How to Pronounce All Those High-End Designer Names Correctly
In a recent Vogue interview with the legendary Donatella Versace, the designer was asked, “Which Italian word do you wish English speakers would stop saying incorrectly?” to which she replied emphatically, “Ver-sah-chee. It’s Ver-sah-che.” You hear that, world? It’s Versace, with a soft Italian “e.” And so, to help you never commit a faux pas in front of Donatella Versace, here’s your guide on how to pronounce all those high-end designer names correctly like Issey Miyake (RIP) and Ermenegildo Zegna!
1. Ann Demeulemeester: an de-MYOO-le-mes-ter
2. Azzedine Alaïa: A-zeh-deen a-LAI-ah
3. Balenciaga: bah-len-see-A-gah
4. Balmain: bal-MAHN (with the “n” so soft, it’s almost silent)
5. Christian Lacroix: KREEST-yahn luh-KWA
6. Christian Louboutin: KREEST-yahn loo-boo-TAHN (again, with the soft “n”)
7. Comme des Garçons: cohm day gar-SOHN
8. Dries Van Noten: dreez van NOH-ten
9. Ermenegildo Zegna: air-MEN-eh-gil-do ZEHN-ya
10. Givenchy: zhee-von-shee
11. Hedi Slimane: ED-ee sli-MAAN
12. Hermès: air-MEZ
13. Hervé Léger: air-VAY la-ZHAY (or la-ZHER, depending on who you ask)
14. Issey Miyake: IH-see mee-YAH-key (RIP - 8/9/2022)
15. Jean-Paul Gaultier: zhawn pall GOH-tee-ay
16. Junya Watanabe: JOON-ya wa-ta-NA-bee
17. Lanvin: lahn-VAHN (soft “n”)
18. Loewe: Loh-WEV-eh
19. Louis Vuitton: LOO-ee VWEE-tahn (soft “n” again)
20. Marchesa: mar-KAY-zah
21. Mary Katrantzou: mary ka-TRAHNT-tzoo
22. Moschino: mohs-KEE-no
23. Narcisco Rodriguez: nar-SEE-soh rah-DREE-gez
24. Nicolas Ghesquière: NEE-koh-la GEHS-kyair
25. Olivier Rousteing: oh-LEE-vee-yay roo-STAYN
26. Olivier Theyskens: oh-LEE-vee-ay TAY-skins
27. Prabal Gurung: PRUH-bel GOOH-rung
28. Proenza Schouler: pro-EN-zuh SKOOL-er
29. Rochas: ROW-shahs
30. Rodarte: row-DAR-tay
31. Roland Mouret: ROH-lahnd MOOR-ray
32. Sonia Rykiel: SOH-nya ree-kee-ELL
33. Thakoon: TAH-koon
34. Thierry Mugler: teer-EE moo-GLER
35. Versace: ver-SAH-che
36. Vetements: vet-MAHN (soft “n”)
37. Yohji Yamamoto: YOH-jee ya-ma-MOh-toh
38. Yves Saint Laurent: eve san lau-RAHN (again, soft “n”)
Are there any names we missed? Tweet us @BritandCo!
(Photos via PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP, Peter White, Estrop/Getty )