Forbes Top Designers

The Forbes list of the world's most influential fashion designers was revealed this week and we were all dying to know who came in number one. That would be Christopher Bailey, creative director for Burberry, who is responsible for generating £170 million in sales and 421 press references.

Number two on the list is the ever-popular Manolo Blahnik, with £42 million in sales and 1629 press mentions. Dolce & Gabbana made it in at number three with $450 million in sales and 950 mentions. Working our way down the list, Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcon garnered fourth place with £82 million in sales and 324 references. Following him, in chronological order, are Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, Stefano Pilati for YSL, Miuccia Prada and John Varvatos.

"Some have long been household names," said Forbes. "Others are better known by fashion insiders. Designers were also chosen for their intellectual edginess or because their approach to clothing fits the way Americans live: comfortable, more casual than the Europeans and with less of a distinction between work and play, day and evening."