The Good, The Bad, The Kitchen Sink: What’s in My Bag?

Not every girl will give you a tour of her purse, but Alyssa and Janna will! Did we have to make several pleas and finally bribe them with pumpkin space lattes to do this? Maybe. But get to know our two home girls as they go through their bags and show us what essentials they tote around daily. Just another reason why the girls at Richard Magazine are exceptionally awesome.

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Janna’s Purse

A purple iPhone. #noexplodingbattery
Mint pastel wallet
Eight or nine lipsticks. Maybe a little overzealous….
Anti-bacterial gel. Just in case.
Nars Creamy Concealers: Vanilla and Custard. Janna recommends mixing the two colors for highlighting and concealing.
Oil-absorbing sheets. Great for sweaty, humid summer days.
Contacts. It’s helpful to be able to see.
NYC Sunny Bronzer. Another summer necessity.
L’occitabe Hand Cream. (#twinning)
Nest Citrine. Fresh little summer pick-me-up.
L’Oreal Peach Gold Lift Cream Blush. For oily, dewy summer looks. Janna also says it’s “glow-y”. Get your shine on.

Alyssa’s Purse

iPhone #2
Nice sleek wallet. Proper pocketbook style.
One lip gloss. Smashbox Always On. It’s so good you only need one.
Naked Basics. The essentials of face color. Simple and effective.
Some snazzy Ray-Bans
Hair-care essentials like combs and hair clips. When you’ve got flowing raven hair, you have to be prepared!
PYT Argan Oil. Oil that makes your hair look less oily. Classy indeed.
Pampas Sunrise Body Polish. This scrub goes the whole ten yards. A quick rub and you’re exfoliated and ready to go.
My Brush Set. An all-in-one brush for your make-up needs. This is definitely a must-have.
L’occitabe Hand Cream. (#twinning)
The Lady Gaga. Chic and black. Alyssa loves her neutrals.
Wet & Wild Ultimate Brow Kit. You can get this at a local drugstore to keep your eyebrows in check.

Now, you know Janna and Alyssa a little bit better and hopefully gained some ideas for what to keep in your own bag. For a more in-depth look at applying some of these products, check out Alyssa’s 5 Minute Face makeup tutorial.

Wet n Wild: Ultimate Brow Kit Reviewed

It’s our Alyssa’s favorite brow kit, featuring everything you need for your eyebrows in one small, compact case. It’s handy, small, and full of beauty possibilities. It is the Ultimate Brow Kit by Wet n Wild and it will make your eyebrows the fleekiest thing around.

Yes. We said “the ultimate.” Is it just marketing fluff or the real deal? In our humble opinion, this kit is legit. Your brows take a lot of time. It’s not enough to power and brush. A brow expert knows real brow sculpting takes tweezers and wax. You wouldn’t just brush a unibrow and leave it be, would you? Would you, Anthony Davis, would you? A great eyebrow is shaped and defined. It’s waxed and maintained. Let’s be honest. Your brows need a salon to look their best. This is why the Ultimate Brow Kit is so popular. It’s a virtual salon in your purse! Pamper yourself. Because listen, you’ll die someday, anyway. Enjoy awesome eyebrows until then. #eyebrowsonfleek

The Ultimate Brow Kit does have one flaw. It only comes in ash brown. The kit includes two different shades of brown, one a light coffee and the other deep chocolate. If you have lighter eyebrows, this may not be the daily brow kit for you. However, it’s still worth an investment, though. The brushes, tweezers, and wax will still come in handy. Why are we encouraging you to buy a kit that doesn’t match your eyebrow color? This is honestly a great asset to any makeup bag. Its palette is diverse enough to at least use for accenting for time to time. Not only does it provide you with everything you need to maintain #eyebrowsonfleek, it’s $3.99!

Yep. We said it. This little giant of a brow kit costs less than $5. It’s a steal. This is where we make comments about how it would be crazy and foolish for you to turn up such an economic, effective cosmetic product. If you’re still not convinced, just watch the ease with which Alyssa applies it during her 5 Minute Face tutorial. When beauty is cheap, there are no excuses.

Celebrity Fashion Lines: The Best & The Really Really Really Bad

Most celebrities dress well. That’s why fans and paparazzi flock to red carpets to see what the rich and famous are wear during an awards ceremonies. However, what many don’t realize is that designers spend millions to make them look good. Isn’t it a bit of a paradox for a celebrity to be a fashion designer? Some take their trend setting appeal and evolve it into a fashion line. And just like Hollywood movies, there are great and flat out awful ones. In honor of NYFW, here are our favorite triumphs and disasters when it comes to fashion celebrity fashion lines.

