Over the past 12 months the headline-making fashion news has been coming nonstop: an Oscars-gown heist, a parade of celebrity burlesque, and all those extraordinary red-carpet creations. That's why we're dubbing this the Year of the Dress.
Sunshine State
Everything's coming up daffodils...and marigolds and buttercups. Shades of yellow—like those seen on Jennifer Hudson in Romona, Léa Seydoux in Prada, and Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture—made on irresistible bouquet of brights.
Peek-a-boo Dresses
The friendly competition to create the most naked red-carpet spectacle reached new highs (or lows?) at the Met Ball, where even Lady Godiva would have blushed. Beyoncé, in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci, took it by a bugle bead, followed by Jennifer Lopez in Atelier Versace and Kim Kardashian in Roberto Cavalli by Peter Dundas.
High-Style Rollers
Imagine the stakes when Kristen Stewart and Julianne Moore were among the guest stars hitting the craps table at the Chanel Haute Couture show in Paris in July. I'll see your Twilight and raise you a Hunger Games.
A Fashion Festival at the Movies
Between two YSL biopics and docs about designers (Dior and I is a must), there were enough stylish films to fill a multiplex. Clockwise, from left: Iris, about 94-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel; The Artist Is Absent, about Martin Margiela; Jeremy Scott: The People's Designer; Saint Laurent; Dior and I; and Yves Saint Laurent.
Double Take
Watch your back, Tom Ford. Rodarte sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy are directing their first feature, Woodshock, starring Kirsten Dunst.
Altuzarra's Sultry Lace
Rising star Joseph Altuzarra had a breakthrough moment with his prim and perverse fall collection.
Caitlyn's Fresh Look
For her first major appearance, at the ESPY Awards, Caitlyn Jenner donned custom Atelier Versace. "It was like every fantasy of my life come true," she said.
Amy Schumer on the Red Carpet
An intentional face-plant was one way to draw attention in a roomful of famous folks, even when they didn't get the joke.
Blondes Do It Better...
A sign of the times? Kim Kardashian and Jared Leto went platinum on the same day.
...Or Do Brondes?
Has a better ring to it than babylights, right? Olivia Wilde wears this year's fave shade. Is it right for you?
Bag Envy
The slimmest and subtlest It bag we've seen in years, Chloé's Drew owes its success to its versatility, its '70s flair, and its appeal to street-style stars everywhere ($1,850; nordstrom.com)
A Proper Send Off
When Alexander Wang bade farewell to Balenciaga after a three-year stint as creative director, his famous friends came along for one last ride in his all-white-and-ivory collection. From left: Suki Waterhouse, Zoë Kravitz, and Nicola Peltz.
Prada's Sweets
Miuccia Prada's freighted foray into polite macaron pastels proved to be one of the most powerful runway statements of the year.
Mad Men Comes to an End
The pressure is off. Navigating the advertising scene of the '60s for seven seasons was enough to send Don Draper to a hilltop meditation retreat. Or was it?
Lupita Nyong'o in Calvin Klein Collection
Her Oscars dress was made of 6,000 pearls (faux, as thieves would discover...)
Julianne Moore in Chanel Haute Couture
This gown required 27 workers, 987 hours, and 80,000 sequins to make.
WHY, YOU DON'T LOOK A DAY OVER...
Fashion anniversaries are like birthdays: a cause for celebration. Designers marked milestones by collaborating with friends and reissuing classics. Among them (from left): Betsey Johnson’s golden jubilee of 50 years running was a runway tribute to Blondie, Nicki Minaj, Edie Sedgwick, and her own dance teacher. The best gift Giorgio Armani could give fans for the last 40 years was an update on his styles called the New Normal, and Brazilian jeweler H. Stern introduced galactic designs for its 70th anniversary, playing off the translation of its name ("star" in German).
Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Shoe
The surprise hit of the Gucci reboot was a horse-bit slipper lined with kangaroo fur. Sales are hopping ($995; gucci.com).
Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski's Designs for Hermés
She brought knowing touches to the ultimate luxury label.
Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant Short Start at Courréges
Their simple approach, with just 15 styles, was a crisp start.
Reese Witherspoon in Tom Ford
At the Oscars, Ford picked up on Witherspoon's signature style for sleek and clean gowns with this icy blue dress, to which he added broad bands of black. It was just a little bit unexpected, and a perfect frame for her natural beauty look for the night.
Cara as Actress
Her well-received role in Paper Towns, opposite Nat Wolff, was enough to show where Delevingne's heart really lies.
