<p>From Diane von Furstenberg to Emilio Pucci, these are the '70s fashion designers that defined a decade of style that we now see emulated on today's runways.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/huge-sunglasses-trend-60s-70s-nostalgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1970s</a> were probably one of the best fashion decades of all time. Those years introduced many ideas and trends that ultimately became staple wardrobe items that we still wear today and that contemporary designers around the world are always inspired by. Designs like the wrap dress and pants suit were made popular by trailblazing designers like <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/diane-von-furstenberg-designs-exclusive-collection-hm-home-decor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diane von Furstenberg</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/artist-piet-mondrian-yves-saint-laurent-dress-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yves Saint Laurent</a>, who have become, among others, renowned icons in the fashion industry for creating cutting-edge garments that left a major mark on the fashion history of the 20th century and beyond.</p>
<p>Exaggerating the style of the late <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/twiggy-model-makeup-hair-mod-60s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'60s</a>, that of the early <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/70s-fashion-fall-winter-2021-vintage-inspired" target="_blank" rel="noopener">'70s </a>was comprised of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/skinny-jeans-are-dead-denim-trends-of-old-are-taking-over" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bell-bottom jeans</a>, brightly colored patterns, peasant blouses, and maxi skirts typical of the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/bohemian-hairstyles-for-summer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bohemian</a> fashion of those years. But while the hippie movement was prevalent, it didn't stop other crowds from dressing up for the disco era of dance floors and glitter, with satin, off-the-shoulder dresses, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/jumpsuit-trend-spring-2021-saint-laurent-chanel-celine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jumpsuits</a>, and lam&eacute; gowns as seen in nightclubs like Studio 54 in New York City. As <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/brands-to-shop-psychedelic-print-trend-spring-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">psychedelic prints</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/how-to-wear-flared-pants-trend-instagram" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flared pants</a> dominate today's trends, take a look back<em>&nbsp;</em>at the famous fashion designers who defined the '70s era with their innovative and iconic clothes, paving the way for many more creatives to come.</p>
<div data-ad-unit-name="inline" data-ad-unit-index="1" class="inline-ad" data-page-index="1" id="inline1-1" data-google-query-id="CN-pqqn0-O8CFa0AaAgdMyQOaA"></div>

<p>Belgian fashion designer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/travel-living/diane-von-furstenberg-designs-exclusive-collection-hm-home-decor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diane von Furstenburg</a> became an icon in 1974 with the creation of the silk jersey wrap dress, which quickly became a versatile and relaxed fit for every woman's body shape that's still a favorite nowadays. Originally available in a small range of very '70s prints, the dress had sold over 5 million times by 1976, turning von Furstenberg into a lasting fashion empire and a true '70s symbol.</p>

<div class="space--both-5">
  <figure class="article-layout__figure--extra-wrap-left">
    <div class="flag--responsive flag--top">
      <div class="flag__body">
        <div class="formatted-content">
          <p>The African-American designer who first popularized color blocking in the '70s, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/stephen-burrows-designer-color-blocking-black-fashion-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stephen Burrows</a> created brightly colored, disco garnments for the 1970s New York dancing scene. His designs sold internationally and grew him a mainstream, high-fashion audience that confer him a legacy that lives on today.</p>
        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
  </figure>
</div>

<p>Italian designer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/trend-shopping-sports-outfit-fitness-activewear-luxury-model-off-duty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emilio Pucci</a> is synonymous with geometric prints in a kaleidoscope of colors. He became best known in the '70s for making tight, shantung "Pucci" pants and vivid prints of silk jersey dresses and blouses. H<span>is designs were worn by every glamorous celebrity of those years, from Sophia Loren to Jackie Kennedy.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div id="list-sc-item_1-0-4" class="comp mntl-sc-list-item list-sc-item mntl-block">
  <p class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html">Famous for mixing prints, textures, colors, and patterns with multi-cultural, medieval, and romantic influences from the past, like full-length skirts and billowing sleeves, British designer Bill Gibb had a tremendous influence on the hippie style that became a trademark of '70s fashion.</p>
</div>
<div id="article-outro_1-0" class="comp article-outro mntl-sc-page mntl-block" data-sc-sticky-offset="60" data-sc-ad-label-height="24" data-sc-ad-track-spacing="100" data-sc-min-track-height="250" data-sc-max-track-height="600" data-sc-breakpoint="54em" data-sc-load-immediate="1" data-sc-content-positions="[300,600,900,1200,1500,1800,2100]" data-bind-scroll-on-start="true"></div>
<div id="billboard4-sticky-lazy_1-0" class="comp scads-to-load right-rail__item billboard4-sticky-lazy billboard-sticky" data-height="600" data-parent="">
  <div class="spacer">
    <div id="billboard4-dynamic-lazy_1-0" class="comp js-billboard-lazy mntl-billboard billboard4-dynamic-lazy mntl-lazy-billboard mntl-lazy-ad mntl-gpt-dynamic-adunit mntl-gpt-adunit gpt billboard dynamic"></div>
  </div>
</div>