The Top 3: The Fashion Gurus

JESSICA SIMPSON

Can you really call yourself a celebrity when your biggest hit song is “I Wanna Love Your Forever” and your filmography highlights are The Dukes of Hazzard and The Love Guru? No. Sorry Jessica. Yet, Jessica Simpson has soared as head of her own fashion line. Beginning with shoes back in 2005, Simpson has expanded to include hats, bags, dress, and diamond-studded jewelry. She is poised to become the first celebrity with a fashion line bringing in $1 billion in sales. Well done. Now maybe we can forget about Blonde Ambition.

VICTORIA BECKHAM

The Spice Girl had her day in the spotlight, but after her stint as a 90s pop icon, her eyes caught another field. She launched a DVB line in 2006, followed by a dress collection two years later. Her success helped. Her money helped. And her husband helped. (You can do almost anything if you’re husband’s David Beckham, right?) But most importantly, she makes really nice clothing. Now, Beckham is sitting on a successful company that designs dresses, denim, eyewear and accessories for celebrities and commoners alike. The fashion world can always use a little spice.

GWEN STEFANI

For Stefani, a foray into the fashion industry was less about saving face and more a gesture to give the people what they wanted. When she debuted as a singer, people praised her voice and her edgy costumes. Eventually, the praise prompted Stefani to design. Her clothing is a fusion of South American and Asian styles, a tropical exotic look. Along with dresses, the company also designed bags, shoes, and perfume.

The Bottom 3: The Fashion Flops

THE KARDASHIANS

We already gasp at the name “Kardashian,” so it shouldn’t be a surprise their attempt at fashion design was appropriately abhorrent. They even had the gall to call their confused fashion line the Kollection. Sold at Sears since 2011, the Kollection features an odd and tacky array of ideas Kim thought would look “kool.” The line has been said to have “the quality of a cheap Halloween costume.”

LINDSAY LOHAN

The phrase, “that’s not a good idea” and Lindsay Lohan go hand-in-hand. The fashion world is no exception to her misguided existence. When Emmanuel Ungaro invited the then 23-year-old to be his artistic advisor, the world was treated to a whole runway of neon leggings, nipple pasties, and much more. The two never worked together again. These items are actually highly valuable as collector’s pieces now. We get it. Owning some of the worst fashion ever created is a constant reminder to keep certain celebrities far away from the runway.

KANYE WEST

Kanye has taken many fashion ventures and they never turn out the “aura of coolness” he claims is his intention. The audiences are sparse. The blend of chic and streetwear is befuddled. Yet, the most embarrassing moment of Kanye fashion wasn’t even his design aesthetic. What was advertised as a collaboration between Saint Laurent and Mr. West turned out to be a ploy to sell basic pieces labeled with Kanye’s name. Talk about a damn good hook!

Celebrities, some of them are very talented…and some of them should also be banished to a lifetime of fashion school before attempting to be a jack-of-all-trades.

Shock and Awww: Badass Clothing From Badass Chicks

Gather around. It’s time for the story of Shock & Awww. Great things come from Michigan. Just look at twins Claire and Shawn Buitendorp. Inspired to dive into the fashion industry at age 16, these twin sisters have since established a fashion company specializing in powerful, brightly colored pieces designed to “release the boss within.” Their apparel can be found in high-end retail shops and exclusive boutiques across the country. They have designed dresses for American Idol contestants and celebrities. That’s a lot to achieve based on a teenage passion for design. We don’t know about you, but to us, it’s pretty cool, and so are their designs.

The name, Shock and Awww, comes from a military term meaning an overwhelming demonstration of power and force. It seems to be a playful statement reminding the fashion world of Claire and Shawn’s plan to take the luxury streetwear industry by storm. Shock & Awww was born when the twins attended a Katie Perry concert with a dress they had made for her. Katie loved the dress and wore it multiple times during the remainder of her tour. Since then, Claire and Shawn have designed for American Idol contestants and other colorful celebrities. They plan to have their own shops and more celebrity designs in the future. For now, they’re rockin’ fashion week in NYC.

Shock & Awww designs are unique, shiny, and individual. Many give off a sharp, sleek streetwear vibe indicative of tropical nightlife fashion and glossy street chic. One of their staple pieces this year is the bomber jacket adorned with neon mosaics of sunrises and lions. The bomber jacket is making a comeback in many collections this year, but we can bet you there isn’t another design quite as colorful or bold as Shock & Awww’s. These same neon patterns can be found on Shock & Awww sports trunks.

