CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN | FOOTWEAR DESIGNER

Christian Louboutin (born 1964) is a footwear designer who launched his line of high-end women’s shoes in France in 1991. Since 1992, his designs have incorporated the shiny, red-lacquered soles that have become his signature. On March 27, 2007, Christian Louboutin filed an application for U.S. trademark protection of this red sole design.

CLAUDIA SCHIFFER | SUPERMODEL

Claudia Schiffer (born August 25, 1970) is a German model and actress, who reached the height of her popularity during the 1990s, initially due to her striking resemblance to Brigitte Bardot. Schiffer is one of the world’s most successful models, having appeared on over 500 magazine covers.

JOSEPH ALTUZARRA | DESIGNER

High-fashion wonder-boy Joseph Altuzarra is in no rush to get famous, although that doesn’t mean he’s been lazy about establishing himself as a designer-to-watch on the ever-emergent New York fashion scene.

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ | FASHION DESIGNER

In 2005, Narciso Rodriguez became the first American to win the Council of Fashion Designers of America Womenswear Designer of the Year Award two years in a row. However, by 2006, Rodriguez, who had ended his partnership with his label’s manufacturer, Aeffe, was over $1 million in debt to his suppliers, and needed fabric donations for his spring collection. The subsequent collection met with enthusiastic reviews and revived his fortune. His clients include Salma Hayek, Claire Danes, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel Weisz, and Sonia Braga.

PATRICK DEMARCHELIER | PHOTOGRAPHER

As a teenager, Patrick Demarchelier used to charge his friends and family a few centimes each to take and retouch their photographs. Today, a portrait by Demarchelier – if he’s inclined to take it – will set you back tens of thousands of pounds. But don’t expect the blemishes to be airbrushed away: Demarchelier has now tired of what he describes as today’s “perfection-obsessed” society and the photographers and image-makers who “want to turn all women into models”.