FASHION CRITIC

Robin Givhan

Givhan is the fashion editor for the Washington Post. In 2006, she received the coveted Pullitzer Prize in criticism for her work as a fashion critic, providing sartorial commentary on the style savvy of some of the most prominent people in the country like Senator Hillary Clinton, and the wife and children of supreme court justice nominee John Roberts, whom she said resembled “a trio of Easter eggs, a handful of Jelly Bellies, three little Necco wafers.”

Before working for the Washington Post, the Princeton grad worked for several publications including the Detroit Free Press, San Francisco Chronicle and Vogue magazine.

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FASHION DESIGNERS

Then: Hubert de Givenchy

Although Edith Head (American costume designer for both Paramount Studios and Universal Pictures) has received much credit for designing the glamorous gowns that Audrey Hepburn wore in her films (Roman Holiday, 1953 and Sabrina, 1954), it was Hubert de Givenchy, French couturier who created the ensembles that would make his muse, Miss Hepburn, a fashion icon.

“Hair style is the final tip-off whether or not a woman really knows herself.” ~ Hubert de Givenchy

Now: Ralph Lauren

Before Polo, Ralph Lauren launched his phenomenal career as fashion designer and lifestyle creator when he began modestly creating ties in 1968. More than three decades later he boasts an eponymous line of clothing, shoes, jewelry, fine linens and furnishings, as well as eyewear and luggage.

“I don’t design clothes, I design dreams.” ~ Ralph Lauren

Emerging: Tori Nichel

Upcoming designer Tori Nichel, a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in New York, has worked for such notable designers as Dana Buchman and Kenneth Cole. Her experience with leading design houses has fine tuned her design expertise and eye for detail culminating into the launch of her own label, Tori Nichel. Her sleek and sophisticated designs, with collections like Frida: A Love Story, lead her to be dubbed as a “designer to watch” by Forbes.

“I have to become my concept. I have to live it, breathe it and love it. I have to be able to take the key elements from that person, or period and put my tailored chic sensibility to it.” ~ Tori Nichel excerpt from an e-interview (Jan. 2007) with Styleology101.com. Read full interview here.

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FASHION ICONS

Then: Audrey Hepburn

In the 1950s and 1960s, Hepburn was in her heyday, but almost a half a century later she is still revered as Hollywood elite and the original celebrity philanthropist (Unicef).

Her style was impeccable, so much so that even today she reigns as a fashion icon to many. She was the muse for Hubert de Givenchy; he was quoted as saying, “One thing that struck me about her, apart from her charm and elegance, was her ability to make herself loved and admired by women as well as men. her image was unique. This is something that other great actresses have been unable to create for themselves.”

Now: Tracee Ellis Ross

Deemed the “face to watch” by the Los Angeles Times, Ross (daughter of songstress and actress Diana Ross) is a Brown graduate, a former fashion editor for Mirabella and New York Magazine and an actress (Girlfriends 2000-2007, Daddy’s Little Girls 2007).

She has a signature style that is a mix of Bohemian chic and classic simplicity.

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HANDBAG DESIGNER

Marc Jacobs

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SHOE DESIGNERS

Manolo Blahnik

Tod’s

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LUGGAGE DESIGNER

Floto Imports

Floto Imports, created by Joe Floto, is a line of handcrafted luggage made in Tuscany of fine Italian calf-skin leather. They make handbags, briefcases and wallets too.

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BOOK

American Fashion

This 319-page homage to great American designers and the styles that revolutionized the industry is chock full of colorful photographs illustrating the looks, designers and styles that are woven into the fabric of our style-craving society.

If you love fashion and the entire industry that drives it, then this book will definitely satisfy your sartorial yearnings. (American Fashion by Charlie Scheips, Assouline, 2007, $50).

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SARTORIAL FILM

The Devil Wears Prada