45 Fashion Moments of 2013

2013!!! It was a year of new jobs and departures, joy and tragedy and much more. The year saw some noteworthy changes and decisions being taken like  departure of Marc Jacobs from Louis Vuitton, after 16 years at the helm , Angela Ahrendts’ decision to leave Burberry to Join Apple and Rick Owens celebrating racial and body diversity at his Spring 2014 runway show, just to name a few - changed the face of fashion world.

The year also raised a big question. The heart wrenching tragedy of Bangladesh’s Rana Plaza made the fashion world sit up, introspect and question about the hazardous working conditions of the garment factory workers. On a positive note the incidence also raised an alarm thus triggering an action to improve factory safety in the garment industry. Many retailers like H&M and Zara signed worker safety pledges.

Amidst all the surprises, speculations, collaborations, controversies and rule breaking moments, Stylefluid Trendz rounded up the top 45 defining Fashion moments of 2013 that you need to know.

1. This was indeed monumental news in the world of fashion. After sixteen years with Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs announced his departure from the house immediately after his Spring 2014 show to focus on his own label and prepare it for an initial public offering. Marc’s last show for LV was an ode to many of his muses with a set that featured his timeless signature props.

2.Angela Ahrendts, the CEO of Burberry since 2006 is leaving the iconic British fashion house to join technology giant Apple. Angela is credited for transforming the British brand into one of the most admired luxury brand globally. She will join Apple as a senior vice president next year.

3.Jil Sander leaves her namesake label for the third time, just nineteen months after she replaced Raf Simons.The designer took the decision due to personal reasons.

4. After 6 years of successful stint, Mulberry’s creative director Emma Hill leaves the brand due to disagreement with management over creative and operational strategy.

5.Former Balenciaga designer,Nicholas Ghesquière was appointed as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton.

6.This was one collection the entire fashion pack was eagerly waiting for. Amid all the skepticism and anticipation, Alexander Wang showcased his first collection for Balenciaga. The designer impressed the fashion pack with his RTW Fall 2013 collection featuring unique marble prints and interesting garment construction.

7.British designer duo, Luella Bartley and Katie Hillier joins Marc by Marc Jacobs. Luella Bartley joins as design director while Katie is appointed as the creative director for the diffusion line by Marc Jacobs.

8.After his successful stint with Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler, Tory Burch and Diane von Furstenberg, Darren Spaziani was employed by Louis Vuitton as their new designer for luxury accessories. In fact this was a home coming for Darren as he was working earlier with Louis Vuitton from 2004 to 2006.

9.Post her appointment as fashion director last year, Masaba Gupta presented her first collection for Satya Paul at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Fall 2013.Masaba created a history in itself as this was the first collection designed for an established design house by a designer from outside the family that started it in India.

10.Jeremy Scott was appointed as the creative director of Moschino. Jeremy took over from Rosella Jardini, creative director since 1994.Scott started his career interning with Moschino and than working for Mr.Lagerfeld. His successful association with sport giant Adidas is one of the most talked about collaboration.

11.JW Anderson is appointed as the creative director of Spanish luxury clothing and accessories brand Loewe.

12.Fashion’s iconic brand Schiaparelli appoints Rochas’ previous creative director Marco Zanini as the creative director. With this Schiaparelli announced its come back.

13.Vogue gets its First Male Editor-In-Chief in 120 years. Vogue Thailand's debut issue completely sold out within days, and what’s more unconventional and notable is that in its 120 years of existence, the magazine for its Thai edition hired Vogue's first male editor-in-chief ever, Kullawit Laosuksri. 

14.Post Nicola Formichetti’s exit from Mugler, the French fashion house appointed David Koma as the artistic director.

15.Italian designer Alessandro Dell'Acqua was appointed as the new creative director of Rochas. Dell’Acqua replaces Marco Zanini who joined Schiaparelli.

16.Michelle Obama’s favourite designer, Jason Wu joined as the artistic director of Hugo Boss’ Boss womenswear.

17.Super model Kate Moss becomes the contributing fashion editor for Vogue UK. "I am absolutely delighted that Kate is going to work with us in this new role," says Vogue UK's editor Alexandra Shulman. "Her undoubtedly brilliant sense of style, depth of fashion knowledge and understanding of what makes a wonderful image will be exciting to see on the pages of BritishVogue. I am really looking forward to working with her on ideas."

18.With Ahrendts exit from Burberry, the British brand gives Christopher Bailey the dual title of chief creative officer as well as CEO.

19.Pianted by artist Paul Emsley, the 2007 winner of the Gallery’s BP Portrait Award completion, the first official portrait of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, was unveiled at London's National Portrait Gallery. However the work of Emsley received mixed reaction from art critics and the public – mainly seen in a negative line by many.

