New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion weeks have all come and gone. While the industry is still buzzing about the new trends for spring, I wanted to talk about an aspect of fashion that’s often overlooked, but which is clearly relevant to my interests: iconic fashion logos.
Like all companies, high-end fashion brands spend a considerable amount of time perfecting their image. Fashion is built on the idea that consumers are brand conscious, so logos are arguably even more important in fashion than in other markets.
Most high-end brands have logos and fonts that even the least fashion savvy consumer can recognize. The most successful brands are those who have been around for a long time and whose identity has remained virtually unchanged. Another common trait is simplicity. The simpler the logo, the easier it is to recognize and remember.
What are my favorites?
The interlocking Chanel logo is perhaps the most widely recognized symbol in the fashion industry. The typeface is custom, and no one knows who designed the classic sans serif. If you’re looking for a similar font, ITC Avant Garde Gothic is a good alternative.
The forward and backward C’s are representative of not only Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s nickname, but also the stained glass windows from Aubazine Abbey in Coco’s hometown, which features interlaced curves. The simplicity and symmetry of this logo are a perfect representation of this classic brand.
This logo is all about history. The horse and carriage motif refers to the days when Hermès manufactured horse saddles and gear. Eventually, Hermès created a leather bag designed to carry saddles, which grew into the leather and accessories brand we know today.
I always really enjoy when brands incorporate some history into their logos, especially when they find a way to do it without becoming dated. I think the solid, confident typeface offset by the horse and carriage helps create a timeless and balanced look.
Obviously no fashion branding blog could ever be complete without mentioning Louis! According to Wikipedia, Louis Vuitton is not only one of the most powerful and valuable brands, but its logo is one of the most counterfeited in the world. Even if you literally know nothing about fashion, you still recognize the angular LV monogram, seen on everything from luggage to shoes to iPod covers.
In addition to the power and longevity of this logo, I love the way it transforms into a pattern when repeated, which makes it versatile.
This brand is well known for its high-end fragrances and accessories, as well as its haute couture. Versace often plays on the idea of beauty being a dangerous and mysterious concept so it makes sense that the logo is the face of Medusa. This was clearly influenced by Gianni Versace’s well-known fascination with Greek mythology, art and literature.
Unlike most other high-fashion logos, Versace uses of an illustrated symbol instead of the typical typography and/or monograms. It definitely stands out.
Founded in 2004, Tory Burch is a relative newcomer to the rest of the brands on this list, but the brand has still managed to become well-known in fashion.The logo, made of two stylized Ts, has become an easily recognizable symbol and a prominent feature of their accessory line.
I love how easy it is to forget this is a monogram, because of how well it reads as a design element. I myself would feel extremely tacky wearing a giant gold CHANEL logo on my shoes, but the Tory Burch logo is much more subtle and wearable.
While this logo may not be instantly recognizable to the general population, it’s been around since 1954. This stylized version of a photograph taken of Jeanne Lanvin and her daughter was designed by the famous illustrator Paul Iribe.
Lanvin was well known for designing coordinating mother-daughter ensembles, and this logo definitely reflects that. Similar to Hermès, Lanvin’s logo incorporates history, but in a timeless, and in this case, very feminine and beautiful way.
Being in such a notoriously image-conscious industry, it’s clear a lot of thought and calculation went into each of these brands. You can love them or hate them, but these logos aren’t going out of fashion anytime soon.
