The biggest fashion moments of 2016
With major industry switch-ups changing the fashion landscape - such as the implementing of the see-now-buy now shift - this year will be one to go down in the fashion history books.
The year has seen the sad loss of some fashion greats and so much hiring and firing that it's read like a fashion musical chairs. On a lighter note, there's been some iconic model moments and fashion collaborations that have seen everyone running for the shops. We're looking at you, Kenzo x H&M.
Let's take a look at the last 12 months in fashion...
StefanoGabbana/InstagramJanuary: Dolce & Gabbana introduce hijabs
In January, Dolce & Gabbana debuted a line of hijabs and abayas, which featured floral and lemon prints. The move saw D&G leading the charge for brands responding to the spending potential of Muslim women. According to Business Insider, Muslim women spent $266 billion on clothes and accessories in 2013 and that number is expected to rise to $484 billion by 2019.
Getty ImagesJanuary: Farewell, David Bowie
On 10 January, the world fell into mourning with the news of the death of music legend and fashion maverick, David Bowie, who died at age 69 after an 18-month battle with cancer. Bowie left an unforgettable footprint on fashion, with his boundary-pushing onstage get ups sure to go down in history.
Getty ImagesJanuary: Grace Coddington resigns
In late January, Grace Coddington stepped down as US Vogue creative director, after nearly 30 years at the magazine. In a statement released by Vogue, they said: "After more than 25 years at American Vogue, Grace Coddington will assume the role of creative director at large and take on additional projects outside the magazine." The influential editor gained mass popularity after appearing in The September Issue, the 2009 documentary which gave a first look insight into the workings of the fashion bible.
Getty ImagesJanuary: The McQueen biopic is coming
Fashion and film collided in January with the news that Pathe films had commissioned the production of an Alexander McQueen biopic. The yet unnamed film will be based on Andrew Wilson's 2015 biography of McQueen, Blood Beneath The Skin, and will be set in the months leading up to a 2009 fashion show in which the legendary designer showed re-worked designs from throughout his career. "It was a show that he dedicated to his mother and one in which he tried to make sense of his life and art," a statement from production company Pathe said. "The film explores McQueen's creative process in the months leading up to the show, providing an intimate portrait of the man behind the global brand - a moving celebration of a visionary genius whose designs transcended fashion to become art."
Actor Jack O'Connell - who first shot to fame for his role as Cook in teen drama Skins and has since held roles in hits like Unbroken and, more recently, Money Monster alongside George Clooney - has been confirmed to play the iconic designer who died in 2010, aged 40. There is no set release date for the film.
Rex FeaturesFebruary: A supermodel retires
In the year that she celebrated her 50th birthday, Cindy Crawford announced her retirement from modelling. One of the original 'supers', Cindy began modelling when she was just 17-years-old and has had a triumphant career ever since. "I'm sure I'll have my picture taken for 10 more years, but not as a model anymore," she told Rhapsody Magazine. "And that's OK. I've done it. I've worked with all these incredible photographers. What else do I need to do? I can't keep reinventing myself. I shouldn't have to keep proving myself. I don't want to."
March: Kate Moss leaves Storm
In March, Kate Moss announced she was leaving Storm Models, the agency that first scouted her at age 14. In a statement, the agency said: "After a successful 28 year relationship, Kate is moving her business in house, and we will continue to maintain an active involvement in our on-going deals for her." Sarah Doukas, the founder of the agency, first discovered Moss at JFK airport while Kate was returning from a family holiday to the Bahamas.
PA PhotosApril: A new chapter for Saint Laurent
After months of rumours, in April it was confirmed that Hedi Slimane was leaving Saint Laurent after four years at its helm. A week later, after stepping down from his role at Versus Versace, Anthony Vacarello confirmed his role as the new creative director of Saint Laurent. As for Slimane, he's currently taking some time off before deciding on his next big move.
May: The Duchess covers Vogue
In May, British Vogue revealed the cover for their centenary issue, which featured the Duchess of Cambridge in her first ever fashion editorial. The cover was kept a secret from all but a handful of people in the Vogue offices, with editor in chief Alexandra Schulman even fooling documentary producers in the filming of Absolutely Fashion: Inside British Vogue into thinking the cover would be a graphic. "Well I just feel it's very hard to pick a person who can encapsulate 100 years of Vogue," she told filmmaker Richard Macer. "Celebration issues have historically had a single figure on them. In a way, continuing with the trend that's a familiar one." The soon-to-be iconic image features a smiling Kate in the Norfolk moors.
