Best Fashion Moments of 2016
From the sublime to the ridiculous, the best fashion news we read and saw in 2016
The grungy Vetements AW16 collection redefined couture
Vogue declared cleavage dead
Double roll necks at Ganni for AW16
What happened: Cracks were on show at British Vogue during September's fashion documentary 'Absolutely Fashion' that went some way into exposing the ridiculousness and glamour of the fashion industry. Then cracks of all types were hastily covered up again. In one of many bizarre statement this year, cleavage was condemned to death by British Vogue in the December issue, in favour of roll necks and sports bras “The tits will not be out for the lads. Or for anyone else, for that matter,”. There was a massive backlash. At the end of the debacle the statement was unanimously declared a bit of a boob.
What else happened: Vogue celebrated 100 Years of British Vogue with a five star exhibition, and took over London in spring - fair to say the publication had its ups and downs in 2016, but will always be the outspoken authority.
Fashion Hall of Fame Rating: The booby prize.
...But we kept seeing these breasts on show
British Library, Tits T-shirt, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm Mclaren, from the Colin Fallows Archive
What happened: Thanks, Dame Vivienne Westwood, for lending this lovely tshirt to two exhibitions on counter-culture:
First the piece was used as part of the British Library's out-of-character foray into Punk culture at their summer exhibition.
What else happened: The t shirt appeared again in The Vulgar, the Barbican's fashion exhibition, dreamed up by curator Judith Clark and psychoanalyst Adam Phillips. We laughed at a lot of funny hats and goggled at a four-metre-wide dress from the 18th century, but ultimately learnt "What was once the height of vulgarity appears today to be entirely tasteful. Vulgarity does not exist. It is merely a matter of perspective."
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Breast in show.
Kate Moss tragically killed... and still kills it in green sequins
What happened: We were delighted by brilliant pictures of Kate Moss emerging like the Essex Serpent, fag in mouth, during filming of the full length feature version of Absolutely Fabulous. If only the movie itself had been as funny and instantly iconic. The plot had Eddie and Patsy fleeing to France after knocking Moss into the Thames.
What else happened: We were reminded how to remain absolutely fabulous, even in trying conditions, and at least it wasn't Zoolander 2.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Utterly dazzling.
Zayn Malik dresses as a robot... gets own fashion contract
Zayn Malik with Gigi Hadid at the Met Ball 2016
What happened: The Met Ball's theme this year was Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology and Zay Malik and his girlfriend, supermodel of the moment Gigi Hadid, dressed quite a lot like robots. Gigi's dress was by Tommy Hilfiger, Zayn went a bit more literal.
What else happened: Zayn then announced a collaboration with Donatella Versace, who designed his robot arms. He'll release a collection for younger brand Versus next year. Not put off by silly costumes, we were mesmerised by The First Monday in May, one of the year's best fashion documentaries, about organising the Met Ball. Next year's ball theme will be Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons and we can't wait. Kawakubo is the first living designer to get her own theme.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Full Medal Jacket.
Héloïse dressed comme the boys, rules at Glastonbury
What happened: Forget robotics: if you want armour, it doesn't get better than a powersuit. Héloïse Letissier, the woman behind Christine and the Queens, rocked one while singing Tilted, the cool anthem of the Summer and then went on a super smart tour.
What else happened: Kristin Stewart wore one, paired with red eye shadow. Americans pantsuited up to support Hilary on election night. She might not have bagged the presidential suite but she knew how to wear a president's suit.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: More than just a trophy wife.
French Fashion was Intouchable
Vetements AW16
What happened: New French brand Vetements was the coolest thing on the catwalk. Vetements single-handedly brought back grungy athleisure-wear as high fashion, even at Couture Week. The latest chapter: they announced a Reebok collaboration with Dover Street Market.
What else happened: The fashion world was divided between tracksuits (Vetements, Juicy Couture, Olivia von Halle) and pantsuits (Hilary, Heloise, Reiss on the high street). In other French fashion news, our under-the-radar favourite of online fashion, French brand Sézane, was also trading on a French name and nonchalance.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Dix points.
KENZO x H&M propelled zebra print into the stratosphere
What happened: Topshop had already filled their runway full of the stuff at their cool Spitalfield's Market location for London Fashion Week.
What else happened: Then, zebra print went from Z-list to A-list as Kenzo x H&M collaboration launched on November 3rd and people queued outside for iconic pieces and the website crashed. By Planet Earth II we were at peak pelt.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Five-star sartorial safari.
Yeezy Season 4 couldn't stand the heat
What happened: Yeezy Season 4, Kanye West's latest foray into high fashion, showed at New York Fashion week in September, ran two hours late starting and models started fainting in the heat.
