Fashion Designers Who Just Get It

Robert Wun

The photo above is from Hong-Kong born fashion designer Robert Wuns' Fall/Winter 2024 collection Time, specifically the stunning dress fittingly named Soul. This couture collection is a reflection on spirituality, the passage of time and change, aligning nicely with his 10th year anniversary. 

At the reveal of this collection, the runway was designed with winter in mind collaborating with the opening dress, a black gown covered in sequins and crystals, and topped off by a gorgeous black and white veil, reflecting the haunting beauty of winter. 

With the progression of the collection came a deeply meaningful reflection of life. The stunning use of multimedia art helped to encapsulate the audience through the journey of life and death, perfectly reflecting Wun's artistic vision.

At the end of the collection were four dresses, Flesh, Blood, Bone and Soul, representing humanities unrecognised parts, the things that make us human. We would not be who we are today without those irreplaceable parts.

I think that Wun's Time is a beautiful homage to the human experience, everybody can relate to the beauty of winter, the rush of autumn and the joys of summer. It is also a reminder to other designers that fashion is an art form that should not be put down, it reflects our desires, our passions and ultimately our soul. 

Prof. Jimmy Choo OBE

The beautiful dress above is from Jimmy Choo's 25/26 Bridal Collection for The Atelier. Designed for BBFW25 this collection features everything from ball gowns to mermaid dresses, resulting in a stunning bridal collection. 

This collection features many non-typical wedding dress styles, from the variety in shapes and styles to the introduction of light blue and grey dresses. This defiance in stereotypes helps in signifying the brands reputation. 

Prof. Jimmy Choo OBE has been The Atelier's Creative Director for many years, helping in shaping the image and reputability of the company, which is well reflected in the clothes produced by the company and its rise in fame over recent years.

Though Prof. Jimmy Choo OBE will always remain primarily popular for his shoes, I will always be reminded of his stunning bridal wear, which helps brides get the most out of their weddings by having uniquely designed dresses which complement the wearer perfectly.

Dame Vivienne Westwood

Now I fear I couldn't talk about fashion without mentioning the iconic Dame Vivienne Westwood. Political activist, icon and provocateur Dame Vivienne Westwood shaped fashion forever, she was known for making a stand for what she believed in whether at the run way or outside the Houses of Parliament.

One of the things she strongly, and rightly so, believed in was the prevention of over consumerism. Much like Banksy in Sale Ends (read about Sale Ends here) Westwood thought that people should buy things to last and not buy things that are the latest just to throw them away when they arrive.

She, much like I, was a strong believer that art is and always will be political whether it is a dress or a film or a painting or a song, art should represent your beliefs and should should make that art with pride and show it to the world.

Though, Dame Vivienne Westwood is no longer with us, her impact lives on today with the SEX boutique and her company Vivienne Westwood. Westwood knew what she believed in from when she started in 1970s and shared them with pride her entire life.

May her influential work live ever on.

Yves Saint Laurent

Inventor of the Le Smoking tuxedo for women, Saint Laurent has always been at the front of fashion, from his diverse models to non European cultural references he was shaping fashion from the day he began, much like Dame Vivienne Westwood.

During the 1960s Saint Laurent was the forefront of fashion trends, introducing pea coats, thigh high boots, safari jackets for men and Le Smoking tuxedo for women.

Though he started off as a high fashion designer for companies such as Dior, during the 1970s he followed international youth trends and moved into ready-to-wear fashion, influencing his own style to more relaxed outfits.

Today we can see the impacts of his fashion revolution, however little of his own work after 1989. Yves Saint Laurent was an incredibly influential and inspiring figure to the fashion industry and wider creative communities.

He understood the importance of both style and practicality, utilising it in his 1970s work with women’s fashion.

A Note From The Author:

This is my second blog! The next article will be on the rise of AI in the media, a subject which is becoming ever more pressing as the days go by. I hope you have enjoyed reading about fashion designers who have made incredible clothing. Thank you!