The unwavering queen of minimalism, Jil Sander started her eponymous line in the early 1970s with a vision of marrying professional and chic, blurring the line between workwear and eveningwear. The label gained international attention in the 1990s and Sander sold a majority stake to the Prada Group three months before resigning as chief designer in 2000. She returned three years later only to resign again and then be brought back in 2012.

"I am convinced that there can be luxury in simplicity."