Best known for their innovative designs and use of luxurious fabrics and accessories, trendsetting luxury fashion brands have an eye for detail, with their styles eventually finding their way to mass production for popular retailers and brands all over the world.

Several names have become synonymous with luxury fashion over the years, with certain top clothes brands in the world holding iconic value, and dominating the market even today:

1. Gucci

Founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy, back in 1921, the Gucci brand wasted no time becoming a true symbol of luxury within the world of high fashion, and even when his sons took over the reins after his death in 1953, the brand continued to gain international success. With socialites and celebrities of the 1950’s and 60’s frequently seen wearing the brands clothing and accessories, it became a truly iconic brand, and remains so to this day.

2. Chanel

As arguably one of the most recognizable names in the world of high fashion, Chanel launched its brand in 1909, with the first shop being opened in Paris by none other than Coco Chanel. Although it had humble beginnings, the brand soon shot to fame when Karl Lagerfeld made some popular twists to classic designs from 1983 to 2019. With more than 300 luxury boutiques the world over, Chanel remains at the forefront of high fashion.

3. Dior

Having long been associated with timeless designs and styles in clothing and the fashion industry as a whole, Christian Dior carries many lines, ranging from haute couture and accessories, to perfume, and is still popular today despite the passing of Christian in 1957.

4. Versace

Founded by Gianni Versace in 1978, Italian fashion brand Versace wasted no time gaining recognition for its brilliantly bold designs, eye catching colors, and creative use of different materials. Quick to gain popularity with celebrities, the tragic murder of Gianni in 1997 meant that his sister, Donatella, took over the helm. With its focus shifting somewhat to more modern designs that are glamorous and appeal to an audience that are younger, Versace has since become a globally established and recognized luxury brand with fingers in a lot of different pies, from home goods to fragrances.

5. Yves Saint Laurent

YSL, as it’s often better known, was established in France in 1961 by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge, his partner. Quickly earning a reputation for designs of an innovative nature, blending styles that are both traditionally masculine with those that are more feminine, YSL has since been credited with the creation of a number of iconic designs. Having retired from a life of fashion in 2002, Anthony Vaccarello now heads the brand under the new name of Saint Laurent. Still a force to be reckoned with in the world of high fashion, its focus is now on creating modern, sleek designs that challenge gender roles as we know them.

With the best brand of clothes in the world a difficult one to determine (and a with a lot depending on individual taste), it’s clear that many of the world’s most talked about designers and brands throughout history, are still being talked about today, and are still all vying for their place on the catwalks of Paris and Milan.