NILI LOTAN

Nili Lotan trained at Shenkar in Tel Aviv, then ran design for Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne and Nautica before starting her own label in 2003. In 2006 she opened in Tribeca and put the design studio in with the shop, which is still how she works. She names Ralph Lauren as the biggest influence on her career — specifically the discipline of holding one clear voice.