YOHJI YAMAMOTO
The Japanese fashion designer initially graduated with a degree in law from Keio University in 1966. However, after much deliberation, Yohji Yamamoto decided to pursue his fashion dream and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Bunka Fashion College after three years. In 1981, he debuted his first collection that featured unique structures and unfamiliar details, which revolutionized the fashion industry in Japan at that time.
COCO CHANEL
The French fashion designer's education was suspended when she turned 18. Coco Chanel learned the skill of tailoring from nuns during her teenage years in the orphanage. From there, she became a licensed women's wear fashion designer in 1910. The Chanel Modes hats increasingly became popular and paved the way for the Coco Chanel brand to grow until today.
GIORGIO ARMANI
Initially aiming for a career in medicine, Armani studied medicine at the University of Milan. After three years, he joined the military and, in 1957, worked as a window dresser at the La Rinascente, a department store in Milan. Armani delved into the fashion industry by working with Nino Cerutti and freelancing for various brands before launching his eponymous brand, Giorgio Armani.
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
As proof that "going into a trade is a preordained fate," Vivienne Westwood dropped out of her studies in jewelry design and silversmithing at Westminster University. After becoming an elementary school teacher, she continued to design jewelry and sold them on Portobello Road. Together with Malcolm McLaren, the iconic King's Road store (known as Sex at the time) opened in the '70s. Westwood's rebellious image became an icon for punk fashion later on.
MIUCCIA PRADA
The granddaughter of Mario Prada, the founder of the famous fashion house Prada, Miuccia Prada took over the brand in 1978. At that time, she received a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Milan and was also trained to become a silent film actress from the Teatro Piccolo. She became the current chief designer of Prada and founded the Miu Miu sub-brand.
THIERRY MUGLER
Mentioning fashion designer Manfred Thierry Mugler reminds us of the roots of avant-garde fashion in the '80s and '90s. His major was interior design at École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode (ESMOD) in Strasbourg. Thierry Mugler moved to the capital of France - Paris - when he started to design for the Gudule store and freelance for various fashion brands. In 1973, he debuted his first collection.
