With contributions across disciplines, the legends featured in the pages of WWD over the decades let their passion fuel innovation, shaping and evolving brand legacies and the industry to reflect the times while leaving an indelible mark. Their names and often what they have said continues to inspire, proving that true brilliance transcends any single moment.
“I think there is an absolute beauty that exists within every moment in culture…” — Virgil Abloh, June 20, 2018
“Fashion is not art. Fashion provides people with a delicious repast and then prepares itself to serve another. That’s what it’s all about.” — Gaby Aghion, January 1980
“Fashion is not a trend that you follow like a sheep. When something is good, it’s good.” —Azzedine Alaïa, September 2000
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“This house believes in the “pretty.” — Elizabeth Arden, January 1951
“I always believed that men need to be as comfortable in their clothes as women were. I think I will be remembered as someone who, to a certain extent, broke the rules.” — Giorgio Armani, June 1996, DNR interview
“In 50 years, it might be a fashion photograph that provides the clue to this time and this life.” — Richard Avedon, January 1965
“He abhorred publicity and fame. But no one deserved it more. — WWD, “Balenciaga, The King Is Dead,” March 1972
“Fashion chic isn’t about money. It’s more about flair.” — Marc Bohan, July 7, 1970
“I like to gamble. To make business good, you need to be a player of poker — you have to know how to bluff.” — Roberto Cavalli, November 1976
“It is too easy to make a success. The thing is to surpass a success with something greater.” — Coco Chanel, June 1961
“I hate to define clothes. Everybody’s idea of contemporary…is different.” Liz Claiborne, March 1976
“Diana hated being called an icon, but there is almost no other way to describe the impact she had worldwide on fashion and style.” — Designers on Princess Diana, September 1997
“I feel but don’t analyze — fashion cannot be reasoned…it is an accentuation of newborn ideas.” — Christian Dior, July 1956
“Things that come about quickly also leave quickly.” — Alber Elbaz, February 1998
“I really feel I’m trying to do everyday clothes that are friendly — like a new shirt that feels old and comfortable — and look like old friends hanging in your closets.” — Perry Ellis, March 1978
“Fashion is news when it happens that day, not a month later.” — John B. Fairchild, obituary, March 2015
“When you are confident in what you do, then a crisis is a moment of opportunity.” — Wanda Ferragamo, April 1993
“We (Fendi sisters) waited our turns in the handbag drawer — accessories were our first toys.” — Paola Fendi, September 1999
“Fashion has got to stop being so programmed and controlled. It’s got to return to being spontaneous and human.” — Gianfranco Ferré, October 1998
“I present what I want and what I like, which I hope is the way women will want to look.” — Hubert de Givenchy, March 1958
“A designer is only as good as the people he dresses.” — Roy “Halston” Frowick, March 1990
“. . .it became evident that the affluent black woman wanted good beauty products. We found something the women wanted and supplied it.” — Eunice Johnson, May 1975
“I know I am known for giggly dress, but I make everything.” — Patrick Kelly, January 1988
“I design like I breathe. You don’t ask to breathe. It just happens.” — Karl Lagerfeld, April 1983
“There are three great forms of communications: Telephone, telegraph and tell-a-woman.” —Estée Lauder, June 1966
“I give my advice, whether they like it or not.” — Leonard Lauder, October 2018
“Fashion is not a new dress. It is a new attitude.” — Yves Saint Laurent, September 1968
“Only one thing brings customers back; their satisfaction with our service.” — Stanley Marcus, November 1990
“No board directors setting fashions here. They can’t be worked out that way.” — Clare McCardell, November 1940
“I didn’t get into fashion to become a celebrity; it’s not what I am about.” — Alexander McQueen, Jan. 16, 1997
“We think the same way about beauty and fashion. The look has to be as simple as possible even if you have to work hard to get that simplicity.” — Tai and Rosita Missoni, September 1976
“Creativity is not for the majority. If I go too much toward the majority it becomes too ordinary.” — Issey Miyake, January 1987
“— what I’m trying to do is to pull people into fashion without making fashion victims out of them.” — Franco Moschino, April 1985
“She did more for American fashion than everybody else before or after her….” — Isaac Mizrahi on Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, May 1994
“I have always stood in awe of the camera.” I recognize it for the instrument it is…” — Irving Penn, obituary, October 2009
“Fashion will stay young. I always thought it odd that the young should imitate the old.” — Mary Quant, April 1966
“Making clothes is like falling in love.” — Oscar de la Renta, June 2001
“You can’t mold women into a lot of sheep. They’re individuals. Nobody wants to look old — but nobody wants to look silly either.” — Charles Revson, May 1966
“Our concept of beauty is Mother Teresa, not some bimbo or Princess Diana or whomever by the grace of God was give a couple of high cheekbones.” — Anita Roddick, The Body Shop, December 1990
“It is an institution, not an individual…an asset and a vehicle to consumer confidence. — Helena Rubinstein, February 1972
“I think we have contributions to make. My shapes will look so marvellous with New York’s architecture.” — Vidal Sassoon, May 1965
“Although very indefinite, everything that feeds the heart and the senses is important.” — Jean Schlumberger, November 1977
“…the industry suffers from an inferiority complex. If they would open their eyes and look around, they would realize what kind of talent we really do have.” — Willi Smith, November 1970
“…I find that I can express my ideas the way I want to. Then if you don’t agree, we can discuss it. I didn’t say I’m right, I say what I think.” — Franca Sozzani, April 2011
GO DIRECTLY TO THE COLONY. . . DO NO PASS LA GRENOUILLE . . .DO NOT COLLECT (OR SPEND) $200 AT LA CARAVELLE. — WWD “The Lunch Bunch,” June 1965
“As for clothes, they are a language. A way of speaking. People will always be interested in dressing up.” — Kenzo Takada, January 1974
“I can’t stand the way that people today think they know everything because they are in your presence. They know nothing and they think they have nothing to learn.” — André Leon Talley, October 2013
“What makes you think I’m a gift?” — Elizabeth Taylor, June 7, 1977
“We are living in a modern age, so fashion has to be modern.” — Gianni Versace, October 1985
“I love the clash and smash and variety of other people’s views, and their demands, and not agreeing with them.” — Diana Vreeland, obituary, November 1979
“It is never possible to do anything totally new in fashion, unless our bodies evolve into completely different shapes.” — Vivienne Westwood, Nov. 18, 1986
