Alaia

Worked for Dior in the late 50s and later for Guy Laroche and Thierry Muglar. In the late 70s Alaia opened his first atellier in Paris, and then to larger premises in 1980 to design his first ready-to-wear collection. In 1984, he was named 'Best Designer of the Year' by the French Ministry of Culture.

Dubbed by the media as the 'King of Cling', his seductive and body conscious clothes have become enormously collectable (pre-Prada) 1980-1999. Alaia is revered for focusing on clothes rather than marketing, as well as his independence and passion for discreet luxury.