Another one of our favorite Shock & Awww offerings this season is the “Paradise City” dress. This scuba-knit polyester dress ornaments a simple black dress with vibrant leather and vinyl floral accents. The detail work on these flowers is impressive and unique. Larger flowers pop off the sleeves in full, 3D blossoms while smaller prints take on a more 2D appearance. The “Paradise City” dress is colorful but mild compared to the other dresses in the collection. The Swarovski crystals are far more dynamic. These maxi mesh dresses are fashioned like oversized sports jerseys. They sparkle and dance, perfect for a fun night out.

Shock & Awww currently caters more to women than men, but there are bomber jackets and urban joggers available on their website for the curious male. The guys are in luck, too! If NYFW was any indication, Shock & Awww male designs will soon be making their way into stores and boutiques. We really like Shock & Awww for their passion, determination, and compelling aesthetic. They mix retro and contemporary in a surprising, daring way just right for the current fashion climate. Expect great things from these twin sisters. We predict you’ll be seeing a lot more cool stuff from them very soon.

Check out their full line here!

How to Rock Athleisure and Not Look Like a Gym Tool

They call it athleisure. It is, in other words, gym chic. This trend toward casual athletic wear began in the 80s. Those appalling tracksuits and brightly colored tights gave way to the grungy sweatshirts and sweatpants of the 90s. Designers decided we didn’t have to look good at the gym. The phenomenon was that the casual dress we reserved for gym use could transfer into everyday life. We didn’t need to dress up as much. Now, the reverse is happening. Grungy casual is unacceptable everywhere, including the gym. What was once gym chic is out, and new, sexier looks are emerging to enhance your figure during and outside of the gym.

How did the movement of athleisure get here? A fashion show full of onlookers in sweats and hoodies doesn’t seem a very fashionable affair. However, we do want you looking your best according to the standards of the fashion gods. So, with a slightly sheepish grin, here are five athleisure pieces to keep you gym chic while tearing through your SoulCycle class.

BREEZY TANK-TOP

Read the name with an emphasis on the “breezy.” We’re not talking about your typical, snug exercise top. The breezy tank-top has many more functions. You can toss it overtop lighter shirts like a poncho or it can serve as a sort of mini-slip under a flannel or jacket. The soft fabric drapes gracefully, allowing your body freedom and ventilation whether running or downing casual drinks.

CROP TOP

The crop-top is a distant cousin to the tank-top, but with more casual flair. The original design allowed the abdominal area to release sweat during exercise. Now, as an athleisure outfit, the crop-top highlights the human form and makes a great casual piece in summer. You won’t be able to wear it much longer, but there are a few more days it will work!

JOGGERS

Sweatpants tailored to your body for more efficient movement. They used to be solely for running, but joggers have been popping up all over the place in the past few years. Many pop star icons have brought them from gym chic into streetwear style. The lines of people crowding into fashion week in NYC over the weekend certainly took the trend to heart. You can too, and feel pretty damn comfy doing it.

TENNIS DRESS

It’s got pullover styling, a built-in bra, and you can wear it on the court or in the bar. This is the cutest athleisure piece we could find. You can find plenty of options in a variety of colors. Think a mini slip dress with a little more versatility than most semi-formal options. Athleisure is all about feeling confident in your skin and applying an active aesthetic to your everyday routine.

HOODIE/SWEATSHIRT

These items are really coming into style. Crewnecks that used to be only for the prep school boys warming up in their canoes are now stylish from coast to coast. For a clean-cut look for your night out, find one with a minimal design or witty message. If you’re expecting rain or especially cold weather, don a hoodie to keep your head warm as you go about your day.

Athleisure isn’t as conceited as it sounds. Whether you’re a gym rat or not, you can adopt the style of one. It won’t turn you into a workout enthusiast either. Especially not in 2016!

5 YouTube Beauty Gurus You Can Trust

Does coordinating the perfect look fill you with dread? Well, lucky for you, the Internet exists. If you’re not a makeup pro, all you have to do is surf your way over to YouTube where thousands of aspiring makeup artists have posted beauty advice to guide you. You can find YouTube beauty gurus that cover manicures, hairstyles, makeup; almost anything you can think of.