Antonio Banderas Enrolls
Studing at a London design school, the Zorro star half-teased he wants to make capes.
Match Made in Heaven: Empire + Saks Fifth Avenue
The Lyon-approved collection of designs inspired by the show included gems from Alexis Bittar. Where else would Cookie shop?
Match Made in Heaven: Target + Lilly Pulitzer
Palm Beach color combos aren't just for preppies anymore. The designs were so popular, they promptly sold out.
Match Made in Heaven: H&M + Balmain
Olivier Rousteing's admirable embrace of diversity in his model castings finally applied to prices as well. Now we can all dress like the Jenners.
Match Made in Heaven: Giambattista Valli + MAC
Was there ever a designer better suited to pick the perfect shade of pink? Valli often jokes his second career would be as a florist.
Match Made in Heaven: Uniqlo + Lemaire
As spare and sophisticated as Christophe Lemaire's previous work for Hermès, this pairing proved that quiet design also has mainstream appeal.
Royal Baby No. 2
Born on May 2, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana has been described by her father as "a little joy of heaven." She seems unreasonable only in the degree of her adorableness.
Gaga, Is That You?
Every little monster secretly has the heart of an angel. Lady Gaga's newfound classicism owes to the direction of stylist Brandon Maxwell, but, of course, she couldn't resist the lobster-catching gloves.
Miss Jackson Is as Strong as Ever
Janet Jackson's Unbreakable reminded 21st-century pop stars who's really in control.
The Biebs Is Full of Surprises
The answer to the question "Where Are Ü Now" is, ahem, online looking at pictures of Justin Bieber naked.
Marni's Geometry
Consuelo Castiglioni's circle play gave us reason to actually look forward to thinking about primaries next spring.
Vuitton's Arctic Chill
The brushed sheepskin coats that opened Nicolas Ghesquière’s fall collection for Louis Vuitton would make a polar bear jealous.
Paint It Red with Louboutinize
Christian Loubouin's Louboutinize photo-filter app put rose-colored glasses on any picture taken with an iPhone.
Dior Funny Pages
Telling the story of Christian Dior in comic-book format was delightful—until he died. The end.
Blow-outs for the Face
A New York makeup salon from the artists of MAC? Why didn't we think of that?
News in Brief
Celebrity six-packs never get old, especially those in the category of Who Knew? Thanks are in order to Emporio Armani for uncovering the secret talents of Calvin Harris, and to Tommy Hilfiger for introducing Rafael Nadal to the sport of strip tennis.
Spin Art
Putting a new twist on paparazzi posing, stars introduced twirling to their red-carpet repertoire. Chiffon never had it so good.
Depp Did Dior
In a new commercial for Sauvage Johnny Depp played guitar, took a road trip, encountered a buffalo, buried some jewelry, wore eyeliner, and generally behaved like Johnny Depp.
DINERS CLUB ACCEPTED
Art was in the details in the world of Karl Lagerfeld, whose extravagant brasserie set for his fall Chanel collection stayed on point even in a clutch shaped like dinner plates.
JUDY BLUME
Beloved by adolescents, the author penned a novel focused on events from her own childhood.
HARPER LEE
Atticus, what happened to you? At least you didn’t disillusion us about your power to sell books.
Women Who Should Be on the $10 Bill: Emily Blunt
When the Cannes Film Festival reportedly enforced a high-heels-only standard, she said, “Everyone should wear flats.” But she lost points after the Republican debate for joking that her U.S. citizenship was a mistake.
Women Who Should Be on the $10 Bill: Patricia Arquette
“Wage equality once and for all,” said the best actress Oscar winner.
Women Who Should Be on the $10 Bill: Barbie
A redesign with articulated ankles meant that, after 56 years, she could finally walk in sneakers.
Women Who Should Be on the $10 Bill: Army Rangers
“We can handle things physically and mentally on the same level as men,” said Capt. Kristen Griest.
Women Who Should Be on the $10 Bill: Ronda Rousey
The mixed-martial-arts champ said, “If anyone calls me fat one more time in my life, I’m going to kill them.”
Women Who Should Be on the $10 Bill: Megyn Kelly
She drew the wrath of Donald Trump by exposing the candidate’s Achilles heel: his own quotes.
Women Who Should Be on the $10 Bill: Viola Davis
“The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” said the first African-American to win an Emmy for best actress in a drama.
Women Who Should Be on the $10 Bill: Misty Copeland
She’s the first African-American female principal of the American Ballet Theatre.
Women Who Should Be on the $10 Bill: Sarah Thomas and Jennifer Welter
The NFL’s first female referee (full time) and assistant coaching intern (albeit briefly) gained ground on a long drive. “Football before female,” said Welter.
