The Very Best Of 2011 – Part 5

21. Voguepedia
Designers, models, editors and even bloggers; as of now they are all listed in Vogue’s online encyclopedia Voguepedia. Websites can stop making their own database and we can start looking everyone up over here. Vogue is actually doing some more database-work; every single issue since the beginning of Vogue has been put online and will soon be available (for those who pay for it). Imagine looking through all these classic pages, wow!

22. Kanye West failure
Well, it wasn’t necessarily a highlight of 2011, but it truly was something we won’t soon forget. Kanye’s first fashion show! We bet he still has nightmare about it. We’re curious if Kanye’s going to give it another try next season, but the fact remains that his designer debut failed to impress.

23. Versace for H&M
The Versace for H&M collection was, like other designer for H&M collections, a big hit. We fell in love with the black leather with gold details and are planning to wear those palmtree prints during the whole summer. The collection might not have sold out as soon as the other designercollections, but it definitely was one of the most remarkable ones.

24. Graphic Prints
A simple floral doesn’t do it anymore these days. If you want to score as a designer you come up with your very own digital prints. Like the gorgeous creations of Proenza Schouler or the vivid designs of Mary Katrantzou. The latest prints are so very alive, it’s like watching a 3D fashion show.

25. Team Vogue NL
After months of rumours it was finallyconfirmed; in 2012 a Dutch version of Vogue will be launched. With those three ladies of the Dutch Glamour on board we believe it is going to be a huge success. So that’s something great to look forward to for the next year. Now let’s go & celebrate!

The Very Best Of 2011 – Part 4

With just a few days left of 2011, we continue our hit list of this year. ‘Cause boy, what a year it was! The year of Galliano, Kate Middleton and Emmanuelle Alt. A year in which colorblocking, seventies and polka dots became the biggest trends. A year full of new clothing lines and collaborations (Versace for H&M, Missoni for Target, Lanvin & Marni kids). Yet also a year filled with goodbyes (Carine Roitfeld, D&G, Amy Winehouse). Join us in our retrospect of 2011…

16. Best Dressed Babies
Rachel Zoe and Victoria Beckham both had their babies this year. Now you wouldn’t normally name this in a Best Of List. Yet since the two little ones (Skyler and Harper) are already the best dressed babies on the planet, we just had to. Harper’s outfits are closely watched by international fashion editors and Skyler already gets custom made Gucci items delivered. It all seems too crazy for words, right? But since Rachel Zoe and Victoria Beckham keep on expanding their fashion empires and are becoming more and more influential this is real serious business.

17. Sixties
In one year we went from seventies to sixties, only to end back in the twenties. And though we’re heading back to the style of The Great Gatbsy, those sixties influences will sure be around for a while. The short skirts, the straight dresses, the knee length boots and not to forget those cute Peter Pan collars.

18. New Kids Collections
Lanvin, Versace and Marni all announced their first kids collections this year. An interesting development, next to many new diffusion lines that are being launched. Is this what people want to spend their money on? At least we know the above named fashion ladies will make the investment for their toddlers.

19. Doutzen turns actress
Models turned actresses, you hear it all the time. Yet Doutzen’s case it actually turned out pretty well. The Dutch beauty was cast in the very first Dutch 3D movie and has had nothing but good critics so far. Let’s hope she won’t swap fashion for film for good.

20. Polka Dots
If someone had told you one year ago polka dots would become a big trend again, you probably wouldn’t have believed them. But it turns out Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs were quite convincing with their fall/winter collection. Everyone wanted to get their hands on that Stella dress and the Jacobs skirt was an incredibly popular streetstyle item. Every high street store copied the trend, now let’s see how long it lasts…

The Very Best Of 2011 – Part 3

With New Year’s Eve ’round the corner we take some time to look back on another great fashion year. ‘Cause boy, what a year it was! The year of Galliano, Kate Middleton and Emmanuelle Alt. A year in which colorblocking, seventies and polka dots became the biggest trends. A year full of new collections and collaborations (Versace for H&M, Missoni for Target, Lanvin & Marni kids). Yet also a year filled with goodbyes (Carine Roitfeld, D&G, Amy Winehouse). Join us in our retrospect of 2011…

Here are highlights 11 to 15 of this year:

11. The end of D&G
With their spring/summer collection for 2012 Domenice Dolce and Stefano Gabbana ended their D&G fashion line (what a loss!). The two very talented Italian designer will from now on focus on their main line, Dolce & Gabbana. We wish them the best of luck!

