Frida Giannini had some big shoes to follow when she took over for Tom Ford as Creative Director for Gucci. Luckily, the fashion savvy businesswoman was up to the challenge.

Although Giannini's vision for Gucci was ill-received at first, she has since drawn much praise from the fashion world for her unique take on the Gucci legacy. Born in Rome in 1972, Giannini studied fashion design at Rome's Fashion Academy before apprenticing in a small ready to wear house.

After that, Giannini's career took off. In 1997, Giannini joined Fendi, where she was ready to wear designer for three seasons before being named designer for Fendi leathergoods. In 2002, Giannini moved to Gucci as Handbag Design Director and from there moved up the ladder. In 2004, she became Creative Director of Accessories in charge of bags, shoes, luggage, small leathergoods, silks, fine jewelry, gifts, watches and eyewear. And in 2005 she was named Creative Director of women's wear, before also being named Creative Director of men's wear in 2006.

As Creative Director, Giannini has overseen ad campaigns for the brand, featuring Hollywood favorites like James Franco and Claire Danes. Being favored in Hollywood has helped Giannini become one of the most powerful persons in fashion and her designs are often worn by stars on the red carpet.