Fashion's Other Half

They say that behind every great man is an equally great woman but I would say that the same works both ways, particularly in fashion. The fashion world is full of wonderful female designers who have made a huge impact on the industry but interestingly enough, a lot of these women have the support of their husbands who are there to catch them when they fall. From Vivienne Westwood to Mary Quant and Alice Temperley these top notch fashion designers are just one half of fashion's super couples. A few weeks ago the Wall Street Journal did a profile on Miuccia Prada and her husband and business partner, Patrizio Bertelli who they describe as fashion's most successful husband and wife pairing. It got me thinking about all the other women fashion designers who work hand in hand with their other halves to build their fashion empire. So I did a bit of digging around and this is what I have come up with.

Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli
Prada was founded by Mario and Martino Prada in 1913 and the company was handed down to Mario's grand daughter. Miuccia and her husband Patrizio in 1978. Since then the couple have turned the brand into a fashion powerhouse. In the 90s Prada was the name on everyone's lips with the launch of stores in Paris, Madrid and New York as well as the iconic Prada handbag which everyone wanted to get their mitts on.

Mary Quant and Alexander Plunkett-Grene
The original pop idol, it was her partnership with hubby, Alexander which led to the birth of Bazaar, the iconic clothes store on Kings Road. Mary then went on to make her own range of clothing and introducing the mini skirt and hot pants.

Barbara Hulanicki and Stephen Fitz-Simon
While Barbara Hulanicki entranced the world with Biba, it was her husband Stephen who acted as her rock and even gave her the idea to get into fashion. Biba was the aspirational brand of the 60s and every stylish lady wanted a slice of it.

Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren
It was punk maverick, Malcolm McLaren who spotted Vivienne's talents and set up shop with her on Kings Road. The premises on Kings Road went under many names such as Let it Rock, Sex, Too Fast to Live Too Young to Die and Seditionaries. The duo went on to launch a fashion label together. 

Alice Temperley and Lars Von Bennigsen
The lady who put the ooomph back into Brit fashion with her collection of tea dresses. Former Saint Martin's graduate, Alice Temperley launched her label, Temperley London with her hubby, Lars Von Bennigsen. He is now CEO of a brand that consists of gorgeous boutiques across the world, a bridal collection a diffusion range called Alice by Alice Temperley as well as numerous A list celebrities as fans.