La Mode Made in France

Time to query my fashion-conscious readers.  Next semester I am teaching a new introductory one-credit course on French fashion.  I am trying to narrow down the main focus of the course to a manageable number of designers and influential figures--let's say five.  It's only a one-credit course so it will not be a full survey.  For those of you who are empassioned enough by by French fashion to hold opinions on such matters, I  pose this question:

Who are the five most influential figures in French fashion?  (Shorter or longer lists are OK.)

Comments

[Anne]

1) Coco Chanel
2) Christian Dior
3) Givenchy
4) Yves St Laurent(Inherited Diors fashion house in the sixties)
I would also look at how these major fashion houses now have non french designers
- Tom Ford for YSL
- John Galliano for Dior
- Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
OOOh, this sounds interesting, can I come?

[Elisabeth]

Anne basically posted what I would have posted, but would add Poiret who, I believe, started it all. This course sounds great, that's for sure!

[Michele]

*ping*

Michele chooses the same five.

And I'm a Vogue junkie, or at least I used to be. I wanna come too!

[Medina]

1) Christian Lacroix
2) Coco Chanel
3) Christian Dior
4) Louis Vuitton
5) YSL

Have fun! This course sounds AMAZING!!

[Medina]

Oops....please replace number five with Jean Paul Gaultier. :0)

[Richard Chong]

I will be viewing the Balenciaga exhibition inconjunction with the Louvre Museum this mid-September. I will be able to mention the most impresive French apparel designer/s then :-))

I do not know where in Paris but I would hope to meet French designers (at least two) at their couture studios to view their next new collections:-))

[Bellingham Hot Tub]

Hmmm.. interesting thoughts and ideas you've shared. Please keep on sharing! I'll be back to see and read some of your post soon. :)