In 1988 and 1989 Barbara Bush and Ivana Trump were referred to by the fashion commentator Mr. Blackwell as "Fabulous Fashion Independents."

In 1984 Cher, known for her bold, alluring Bob Mackie designed dresses and her overall fashion individuality, was featured in an article in Glamour in which she expressed her desire to be taken seriously: "I'm not what I wear," she said.

By 1986 supermodel Cindy Crawford, 20, had made curvier, "voluptuous" bodies and facial moles acceptable, even sexy.

In 1987 James Ingo Freed of I. M. Pei and Associates unveiled his design for the U.S. Holocaust Museum.

In 1982 Halston designed a line of reasonably priced clothes for J. C. Penney. The clothes sold, but Halston's top-scale lines suffered as a result.

In 1981 internationally known beauty Carolyn Herrara started a couture-caliber clothing business in New York. She designed Caroline Kennedy's wedding dress.

French fashion designer Jean...