Now, while beauty gurus are abundant, beauty gurus you can trust are more difficult to find. Many gurus can make a good makeup tutorial or two before making a dud. It takes special talent and personality to be a YouTube beauty guru worthy of consumer trust. The wrong beauty advice can end up in disaster and render you full of embarrassment. So, to make sure you use cyberspace wisely for your beauty tutorial needs, we picked out five YouTube beauty gurus who are smart, funny, and most important, trustworthy.

Top 5 YouTube Beauty Gurus

CARLI BYBEL

A hair and beauty guru, Carli’s tutorials are simple and straightforward. She teaches a lot of looks for formal and casual occasions. She’s a great makeup guide for an array of different circumstances.

SONIA GASPARIAN

Sweet and personable, Sonia walks through celebrity looks and everyday makeup on her YouTube channel. Sonia places an emphasis on natural beauty and incorporates some helpful “no makeup” looks into her tutorials as well.

SAMANTHA MARIA

Samantha is a bit of a renaissance lady. Her channel runs the gamut from makeup tutorials to health and fashion advice. A fashion stylist graduate from London, her brand of beauty guru offers a friendly and informative guide to the world of makeup.

SHIRLEY B. ENIANG

The YouTube channel of this beauty guru offers a very contemporary outlook on beauty and culture. Shirley pays close attention to precise details in her tutorials, highlighting what can be achieved through minimalist makeup techniques. It’s a great blend of dedication to craft and beauty care fun.

RAY BOYCE

Engaging and relatable, Ray is one of the finest beauty gurus out there. Her videos cover beauty, hair, and fashion with a perfect blend of information and humor. One of the staple series on her channel is ‘Expensive vs. Affordable’ during which she demonstrates how to achieve an expensive look with affordable products.

Now that you know exactly where to go, take a look at what these top beauty gurus have to say. Know you can trust their advice when it comes to your makeup look, no matter how intimidating it may seem. Let these gurus get you ready and focus on the party!

Now, that you’re well informed on what YouTube beauty gurus are trustworthy, go get informed by them!

A Relaxing Guide to Men’s Boots

In a decade of beards and lumbersexuals, you can’t get away with worn out sneakers at the bar. You could swap them for some fancy wingtips or leather dress shoes but those aren’t great for casual nights. Flannels and jeans need boots to accompany them. Real, sexy, functional boots, gentlemen. “I know nothing about boots!” you cry? Why else do you think we made this slideshow? Kick up those horrible boots your wearing now and take a relaxing journey through the world of men’s boots.

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Your boots and you – a manly and awesome combination. Enjoy this fall season while looking sharp from the ground up.

Mom Jeans and Mullets: Stranger Things Fashion

Where is Will Byers? That was the question haunting so many of us this summer as we binge-watched Stranger Things, Netflix’s pitch-perfect homage to the 80s. We got to laugh and gasp along with renegade kids in a fantastical world. The characters weren’t our only draw to the show, either. It was filmed retro and raw, bringing back a grainy authenticity rarely seen in the age of editing and Photoshop.

The soundtrack was spot-on. Even the costumes had us pining for fall, so we could sport the vintage fashion as seen on the binge-worthy show. While we aren’t so enthusiastic about mom jeans or mullets, (especially together) but vintage blouses and shearling jackets are trends that can get behind. Join us in paying homage to Stranger Things fashion this fall with these five style staples.

TRUCKER JACKET

The rustic, vintage jacket is popular this fall. We like our all-American backcountry look, even if we are residents of the Big Apple. Warm, stylish jackets are scattered throughout the world of Stranger Things, and we love each option. The trucker jacket stands out to us, though. Jonathan’s fur-lined denim and Chief Hopper’s corduroy are both excellent choices to keep you warm this fall.

CORDUROY

The 70s fabric has made a recent comeback in fall wardrobes. We’re not talking about awkward wale cords. Corduroys can compliment your body and keep you warmer than most jeans. The jackets are nice and comfy too, if a bit stiff. Don’t combine corduroy with corduroy unless someone is paying you to.

LONG-SLEEVE POLO

Fashion has tucked away the long-sleeve polo in a vault with other preppy that scarred every mall rat from the 90s. Not long ago, it was a fashion statement reserved for guys we loved to mock, like the Winklevoss twins. In Stranger Things, it’s worn by a band of uncool kids and jocks. It’s still kind of a douche move to walk around in a rugby shirt, but if it’s your thing, you can ride this Stranger Things fashion trend out for this fall. Latch on to the trend quick while it’s still hot.

