10 Immigrant Fashion Icons

In celebration of New York Fashion Week, we’re highlighting iconic immigrant fashion influencers who launched their careers in the United States and revolutionized the world of fashion.

1. Oscar De La Renta

A native of the Dominican Republic, Oscar de la Renta moved to New York City in the 1960’s to get his start in fashion and eventually launched his own line in 1965. He’s twice served as President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Five decades of his work dressing first ladies and celebrities is currently on exhibition at the Bush Center through October 5th.

2. Diane von Fürstenberg

Diane von Fürstenberg revolutionized American women’s apparel by creating her iconic jersey wrap dress in 1972 and has since dominated fashion. She was born in Belgium to a Romanian-born father and a Greek-born mother, the latter which survived a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust. In 2014, Forbes named her the 68th most powerful woman in the world.

3. Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera is considered the epitome of chic and elegance, and is particularly known for her trademark crisp, classic white shirt. She arrived in the United States from Venezuela in 1980 with her husband and four daughters. Shortly after arriving, Diana Vreeland, former editor of Vogue magazine and personal friend, convinced Herrera to begin designing dresses rather than fabrics. Since then, she’s built an empire of several fashion collections including a bridal collection, accessories and fragrances.

4. Anna Wintour

Born in London, Anna Wintour got her start in the United States as a junior fashion editor at Harper’s Bazaar. She landed the coveted editorship of American Vogue in 1988 and since then has transformed the brand. In January 2014, The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art was renamed the Anna Wintour Costume Center.

5. Tadashi Shoji

Born in Sendai, Japan, Tadashi Shoji’s interest in painting and drawing led him to study fine art first in Tokyo and later in Los Angeles. He launched his own line in 1982 and since built a following for his figure-flattering designs. To date, his collection is sold in more than 4,000 stores worldwide.

6. Prabal Gurung

Originally from Nepal, India, Prabal Gurung is known for his craftsmanship and well-tailored designs. Amina Akhtar, Fashion Editor at New York Magazine, said “Prabal embodies the American dream,” noting his influential work for fashion houses such as Bill Blass, Donna Karen, and Cynthia Rowley. Gurung’s most well-known clientele include First Lady Michelle Obama, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, Oprah Winfrey and Demi Moore.

7. Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan’s aesthetic appeals to the glamorous styles of socialites, celebrities and entertainers such as Beyonce, Penelope Cruz, and Jennifer Lopez. The day after First Lady Michelle Obama wore a Naeem Khan gown to the White House state dinner, he became the third most Googled person in the world. According to Khan, his family “has been in the business of glamour for three generations,” beginning in their native India. In fact, he skipped fashion school after accompanying his father for a meeting about exporting embroidery with Halston, an American designer who asked Khan to join him as an apprentice.

8. Bibhu Mohapatra

Best known for his luxury wear, Bibhu Mohapatra received Fashion Institute of Technology's Critics' Award for Best Evening Wear Designer of the Year while still a student. Mohapatra originally moved to New York City in 1999 to study for a master’s degree in economics. Before starting his own line he worked as an assistant designer with Halston and later as a design director for the French furrier, J. Mendel.

9. Amsale Aberra

Fashion designer Amsale Aberra founded her line after she was unable to find an elegant and understated gown for her own wedding in 1985. She now specializes in bridal couture and owns a boutique in New York City. When Aberra was 19, she moved to Poultney, Vermont from Ethiopia to study commercial art. She later received a degree in political science, as well as studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she now serves as a trustee.

10. Monique Lhuillier

Originally from the Philippines, Monique Lhuillier’s earliest encounter with fashion took place alongside her mother whose sense of personal style had a major influence on her future designs. In 1996, Lhuillier moved to Los Angeles to attend FIDM and eventually started her own line. In a short amount of time, her designs for bridal wear and couture fashion became a celebrity favorite