America 's top ranking brands

According to the WWD's survey of this year's most successful designer label rankings, Calvin Klein is at the top of the American game. The Phillips-Van Heusen owned company earned top marks for its three tiers - the designer Calvin Klein Col lection, the CK bridge label and the core Calvin Klein better-priced label, making it the most successful design-led company of 2005.

In second place comes Tommy Hilfiger, who, despite a disasterous launch of its H brand in Federated Department stores, still managed to secure a top ten place. Perhaps the help of Beyonce et al for his successful perfume True Star and the recent acquisition of Karl Lagerfeld has kept Hilfiger a force to be reckoned with. Ralph Lauren is the third top ranking fashion company in America , followed by Gucci and Christian Dior, the only European brands in the top five.