The world of fashion has always been on a path of constant evolution thanks to the visionary leadership of remarkable people. A significant number of women in particular have contributed to the advancement of the industry since the early days of female labor force participation. This is true for the British fashion scene as well.
London and other British cities are considered the birthplace of many of the most influential designers in the fashion industry. These women lent their talent and remarkable British sensibilities to some of the most iconic global brands. In this guide, we present a list of some of the most remarkable women that have contributed to the ever-changing World of British fashion and why their voices still matter today.
Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the British fashion scene. She came to the limelight in the 1970s as a pioneer of modern punk and English new wave fashions. In 1971, Westwood opened a store with Malcolm McLaren who was her partner at the time. Together, they contributed significantly to shaping the UK punk scene and taking it mainstream.
After parting ways with McLaren about a decade later, Westwood could go on to launch her own collection, drawing inspiration from 18th and 19th century paintings and Fashions. Her collection, which included corset tops, tartan prints, and crinoline mini skirts, is still quite popular today and has been worn by modern fashion icons like Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift. Her achievements in the UK fashion scene won her the official title Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire which was bestowed by Queen Elizabeth.
Molly Goddard
London-based, British fashion designer Molly Goddard is one of the newer names in the British fashion industry, having come to the limelight within the past decade. The launch of her fashion brand and rise to fame happened accidentally after throwing a party where her friends wore some of her original designs.
The designs caught the attention of Dover Street Market. What followed was a meteoric rise within the British and Global Fashion industry with Goddard winning multiple awards within the next five years. These included:
- The Fashion Awards’ Emerging Talent Award
- The 2017 LVMH Prize
- BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund
- BFC Fashion Trust grant
Molly Goddard’s brand has become quite famous for the candy-colored tulle and taffeta dresses that she makes. These remarkable dresses have been sold by some of the biggest retailers in the market, featured on famous TV shows and modeled by top celebrities.
Sarah Burton
English fashion designer Sarah Jane Burton began her career working as an intern at Alexander Mcqueen in 1997. Here, she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the brand’s creative director in 2010 (a post she retained until 2023 before moving on to Givenchy).
Burton is renowned for coming up with some of Alexander McQueen’s most iconic themes and bold designs that explore the concepts of romance and femininity in the most impressive ways. Burton’s designs also draw inspiration from the natural world and religion.
Sarah Burton made global news in 2011 for designing Catherine Middleton’s wedding dress. That year, Burton was named British Fashion Council’s designer of the year. In 2012, she was named in Time Magazine’s annual list of 100 most influential people. She was also named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.
Stella McCartney
Daughter to Paul McCartney, one of Britain’s greatest musicians, Stella McCartney has been in the public eye since a very young age. However, her career and fame has leaned more towards her mother’s work as animal rights activist. She is famous for her ethically sourced womenswear brand, which promotes the tenets of environmentalism in British fashion.
McCartney began making her mark in the fashion scene as a young college student at the Central Saint Martin College of Art and Design. She was friends with Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss who modeled for her while at the college.
After graduating, her career took off with a role at the historic brand Chloé. McCartney’s fashion genius helped to revitalize the brand while also signing up an impressive roster of celebrity clients. She would eventually launch her own brand in 2001 under the Kering conglomerate brand name. Inspired by her mother’s work, Stella’s brand ditched the famous use of leather and fur in fashion, favoring the use of vegetarian and animal-free alternatives instead.
Grace Wales Bonner
Grace Wales Bonner is a winner of several awards and a fashion icon from the UK. She is the head of Wales Bonner, her own brand which was started in 2014. Initially, this brand was all about clothes for men, but has now diversified into making clothes for women too.
Bonner is well known for her influential work in the world of sports fashion and how well she makes clothes that fit just right. She has won many prizes from big groups like CFDA and the British Fashion Council. And beyond showbiz, Bonner’s work also focuses on art and Black life.
Beyond showbiz, Bonner’s work in fashion also resonates soundly in the Academic world. In 2019, she curated her debut show which explored black culture and aesthetic practices. She also curated a collection for the Museum of Modern Art in 2024 and has released a print publication of her research project at Howard University. In 2022, Grace Wales Bonner was recognized for her contributions to fashion with an award as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
The table below is a summary of the achievements of these iconic women.
| Iconic Women | Contribution |
| Vivienne Westwood | Bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream |
| Molly Goddard | Famous for her voluminous, playful, and often brightly colored tulle dresses |
| Sarah Burton | Headed Alexander McQueen fashion house as creative director for 13 years |
| Stella McCartney | A pioneer in sustainable and ethical fashion |
| Grace Wales Bonner | Celebrated for her role in academia and unique designs that blend sportswear and tailoring |
Conclusion
The iconic women covered in this guide didn’t just create beautiful clothing. They’re famous for challenging existing perceptions, bringing new concepts to life and breaking barriers. Their contribution to the British fashion world reveals deep truths about culture, art, and social dynamics both in Britain and the global world of fashion.
