Budget Fashionista

Lang, Helmut Pronunciation: Hell- Mut Lay-ng Helmut Lang’s razor-sharp lines and high-tech fabrics are especially catered to those with specific body types (okay, to REALLY skinny people). He was one …

Lanvin, Jeanne Pronunciation: John La- vin From her storied feud with fellow french fashion visionary Coco Chanel to building one of the first haute couture fashion empires, Jeanne Lanvin is …

Laroche, Guy Pronunciation: Gee La-row-sh French designer Guy Laroche rose from an assistant position at Jeans Dresses in Paris to starting his own eponymous brand in 1956. Laroche was known …

Lepore, Nanette Pronunciation: Na-net LA-pour Mixing femininity with wearability, Nanette Lepore is like the “chick lit” designer of fashion. Her clothes are fun (they often feature embroidery, lace or other …

Lhuillier, Monique Pronunciation: Mo-nee-ck Loo-lee-ay Philippine born fashion designer Monique Lhuillier captured the bridal couturier industry as the bridal gown designer to the stars. A graduate of LA’s Fashion Institute …

Lim, Phillip Pronunciation: Fill-lip Lem Lim is known for taking ordinary fashion and giving it some extra bling—case in point; the Swarovski-encrusted headband or the silk blouse with an oversized …

Louboutin, Christian Pronunciation: KRI-shtaan Lu-bu-TAHN If you are a fan of the movie “Sex and The City” you know about footwear specialist Christian Louboutin, whose high heel shoes are often …

Louis Vuitton Pronunciation: Lu-wee Vee-tuhhh Louis Vuitton started off as a luggage store in Paris in 1854 and is now a global status symbol. In fact the brand’s iconic “LV” …

Malandrino, Catherine Pronounced KATH-er-in Mal-an-DREE-no Combining “the energy of Manhattan with the romance of Paris”, designer Catherine Malandrino creates clothing with a soft elegant style. Malandrino states, “I want to …

Marchesa Pronunciation: Mar-kay-sah Founded in 2004 by British fashion designers Georgina Chapman (wife of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein) and Keren Craig, the Marchesa label is a luxury brand inspired by …

Marni Pronunciation: Mar-nee Italian brand Marni was launched in 1994 by Swiss-Italian fashion designer Consuelo Castiglioni as the sister brand to her husband’s family-owned fur company. With furs, bold colors, …

MaxMara Pronunciation: M-ax Ma-ra World renowned Italian brand MaxMara is one of the pioneers in mass-producing designer clothes. Launched in 1951, family-owned MaxMara has been synonymous with clean lines, elegant …

McQueen, Alexander Pronounced: Al-ex-AHN-der Mac-KWEEN Born March 17, 1969, in London, McQueen isn’t your typical designer: shaved head, tattoos, and risque-yet-fun catwalk shows. He’s known for his master tailoring and …

Miele, Carlos Pronunciation: Car-lows Mi-ye-le If unique sexy clothes is what you’re looking for, then do not forget to add Brazilian fashion designer Carlos Miele’s collection on your must see …

Miller, Nicole Pronounced: Na- Koal Mill-r Miller is known for mixing bold prints with very feminine cuts, resulting in trendy, yet wearable garments. She’s a big, Hollywood favorite (everyone from …

Posen, Zac Pronunciation: Zak Poo-zen This young fashion designer started his collection at the tender age of 16 and got his big break when Demi Moore was photographed wearing his …

Proenza Schouler Pronunciation:pro-en-za skool-er Former lover and design partners, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough, created the modern luxury label, Proenza Schouler (combination of their mother’s maiden names), as students at …

Pucci, Emilio Pronunciation: E-MEE-lee-o POH-chee The socialite, Italian skier and designer Emilio Pucci was known for his use of completely unique and infamous prints during the sixties. The brand is …

Ralph Rucci, Chado Pronunciation: Sa-do Ralf Rue-chi A master craftsman who aside from the clean architectural shape of his collection also creates his own art and fabric, Ralph Rucci’s great …

Rodarte Pronunciation: Roe-dar-tey Founded in 2005 by California natives and sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy, Rodarte was launched with an initial ten pieces collection and soon became a favorite for …

Ronson, Charlotte Pronunciation: Shar-lot Ron-son With celebrity friends such as Gisele Bündchen, Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan (who dated her sister), Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and Mischa Barton, Charlotte Ronson is …

Rowley, Cynthia Pronunciation: Send-thi-a Raw-lee A Perry Ellis Awardee for New Fashion Talent in 1994 by the CFDA, Cynthia Rowley became known for her very feminine yet charming vintage styled …

Roy, Rachel Pronunciation: Rey-chel Roi Californian fashion designer Rachel Roy launched her eponymous label in 2004 after making a name for herself as freelance stylist for music videos and magazines. …

Saint Laurent, Yves Pronunciation: EEV San-LAWRON Yves Saint Laurent breathed new life onto the French fashion scene in the 60’s. At the age of 21, he was the youngest designer …

