Global Fashion Billionaires

Bernard Arnault of LVMH

The Forbes report is out. Who are fashion's big money makers? Whether you want to admit it or not, fashion is a multi billion dollar industry. Everyone in the world has to wear clothes all day, everyday. Just like any other industry, fashionistas have racked in billions and billions of dollars. Who are they, where are they from, and how did they do it? Let's take a look at the top 5:

Number 1: Bernard Arnault
LVMH....$16.5 billion
That's right, fashions top earner makes 16.5 billion dollars. It all started from an investment Arnault made using his fathers construction fortune. He put $15 million from that business to buy Christian Dior in 1985...Today, he's the richest man in France, he owns Fendi, TAG Heuer, Louis Vuitton and more.

Number 2: Philip Knight
Nike...$8.2 billion
Knight owns Nike, there's no other explanation need. Today it’s the largest shoe company in the world that started out with him and a coach in 1965.

Number 3: Francois Pinault & Family
PPR...$7.6 billion
Never heard of PPR? No problem because we know you've heard of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Puma, Chadwicks, and Learner. These luxury and recessionista friendly brands have made the family billions. Fracnois is also a billionaire of fashion and lifestyle. He also owns a winery that's been around since 1331 and a personal art collection to die for.

Number 4: Fisher Family
Gap...$4.9 billion
Gap, the music and jean store started in 1969 in San Francisco and became public in '76. Seems fashion billionaires love their art, Doris and Donald, founders, own a large contemporary art collection that's would make many envious.

Number 5: Ralph Lauren
Polo Ralph Lauren...$3 billion
You all know Lauren as an American luxury designer who focuses on apparel, luggage, furniture, fragrances, and now watches. Polo is seeing some bad times right now, with shares down by 30% since last summer, the brand is getting hit hard. .

Source: Forbes
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