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6 fashion designers with ties to Texas

Some of the world's top fashion designers became established for their influential styles or cutting-edge trends, but their Southern roots are lesser known. These six designers have two things in common: They've all made it big in the fashion industry, and they've all called Texas home.

Tom Ford (born in Austin)

The devilishly handsome designer doesn't just design looks for the red carpet, sometimes he...
The devilishly handsome designer doesn't just design looks for the red carpet, sometimes he walks the carpet himself. Here, A-list friend and actress Julianne Moore joins him.(Charles Sykes / Invision/AP)

Arguably the most notable fashion designer to hail from Texas, Tom Ford makes the top of the list. Apart from Jay-Z dedicating an entire song to his namesake, Ford has gained acclaim in the fashion world for dressing A-list celebrities in his impeccable suits and daring dresses on the red carpet. The acclaimed designer runs one of the fashion industry's most highly regarded labels, but before he was rubbing elbows with Hollywood's biggest and brightest, his life started with humble beginnings in Austin.

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Billy Reid (studied in Dallas)

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Billy Reid catapulted onto the fashion scene in 2010 when he was named Best New Menswear Designer by GQ magazine and CFDA. The Louisiana native made his way to Big D to study fashion design at The Art Institute of Dallas, after which he began his career at Saks Fifth Avenue. In 1998, he launched his first men's collection, and women's clothing shortly followed.

Lela Rose (born in Dallas)

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Fantastic attention to detail and an unparalleled eye for design made this Dallas native a designer to know. Lela Rose was born in Dallas, and, after studying at Parsons School of Design in New York City, she grew up to create gowns that brides and socialites dream of wearing. Her eponymous collection's flagship store in Highland Park Village and is home to many of the whimsical, breathtaking pieces from her collection.

Sherri Hill (based in Austin)

Because Sherri Hill's dresses are so often longed for, they are unfortunately also subject...
Because Sherri Hill's dresses are so often longed for, they are unfortunately also subject to knockoffs. Here, a knockoff (on left) is shown next to the original Sherri Hill dress it was meant to replicate.(Brad Loper / The Dallas Morning News)
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Ever wonder who makes the gorgeous gowns worn by contestants in the Miss USA, Miss America, and Miss Universe pageants? By-and-large, it's Sherri Hill. No designer better caters to the pageant and prom demographics than Hill, whose designs are often laden with rhinestones, lace, and chiffon. The globally influential brand is based in Austin, Texas, where its corporate office is headquartered.

Khanh Nguyen of Nha Khanh (studied in Denton)

Khanh Nguyen (right) and her former colleague Nini Nguyen pose alongside one of their...
Khanh Nguyen (right) and her former colleague Nini Nguyen pose alongside one of their dresses. Though the brand's style has evolved somewhat over time, Nguyen's strategic use of lace and flattering silhouettes have established her as a designer to watch for.(Carter Rose / Special Contributor)

Though Nha Khanh isn't quite as well known as, say, Tom Ford or Lela Rose, we have a feeling the brand won't stay under the radar for long. According to Nha Khanh's website, everyone from Kim Kardashian to Kelly Osbourne have worn designer Khanh Nguyen's work. Nguyen got her start in the industry after graduating from the University of North Texas, where she studied fashion design.

Abi Ferrin (based in Dallas)

Not only is Abi Ferrin a fashion designer, she's a philanthropist too.
Not only is Abi Ferrin a fashion designer, she's a philanthropist too.(Mei-Chun Jau)

Abi Ferrin is another notable designer with a flagship store in Dallas. She was named Texas' Next Top Designer by Stanley Korshak in 2007, but Ferrin has been designing clothes for more than a decade. According to her brand's website, every garment sold at Abi Ferrin comes with an item made by The Freedom Project -- Ferrin's philanthropical organization that aids victims of trafficking and abusive employment.

BONUS: Kendra Scott (based in Austin)

Don't count out Kendra Scott just because she doesn't design clothes. The savvy...
Don't count out Kendra Scott just because she doesn't design clothes. The savvy businesswoman's jewelry brand is a global success that's worth millions.(Courtesy of Kendra Scott)
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Designing a hugely popular jewelry line as opposed to a clothing line means Kendra Scott isn't a "fashion designer" in the way the other designers on this list are, but that doesn't make her any less successful. Scott didn't grow up in Texas, but she got here as fast as she could, so we won't hold it against her. She started her multimillion dollar company in the spare bedroom of her house in Austin, and its flagship store was established there, too.

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