| are product designers all over the world who must be | | | | her own garments. One of the items she wanted was |
| dreaming of creating a long-lasting design icon, | | | | a more suitable sweater, so she designed her own |
| something that will ensure their place in the creative | | | | version, which became known as the Poor Boy |
| industry’s hall of fame. These are items that | | | | Sweater, made the cover of top fashion magazines |
| remain in the memories of those who appreciate style, | | | | and is now known the world over. The first design led |
| form and function long after the original products have | | | | to numerous variations, not just as maternity garments, |
| been removed from the shelves. Some of the classic | | | | and a skinny version of Rykiel’s sweaters |
| styles and designs of the past seem to live on forever | | | | became one of the fashion icons of the sixties. The |
| and none more so than some of the items that have | | | | poorboy name comes from the tight fit of the |
| come out of the fashion and jewellery sectors. | | | | sweater, which gives the impression that the wearer |
| Imagine how many new products are created | | | | was not able to afford a full-sized sweater. The |
| everyday in the design studios of manufacturers | | | | poorboy is more suited to slim bodies and became |
| every day. Hundreds of new toys, electrical appliances, | | | | popular again in the 1990’s when it was paired |
| clothes, vehicles and all kinds of smaller items go on | | | | with other tight-fitting clothes like tight jeans and baby |
| sales every week. You would think that the chance of | | | | doll dresses. |
| a designer creating something that would eclipse all | | | | Elsa Schiaparelli is another designer whose period of |
| that has gone before it to be fairly slim. Staying at the | | | | fame goes back even further. This Italian designer was |
| top of the consumer’s product wishlist is | | | | also a knitwear specialist originally but later became |
| tremendously difficult and, what was | | | | know for some iconic hat designs. At her time of |
| yesterday’s favourite product, is often quickly | | | | influence, in the 1920’s and 1930’s, her |
| replaced by a new pretender for the top crown, | | | | designs, which were influenced by some of the |
| especially in these days of rapid technology advances. | | | | Surrealist creative geniuses of the time like Salvador |
| But there are some hit products that seem to retain | | | | Dali, were viewed to be very strange and leading |
| their design status and remain highly desirable long | | | | edge. One of her designs, a skirt that resembled a pair |
| after their original design first hit the market. Products | | | | of shorts, shocked the crowds at the Wimbledon |
| like the Volkswagen Beetle, a Charles Eames office | | | | Tennis Championships in 1931. |
| chair, the Rolex Oyster watch or the Moka coffee pot | | | | Some her most sought after designs now include her |
| designed in 1933 by Bialetti. All are instantly | | | | 1950’s wool felt hats, her evening dress that |
| recognizable and originals are now worth far more | | | | featured a lobster design drawn by Dali and famously |
| than their original selling price. | | | | worn by Wallis Simpson and also the unusual |
| The world of fashion is also no stranger to iconic | | | | “shoe hat” that she designed for |
| design and the list of revered garments and items is | | | | Dali’s wife in 1933. |
| growing all the time as trends change and new styles | | | | Perhaps a more mainstream design icon is the instantly |
| are brought to the public’s attention. Anything | | | | recognisable design of Burberry items featuring the |
| that lasts longer than a few years must have | | | | well-known Burberry plaid. So popular has this design |
| something special about it and styles that keep | | | | become that its iconic status has almost become |
| returning to find a place in the wardrobes of the | | | | tainted through over exposure. The Burberry fashion |
| fashion conscience can be worth substantial sums, | | | | empire dates back over 150 years to when Thomas |
| especially if they originated from a highly regarded | | | | Burberry setup in Basingstoke of all places and first |
| designer. | | | | came to prominence after designing material for a |
| In the world of shoes that are some iconic designs | | | | waterproof outer garment called the Gabardine. |
| whose original names have now been accepted as | | | | Another famous coat came later when Burberry was |
| general terms to describe a whole category of shoes | | | | commissioned by the British services to amend an |
| types, like brogues, Oxfords, Mary Janes, Chelsea | | | | existing design for use in warfare. This became known |
| boots and Go-go boots. | | | | as the iconic Trench Coat. The company’s |
| For some designers it takes just one specific design to | | | | trademark check design became so popular in the |
| rocket them to stardom and long lasting fame. The | | | | 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s that it was |
| French designer Sonia Rykiel is one such person | | | | almost harmful to the Burberry brand. So you see that |
| whose desire for more suitable fashions while she | | | | fashion icons are not always beneficial. |
| was pregnant in 1962 led to her setting about designing | | | | |