The Duchess had been "let down" by "another pretty ordinary painting of a royal of the sort that we've really been churning out for the last few hundred years in Britain," says art critic Waldemar Januszczak.”The eyes lacked "sparkle" and "there's something rather dour about the face."

Robin Simon, British Art Journal editor, called it a "a rotten portrait".

20.A spectacular show by creative genius Marc Jacobs. Marc Jacobs's Fall 2013 show at New York Fashion Week was one of a kind visual production. The show was centered on a giant orb sun that casts a yellow (sepia tinted) light. In the first half, the models emerged under the giant orb that washed the entire room in spectacular sepia tinted light, which was quite cinematic. To every one’s surprise, each models appeared again, this time under full light, so that one could see the colour of each look.

21.Jennifer Lawrence’s  voluminous Dior couture gown landed her in a bit of trouble when she tripped up the stairs collecting her Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role, however she somehow managed to gracefully pull it off. She received a standing ovation from the audience. Picking up the Oscar, she said: "You guys are just standing up because I fell, and it's so embarrassing....”.

22.Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel and now directed  by Baz  Luhrmann in 3-D, The Great Gatsby, was an eagerly awaited film of the year. The film took the fashion world by storm,  a cinematic opulence that took  us back to the Roaring Twenties,the flappers and the Jazz Age.

Drop-waist dresses, art deco motifs, cloche hat, extravagant beading, straight lines, flat chest silhouette, furs, feathers, lace, bob cut, diamond and pearl headpieces, bracelets, finger wave hairstyle & T-Bar shoes came alive on silver screen, celebrating the very essence of the free spirited fashion era. The flamboyant gentlemen’s wardrobe featured classic striped jacket, check waistcoats, bow-ties, dinner suits, flannel trousers, brogues, stylish walking cane and the signature pink suit.

Miuccia Prada was roped in to design the women’s costumes while Luhrmann’s wife and two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin collaborated with the famous Brooks Brothers (yes the same Brooks Brothers who has numerous mentions in the novel) to create gentlemen’s wardrobe.The iconic Tiffany & Co loaned the breathtaking jewellery for the film.

23.Indian fashion designer Ritu Kumar was conferred Padma Shri Award 2013, the country’s fourth highest civilian honor for her exceptional and distinguished service in the field of fashion, textile and craftsmanship by Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, President of India.

24. British designer Stella McCartney, received an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) medal from Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. The medal was a celebration of Ms.McCartney’s service in the fashion industry, which includes creating an Olympic 2012 line for Team Great Britain.

25.Karlie Kloss and Andres Segura in Tarun Tahiliani at amfAR’s Fashion Show - Cannes 2013. Indian designer Tarun Tahiliani presented two creations at the Ultimate Gold Collection fashion show at amfAR's 20th Annual Cinema Against AIDS during The 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival in Cap d'Antibes, France.

Super model Karlie Kloss and male model Andres Segura walked the catwalk in Tarun’s designs. Karlie in an Indian avatar wore a saree gown with a gold headpiece while Andres donned dhoti pants teamed with a Nehru jacket.

26.In April 2013, Dolce & Gabbana were reported to have been found guilty of tax evasion and were handed a fine of roughly 343 euros and a jail sentence of one year and eight months. The duo have not commented on their sentences, which have been suspended pending their appeal.

27.H&M launched its collaboration with French designer Isabel Marant.The  collection was officially presented on October 24 at an  event at the Tennis Club in Paris. The place was decorated for the occasion to look like the streets of Paris.

28.Themed, “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute explored the aesthetic of punk fashion at this year’s spring exhibition. Partnering with famed fashion photographer Nick Knight, the immersive multimedia, multisensory show featured one hundred original punk designs juxtaposed with the high-fashion offspring they inspired. The exhibition, which was on view from May 9 through August 11, 2013 featured approximately 100 designs for men and women. 

Original punk garments from the mid-1970s juxtaposed with recent, directional fashion to illustrate how haute couture and ready-to-wear have borrowed punk’s visual symbols, with paillettes being replaced with safety pins, feathers with razor blades, and bugle beads with studs.  Focusing on the relationship between the punk concept of 'do-it-yourself' and the couture concept of 'made-to-measure,' the exhibition was organized around the materials, techniques, and embellishments associated with the anti-establishment style.

From Versace's iconic safety pin dress which was worn by Liz Hurley to the premiere of 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' in 1994 to designs by Vivienne Westwood,Moschino, Chanel and Givenchy, the exhibition will  explore punk's enduring contribution to high fashion.

29.Though John Galliano was nowhere in sight, it is learnt that he was  in the back stage, assisting Oscar de la Renta with the finishing  touches for his Fall Winter 2013 collection before it was presented at  the New York Fashion Week on Tuesday. The influence of John Galliano’s signature styling was very much visible from the very first look, be it cloche hat topping, greasy eye make-up or a cinched in waist reminding of Dior's classic Bar silhouette. 

