As 2011 beckons what better time to take a look back at the biggest fashion moments of the last year, events that not only made us laugh and cry, but that shook the world.
1. The death of iconic fashion designer Alexander McQueen
The fashion world mourned the loss of British fashion designer Alexander McQueen in February after he took his own life. The 40-year-old died just before one of his lines, McQ, was to be shown at New York fashion week.
2. Lady Gaga’s meat dress
Lady Gaga, known for her outrageous outfits, raised eyebrows at the MTV Video Music Awards in September, wearing a dress, hat and boots made from meat.
3. Willow Smith becomes a style icon
The ten-year-old daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith, Willow became a star almost overnight, gaining front right seats to fashion shows and launching a music career. Known for her wacky and individual style, the mini fashionista says she wants to be bigger than Lady Gaga. A style icon at 10 years, can this girl do no wrong?
4. Lara Stone named model of the year
Named model of the year at the British Fashion Awards, the Dutch supermodel and wife of funny man David Walliams, has featured in ad campaigns by DKNY and Diesel, as well as appearing on the front cover of Vogue. She’s even made having a gap in your two front teeth fashionable, who would have guessed?
5. The launch of Vintage@Goodwood
This summer saw the launch of a new annual festival to celebrate music, fashion and film from five decades of British cool. The festival featured an old fashioned high street with a cinema and clothes shops, recreating a real sense of community spirit.
6. Emma Watson’s pixie crop
Film star and fashionista Emma Watson went for a style overhaul this winter, chopping her long locks into a pixie crop. The actress, known for her role as Hermione in Harry Potter, said she had wanted to cut her hair for years but was apparantly tied down by the films.
7. X Factor fashion
Make way Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue, this year’s contestants raised the X Factor fashion bar. It wasn’t just Cheryl’s bondage tights that we all went made for, but Rebecca’s retro hats and dresses, Cher’s baggy pants and Katie Waissel’s leather jacket, and don’t even get me started on the lust worthy make-up. X Factor we salute you.
8. Shopping centre opens in the city
East Londoners rejoiced at the news that they would no longer have to travel into central London to do their shopping what with the opening of shopping centre-One New Change. Open seven days a week, the centre has 60 stores and restaurants spread over three floors,with breathtaking views of St Paul’s.
9. Selfridges opens the world’s largest shoe department
In September department store Selfridges unveiled the world’s largest show department, with so many shoes under one roof to make even Carrie Bradshaw jealous. The 35,000 sq ft space in their Oxford St branch features over 5,000 pairs of shoes, ranging from styles by Jimmy Choo to collections from high street stores River Island and All Saints.
10. Burberry launches the ‘Alexa Bag’
2010’s it bag was named after the style icon herself -Ms Alexa Chung. The satchel was modelled on Alexa’s own granny chic style and came in numerous colours and designs including leopard print. However at £695 and with the long waiting list most of us had to settle for the Peacocks look-alike.
11.Kate Middleton’s royal engagement Issa dress.
Kate Middleton’s blue Issa dress was thrusted into the fashion spotlight this November when her engagement to Prince William was announced. From its brief moment on TV, the jersey dress soon became the fashion must have and sold out within hours. But the question now on everyone’s lips is will Kate become a celebrated style icon like her late mother in law Diana?
12. H&M opens online store.
No-one was more happier than myself when H&M announced they would be launching an online store. Being able to browse H&M’s bargainous on trend collections from the comfort of your home, it couldn’t get any better. Well done H&M, better late than never.
13. Aviator style and leopard print made a welcome comeback
This Autumn/Winter it was all about the aviator jacket, sheepskin and animal print. For once being warm was cool, and fashionistas whole-heartedly embraced the trend with suede and leather aviator jackets, hats and even sheepskin lined boots, cosy. I can’t count how many leopard print coats I saw this winter, mine included.
14. Lily Allen opens her first vintage clothing store.
This September pop star/style icon, Lily Allen opened the doors to her first vintage store in London’s Covent Garden-Lucy in Disguise. Promising to be a one-stop shop which also caters for the patiently waiting boyfriend (?), the store features a sitting room with a games console and comfy sofa, VIP rooms and a salon where you can have your hair or nails done, perfect for a night out on the town.
15. Burlesque
This year’s big end of year movie, Burlesque, sent designer and high street stores into over-drive, creating movie- esque collections. From the clothing line at Miss Selfridge to themed OPI nail varnishes, everyone is jumping on the Burlesque bandwagon. Oh did I mention that the film stars Cher and Christina Aguilera?
