Including successful British designers: Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Hussein Chalayan; as well as big international names from Japan, Italy, France and the USA: Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake, Tom Ford, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Donatella Versace, Sonia Rykiel and more. The interviews provide an insight into the designers' lives, comprehensive biographical detail and analysis of the way they think and work, as well as recording the cultural climate at the time. The book is illustrated with portraits and shoots by some of today's best fashion photographers - both more established and up-and-coming - among them Robert Wyatt, Juergen Teller, Donald Christie, Julie Sleaford, Mark Aleski, Justin Smith and Jane McLeish.

'A bible for fashion lovers' Dazed and Confused 'An opportunity to uncover the secrets of the rag trade' Wallpaper 'Your fashion-obsessed friends will love Visionaries' Elle 'This is a book to be dipped into, savoured in small slices and appreciated by anyone interested in fashion' Times Higher Education Supplement 'A fashion fanatic's dream' Ok Magazine

Susannah Frankel is fashion editor of The Independent and a regular contributor to Dazed and Confused. Previously deputy editor of Blitz magazine, Frankel has written for publications as varied as Time Out, Tatler and The Daily Telegraph, and was fashion editor of the Guardian before joining The Independent.