Top five

YSL is generally considered one of the top five designers of all-time
.1. Dior (extra points for having discovered YSL )
2. Chanel
3. Yves Saint Laurent
4. Armani (created a revolution in both womens and mens, no other designer has ever had as much influence in both categories)
5. ?????Who is number
#5?Lagerfeld? Balenciaga?Yohji or Rei? (it seems difficult to have a discussion about design without them but does the size of their business exclude them from the the top echelon?)Like in sports, I think when we discuss fashion designers we will have to create a line between High Couture (pre-70's) and post-Couture (70's - forward)
Today, I would love to hear your Top 5 All-Time Greatest Designers.
Tomorrow I would love to hear your list of Top 5 All-Time Greatest Modern Designers (post 70's)
Hey look we've all been tagged by Sartorialist, so here is my list, like one commenter I have broken my list into pre 70's and post 70's.
Pre 70's favourite designers (emphasis on favourite not neccessarily the best or most important)
1. Poiret
2. Fortuny
3. Chanel
4. Schiaparelli
5. Balenciaga

Post 70's
1. Rei Kawakubo
2. Galliano
3. Westwood
4. Kenzo
5. Miyake