Today Forbes released its first ever list of the top 50 most successful, self-made women in the U.S., and unsurprisingly, fashion and retail was one of the most popular industries represented in the roundup with seven moguls making the cut. Here, a recap of those powerful women, who you’ll know either by name or through the brands they founded.
Meet The Self-Made Fashion Moguls
#31 (Tied): Diane von Furstenberg
Diane von Furstenberg launched her business in the 1970s with her (now iconic) wrap dress and has since grown the brand to include everything from housewares to accessories, all while becoming an industry leader and personality in her own right. Von Furstenberg, who only owns a portion of her company, has a net worth of $450 million.
Photo: Courtesy
#3: Doris Fisher
Doris Fisher, an 83-year-old San Francisco native, cofounded Gap with her late husband in 1969 and helped grow the brand into the multi-billion dollar business that it is today. Fisher left the company in 2009 and has a net worth of $3.1 billion.
Photo: via Forbes
#17 (Tied): Tory Burch
Publicist-turned-fashion designer Tory Burch made her mark in fashion with a pair of simple ballet flats and subsequently turned her preppy-meets-boho aesthetic into a category-spanning lifestyle brand worth over $3 billion (her personal net worth is over $1 billion).
Photo: David X. Prutting/BFA.com
#4: Jin Sook Chang
Jin Sook Chang moved to America from South Korea in 1981 and opened a 900-square-foot clothing store with her husband called Fashion 21. Now called Forever 21, the retail chain boasts over 680 stores globally bringing Chang's net worth to over $3 billion.
Photo: via Forbes
#31 (Tied): Donna Karan
Donna Karan, whose net worth is $450 million, built her empire by addressing the sartorial needs of powerful, on-the-go women. Karan sold her company to LVMH in 2000 and now operates as chief designer of the brand while also focusing on impactful philanthropic projects tied to the company.
Photo: Courtesy
#17 (Tied): Sara Blakely
An essential beloved by stylists and style-minded women everywhere, Sara Blakely launched her shapewear brand, Spanx, when she was just 29-years-old. Today Blakely has a net worth of over $1 billion and has pledged to donate at least half of her wealth to charity.
Photo: Getty Images
#34: Vera Wang
Fashion editor-turned-designer Vera Wang made her fortune creating dream wedding gowns for brides in New York, Hollywood and beyond and has since grown her company to include ready-to-wear, accessories and more. Wang's current net worth is $400 million.
Photo: Courtesy