HARRINGTON JACKET

In the cool weather, borrow Mike’s look, and slip on a cord-collared Harrington jacket. You don’t have to turn up the collar or sport a mullet to make this casual fall coat a winner. You can roll up your sleeves if it gets too warm. The rainproof synthetic material will keep you dry and fend off gusty winds. If you’re lucky, your dad may have one of these floating around somewhere. Otherwise you’ll be sure to find one in your local thrift store.

RUFFLED BLOUSE

Pretty much everyone thought Barb was pretty cool and badass. She had the confidence to rock some pretty bold fashion looks. We’ve never seen someone rock mom jeans the way she did in the halls of Hawkins High. What we’re more interested in, however, is her chic ruffled blouse. Both Nancy and Barb rock this look, a strange blend of the 70s and 80s that actually works. We don’t advise the mom jeans, but a cute smock-top with some frills should definitely be in your wardrobe this fall.

Take Stranger Things fashion as your retro style guide is fall. You’ll be able to score most of these items at your local thrift shop. Save money and look good. Check out our Thrifting Tips to Help You Find Retro Gold for some helpful pointers!

Hair Dyeing Tips To Avoid Becoming Ryan Lochte

This summer showed us dyeing a man’s hair incorrectly could have detrimental consequences. Case and point: Ryan Lochte. The man responsible for an utter Olympic PR disaster in Rio. He man also responsible for quotes like this,

“Something will pop up in my head. It could like the weirdest thing. Like all’a sudden like I have like a jumping banana in my head. And I stop and pause. I’m like that damn jumping banana is in my head. I don’t know what’s going on.”

It seems to be obvious that your choice in hair dye may actually alter the chemistry of your brain when done distastefully. But if you are considering changing your hair color, even if it’s an unorthodox color, it can look professional. No hue should make you look like an extra for “The Real Slim Shaddy” video, unless it’s your Halloween costume. You’re better than that, men. Use these hair dyeing tips to get the look you’ve always wanted. As the insightful Lochte says,

“If you’re a man at night, you’ve got to be a man in the morning.”

Pick the Right Hair Color

Some quick hair dye facts, men. Hair color is assigned level numbers from 1 to 10. 10 marks the lightest, 1 the darkest. Your natural hair tone will fall within one of these levels. Knowing its shade number will help you when picking a dye. Those with black hair will find reds and dark browns easiest to work with. Brown hair responds well to brown, blonde, caramel, and red tints. Blonde hair is the simplest color to dye. It can be lightened or darkened with minimal effort.

Know Your Skin Tone

The process of selecting a hair dye goes much deeper than merely choosing a color you like. When dyeing your hair, you must compare the color carefully with your skin. There are no absolute rules when it comes to hair dye tones. However, there are guidelines to keep you from making a fool of yourself. In most cases, men with darker complexions look best in cool tones. Golden or honey brown if you want to go light, chestnut or mahogany for a darker shade. Men with pale skin should try working with warmer colors, dark browns, and blacks. This is crucial to remember. Skin tone is where Lochte went wrong and I discussed already how that all worked out.

Protect Your Forehead

Once you have used your color smarts to select a complimentary dye, the real fun can begin. Place your dye bottle in a bowl or plate to guard against excess dye staining countertops or spilling. It is dye, so it was designed to stain the surfaces it touches. You want this in your hair. You don’t want this on a rug, or towel, or forehead. You don’t want manufactured bruises dotting your forehead after your hair dyeing session. There are two solutions for this. The first is in preparation. Rub some Vaseline on your forehead, outlining your hairline. If your dye bleeds onto your forehead, Vaseline will keep it from sticking. If you do dye your hair without the help of Vaseline, any stains can be quickly solved with some Windex on a napkin.

Dye It

The actual act of dyeing is relatively simple. Use the glove provided in your dyeing kit to massage the dye into your hair like shampoo. Different experts have varying opinions about how much dye you should use. The consensus seems to be, “Don’t fear the quantity.” Pour all of the dye mixture into your hair to make sure you have enough to go around. After you dye your locks, it’s waiting time. Take this time to watch some great videos on the Richard YouTube channel! The kit will give you details about how long the dye needs to sit before you can hit the showers and wash out the excess product. Double-check the mirror for any Windex spots you need to see to and your dye is done!

Men, a smart eye and some focus are all you need to dye your hair effectively. Armed with the above guidelines, you will easily escape embarrassing yourself like Ryan Lochte and look sexy as hell doing it.

What Are the Most Expensive Fashion Brands?

