15 Richest Fashion Designers In The World [2023] | Archive Avenue (2024)

In the world of fashion, there are a few names that stand out above the rest. These designers have achieved incredible success, and their net worth reflects that. Here is a list of the richest fashion designers in the world, along with a brief overview of how they made their fortune.

#15 Tommy Hilfiger – $450 Million

Tommy Hilfiger is an iconic American fashion designer whose net worth is a remarkable $450 million. At only 18 years old, Tommy started his journey in the fashion industry by buying jeans and tweaking them to sell at a local store in his hometown. He later opened up his own clothing store called The People’s Place, and in 1985 he established the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation with funding from the Murjani Group.

#14 Roberto Cavalli – $500 Million

Netting Roberto Cavalli a cool $500 million, this Italian fashion designer is renowned for his introduction of sand-blasted jeans and exotic prints. His self-titled luxury brand offers clothing, leather goods, jewelry, perfume–the works. In 2015 his company was acquired by Clessidra SGR and continues to be run by CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris.

#13 Vera Wang – $650 Million

Vera Wang is an American fashion designer, former figure skater, and all-around boss with a net worth of $650 million dollars. Vera Wang is most widely recognized for her wedding gown designs (worn by celebrities like Chelsea Clinton, Uma Thurman, Jennifer Garner, Holly Hunter, and Alicia Keys), but she’s also designed housewares, shoes footwear collections, fragrances eyewear, and jewelry.

#12 Calvin Klein – $700 Million

Calvin Klein is an American fashion designer with a net worth of $700 million. He is best known for launching the Calvin Klein clothing brand and company. His simple, clean, urban style gained him notoriety at his first New York City fashion week, where he was called the new Yves Saint Laurent.

#11 Pierre Cardin – $800 Million

French fashion designer Pierre Cardin was ahead of his time, creating designs that were years ahead of the current trends. But more importantly, he changed the way people license fashion design, amassing a personal fortune in the process. At the time of his death on December 29, 2020, at age 98, Pierre’s net worth was $800 million.

#10 Tory Burch – $850 Million

Thanks to her eponymous clothing company, Tory Burch has a net worth of $850 million dollars. Her “preppy-chic” lifestyle empire generates more than $1.5 billion in annual revenue selling everything from watches to fragrances and accessories, all starting with a fashion revolution with her famous $200 ballet flats.

#9 Michael Kors – $1 Billion

The first billionaire on the list is well-known fashion designer Michael Kors, with a net worth of $1 Billion. He serves as chief creative director and honorary chairman for his self-titled label.

#8 Stefano Gabbana – $1.2 Billion

Stefano Gabbana is an Italian fashion designer whose net worth is estimated at $1.2 billion. He acquired his fortune and fame as the co-founder of the luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, which he founded with Domenico Dolce in 1982. The two were in a relationship from 1982 to 2003, so maybe workplace relationships are not so bad after all.

#7 Domenico Dolce – $1.2 Billion

Domenico Dolce is an Italian fashion designer with a net worth of $1.2 billion. He became famous and wealthy as the co-founder of the luxury fashion house Dolce & Gabbana, which he established with Stefano Gabbana in 1982. Domenico and Stefano maintained a relationship from 1982 until 2003 as mentioned above.

#6 Velntino Garavani – $1.5 Billion

Valentino Garavani, better known as Valentino, is an Italian fashion designer and founder of the Valentino SpA brand and company. He has been a world-renowned designer for over 45 years and has built up a net worth of $1.5 billion.

#5 Tom Ford – $2 Billion

TomFord is an incredibly successful fashion designer and film director whose net worth currently rests at $2 billion. He has achieved such wealth through his positions as creative director of both Gucci and YSL, as well as the creation of his own namesake brand which was sold to Estee Lauder in 2022 for $2.8 Billion.

#4 Miuccia Prada – $4.2 Billion

Miuccia Prada is an internationally-renowned fashion designer and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $4.2 billion. She earned her impressive fortune by taking over the family business in 1978 – a luxury goods manufacturer owned by her brothers, Prada. Notably, she started out by making waterproof backpacks from Pocone fabric. Today, Miuccia is known for her elegant yet understated designs that focus on a woman’s curves while still maintaining a sense of fun and intelligence.

#3 Patrizio Bertelli – $4.2 Billion

Patrizio Bertelli is the CEO of Prada S.p.A has a net worth of $4.2 billion dollars, which he earned through setting up a small factory to produce belts and bags as well as signing a contract to produce accessories for the Prada label. He partnered with his wife Miuccia Prada, who is also associated with the thriving family-run enterprise that has thrived for over 25 years now.

#2 Giorgio Armani – $6.6 Billion

Giorgio Armani is an Italian fashion designer who has a net worth of $6.6 billion dollars. Giorgio Armani is best known for his popular men’s suits. Armani first launched his business empire in the mid-1970s, and it grew substantially. His popularity reached new heights in the ’80s when his men’s ‘power suits’ began appearing frequently on the actors in the series Miami Vice and again in the 1980 film American Gigolo.

#1 Ralph Lauren – $6.8 Billion

Ralph Lauren is an American fashion mogul with a net worth of $6.8 billion. The Ralph Lauren Corporation–which houses many brands and generates over $4 billion in revenue per year–is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under “RL.” Out of all shareholders, Ralph owns the most shares at 33%. Throughout his influential career, he’s made billions more through selling shares, receiving dividends, and compensation.

Conclusion

So there you have it, the 15 richest fashion designers in the world. Did anyone surprise you? Or were you expecting some of them to be on the list? Let us know in the comments!

Want to read more? Check out the 15 Richest Fashion Models of 2023!