2011 has been an exciting and hectic year for fashion, from Galliano’s departure to McQueen’s post-humous triumphs, we’ve documented the top stories that have shaped the fashion industry.
January: Kate Moss and transsexual model Lea T lock lips for the cover of LOVE magazine, marking the official start of the androgyny trend. Justin Beiber appears on the alternative cover with headline ‘The Beautiful One’.
February: It goes without saying that John Galliano rocked the fashion world in February when a video of his drunken anti-Semitic rant hit the internet. His fall from grace was heavily documented by the fashion press and Dior are still looking for a replacement creative director.
March: On March 24th glamorous actress Elizabeth Taylor passes away aged 79. She is lovingly remembered by fashion enthusiasts worldwide for her lavish Hollywood style and eccentric taste.
April: Three words: The. Royal. Wedding. April 29th goes down in history as Prince William weds his common girlfriend Kate Middleton with the world looking on. Kate’s dress is revealed as custom Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. From then on the fashion world pledges its allegiance to the new Duchess of Cambridge.
May: Alexander McQueen is the focus of May 2nd’s Met Gala in New York, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art where the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition is debuting. The exhibition goes down in history as one of the museum’s top ten most visited and is set to come to London in 2012.
June: The UK’s greatest music festival, Glastonbury, takes place sparking an increase in sales of wellies, hair bands and denim hotpants. Controversial headliner Beyoncé does not dissapoint, marking her megastar status in a gold Alexander Vauthier dress.
July: Power couple David and Victoria Beckham welcome the newest addition to their family via Twitter, baby girl Harper Seven. The fashion press begin documenting all the fabulous fashion Harper is set to inherit from her super stylish mummy.
August: London is hit by mass riots, with many retail units across the capital vandalised. Fashion stores are hit hard as looters take the chance to grab some freebies. London’s boroughs hit back by setting up a help fund for the retailers affected.
September: London Fashion Week takes place, with designer’s spring/summer 2012 collections taking to the catwalk. The front rows are more star-studded than ever with Pippa Middleton sitting front row at Alice Temperley, Kate Moss at Mulberry and Kanye West at Burberry Prorsum.
October: Fashion Week schedules clash as New York propose date changes in 2012 due to their Labour Day holiday. Milan hit back, refusing to shift, creating dilemmas for editors and attendees worldwide. Fashion Week date-gate is still ongoing.
November: Versace Collection for H&M Launches worldwide on November 19th, selling-out instantly and crashing the H&M website within hours. Donatella Versace opens the Regent Street store and greets fans who slept overnight to get a piece of the coveted collection.
December: Fred Perry unveil their final collection with the late Amy Winehouse, which reveals the singer’s love of rockabilly and Americana style. Exclusive pieces go on sale on Fred Perry’s website with proceeds going to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
Which stories have shaped your year?
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-Sharn Rayment
