Stephen Burrows

About

Fashion designer whose iconic designs and styles have earned him legendary status in the fashion industry. He participated in the infamous "Battle of Versailles Fashion Show," which set five French designers against five American designers in a historical and industry-shaping competition. He has originated timeless fashion trends such as the wrap dress, the lettuce edge finish, and color blocking.

Before Fame

He attended the Philadelphia Museum College of Art, and in 1966, he went on to graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. After graduating, he made the decision to remain a freelance designer despite having been offered a position with Weber Originals. In 2012, he opened his stephenburrowsworld Instagram account, which currently has 6,000 followers. 

Trivia

He has a star on the Fashion Walk of Fame. He also received the 2014 Andre Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Pratt Institute Fashion Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Family Life

He is the son of Gerald Burrows and Octavia Pennington. As a child, he learned to sew and make clothes from his grandmother, Beatrice Simmons.

Associated With

One of his first friends and muses as a student of fashion design was the soul singer Betty Davis. Throughout his career, he has designed for a multitude of high-profile celebrities including Farrah Fawcett, Brooke Shields, and Cher.