2019 In Review: These Are The Highlights Of A Milestone Year In Fashion
It's time to take a look back on a year that will go down in history as a milestone in the fashion world. A year with memorable, but also tragic events. The farewell of one of the greatest legends in the industry, the end of an era of untenable ideals of beauty, a cry for more diversity, and a parody of the digital world in which we live. Fashion is still a reflection of what goes on in the world, whether it be political, cultural, or climate related. These are the highlights of 2019.
Meme Couture
What do you get if you mix the internet phenomenon of memes with couture? Meme couture, of course. Such was the starting point for Viktor & Rolf's couture collection at the beginning of this year. During Paris Fashion Week, the Dutch designer duo sent their models onto the runway in frothy confections embroidered with phrases like "Sorry I'm late, I didn't want to come" and "I'm not shy, I just don't like you". Particularly recognisable for the grand masse of our internet generation, but at the same time rather inaccessible thanks to the questionable wearability of these supersized tulle dresses. Just as memes are meant to go viral, this collection from Viktor & Rolf unleashed a shock wave on the internet. The meme couture dresses became the subject of - you guessed it - memes.
Adieu Karl
The fashion world went into mourning when Karl Lagerfeld, one of the most influential designers of the past century, died in Paris in February at the age of 85. Lagerfeld had been struggling with his health for a few weeks prior to his death, and was not present at the last two shows of Chanel, of which he was the creative director. He spent the last years of his career at Fendi and Chanel, and his swansong collection, in collaboration with Virginie Viard, received an emotional grand finale (see Instagram for videos) in the Grand Palais to the soundtrack of Heroes by David Bowie. Adieu Karl, you are greatly missed.
Queen Céline Dion
Céline Dion was the undisputed star of Haute Couture Fashion Week. From a mini dress with balloon sleeves by Alexandre Vauthier to a 3D creation by Iris van Herpen to a bodysuit and blazer combo from Off-White, she turned the streets of Paris into her very own runway. All hail queen Céline.
Rihanna rules
Rihanna has had quite the year. Not only did she land a partnership with LVMH on her very own luxury brand, she also won raves for her Savage x Fenty show in September, where she gave an ode to diversity and body positivity with models of every body type and skin colour. Her efforts are clearly bearing fruit, because earlier this month at the British Fashion Awards, RiRi picked up the "Urban Luxe" award for her label Fenty.
Camp at the Met Gala
The Met Gala just cannot be missed in this list of memorable moments of 2019. Previously known as the Costume Institue Gala, the Met Gala is both the fashion world equivalent of the Oscars and a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City. This year the theme was "Camp: Notes on Fashion", a term inspired by Susan Sontag's essay from 1964 in which camp is considered a "love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration". Lady Gaga didn't miss the mark, changing her outfit no less than four times, but it was the gigantic pink dress from Brandon Maxwell that we can't seem to forget. The presence of Billy Porter didn't go unnoticed either. The actor turned up in a glittering gold catsuit, complete with 10-foot wings and a 24-karat gold headpiece. Not to mention that he arrived at the Gala on a litter carried by six shirtless men. *mic drop*
New Bottega
With Daniel Lee as creative director of Bottega Veneta, it's safe to say things are going well for the Italian luxury brand. His creative reinterpretation of the label's heritage has awakened (as he says) a "sleeping giant", making Bottega Veneta an undeniably 'It' brand. His now-iconic Pouch pops up all over social media under the arms of every big star or influencer, and Lee has received more than a few merits for his work, including a record-breaking four accolades at the British Fashion Awards in early December.
Fashion Pact
It may have received a few less clicks on the internet, but that doesn't make it any less important. At the G7 summit in August, more than 150 brands, including Gucci, Prada, Versace, and Saint Laurent, signed the Fashion Pact, which represents the joint objectives of the industry to reduce its impact on the climate, biodiversity, and the oceans.
J.Lo breaks the internet (again)
J.Lo brought down the house when she closed out the Versace fashion show during Milan Fashion Week in September, appearing in a green jungle print dress similar to the one she wore to the 2000 Grammy Awards. The first dress literally broke the internet, and inspired Google to create the Images function on the search engine. 20 years later, history repeated itself as the singer went viral on social media. Hats off to Donatella Versace, who certainly knows how to create a moment.
The Victoria's Secret show gets cancelled
After months of rumours, Victoria's Secret finally confirmed last month that it is cancelling its juggernaut runway show that traditionally takes place every year. The end of an era, and perhaps a sign that society is turning away from the brand's hypersexualised portrayal of women and unrealistic idea of female body shapes. Here's to a more feminist future.
