After taking a step back, the designer has reentered the fashion industry with a quiet, measured new approach.

One of Narciso Rodriguez’s prized possessions is a pair of Victorian gloves, made painstakingly by hand. It’s a reminder that, as he says, “Good things last, and they’re meaningful.” ...

Here's where some major designers got higher education Although some of the most successful fashion designers never attended college, many did — often studying a subject other than fashion.