American Designers

The majority of American fashion houses are based in New York, althought there are also a significant number in Los Angeles, and Chicago was once a center of American fashion.

American fashion design is dominated by a clean-cut, casual style, reflecting the sporty, health-conscious lifestyles of many American city-dwellers.

A designer who helped to set the trend in the United States for sport-influenced day wear throughout the 1940's and 50's was Claire McCardell.

Many of her designs have been revived in recent decades. More modern influences on the American look have been Calvin Klein (known for classic coats and seperates), Ralph Lauren (known for casually elegant clothes in natural fabrics), and Donna Karan (known for practical, sophisticated women's wear).