Fashion Designers 101

Stella McCartney

This eco-chic "it" girl has proven she's more than her famed last name. Beginning her career as the creative director of über-feminine label Chloé, McCartney launched her own house of leather and fur-free designs in 2001 that has garnered an A-list clientele including gal pals Kate Hudson, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Why we love it: Popular for her perfectly tailored boyfriend blazers, pantsuits, ethereal dresses, cozy knits and the jumpsuits that created a frenzy at the launch of her 2005 collection for H&M, McCartney also finds time to manage a sporty chic line for Adidas, coveted fragrances, and a range of organic skincare called CARE by Stella McCartney.

Marc Jacobs

As one of the most influential designers of our generation, Jacobs is constantly evolving with across-the-board collections of items ranging from lady-like frocks to 80s-inspired boyfriend jeans and baggy bright tees. Known for launching the first Grunge collection in 1992, the designer-busy leading his namesake label and the cult teen diffusion line Marc by Marc Jacobs-is also the creative director of Louis Vuitton.

Why we love it: Turn to Jacobs for classic and relaxed-cool pieces with a hip, feminine vibe, slouchy leather handbags and bold accessories as well as hot celeb collaborations with Kanye West, Victoria Beckham and M.I.A.

Alexander Wang

As the new cool kid-and bonefied hipster-of the fashion pack, Wang has brought street style, with an underground punk vibe, onto the runway, inspired by his muse and BFF, runway model-turned-designer Erin Wasson.

Why we love it: His range of sporty-luxe hoodies, tattered cutoff shorts and leather-and-denim bomber jackets are unstudied hip. Add to the mix his new shoe collection and diffusion line of soft jersey T-shirts called T by Alexander Wang, and he has officially stolen our fashion hearts.

House of Holland

Two seasons ago, Henry Holland launched his career with bold slogan T-shirts aimed at the fashion crowd ("I'll tell you who's boss, Kate Moss"). A quintessential British club kid, the designer's best friend and fellow Brit, model Agyness Deyn, inspires his collections.

Why we love it: His vibrant neon, crest-adorned tartan, polka-dots and crop tops never fail to entertain, while his recent Spring '09 collection of distressed stonewashed denim inspired by Beverly Hills, 90210, landed him a collaboration line with Levi's.

3.1 Phillip Lim

Although Phillip Lim is relatively new to the game, he is already much loved by Hollywood starlets Natalie Portman and Ugly Betty's Becki Newton and is sold in 26 countries across the globe (bestsellers include his signature draped cocktail dresses). What's the 411 on the 3.1 you ask? Both Lim and his business partner were 31 years old when the label was launched.

Why we love it: His classic feminine twists, such as ruffles created from zippers on girly shift dresses, silk blouses with gigantic below the chin bows and Swarovski crystal-bedazzled headbands are as the designer describes "classic with a sense of madness."

Chanel

Classic, lady-like glamour with a modern edge is the best way to describe this iconic label-think Audrey Hepburn or modern-day muse Keira Knightley. Once quipping, "Fashion fades, only style remains the same," Coco Chanel introduced modernism in the 20s with the signature little black dress and three-piece suit, followed by her illustrious fragrance Chanel °5. In 1983, Karl Lagerfeld (better known as the Kaiser) took the helm of the label bringing to it a new sense of decadence and refinement.