What else happened: Thigh high perspex boots happened, that's what.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Hot news. And maybe the start of the fall of an empire.
Double roll necks at Ganni for AW16
What happened: Cracks were on show at British Vogue during September's fashion documentary 'Absolutely Fashion' that went some way into exposing the ridiculousness and glamour of the fashion industry. Then cracks of all types were hastily covered up again. In one of many bizarre statement this year, cleavage was condemned to death by British Vogue in the December issue, in favour of roll necks and sports bras “The tits will not be out for the lads. Or for anyone else, for that matter,”. There was a massive backlash. At the end of the debacle the statement was unanimously declared a bit of a boob.
What else happened: Vogue celebrated 100 Years of British Vogue with a five star exhibition, and took over London in spring - fair to say the publication had its ups and downs in 2016, but will always be the outspoken authority.
Fashion Hall of Fame Rating: The booby prize.
...But we kept seeing these breasts on show
British Library, Tits T-shirt, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm Mclaren, from the Colin Fallows Archive
What happened: Thanks, Dame Vivienne Westwood, for lending this lovely tshirt to two exhibitions on counter-culture:
First the piece was used as part of the British Library's out-of-character foray into Punk culture at their summer exhibition.
What else happened: The t shirt appeared again in The Vulgar, the Barbican's fashion exhibition, dreamed up by curator Judith Clark and psychoanalyst Adam Phillips. We laughed at a lot of funny hats and goggled at a four-metre-wide dress from the 18th century, but ultimately learnt "What was once the height of vulgarity appears today to be entirely tasteful. Vulgarity does not exist. It is merely a matter of perspective."
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Breast in show.
Kate Moss tragically killed... and still kills it in green sequins
What happened: We were delighted by brilliant pictures of Kate Moss emerging like the Essex Serpent, fag in mouth, during filming of the full length feature version of Absolutely Fabulous. If only the movie itself had been as funny and instantly iconic. The plot had Eddie and Patsy fleeing to France after knocking Moss into the Thames.
What else happened: We were reminded how to remain absolutely fabulous, even in trying conditions, and at least it wasn't Zoolander 2.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Utterly dazzling.
Zayn Malik dresses as a robot... gets own fashion contract
Zayn Malik with Gigi Hadid at the Met Ball 2016
What happened: The Met Ball's theme this year was Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology and Zay Malik and his girlfriend, supermodel of the moment Gigi Hadid, dressed quite a lot like robots. Gigi's dress was by Tommy Hilfiger, Zayn went a bit more literal.
What else happened: Zayn then announced a collaboration with Donatella Versace, who designed his robot arms. He'll release a collection for younger brand Versus next year. Not put off by silly costumes, we were mesmerised by The First Monday in May, one of the year's best fashion documentaries, about organising the Met Ball. Next year's ball theme will be Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons and we can't wait. Kawakubo is the first living designer to get her own theme.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Full Medal Jacket.
Héloïse dressed comme the boys, rules at Glastonbury
What happened: Forget robotics: if you want armour, it doesn't get better than a powersuit. Héloïse Letissier, the woman behind Christine and the Queens, rocked one while singing Tilted, the cool anthem of the Summer and then went on a super smart tour.
What else happened: Kristin Stewart wore one, paired with red eye shadow. Americans pantsuited up to support Hilary on election night. She might not have bagged the presidential suite but she knew how to wear a president's suit.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: More than just a trophy wife.
French Fashion was Intouchable
Vetements AW16
What happened: New French brand Vetements was the coolest thing on the catwalk. Vetements single-handedly brought back grungy athleisure-wear as high fashion, even at Couture Week. The latest chapter: they announced a Reebok collaboration with Dover Street Market.
What else happened: The fashion world was divided between tracksuits (Vetements, Juicy Couture, Olivia von Halle) and pantsuits (Hilary, Heloise, Reiss on the high street). In other French fashion news, our under-the-radar favourite of online fashion, French brand Sézane, was also trading on a French name and nonchalance.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Dix points.
KENZO x H&M propelled zebra print into the stratosphere
What happened: Topshop had already filled their runway full of the stuff at their cool Spitalfield's Market location for London Fashion Week.
What else happened: Then, zebra print went from Z-list to A-list as Kenzo x H&M collaboration launched on November 3rd and people queued outside for iconic pieces and the website crashed. By Planet Earth II we were at peak pelt.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Five-star sartorial safari.
Yeezy Season 4 couldn't stand the heat
What happened: Yeezy Season 4, Kanye West's latest foray into high fashion, showed at New York Fashion week in September, ran two hours late starting and models started fainting in the heat.
What else happened: Thigh high perspex boots happened, that's what.
Fashion Hall of Fame rating: Hot news. And maybe the start of the fall of an empire.
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