12. Androgyne & transsexual models
Transsexual model Lea T and male model  Andrej Pejic (who looks like a woman, but is still a man) have become a big hit in the fashionworld over the past two years. Both of them walk fashion shows and appear on magazine covers. Andrej Pejic even became the face (or eh.. body) of a push-up bra created by Dutch department store Hema. Also, Dutch transsexual model Valentijn de Hingh is doing very well. She is now nominated for an ELLE style award.

13. Prada’s Bananas
If we had to name a success collection of 2011 it would, without a doubt, be Prada’s spring/summer collection. Prada’s bananas became an instant hit (who whould have thought that?!) and her bold stripes and bright colors were copied by fashion brands all over the world. The collection was even featured on more than 77 covers. Props for Miuccia!

14. Designer Collaborations
After the great success of the H&M designercollections more high street brands are collaborating with luxury fashion houses. This year’s Missoni for Target, Jean Paul Gaultier for La Perla, Karl Lagerfeld for Macy’s and Carine Roitfeld and Terry Richardson for Colette were a big hit!

15. Jeweltones
Ruby, Amethyst, Citrine and Emerald; jewel tones were THE trend for fall/winter 2011/2012. Again, Gucci had the highest scores on this trend.

The Very Best Of 2011 – Part 2

With New Year’s eve ’round the corner we take some time to look back on another great fashion year. ‘Cause boy, what a year it was! The year of Galliano, Kate Middleton and Emmanuelle Alt. A year in which colorblocking, seventies and polka dots became the biggest trends. A year full of new collections and collaborations (Versace for H&M, Lanvin & Marni kids). Yet also a year filled with goodbyes (Carine Roitfeld, D&G, Amy Winehouse). Join us in our retrospect of 2011…

Here are highlights 6 to 10 of this year:

6. More & more fashion documentaries
Sonia Rykiel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Dior, Viktor & Rolf, Fendi and Yves Saint Laurent. Turns out every major fashion label is now producing it’s own documentary. And since we can’t get enough of those movies we’re also super excited about the Bill Cunningham and upcoming Diana Vreeland docs.

7. Kate Moss marries in Galliano
After all the bad press Galliano got in the beginning of 2011 Kate Moss supported him (big time) by wearing one of his creations on her big day. In a gorgeous Galliano gown she got married to her love Jamie Hince.

8. Saskia & Daphne
We couldn’t be more proud of Dutchies Daphne Groeneveld and Saskia de Brauw. They were the newcomers of 2010 and the stars of 2011! Both girls were featured in multiple ad grand campaigns and editorials and reached a supermodel status.

9. R.I.P. Amy Winehouse
She may not have had her own fashion line (besides her work for Fred Perry), but she truly inspired the fashion world with her outspoken looks (big hair & thick eyeliner). Not only did we loose a great singer when Amy died, we also lost a extraordinary style icon.

10. Seventies Chic
2011 was all about the seventies revival; flared pants, floppy hats, large sunglasses, hippie chic headbands and platform heels. We sure loved every bit of it!

The Very Best Of 2011 – Part 1

With New Year’s eve approaching we take some time to look back on another great fashion year. ‘Cause boy, what a year it was! The year of Galliano, Kate Middleton and Emmanuelle Alt. A year in which colorblocking, seventies and polka dots became the biggest trends. A year full of new collections and collaborations (Versace for H&M, Lanvin & Marni kids). Yet also a year filled with goodbyes (Carine Roitfeld, D&G, Amy Winehouse). Join us in our retrospect of 2011…

Here are the first five highlights of this year:

1. Galliano in Trouble
It came as quite a shock. After designer John Galliano was ‘caught’ on tape making several anti-semitic remarks he was fired by Dior. Although many believe Dior and the media were too hard on Galliano, the fact remains that his reputation was seriously damaged. Dior still hasn’t found a new head of designer (though rumors of Raf Simons taking over the job are getting more severe) and Galliano still isn’t back on track either.

2. Colorblocking
The colorblock trend started with Gucci and quickly became one of the most popular spring/summer looks of this year. Mixing bright colors together in one look definitely was all the rage in 2011.

3. Kate marries in Sarah Burton
It was one of the most talked about topics for months; Kate Middleton’s bridal gown.
The queen to be ended up getting married in a classic Sarah Burton dress, which immediately received everyone’s approval. (Ph: McQueen dress by Sarah Burton)

4. Carine Roitfeld’s New Activities
Who thought Carine was just going to sit around after leaving Vogue has it all wrong. This busy bee has been handling some great great styling projects for Barneys and Chanel, to name a few…

5. Welcome Emmanuelle Alt!
As the new editor in chief of Vogue Paris Emmanuelle is doing pretty well. She kicked off her new job by putting Gisele Bundchen on the cover. Wow!