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The top ten inspirational women in

From the boardroom to the catwalk, our list of the top ten inspirational women in fashion is a collection that will really turn heads. They’ve built empires, challenged convention and ALPHA LTD St Andrew’s House demonstrated remarkable staying power in a notoriously fickle industry. Always one step St Andrew’s Road ahead of the competition, they make the business of fashion a stylish affair. Cambridge CB4 1DL

@thisisalphalive thisisalpha.com 1. Delphine Arnault, Director and Vice President,

Delphine is a fashion pioneer: the first woman on the board of the world’s leading luxury brand, LMVH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton), and still its youngest member. With degrees from the prestigious London School of Economics and EDHEC Business School, her professional career started at consulting firm McKinsey and Company. As Director and Vice President at Louis Vuitton, she brings a wealth of business experience and flair to our top ten list.

2 The top ten inspirational women in fashion thisisalpha.com 2. Anna Wintour, Editor-In-Chief, Vogue; Artistic Director, Condé Nast

The editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988, is an icon across the worlds of fashion and publishing. Over nearly three decades, she has defined the very notion of fashion and revived the fortunes of the world’s leading style bible. She’s also become something of a modern-day archetype – the terrifying magazine editor in the film The Devil Wears is said to be based on her. Anna is instantly recognisable in her trademark bob cut and shades, and a front row seat at the latest catwalk show is always guaranteed.

3 The top ten inspirational women in fashion thisisalpha.com 3. Vivienne Westwood, fashion designer

The British designer brought the counterculture of punk and new wave into the fashion mainstream, has never been afraid to shock. Her early designs were controversial and hugely influential, including razor blades, safety pins and toilet chains alongside traditional fabrics such as tartan. A political activist and campaigner on issues such as climate change and civil rights, her new collections are hotly anticipated on the fashion calendar.

4 The top ten inspirational women in fashion thisisalpha.com 4. Miuccia Prada, Head Designer, Prada; Founder, Miu Miu

When it comes to translating fashion into a hugely successful global business enterprise, Miuccia Prada has few peers. She took over the family luxury goods business in 1978 and has since turned it into to one of the world’s leading fashion brands. In 1992, she launched a new womenswear line (inspired by her own wardrobe) called Miu Miu – her own nickname. Still synonymous with classic Italian style, Prada the business and Prada the businesswoman are both going strong.

5 The top ten inspirational women in fashion thisisalpha.com 5. Natalie Massenet, Founder, Net-a-Porter; Chair, British Fashion Council

As founder of online fashion portal Net-a-Porter, Natalie Massenet has changed the face of high-end fashion retail. A former journalist, her breakthrough idea was to present clothes online in a magazine format that viewers could click on and buy immediately. By breaking away from the conventional catalogue, Massenet led Net-a-Porter to become a company valued at £350 million in 2014. As Chair of the British Fashion Council, her finger is still firmly on the pulse.

6 The top ten inspirational women in fashion thisisalpha.com 6. Kate Moss,

The camera never lies – and with , it’s never had to. The über-cool burst onto the scene more than 20 years ago and became a fashion icon through campaigns for , , , … and countless more. A contributing editor to , in 2013 her contribution to fashion over 25 years was recognised at the British Fashion Awards. Since 2007, she’s launched a range of her own successful collections with high-street retailer Top Shop.

7 The top ten inspirational women in fashion thisisalpha.com 7. Vera Wang, CEO/Founder, Vera Wang

Her dresses are coveted by the stars, but Vera Wang began her career in fashion as a fashion editor at US Vogue, where she remained for 15 years. After a short period spent working for as Creative Director for accessories, she launched her own boutique of bridal wear in New York in 1990. Her bridal dresses have made her a household name, worn by high-profile celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, and on their wedding days.

8 The top ten inspirational women in fashion thisisalpha.com 8. Stella McCartney, fashion designer

When your graduation runway show is modelled by Yasmine Le Bon, Kate Moss and (for free), you’ve probably got friends in the right places. But Stella McCartney is a design star very much on her own merits, becoming creative director of Paris fashion house Chloe in 1997 and appointed Team GB’s creative director for Adidas for the London 2012 Olympics. Winner of a host of designer-of-the-year awards, she launched her first collection for men in 2016.

9 The top ten inspirational women in fashion thisisalpha.com 9. Giuliana Benetton, Co-Founder, Benetton Group

Along with her three brothers and father, Giuliana co-founded the incredibly successful Benetton Group in 1965. Now with a network of more than 5,000 stores worldwide, the Italian retail chain made a global name for itself with its provocative advertising campaigns shot by photographer Oliviero Toscano.

10 The top ten inspirational women in fashion thisisalpha.com 10. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Co-Founder, Ivy Park

One of the world’s most photographed women, Beyoncé is a global superstar and style icon who never seems to put a foot wrong. Her first foray into the fashion business was in partnership with her mother in 2005, with whom she launched fashion line House of Dereon. She has since entered into high-profile partnerships with fashion retailers such as C&A and, more recently, Top Shop, launching her Ivy Park activewear collection in 2016 through the retailer. When it comes to inspirational international fashionistas, with Beyoncé, we’re still crazy in love.

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