<p><span>Italian designer Ottavio <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/influential-fashion-families-hermes-fendi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Missioni</a> created his fashion house in 1953 and was best known for knitwear with bold, colored, zig zag weave patterns. Easily recognizable in today's fashion, the '70s-influenced pattern is used on everything from scarves and caps to dresses and outerwear, and made the name Missoni a worldwide brand.</span></p>

<p>Known for making pants acceptable for women to wear for work and not only in casual settings, French designer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/saint-laurent-new-bag-le-maillon-hailey-bieber-juergen-teller" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yves Saint Laurent</a> introduced the city trouser in 1966, and then in 1968, his collection included women's trouser suits such as the safari suit. During the '70s the trend began to take hold and still remains a popular style in the 21st century.</p>

<div id="list-sc-item_1-0" class="comp mntl-sc-list-item list-sc-item mntl-block">
  <p class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html">American fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick, known simply as Halston, created nearly every popular dress seen on the dance floors of the 1970s. His free-flowing and draped jersey dresses and lean trouser suits were perfect for dancing thanks to their construction without buttons or zippers. Halston's designs became a fashion staple of those years and because he was one of the first major designers to license his name, his clothes were not only worn by many celebrities who were regulars at <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-looks-studio-54-70s-fashion-style-elton-john-cher-grace-jones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Studio 54</a> in New York City, but also became accessible to the masses.</p>
  <div data-ad-unit-name="inline" data-ad-unit-index="2" class="ad article-main-ad" data-page-index="1" id="inline1-2" data-google-query-id="CJHRp6n0-O8CFa0AaAgdMyQOaA"></div>
</div>
<div id="billboard1-sticky_1-0" class="comp scads-to-load right-rail__item billboard1-sticky billboard-sticky is-lockable" data-height="1050">
  <div class="spacer">
    <div id="billboard1_1-0" class="comp billboard1 mntl-billboard mntl-gpt-adunit gpt billboard" data-ad-width="300" data-ad-height="600"></div>
  </div>
</div>

<p>Half English, half French designer Thea Porter grew up traveling the world when she was young and she translated her passion for multi-cultural experiences into her designs, which inspired the renowned bohemian look of the mid '70s. Her design career began with her own extensive textile collection from her travels and a Middle Eastern import shop in London, which included caftans and maxi dresses often made out of antique materials like voile, velvet, chiffon, and brocade.</p>
<div id="list-sc-item_1-0-4" class="comp mntl-sc-list-item list-sc-item mntl-block"></div>

<p>British fashion designer <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/vivienne-westwood-80-birthday-punk-icon-activist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vivienne Westwood</a>, also dubbed the Mother of Punk, played a big role in the influence of punk rock on fashion in both America and Great Britain during the '70s and beyond. Westwood came to public notice when she started designing clothes for Malcolm McLaren&mdash;her then-boyfriend and manager of the punk rock band Sex Pistols&mdash;and his boutique on King's Road in London called Sex. Westwood's name has been synonymous with bondage pants, eccentric platform shoes, and punk.</p>

'70s Fashion Designers That Paved the Way

Tags

Related Articles

Fashion

Huge '70s Sunglasses are Back

Fashion

The '70s are Back for Fall/Winter 2021

Beauty

How to Get '70s Bangs

Recommended posts for you

Film & TV

Everything to Know About the New 'Dune' TV Series, a Must-Watch

Travel & Living

The Most Chic Places to Have Thanksgiving Dinner in NYC

Fashion

Carolina Herrera's Resort 2025 Collection Captures the 'Intensity' of Mexico City

Fashion

Inside Louis Vuitton's NYC Store Opening Party and Best Dressed Celebrities

Fashion

Mikey Madison Redefines Dog-Walking Fashion in Mugler and Stilettos

Beauty

Rhode's Cinnamon Roll Lip Tint Is Finally Here

Fashion

These Timeless Luxury Accessories Were Made to Cherish for a Lifetime

Beauty

The Evolution of Rocker Hair