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The truth is women design the most flattering clothes; ALEXANDRA SHULMAN The hugely respected editor of Vogue writes for the Mail on fashion, style, what's hot and, more pertinently... what's not!

Article Excerpt
Byline: ALEXANDRA SHULMAN

THE most famous designers of our time are men. Think of Valentino, John Galliano, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren. Yet some of the most wearable clothes around now are made by women.

Women have always played their part in fashion's Hall of Fame. Jeanne Lanvin, Madame Vionnet and, of course, the visionary Coco Chanel spearheaded French fashion in their day, but during the Forties and Fifties female designers dropped out of the limelight somewhat.

In the Sixties we had the wonderful Mary Quant and Barbara Hulanicki of Biba fame, but they were often overshadowed by the talented male stars of the day, such as Ossie Clark and Yves Saint Laurent. Now, though, women are steaming ahead again, both in the international league and heading up smaller, British brand names.

Of course, it makes sense that women should be first-rate designers as they know all about the issues of bras, hips and bosoms, wobbly arms and the other 'defects' we torment ourselves with.

They know about how we need to move in our clothes - female designers tend to be more generous with their armholes - and they understand that woman cannot live by ballgown alone. Party-girl designer Alice...