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Heidemarie Jiline ‘Jil’ Sander, German fashion designer and entrepreneur, born in 1943. The young designer founded her namesake label in 1968 creating a clean and sophisticated style appealing to strong and fashionable business women. Since the brands inception, Jil Sander has been given the nickname “Queen of Less”, referring to her minimalistic designs. Today, Jil Sander is one of the most influential fashion labels in the world but most certainly in Germany. For her career achievments Sander was given the ‘Bundesverdienstkreuz’ in 1996, the German version of the American ‘Cross of Merit’. In 2005, Raf Simons was named Creative Director of the brand only to be released in 2012 when Jil Sander herself took over the creative reins again. As of 1999, the ‘Prada Group’ holds a 75 percent share of the company.

Takada Kenzō, Japanese-born fashion designer, born in 1939 in Himeji, Japan. After majoring in fashion design in 1964 from Tokyo’s Bunka Fashion College, the young designer moved to Paris where he started his brand in the early 1970s. In 1971, a model wearing Kenzō’s design appeared on the cover of French Elle Magazine leading the brand to international recognition and success. Down the road Kenzō added a men’s collection in 1983 as well as a fragrance line in 1988. After LVMH acquired the brand in 1993, Kenzō took the role as its Creative Director until his retirement in 1999.
Today, Kenzō works as a decoration designer for ‘Gokan Kobo’, a brand specialized in interior design.

Takada Kenzō, Japanese-born fashion designer, born in 1939 in Himeji, Japan. After majoring in fashion design in 1964 from Tokyo’s Bunka Fashion College, the young designer moved to Paris where he started his brand in the early 1970s. In 1971, a model wearing Kenzō’s design appeared on the cover of French Elle Magazine leading the brand to international recognition and success. Down the road Kenzō added a men’s collection in 1983 as well as a fragrance line in 1988. After LVMH acquired the brand in 1993, Kenzō took the role as its Creative Director until his retirement in 1999. Today, Kenzō works as a decoration designer for ‘Gokan Kobo’, a brand specialized in interior design.

International Textile Group (ITG) is a fabric company headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. ITG bought the hosieries manufacturer ‘Burlington‘ in 2003 after the brand became bankrupt only to license the trademark rights to Kayser-Roth, Inc., for the U.S. market, and the German based ‘Falke Group‘ for the European market. ITG mainly manufactures its fabrics in the US but runs mills in Central America and Asia as well. It is mainly known for its denim and nylon fabrics.

Burlington Industries was founded in 1923 in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA and became widely known for its socks designed in the typical Scottish ‘Argyle Pattern’. In 2001, the company became bankrupt and was bought by the ‘International Textile Group (ITG)’. ITG lincensed the brand name ‘Burlington’ to Kayser-Roth, Inc., for the U.S. market, while the European trademark rights were granted to the German ‘Falke Group‘.

A legging is a kind of a slim-fitting pants that covers each leg from waist to ankle. This clothing piece can be worn by male and female to keep the legs warm. Especially in America, leggings are often referred to tights.

Cristobal Balenciaga, Spanish fashion designer, lived from 1895 to 1972. The spanish fashion designer founded his namesake fashion label in 1914 only to open his first boutique 5 years later in San Sebastián, Spain. In the mid 1950s, Balenciaga designed his first tunic dresses which later evolved into chemise dresses that are still considered to be masterworks of haute couture – although Balenciaga remains mostly known for his feminine but ultra-modern shapes and bubble skirts. In 1937, Balenciaga moved to Paris where he remaind throughout his professionall career. Today, the house of Balenciaga is owned by the French multinational company PPR and headquartered in Paris. Since December 2012, Alexander Wang acts as the Creative Director of the fashion house.

Costello Tagliapietra is a fashion founded by Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra in 2005 in New York. After working together for over a decade, Costello and Tagliapietra decided it was time to start off their own label, wich they did by creating a a prêt-à-porter women’s line in 2005. Since then, the brand evolved into an internationally sold fashion brand, distributing its product in department stores and speciality boutiques around the world.

Paul Marciano, Jewish-American fashion designer, born 1952 in Morocco. The designer who was raised in Marseilles, France is the co-founder and CEO of the American clothing brand Guess by Marciano that is owned by Guess Inc.

Guess by Marciano, American fashion brand, co-founded by Paul Marciano in 2004. It is the contemporary line of Guess Inc. which offers affordable trend-setting fashion for both men and women.