Named After Their Creators: 5 Eponymous Clothing Brands That Never Fade Away

Would you ever think to own your own name as iconic? It must be surreal to have lived to see your very own name become synonymous with timeless style. Some of the people featured here today didn’t live to see how much longevity and fame their brands would really accumulate. Nonetheless, here are five legendary clothing brands with no clever marketing strategy behind their labels – their name is their label.

1. Balenciaga.

Cristobal Balenciaga was born in Getaria, Spain in 1895. Young Cristobal knew that he wanted to be a dressmaker by the age of 10, but it was a trip to Paris at age 15 that likely inspired the couturier most. Today, the Balenciaga name lives on through the tradition of fabulous draping, capes, and edgy handbags. The brand has even exploded in popularity among the streetwear set with oversize logo hoodies and sock sneakers – quite a shift from the couture dresses of yesteryear.

2. Saint Laurent.

Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent is behind the eponym brand Saint Laurent, formerly branded Yves Saint Laurent. Yves was once the head of Dior (our next eponym), but struck out on his own in 1962. Creating tuxedos for women made Yves an instantaneous icon, and he continued designing until 2002. The brand has evolved well with the times, with boxy fur coats, colorblocked shift dresses, and many decidedly feminine adaptations of traditionally masculine themes putting Saint Laurent on the map.

3. Dior.

Christian Dior was born in Normandy, France in 1905. Following the Second World War, he was the most famous couturier in the world. Populations who had suffered through the scarcity of those tumultuous times were entranced by his ornate, ultra-luxurious designs. His influence over fashion was legendary, as Dior was responsible for many silhouettes that endure today, from the A-line skirt to the Y-line ensemble, where a voluminous top is paired with an impeccably tailored slim skirt.

4. Chanel.

So much fashion wisdom – particularly concerning accessorizing – has been attributed to Madame Coco Chanel. The woman who believed firmly that luxury should be comfortable practically invented that evening mainstay, the little black dress, as well as bringing forth the iconic tweed suits we automatically associate with Maison Chanel to this day. Today, the brand is still one of the most valuable in the world, has branched out into cosmetics as well as fragrance. This level of domination could have been Coco’s intention all along, as she created the first fragrance, Chanel No. 5, in 1921.

5. Versace.

Italian designer Gianni Versace began making waves in the late 1970s. From pop prints to the glitziest, sexiest gowns ever dreamed up, Versace fast became the favored brand of supermodels and celebrities worldwide. Following his murder in 1997, the Versace group was handed over to his sister, Donatella, who continues the proud tradition of fresh, flashy designs.

What’s in a name? As it turns out, one humble word can immediately evoke visions of smooth lines, fine fabrics, and exceptional workmanship, as well as luxury and power. While it must eventually become jarring to have your name become a corporation, who wouldn’t love their moniker to be forever aligned with legendary style?