Rifat Ozbek Rifat Ozbek Rıfat Özbek (, ; born in 1953 in Istanbul, Turkey) is a Turkish-born fashion designer, known for his exotic, ethnically-inspired outfits. He was named British Designer of the Year in 1988 and 1992. Özbek was born in Istanbul, Turkey and grew up in a yali on the Bosphorus. He moved to London in the 1970s and lived in his parents flat in Belgravia whilst he was studying architecture and then fashion at Saint Martin's School of Art. After graduating in 1977 (or 1978), Özbek went to Italy where he designed clothes for Monsoon. In 1984 he established his
Maria Antonelli (fashion designer) Maria Antonelli (fashion designer) Maria Antonelli (1903-1969) was a pioneer of Italian fashion design who took part in the first Italian fashion shows. Maria Antonelli was born in 1903. She was apprenticed at Battilocchi tailoring in Rome. Antonelli founded her eponymous fashion house in 1930. In July 1951 she took part in the show organised by Giovanni Battista Giorgini in Florence that attempted to establish Italian fashion as a rival to France. Her designs have been described as having "minimalist silhouettes which pre-empted the 60s trend". She dressed the actresses Clara Calamai, Anna Magnani, and Alida Valli. In 1969, she