Popular fashion designers of the 70s

The 1970s introduced fashion pieces that are widely recognised in the fashion industry as staple wardrobe items. These designs, such as the wrap dress and pantsuit, were made popular by designers who have become icons in the fashion industry for creating influential works of art that have left a major imprint on the fashion history of the 20th century and beyond.

Dubbed the "Mother of Punk," Vivienne Westwood is a British Fashion Designer who played a big role in fashion in both America and London during the 1970s and beyond. Throughout the 1970s, Westwood was romantically involved with Malcolm McLaren, manager of the band the Sex Pistols. Together the two created "a symbiotic relationship between music and fashion that effectively set the tone of popular culture for decades to come," according to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Westwood's name is synonymous with bondage trousers, platform shoes and punk.

Diane Von Furstenburg became a design icon in 1972 with the creation of the wrap dress which sold into the millions in less than a five year period. The wrap dress was known as a symbol of "female power." In fact, the wrap dress was so popular that in 1997, the designer relaunched the dress which continues to remain popular in the 21st century. In 2005, Furstenburg received a Council of Fashion Designers of America Lifetime Achievement Award.

Yves St Laurent is well-known for making trousers an acceptable form of clothing for women to wear for work and dress. Prior to the 1970s women wore trousers mostly only in casual settings. In 1966, Yves St Laurent introduced the city trouser and then in 1968, the designer introduced women's trouser suits such as the safari suit. The trends began to take hold during the 1970s and remain a popular style in the 21st century.

Famous for draped jersey dresses, lean trouser suits and the use of ultra-suede fabric, Roy Halston Frowick became a staple of fashion in the 1970s. The designer, known simply as "Halston" also created turtlenecks, knitwear, sweaters, sweater sets, boxy square jackets and wide legged jersey trousers. He was also a famous evening wear designer. Halston became a popular social icon in the 1970s, often known for frequenting Studio 54 in New York City.