If You Can Make it Here: Banana Republic
For spring, the store will produce a Timo Weiland collection designed, cut, and sewn in New York City.
If You Can Make it Here: Barneys NY
The retailer introduced Made in New York, a city-sourced collection featuring Proenza Schouler and The Row.
Dolce & Gabbana's Haute Mammas
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s moms-and-tots show was an ode to their mothers, but their criticism of in vitro fertilization had the duo later apologizing and celebrating a diversity of choice.
Star Struck
No need to consult an astrologer when fashion designers already have their heads in the clouds. These stars create their own constellation.
Friends and Foes: Dear Madam Secretary
Perhaps the biggest surprise of Hillary Clinton’s email dump was that Diane von Furstenberg was sending her fan mail.
Friends and Foes: What's Good, Miley?
Who knew the MTV Video Music Awards could be so dramatic? Kanye West seemed polite in comparison with Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj.
Wash and Wear
Taking the concept of disposable fashion to its logical extreme, Hussein Chalayan designed shirtdresses from a water-soluble fabric that dissolved on the runway to reveal evening gowns beneath. Just don’t try this with underwear.
Rebellious Streak
With her Rebel Heart tour, Madonna returned for another reminder that “Burning Up” and “Holiday” aren’t exactly oldies, thank you very much. And don’t get her started on the new stuff.
In Memory of Marie-Louise Carven
The House of Carven founder was synonymous with the rise of contemporary fashion in France.
1909-2015
In Memory of Elio Fiorucci
The diso-era denim designer was immortalized in the lyrics of Sister Sledge.
1935-2015
In Memory of Bettina Graziani
One of the first major models, she inspired the signature ruffle blouse named for her by Hubert de Givenchy.
1925-2015
In Memory of Arnold Scaasi
The designer of First Lady wardrobes also gave us Barbra Streisand's see-through pajamas.
1930-2015
Proenza Schouler's Porthole Dress
The designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough explored a new erogenous zone—the artfully revealed hip.
You Can Squad With Us
The boldface guests just kept showing up for Taylor Swift's The 1989 World Tour, with visits from Martha Hunt, Kendall Jenner, Serena Williams, Karlie Kloss, Gigi Hadid, and Cara Delevingne on one night alone.
Short Stuff
Minis went maximal with their intricate beading and embroideries but always kept things to the point. These dresses favor an economy of fabric and, of course, a toned pair of legs.
Blake's Closet
As the star who refuses to employ a stylist, Blake Lively proved that all anyone really needs for a press-tour wardrobe is a dozen designer names on speed dial.
A Runway World Premiere
Marc Jacobs took his cinematic spring collection to the Ziegfeld Theater and invited passersby to watch the arrivals - his models walked the red carpet before hitting the catwalk.
Hamilton Rocks
The hip-hop musical featuring our founding fathers, including the current face of the $10 bill, not only made a dynamic debut on Broadway but also turned treasury secretary into a covetable role.
Hashtags of the Year: #AskHerMore
"What are you wearing?" no longer cuts it when social media scoops the red-carpet reporters.
Hashtags of the Year: #LoveWins
To all those who said gay marriage would never be legal in our lifetime, don't hold your breath for an invitation to my wedding.
Hashtags of the Year: #Swoll
They used to call it jacked or ripped until Drake came along and made muscles look, well, this good.
JURASSIC WORLD
Neither a convoluted plot nor inconsistent hairdos could stop a velociraptor scorned.
MICHELLE OBAMA'S GLAM NIGHT
The First Lady swapped playing it safe for Vera Wang Collection bombshell and sideswept hair.
CHINA AT THE MET
The Costume Institute’s exhibition on Asia’s influence on art and fashion broke attendance records once again.
Fashion’s WORLD TOUR
With their traveling cruise collections, the world’s flushest luxury houses competed for the most architecturally stunning destinations: Louis Vuitton headed to Bob Hope’s John Lautner–designed home in the desert, Dior flew to the Riviera for Pierre Cardin’s bubble-shaped Palais Bulles, and Chanel went all the way to South Korea, to a cultural complex created by Zaha Hadid.
THE GLASS SLIPPER
Lily James chose a pair of slippers that would be the envy of Cinderella. These butterfly-topped heels by Christian Louboutin were a tribute to her role as the princess.
SPELLBOUND
Adding her own bit of whimsy to the red carpet for the Cannes premiere of Carol, Cate Blanchett wore a “twisted fairy tale” gown from British designer Giles Deacon.
