Cristóbal Balenciaga, founder of fashion house Balenciaga, wanted women of strong character to wear his designs. So devoted were his clients that one in particular, Countess Mona Bismarck, mourned the designer’s retirement in 1968, by cloistering herself in her room for three days. This brand is known for setting trends rather than following them. Alexander Wang took the reins in 2012, bringing with him a new youthful, edgy and wearable aesthetic. Following his replacement by Vetements founder Demna Gvasalia, the brand came into a new level of success. This solidified Balenciaga’s status as a brand both known for quality and relevance, especially within the luxury streetwear space.