Josephine Baker adored him. Cher would have loved him. Liberace would have hired him. He was George Barbier, the creator of flamboyant, glittering, over-the-top costumes for flamboyant, glittering, over-the-top people. Barbier's designs were visual glories, often adorned with paste jewelry, flowing t

Art nouveau fashion, Decorative, Excessive, Fantastic, Glamour, Overflowing

Sir Giles Gilbert Scott II has shaped the modern, urban British landscape -- even if many people don't know it. His work is as archetypically British as golden arches were, once upon a time, essentially American. Scott is responsible for those bright red telephone boxes gracing Great Britain since 1

Bright, Classical architecture, Decorative, Elegant, Pioneering, Religious

We say that the French have a certain "joie de vivre," but Italians have something else more difficult to label. Italian culture couples a love of beauty with an ability to laugh at itself. The designs of Milan-born architect Alessandro Mendini embrace this attitude with their color and humor -- thou

Decorative, Funny, Ironic, Pop/surrealism/anti-design, Repetition

By rights, Todd Oldham should have been a fashion failure. He is exceptionally polite and sunny in an industry that punishes good manners and good cheer. He is openly critical of the fashion machine. Worst of all, he finds fashion funny, and fashion is an entity not known for its sense of humor. None

Bright, Collage, Couture, Decorative, Funny, Playful, Vibrant color