The history of fashion has been punctuated by women and men who broke boundaries and contributed to the evolution of the industry and how we choose to dress. Designers like Coco Chanel and Paul Poiret defined eras and reinvented fashion for others to follow, and while being a revolutionary is one way to claim your stake in fashion’s history books, being a fashion eccentric is the best way to ensure your legacy is never forgotten.

Fashion eccentrics such as Lady Gaga have made headlines in recent times for their wacky dress sense and seem to have brought a new sense of theatricality to fashion. Running In Heels takes a quick look through the timeline of the greatest fashion eccentrics ever…

Marchesa Luisa Casati

An Italian heiress who claimed she “wanted to be a living work of art,” Casati became infamous for her extravagant parties and fashion sense; she adorned herself with live snakes in the place of jewellery and wandered the streets naked beneath a fur, parading her pet cheetahs for all to see, and casting a heavily kohl-rimmed eye upon many men who fell under her spell. She may have died in the lates 1950′s, but Casati continues to inspire many designers working today, from extravagant creatives like John Galliano to dramatic minimalists such as Giorgio Armani.

According to Gabriele d'Annunzio, Casati "demonstrated how true it is that all enchantment is madness induced with art."

Elsa Schiaparelli

Schiap’ is widely regarded as one of the greatest designers in the world for her originality and theatrical attitude towards fashion. Elsa Schiaparelli combined the disciplines of art and couture in her designs, most famously creating an elegant evening dress with a lobster printed on the front (boldly worn by the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson) and surreal leather gloves with painted finger nails on the exterior. She remains one of the originators of bold and confrontational dressing.

Anna Piaggi

Without a doubt Italy’s greatest living fashion eccentric. Anna Piaggi is never seen at a fashion show without her shock of blue hair and rainbow-hued wardrobe, and is considered one of the most influential and intelligent fashion writers today. A friend and muse to Karl Lagerfeld since the 1970’s and survivor of the heady 1980’s, Piaggi has most definitely staked her name in fashion’s history book as a beloved fashion eccentric.

Anna Piaggi’s career in publishing has spanned over 30 years, and she has remained as eccentric as ever throughout!

Isabella Blow

An influential stylist and magazine editor, famous for discovering extraordinary talents like Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy, Isabella Blow was the epitome of the English eccentric. Stomping through the streets of London wearing diamonds and larger than life Treacy hats, Blow came to her demise aged 48 after battles with depression and cancer. Her name lives on as an example of true creative genius, but also the perils of it.

Anna Dello Russo

The editor of Japanese Vogue and the newest ‘it’ editor in fashion; street style photographers fall over themselves to shoot her outfits (which change up to five times a day!) and she has since become her very own brand. Dello Russo has her own blog, devoted fan following and even released her own perfume in late 2010 (the bottle is a gold high heeled shoe), making her a serious contender for the title of greatest modern fashion eccentric.

Anna Dello Russo says: "If you like to be relaxed, you will never get the LOOK. Fashion is always UNCOMFORTABLE!"