A Fashionable 2011!!

2011 has come to an end - can you believe it?!  the year flew by - and fashionably so, right?  there were so many amazing fashion moments this year (and a few mis-steps)..so i thought we'd review the10 best (and worst!) fashion moments in 2011 - in no particular order, that is!

• Kate Middleton (Duchess Catherine) Becomes the Most Fascinating Woman, like ever...

Kate slayed in 2011.  she made the entire world watch as she strolled down the aisle in her beautiful custom made Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen wedding dress, and has continued to fascinate us all with "what is Kate wearing?!"  she's not a clothes horse, she favors affordable pieces (she loves Reiss and Zara) and she looks absolutely lovely in everything she wears.  she wears her clothes, not the other way around.  her tour through Canada and California was a tour-de-chic, in stunning sheaths, jeans, and that beautiful lavender McQueen gown for the BAFTA Awards, and she'll continue to turn heads in 2012.  for some reason, we can't get enough of the royals...and Kate comes from a normal family.  it makes us all think...maybe i'll marry Harry!!

• The Fall of John Galliano and Dior

(Galliano's final collection designed under his namesake line)

(the first Dior Couture collection without Galliano....YIKES)

(Galliano photographed for Vogue, with Kate Moss, in her wedding dress that he designed and made)

Galliano is truly one of the last remaining eccentrics in fashion, and sadly, this year, we lost his genius to a drunken night in Paris in late February of 2011, where he made some inappropriate comments at a cafe to a few folks and reportedly told a woman "you're ugly and your f--king bag is ugly too."  (i'll admit that the 'you're ugly and your bag...' comment was probably my #1 quote of the year. i know it's not nice but it's FUNNY!) this altercation led to Galliano's suspension and subsequent firing from Dior.  he scurried off to rehab and left us one two final collections (for which he was not present), one with Dior and one under his name.  both were probably two of his best works EVER.  and then Dior showed its couture collection without Galliano at the design head...and oh boy.  what a mess.  it became violently clear that Dior would be a struggling, fledging house without Galliano, and almost a year later, continues to be.  John made a quiet yet triumphant return in designing and making Kate Moss' wedding dress - continuing to remind us how much we miss his genius.

• huge, large-brimmed sun hats!

(me - in mine)

good lord, they're just so chic, right?

• Kanye West thinks he's a fashion designer....

Kanye West tries his hand at a line of women's ready-to-wear...and we all wish he wouldn't have.  'Ye, next time you decide to cross over - remember...it's never good when a fashion designer tries to rap.  so don't...try the other way around.... spare us all, please.

• Cate Blanchett & Rooney Mara in Givenchy Couture on the red carpet

making asian/alien inspired couture look relevant and beautiful and stunning.  bravo, Riccarcdo Tisci

• RIP Elizabeth Taylor - the death of the world's most GLAM

white diamonds, baby.  months after her death, her most beautiful jewelry, clothes, and costumes were auctioned off in New York City - some of her jewels fetched over a cool $2,000,000.  "i've always admitted, i'm ruled by my passions." - Elizabeth Taylor

• Breakout Star - Emma Stone

Elle cover

in Bottega Venetta

in Lanvin

in Tom Ford

in Calvin Klein Collection

in Giambattista Valli

Emma Stone's star is on the rise - and she dressed the part this year.  while either absolutely killing it in a slinky creamsicle colored backless Calvin Klein Collection sheath gown or smiling playfully in a hot pink and red Giambattista Valli cocktail dress - she always looks perfect and age appropriate.  she enjoys getting dresses, never over-accessorizes, and isn't afraid to take risks!  she SLAYING in that Tom Ford dress....right?!

• Alexander McQueen has the best year....and he's not here.

not only did his namesake dress the future Queen of England for her wedding, the MET opened in exhibit, honoring his genius, and it broke every attendance record for an exhibit at the MET, like...ever.  Alexander McQueen had a really, really good year, especially for someone who's passed on.

• Hurricane Irene paralyzes New York City - and Chanel in SoHo cannot even handle it.

"you guys - do you think two sandbags is good?  will that hold up incase of a 6 foot storm surge? or should we put three out there?"

• last but not least - a few of my favorite outfits i wore from this year.... 

dress, H&M, belt, unknown? shoes, Michael Kors.

tank top, Target. skirt, self-modified JPG (used to be a dress), heels, Michael Kors.

dress, Moulinette Soeurs.

tshirt, The Row. pants, J.Crew. heels, J.Crew. glittery belt, ???

Black Swan Halloween costume!!!  top, Marchesa dress. skirts, a halloween store. tights, Wolford. 

ponte leggings, J.Crew. tank (underneath), Club Monoco. long sleeve cotton tee, Madewell. jacket, Banana Republic. fur scarf, Juicy Couture. sunnies, The Row. flats, Tory Burch.

ponte leggins, J.Crew. long sleeve modal top, Alexander Wang. boots, Michael Kors. jacket, Mad Men for Banana Republic.

so that's a wrap in 2011 for Stilettos on Sullivan - thanks for reading this year, all!  i can't wait to bring you bigger and better in 2012!!

Have a fabulous New Year, and I pray that all your pain...is champagne!

xx

Pre-Fall 2012 - Jason Wu

the return of high decadence. opulence. drama. royal elegance.  pick any word or phrase listed there - or pick them all, and you've got Jason Wu Pre-Fall 2012.  last season's foray into downtown edge is in the rear view mirror, and in its place: houndstooth tweeds, navy and red windowpane plaid, fur trimmed hoods, beautiful black embroidery and embellishment, dramatic chiffon gowns in deep, rich colors, foiled jacquard pants and jackets, and a stand-out cocoon-cape in beautiful camel wool (probably cashmere wool) with black lattice flowers embroidered over the shoulders.  every piece is luxurious and special.

the collection is enormous, a full 35 looks - showing that Wu is understanding that Pre-Fall and Resort collections are now equally as important as the Spring and Fall collections, and even more impressive, there are no weak outfits in the bunch.  the pants are particularly striking; paired with sporty knit striped sweaters, two-toned tops, and a grey boyfriend blazer with camel colored lapels - Miss Wu can still be sporty, even while lapping in luxury.

dresses: both day and eveningwear, as always, were the collections strong point.  the gowns are stunning and are sure to end up on red carpets in the coming awards season, and the day-dresses are perfect for the ladies who lunch set, as well as probably the First Lady and young starlets looking to turn heads at their movie premieres.  a handkerchief hemmed cocktail dress with a fabulous metallic leafed necklace neckline and a full-length black silk taffeta gown with a red embroidered bodice and train trailing behind it both truly shine.

another homerun for Team Wu.

(all photos via style.com)