July: Ab Fab The Movie arrives
After years of anticipation (literally - we first caught rumours of this way back in 2013), fashion's most fabulous duo Eddy and Patsy hit the big screen in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. It was everything we hoped it to be and featured incredible cameos from Joan Collins, Dame Edna and Kate Moss in a sequin dress in the Thames.
GettyAugust: Raf Simons joins Calvin Klein
In another massive staffing switch-up, Raf Simons (formerly Dior) announced he was joining Calvin Klein as the creative director. The US brand's decision to hire Simons follows its plans to merge all Calvin Klein brands under one creative vision, meaning the designer will look after Calvin Klein Collection, Calvin Klein Platinum, Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Underwear and Calvin Klein Home. His first collection is to be shown in the autumn/winter 2017 shows in February.
TOMMYXGIGIAugust: Cream of the Collabs
This year has seen some incredible fashion collabs, from celebrity designing debuts to good old brand x brand teamwork. Gigi Hadid's collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger (Tommy x Gigi) hit stores in August and was majorly well received, while Alexa Chung's M&S Archive collections were instant sell-outs and Kenzo x H&M saw queues up the street as far as the eye could see. As for footwear, Rihanna x Manolo Blahnik got people talking while Gigi Hadid's eponymous Stuart Weitzman boot was an instant hit. More of this for 2017, please.
Glen LuchfordSeptember: Model moments
There were also some incredible model moments from everyone from seasoned supermodels to celebs-turned-campaign stars. Tom Hiddleston posed for Gucci's menswear Cruise '17 campaign, while Margot Robbie stunned for Calvin Klein and Kendall Jenner had an ENTIRE special issue of Vogue US dedicated to her.
Getty ImagesOctober: Michelle Obama exits in style
On 19 October, Barak and Michelle Obama hosted the last state of their administration. For the occasion, Michelle decided to wear a stunning chainmail, gold Atelier Versace gown. Meeting the Italian Prime Minister, Michelle wore the custom-made gown to see out her successful administration as First Lady. Donatella Versace was also thankful for the opportunity, saying on Instagram: "I am humbled and honored to have had the opportunity to dress the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. Thank you, Michelle, for all the things you have done for America and for the world, and especially, for empowering and inspiring women everywhere". It was quite a moment.
Getty ImagesOctober: Richard Nicoll dies
In October, the fashion world was hit with the sad news that designer Richard Nicoll had died, aged 39 in Sydney, Australia. Nicoll was born in London, but grew up in Perth, Australia, and returned to the capital to study Womenswear at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. His big career moment came in 2002 when his graduate collection was purchased by Dolce & Gabbana. After that he launched his own fashion label - featuring menswear and womenswear - in 2005, and was a regular fixture at the London Fashion Week shows, before closing it down in 2015. Nicoll had most recently taken a creative director role at Adidas in Germany, where he was set to start in January.
November: The VS Fashion Show
The annual Victoria's Secret Fashion show took place in November, and while that's no new news, the show saw the largest ever amount of models take the stage (51 beauties) with supermodel Bella Hadid among the VS newcomers.
Getty ImagesDecember: International Model of the Year goes to...
The last year has seen Gigi Hadid reach new heights of modelling, walking her second Victoria's Secret show, co-designing collections with Tommy Hilfiger and Stuart Weitzman and hosting the AMAs. So it was only right she was credited for her achievements, winning the coveted International Model of the Year Award at the Fashion Awards 2016. The model beat out her sister Bella Hadid and fellow models Adwoa Aboah, Lineisy Montero, friend Kendall Jenner.
Getty ImagesDecember: Franca Sozzani dies
Italian Vogue's Editor for 28 years passed away after a year-long illness. She had her son, Francesco, by her side. While Italian Vogue and L'Uomo Vogue were the focus of her professional life, she also had been Editorial Director of Condé Nast Italy since 1994. In recent years she also served as the Ambassador to Fashion for the United Nations, a mission which took her around the world to bring support to the fashion world and the people behind it in places like Africa, Asia and regions beyond the usual fashion venues. In her UN role she also joined the fight against hunger in poor countries and helped raise awareness of the issue along with money.
