholsters them.” As outspoken and opinionated as ever, Coco was determined to take the scene right back. 

In 1954, after 15 years of absence, Coco Chanel held her very first fashion show. It was during this show that she debuted the iconic Chanel tweed jacket and skirt, the quilted purse with gold chains (which we now know as the Chanel flap bag), and the two-toned shoes. Do these items ring a bell? Just how many times have you seen them copied and replicated? Exactly.  

She truly worked relentlessly to cement her position as Fashion’s most influential designer. Throughout her life, Coco was a controversial character; found in multiple affairs, smoking when it was looked down upon for women to do, and taking up space where women were not welcome. She dominated an industry with the odds stacking up against her in her early life. 

If fashion has one true trailblazer, it’s our beloved rebel, Coco Chanel.  

2. Donna Karan

Donna Karan needs no formal introduction. Born to a tailor and a sales representative in New York City, Donna began her fashion career at just 14 years old; this was because she lied about her age to secure a job selling clothes.

Now that’s determination, imagine a 14-year-old wanting to work!

Donna Karan was truly ahead of the game. She was accepted into Parson’s School of Design, but she dropped out in 1968 to work for sportswear designer, Anne Klien.  

This was where she learnt about the intricacies of designing in the luxury space. In 1974, she was then promoted to Chief designer and made responsible for the brand’s fall collection that same year.

All of these years were leading up what would solidify Donna Karan as an icon in the world of fashion, the original capsule wardrobe queen. The concept of the capsule wardrobe is that with a few quality staple pieces, your wardrobe is flexible enough to accommodate all occasions.

A little over a decade later, came her big breakthrough, the iconic 7 easy pieces. A point of reference and rule of thumb for designers all over the world. The 7 easy pieces collection featured a body suit, tailored jacket, a skirt, pants, cashmere sweater, and leather jacket. Think about it, what more could a wardrobe possibly need?

The versatility of this collection proved that this is all women needed to go from a morning to an evening look, to shift from work wear to weekend outfits. Further proving the point made repeatedly in today’s retail space, all you need is a few (7 to be exact) quality pieces, the excess shopping needs to go.

While Donna Karan dominated the fashion space, her personal life took a turn. In 2001, her husband Stephen Weiss passed away, and his last wishes to her were to “take care of the nurses.” This led to Donna’s next venture, that fulfilled her in ways beyond she expected.

Donna went on to start the Urban Zen Foundation, this launched her into the world of philanthropy and healthcare. Her foundation stands to train doctors, nurses, physical and massage therapists in Eastern healing techniques like yoga, shiatsu, aromatherapy, nutrition, and contemplative end-of-life care. Her work is of utmost importance because it integrates holistic healing with medicine, a lifesaving combination for many.

Donna is a beacon of inspiration because she essentially created the blueprint for fashion design and then went on to devote her life to a cause that hits home. To use your talents to excel in a field is one thing, but to launch yourself into another because it changed the course of your life is truly another.

A force to be reckoned with, Donna Karan continues to inspire millions around the world.  

3. Diane Von Furstenberg (DVF)

Who do you think of when we mention wrap dress? That’s right, the one and only, DVF.

Diane Von Furstenberg came into fashion by apprenticing for an Italian textile manufacturer, while holding a degree in economics. Not the most straightforward career path, but she was determined.

She felt an interest in the design sector of the fashion industry, she went on to produce basics like shirt dresses, t-shirts, and the iconic two piece that would later become the wrap dress.  

In 1974, the iconic wrap dress came to life. It was feminine yet completely functional, and it liberated the female American workforce that increasingly began wearing trousers.

Her invention diversified workwear and helped women embrace their shape in male dominated offices, rather than just dressing like them to be taken seriously.  

In just 2 years, by 1976, DVF had sold millions of wrap dresses. This solidified her position in the fashion world as she went on to cover Newsweek magazine and appeared in the Wallstreet Journal.  

Fashion’s most iconic personalities have reached their status by simply not accepting cookie cutter routes, by challenging the norm, and coming out absolutely victorious by doing so. DVF did so by creating something so simple, yet functional because the wrap dress accentuates all the right parts of the female body no matter what shape or size. 

Yet another fashion staple, born from a simple idea. Embodying the true essence of creativity, DVF’s wrap dresses will remain a wardrobe must-have for generations to come.

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These designers have transformed fashion by redefining style, functionality, and empowerment. Their visionary designs have broken boundaries, blending elegance with practicality and giving women the freedom to express themselves through clothing. By challenging outdated norms, they have reshaped the industry, proving that fashion is not just about trends but about identity, confidence, and innovation.

From introducing effortless silhouettes to pioneering power dressing, these trailblazers have left an undeniable mark, inspiring generations to embrace fashion as a tool for self-expression and change. Their influence continues to shape the modern wardrobe, proving that style and strength go hand in hand.

Written by Mehak Shoaib in collaboration with Ben Safra