Ralph Lauren
Born in the Bronx as Ralph Lifschitz, designer Ralph Lauren embodies the American dream that if you work hard enough, anything can happen. Building upon his first humble fashion venture in 1967--a line of Polo ties--Lauren has defined American style with his award-winning eponymous global fashion and home design company.
Much more than a fashion label, Ralph Lauren was heralded as the first "lifestyle" brand, where the same customers who desired Lauren's preppy polo shirts and cable-knit sweaters could extend the timeless fashions to their homes. Luxurious navy and white linens, tartan-upholstered wing chairs and clean-lined tableware bring this warm ideal indoors. As well contributing to USA's design identity, Lauren's also gives back to organizations that aid our future, including the American Heroes Fund, a college scholarship fund for children of 9/11 victims.
AP
Martha Stewart
The queen of do-it-yourself, Martha Stewart blossomed her creative catering business into a multimedia and merchandise portfolio that spans the realms of lifestyle, home and garden, weddings, food, entertaining and more. Through her books, magazines, websites, blogs and TV shows, Stewart offers viewers and readers a slice of their own American pie with step-by-step recipes, craft projects and entertaining ideas.
"I love finding inspiration in surprising places, including nature, antique shows and country fairs. I believe that consumers want guidance from those whose taste and design sensibility they trust and respect. Our company fills that need with beautiful, high-quality home decorating products that enable consumers to decorate their entire home with confidence and ease."
SCOTT DUNCAN
On a larger scale, Stewart has translated her accessible sense of style into home products for K-Mart, Macys, furniture for Bernhardt, rugs for Safavieh and paint colors for Lowes. Though Stewart's wholesome reputation was marred briefly by a legal issue in 2004, her resilience proved stronger and her company, Martha Stewart OmniLiving continues to grow, helping homemakers everywhere make it look easy. Seen here her Floor Designs with Flor carpet tiles.
FLOR Designs With FLOR
Lilly Pulitzer
After staining her clothing bright oranges, pinks and yellow from fruit juices at her Palm Beach, Fla. juice stand in the 1950s, Lilly Pulitzer> almost literally, turned lemons into lemonade. When she commissioned a dressmaker to make a colorful patterned shift dress to hide future stains, the fad took off, creating a new look--and color palette--for the preppy bourgeoisie.
Lillypulitzer.com
The company eventually grew to include men's and children's fashions, accessories, bedding, home products and, most recently, stationary.
Lillypulitzer.com
The bold trend, as most do, has trickled down to mainstream fashion and interior lines and beachy Lilly-colored knockoffs can be found in department stores across the country.
Lillypulitzer.com
This year, to celebrate her company's 50th year in business, Pulitzer has released special edition punchy-patterned products including a Jeep Wrangler, Steinway & Son's piano and Florida's Natural orange juice cartons.
Lillypulitzer.com
Thomas O'Brien
Adding new life to the stark minimalist trend, architect, interior and product designer Thomas O'Brien has pioneered, what he calls, "warm modernism." (Picture masculine woods, sleek steel lamps, textured carpets and luscious fabrics.)
Jason Penney
Exuding the ideal that everybody should have access to well designed products, O'Brien shares his tailored design sensibility at a range of price points--through both his NYC-based company Aero Studios as well as collaborations with Target and high-end fabric line Lee Jofa. Rumor has it that O'Brien's designs will become even more accessible soon enough--he's releasing a book of his interiors entitled "American Modern" in 2010.
Martyn Thompson
Thom Filicia
American men began re-considering the importance of interior design in 2003 when Thom Filicia showed his subjects on Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," a make-over show for men who needed a bit of style guidance, the numerous benefits a well-groomed home can have. As one of the first "celebrity" interior designers, Filicia helped introduce interior design as something everyone can, and should enjoy, opening the doors for other home-make over shows, including his newest, "Dress My Nest" on the Style Network.
Courtesy of the Style Network and Dress My Nest