You can go broke buying designer clothes. This is a painful truth we are all aware of. When a shoe costs thousands or a purse millions, it should be easy to walk away. Who needs to wear thousands of dollars on their feet? Well, honestly, most people if they could afford it. This is why the luxury fashion market is growing and thriving.

We’ve compiled a list of the top luxury fashion brands for you. These luxury brands are household names, so we bet you’ve at least heard every name on this list. Use this as a guide to your next shopping spree or a warning for your inner shopaholic. We approve of either choice.

LOUIS VUITTON

Who would have thought a French trunk maker would found the top luxury brand of modern fashion? Louis Vuitton Mattelier dreamed of a better future for his sons and founded his trunk-making company in the mid-1850s. Since then, the company has risen on the reputation of its refined leather items, luggage, and jewelry. The primary consumers of LV products are first-class travelers. Louis Vuitton is the rich man’s travel choice, worth nearly $19.78 billion.

CHANEL

Founded by icon Coco Chanel in 1918, Chanel has since blossomed to attract thousands with their classic bags, cosmetics, and fragrances. Not bad for a woman who started out selling floppy French hats. The company has been through a tough few years, grappling with a market more interested in practical products than high fashion. Current directors are planning a resurgence of new styles. This won’t help your checkbook, but it’s a nice gesture from a $5.55 billion company.

GUCCI

An Italian creation founded in Florence around 1921, Guccio Gucci fashioned a company to craft bags, handbags, and scarves. His aesthetic can be partly credited the rise of Italian looks and styles in high fashion. Gucci is known for using unique animal skins in its products. The most expensive product is a crocodile shoulder bag sold at $35,000. Let that number sink in before you head to a Gucci store for your next shopping spree.

PRADA

It’s nearly Gucci’s twin. Another Italian fashion house, Prada is specifically Milanese. Founded by Mario Prada in 1913, it started the game slightly earlier than Gucci and now focuses on functionality and fashion, while Gucci is still primarily promoting pleasure through ornate designs not necessarily designed with maximum efficiency in mind. Prada produces many straightforward designs, but the prices are still sky high. A simple ostrich leather purse sells for $10,000.

HERMÉS

This Parisian company specializes in the finest of designer bags and home décor. Their brand of home décor is simple and refined. The bags and purses are small, easy, and sleek. It’s still largely a family business, so the enterprises it invests in can be daring and a bit unusual. In 2010, the company sponsored a horse race in Paris. In that same year, their innovative Hermés Birkin bag sold for $203,150. Horse racing or a $200,000 bag. Take your pick.

FENDI

The only fashion house with its own fur atelier, Fendi has been adapting fur designs for years to make its products lighter and more modern. Fendi rose to prominence in the 90s after Sex and the City popularized the $5,000 ‘baguette’ bag. Fendi is more recognized in Asian countries, but many of their fur techniques have transitioned well to America. It shows. The brand is worth about $3.6 billion.

BURBERRY

The first Englishman on this list, Thomas Burberry founded Burberry in 1856. A resident of the Basingstoke hills, Burberry wished to design quality outerwear for the elite of the country. Burberry has since evolved from a country focused brand to an international star of the fashion industry. In recent years, it has switched its focus from outerwear to establishing looks and trends for the elite youth of London and America. The famous peacock feather coat is a $35,000 testament to its place in the fashion world.

ARMANI

Giorgio Armani and Sergio Galeotti founded their company in 1975. Young to the party, age didn’t stop these two designers from soaring to the top of the fashion world in a few short decades. Crafting suits with an Italian flair, Armani has become the brand for many Hollywood actors on Oscar night. Clients include Richard Gere, John Travolta, Jodie Foster, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Continuing its growth, the Armani brand now boasts makeup and house-ware products, original books, and even hotels.

DIOR

A French luxury good company, renowned fashion designer Christian Dior founded the company in 1964. Dior used his diverse experience as a designer in post-World War II Europe to inspire his fashion accessories, footwear, and fragrances. Steeped in nostalgia, Dior is a nice blend of the nostalgic with the chic. While primarily for women, Dior Homme and Baby Dior offer options for men and children as well.

VERSACE

Gianni Versace was famous for siren dresses and glamor before he founded Versace in 1978. During his stint as an independent designer, he designed for figures such as Madonna, Princess Diana, and Elton John. In 1994, his black dress held together by gold safety pins made Elizabeth Hurley an instant star. After is sudden death in 1997, his sister took over the company and expanded the product line to include textiles.