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TRADEMARK DESIGNS

When you hear a Louis Armstrong song, there's no doubt who's singing it. When you watch a Quentin Tarantino film, you can't mistake who directed it. And when you take in a Picasso painting, there's no wondering whose brush stroked it.

The same identifiable attributes apply in fashion. Only in this case you either stand 100 percent certain who the designer is, or pretty confident of which label was knocked off. Regardless, some garments, shoes and accessories just scream their designer's name. And we're not referring to logo saturation, either. That's too obvious. These giveaway features encompass everything from fabrics to prints to specific garments. Take a look at the designers who've stamped their signatures on a variety of items we've all taken turns coveting.

CHECK MATE

It's not the bag, but the pattern that makes this an undeniable product of Burberry. The white, beige, black and red check immediately signifies the classic fashion house that also brought the trench out of functional territory and into fashion. Burberry first registered the check as a trademark in the 1920s when it introduced it as the lining to its trench coats. The timeless print captures a no-nonsense, refined sophistication.

IT'S A WRAP

When this zipperless, buttonless dress debuted in 1973 women considered it a godsend. The wrap dress from Diane von Furstenberg -- now known simply as DvF to long-time admirers -- manages to achieve the impossible feat of flattering nearly every body type. The bustline is pronounced, the waist defined and the hourglass emphasized in this comfortable and stylish design that "wraps" around the torso. Others have mimicked the concept, but the term wrap dress and von Furstenberg are synonymous in the fashion industry.

HERVÉ VERVE

Hervé Léger's skin-tight designs are referred to as bandage dresses for a reason. The horizontal cut, and often horizontal color blocks, look as if the female frame is wrapped in bandages. A look like this, which made its first appearance in 1985, is not only distinct but partial to frames with little to no body fat.

NO SWEAT

When someone puts out a sweatsuit that's equal parts comfort and cool, it will no doubt be celebrated. Juicy Couture creators Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor reinvented the traditional track suit in 2001 in a cut that hugged the curves, a velour that felt comfortable and colors that were girly enough to set them apart from the others. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton couldn't get enough of them. Today, the cozy velour sweatsuits with hooded tops still enjoy a large fanbase.

BIG RED

When hip-hop great Jay-Z gives your signature detail a shout out -- "Like Louboutins with the red bottoms. You gotta have 'em, you glad you got 'em." -- you know you've done something right. As Christian Louboutin finished his first collection of women's shoes in 1992, he snatched the red polish his associate was painting her nails with and applied it to the soles of one of his creations. Finally, his vision was complete. Now, when women such as Oprah, Sarah Jessica Parker and Madonna kick their heels up, they simultaneously announce a devotion to the designer.

ZIG MEETS ZAG

When Missoni launched its first collection in 1958, the line was heavy on silky zig-zag knits. The clothes have consistently featured a version of the same pattern every year since. The styles and silhouettes change, but the fabrics and print don't. When you have the pleasure of taking them in there's simply no question you're beholding a Missoni. The irresistible feature carries over to scarves, bikinis, gowns, hats and belts, too.

PALLY WANNA JERSEY?

You can thank Rachel Pally for the jersey craze that surfaced a few years ago and is still kicking today. The young designer put out an entire collection of soft jersey dresses and sports wear that took comfort standards to new heights. Shortly after, fast fashion outlets jumped on the back of the jersey trend and enjoyed the wild ride. Pally continues to evolve her collection but one characteristic remains: the jersey.

PUCCI PASSION

The psychedelic prints that are the hallmark of Emilio Pucci make you want to throw on some go-go boots and flash the peace sign. Modern designers such as Christian Lacroix and, most recently, Matthew Williamson, who both took over designing for Pucci, continue to keep these prints first developed in 1950 fresh and exciting. One look at the swirls and kaleidoscope images and you know you're looking at Pucci.

Contact fashion reporter Xazmin Garza at xgarza@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0477.

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