2014 brought with it a bevy of fashion royalty weddings, a slew of standout runway shows and covetable designer collaborations galore. And that’s just the tip of the style-centric iceberg. As we get ready to usher in the New Year, let’s take stock of the events, trends and industry happenings that made the last 12 months a fashion-lover’s dream.
Hottest Red-Carpet Moment
The 67th Cannes Film Festival proved to be a fashion event to be reckoned with, thanks in no small part to Blake Lively's innovative take on the classic black-and-white gown. The Gucci confection hugged all the right curves while providing glamour in spades––in the words of our Editor-in-Chief, "it's full on Grace Kelly. I can't get over it!"
Photo: Getty Images
Most Covetable Collaboration
Alexander Wang x H&M, Poppy Delevingne x Solid & Striped and Roland Mouret for Banana Republic––clearly, 2014 was the year of the designer collaboration. But the one we'll be talking about for years to come is Altuzarra for Target. Joseph Altuzurra's show-stopping separates at affordable prices? Sold!
Buzziest New Label
What happens when two dudes with past gigs at Celine and Lanvin develop a design partnership? Baja East––a gender-bending sportswear label that's having too-cool guys and girls whipping out their credit cards with lighting speed.
The Bag We're Begging For
Move over, gigantic carryall! The purse of the moment is small in size yet massive in style.
Photo: Adam Katz Sinding
Breakout Model
Kendall Jenner's whirlwind foray into modeling is just another successful step toward the Kardashian clan's quest for (fashion) world domination, and we couldn't be more excited!
The It-Est It Girl
Cara Delevingne's kooky personality, stellar sense of humor and overall charisma have taken her well beyond the runway and straight into our hearts.
Image: @caradelevingne
Wedding Of The Year
2014 was the year a bunch of top-notch celebs decided to tie the knot––Brad and Angie, George and Amal, Solange and Alan among them. But Kim and Kanye are without a doubt the high-profile nuptials we can't seem to stop talking about.
The Coolest Ad Campaign
As if we needed any more proof that Julia Roberts will always be the prettiest woman, Riccardo Tisci tapped the stunning actress to be the face of Givenchy's Spring 2015 campaign.
Biggest Trend We Didn't See Coming
Whether you're into this no-frills approach to dressing or can't wait to see the trend fade into obscurity, there's no denying that normcore was the year's fashion movement frontrunner.
Photo: Adam Katz Sinding
The Most Stunning Fashion Week Reveal
The fashion set was overcome with joy when Nicolas Ghesquière unveiled his debut collection for Louis Vuitton at Paris Fashion Week. The surprisingly wearable separates, leather staples and '70s-tinged silhouettes are surely a sign of beautiful things to come.
Image: Style.com
The Most Memorable Fashion Show
It will be a while until we stop gushing about Chanel's Fall 2014 Ready-to-Wear presentation in which Karl Lagerfeld sent tweed-clad models down makeshift supermarket aisles, complete with well-stocked shelves and wire shopping baskets (all bearing the Chanel logo, of course).
Image: Style.com
The Chicest Chicks
There's no denying that the French femmes of fashion had an outstanding year. Need proof? A quick gander through the Instagram feeds of Caroline de Maigret, Lou Doillon and their ilk will surely do the trick.
The Brightest Style Star
There are tons of reasons we're seriously crushing on Lupita Nyong'o, not the least of which is her affinity for in-your-face shades and classic silhouettes. Case in point: The crimson Ralph Lauren frock she donned to the 2014 Golden Globes.
Image: @ralphlauren
