Lepore is a designer of ultra-feminine clothing, fragrances and shoes.

Growing up in an artsy, bohemian Ohio family, Lepore moved to New York City in the late '80s to enroll at FIT. Following a few short-lived gigs working at a dress company in the Garment District and as a personal assistant at a sportswear company, Lepore opened her own store in the East Village called Robespierre. She struggled at first—she earned about $100 a week the first three years the store was open, she says—until attention at a trade show resulted in a flood of orders. She's been on considerably more sold financial footing since then, and held her first Fashion Week runway show in 2000. A red carpet favorite, Lepore is now looking beyond the clothing market: In the spring of 2007, her collection of Keds sneakers hit stores and she's designing organic rugs for Doris Leslie Blau.

Lepore married painter Robert Savage after college; he's now the president of her company. The couple has a daughter, Violet, who comes out for bows with the designer at the end of every runway show. [Image via Getty]