compiled by Seth Friedermann
This is a subjective list of those designers that I feel have demonstrated remarkable imagination and construction talent over the last few years. This is not a ranked order and there are many designers who are just off the edge of this list, and we acknowledge that a strong case can be made for them. In fact, we encourage conversation about this list.
1. Ralph Rucci
2. Rei Kawakubo
3. Albert Kriemler
4. Azzedine Alaia
5. Karl Lagerfeld
6. Roberto Cappucci
7. Jean Paul Gaultier
8. John Galliano
9. Agatha Ruiz DeLaPrada
10. Nicholas Ghesquire
11. Georges Chakra
12. Giorgio Armani
13. Dame Vivienne Westwood
14. Hussein Chalayan
15. Phoebe Philo
16. Sandra Backlund
17. Ann Demeulemeester
18. Gareth Pugh
19. Haider Ackerman
20. Junya Watanabe
21. Keren Craig & Georgina Chapman
22. Oscar De La Renta
23. Narciso Rodriguez
24. Viktor Horsting & Rolf Snoeren
25. Thomas Maier
26. Monique Lhuillier
27. Alexander Wang
28. Riccardo Tisci
29. Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough
30. Kate & Laura Mulleavy
31. Christophe Decarnin
32. Raf Simons
33. Francesco Scognamiglio
34. Miuccia Prada
35. Roberto Cavalli
36. Francisco Costa
37. Giles Deacon
38. Alber Ebaz
39. Stuart Vevers
40. Louise Goldin
41. Catherine Malandrino
42. Carolina Herrera
43. Alexis Maiblle
44. Christophe Josse
45. Manuel Facchini
46. Giambattista Valli
47. Dries Van Noten
48. Franck Sorbier
49. Maurizio Galante
50. Reem Acra