Sander, Jil Pronunciation: Ge-ill San-derr When everyone was doing colorful and bold fashion statements in the late 70’s, German fashion designer Jill Sander rocked the fashion world with the introduction …

Sarafpour, Behnaz Pronunciation: Bay-naz Sa-raf-poor After graduating from Parson’s School of Design with a Golden Thimble Award, Iranian born Behnaz Sarafpour’s career in fashion spiralled upwards and have caught the …

Schiaparelli, Elsa Pronunciation: EL-sa She-a-pa-REHL-lee Elsa Schiaparelli, along with rival Coco Chanel, dominated the women’s fashion scene in the early part of the twentieth century. It was Schiaparelli who designed …

Scott, L’Wren Pronunciation: Le-ren S-kot Former model and celebrity stylist L’wren Scott launched her eponymous collection in 2006. L’wren Scott is known for injecting rock and roll chicness into her …

Steffe, Cynthia Pronunciation: Send-thi-a Stef A standout at the Parson’s School Of Design, designer Cynthia Steffe is one of the leading designers defining fashion for the modern generation. After being …

Tahari, Elie Pronunciation: El-lee Ta-har-ree Elie Tahari is an Israeli- American designer who migrated to America in the 70’s to being an electrician in 1971. Tahari started his line in …

Tam, Vivienne Pronunciation: Viv-vee-en Tam By infusing modern edge to the oriental culture that she has grown up with, Chinese-American Vivienne Tam has sculpted her east-meets-west theme style in the …

Taylor, Rebecca Pronunciation: Re-bek-kah Tey-lore New Zealand native Rebecca Taylor’s feminine designs have made her one of the most famous fashion designer from her country. A former assistant to Cynthia …

Temperley London Pronunciation: Tem-purr-lee Lon-don A graduate of London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins and Royal College of Art, British designer Alice Temperley launched Temperley London in 2000, offering girly party …

Toledo, Isabel Pronunciation: Is-sa-bel To-lee-doe Best known as the designer behind first lady Michelle Obama’s inauguration outfit, Cuban-American fashion designer Isabel Toledo has long been considered one of fashions great …

Tuleh Pronunciation: Two-lah Launched in 1988 by designer Bryan Bradley and former partner Josh Patner, Tuleh’s design philosophy is to “making girls look prettier”. A favourite of New York’s socialites, …

Ungaro, Emanuel Pronunciation: Eh-MAHN-wayl Oon-GAH-ro In the beginning, Italian born designer Emanuel Ungaro found himself struggling for appreciation and even acceptance in the fashion world. Today, his works continue to …

Valentino Pronunciation: Val-len-tee-no Since his international debut in 1962 in Florence, Valentino has created a fashion empire that has been considered as one of the most famous around the world. …

Van Noten, Dries Pronunciation: Drez Van No-ten Dries Van Noten is a Belgian designer that creates clothes that are eccentric in nature. Using ethnic and art inspired prints, textures and …

Versace, Gianni Pronunciation : Gee-a-nee Verr-sa-chay The late Italian designer, Gianni Versace, found his namesake label in 1978. Although the label is most known for its mix of “grandiose sexiness” …

Von Furstenberg, Diane Pronunciation : DY-an Von FUR-sten-berg Diane Von Furstenberg is known for turning the knit wrap dress into a closet staple. The dress, which enhances the feminine body …

Wang, Alexander Pronunciation: Alex-an-dur Way-ng The Parsons’ dropout showed the high-end design school that he could make it even without their stamp of approval. Alexander Wang’s first collection, launched in …

Wang, Vera Pronunciation : Veer- ra Way-ng This former Vogue senior fashion editor and New York City native, launched her first bridal collection in 1990. Since then, her name has …

Watanabe, Junya Pronunciation: June-yah Wah-tah-nah-bay A protégé of Comme des Garçons owner and designer Rei Kawakubo, Japanese fashion designer Junya Watanabe started his own line called Junya Watanabe Comme Des …

Westwood, Vivienne Pronunciation: Viv-vee-en West-would In the world of punk style, British designer Vivienne Westwood’s name is sculpted in history. Together with her husband Malcolm McLaren, they revolutionized the punk …

Williamson, Matthew Pronunciation: Mat-thue Wil-yum-son English fashion designer Matthew Williamson started his eponymous line in 1997 after working for fashion brands Marni and Monsoon Accessorize. Williamson’s designs immediately gained attention …

In March of 2007, The Budget Fashionista broke the news that Sarah Jessica Parker (aka Carrie from Sex and The City) was designing a line called “Bitten.” The line would …

The era of flower-printed muumuus is long gone. The fashion caste system that separated people into those who can (skinny and rich) and those who can’t (everyone else) created by …

The first thing to know about shopping the garment district in New York City is that you’re looking for high-quality wholesale pieces. There are several wholesale shops but the quality …

Walking around with your pants unzipped is super awkward — not only for you, but for everyone else around. No one wants to stare, or even tell you that your …