“I think John is one of the most talented men I’ve ever met. I like him very much," Oscar de la Renta had told New York Magazine of John Galliano. "So when Anna asked me if I would have John in my studio, I  said yes. I also believe that everyone should have a second chance, especially someone as talented as John. And he has worked so hard on his recovery.”

30.Bangladesh’s Rana Plaza factory collapse in April, is one of the worst garment factory disasters till date which saw 1,135 workers die and many missing. The disaster also drew attention towards the dangerous working condition of the Bangladeshi garment factory workers who made clothes for mainly Western retailers. The powerful photograph above of a man and a woman found dead at the collapsed ruins of Rana Plaza, the eight-story building in Savar, Bangladesh was shot by Dhaka-based photographer and workers’ rights activist Taslima Akhter.

31.Michelle Obama’s bangs- Michelle Obama celebrated her 49^th Birthday with bangs. The stylish First Lady’s Twitter account, @FLOTUS tweeted a photo of her sleek new bangs.Her hair stylist, Johnny Wright, said the haircut was not really calculated. "It was something that, you know, I just felt that it would be nice and fresh and it would make her look even more youthful than she already is."

President Barack Obama actually called his wife Michelle’s new hairdo the most significant event of his second inauguration.

32.Post his much publicized dismissal from Dior, disgraced designer John Galliano sat for his first TV interview with American talk show host Charlie Rose. The designer faced multitude of questions ranging from anti-semitic rant that shattered his career to his drug and alcohol addiction.

33. Kate Middleton is a no dispute fashion royalty. However 2013 saw her in a a different avatar altogether. Kate celebrated her “mummy tummy” in a blue-and-white polka dot dress as she emerged from the hospital post-childbirth. This definitely had a feel good factor as most celebrities prefer keeping their “mummy-tummy” under wraps. Kate is a true example of how to celebrate motherhood with style and grace.

34.Naomi Campbell and SkyLiving launched a modeling reality television series called “The Face”.A series where she joins Erin O’Connor and Caroline Winberg to mentor different groups of aspiring models.The winner becomes the face of a major brand.

35.Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel Spring 2013 Haute Couture show at Paris this year had a message to deliver. At the finale of the show , Karl sent  two brides walking down the runway together in a show to support the French gay marriage law. This show of support by Karl comes a week after protestors marched through Paris to demonstrate against French President Francois Hollande’s plans to legalize same-sex marriages in the country. Now that is Monsieur Lagerfeld ‘s way of doing things.

36.Crowning of New Miss America sparked racist comments – blame it on ignorance and racial mind set. America born and Indian origin Miss America Nina Davuluri faces racist slur immediately after winning the crown. Twitter was flooded with tweets suggesting she was an Arab, to a terrorist with ties to Al Qaeda and that Miss America should be more American. In fact someone even raised a question on how does a foreigner win miss America?

However Ms. Davuluri gracefully handled the situation: “I have to rise above that,” she said. “I always viewed myself as first and foremost American.”

37.Vogue’s high fashion approach to feature Hurricane Sandy in its Feb’2013 fashion spread was not appreciated by many. The fashion spread featuring models Karlie Kloss, Chanel Iman and Arizona Muse in a set of stormy scenes alongside real first responder was deemed as offensive and not sensitive towards the intensity of the tragedy.

38.Tina Turner, Vogue’s oldest cover girl - Tina Turner, 73, becomes the oldest woman ever to grace the cover of Vogue. The ever radiant icon covers the April 2013 issue of Vogue Germany.With this the legendary singer has stolen the title from Meryl Streep, who graced the cover of American Vogue’s January 2012 aged 62. Shot by photographer duo Claudia Knoepfel and Stefan Indlekofer and styled by Nicola Knels, the gorgeous diva wears a silk midnight blue gown by Armani .

39.Rick Owens Spring 2014 show at Paris took runway diversity to a different level altogether. With all the conversations happening on racial and body diversity in the fashion world, Rick decided to bring in an  American step team onto the runway to model the clothes and perform. His models were not size zero but real full-figured women. Rick’s runway voice was loud and clear about the lack of diversity in the world of fashion.

40.Neelam Johal is Burberry's first Indian-origin model-Ms. Johal is the first Indian model Burberry's ever cast in a fashion campaign.

41.Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler Won the CFDA Again. They won the title of Womenswear Designer of the Year.

42.Victoria’s Secret fantasy bra was the highlight of the brand’s annual fashion show this year. Covered in Diamonds,Rubies and Sapphires the $10 million 'Fantasy Bra', which the South African Angel Candice Swanepoel wore during the show is stated to be the world’s most expensive support garment.

43.John Galliano was invited by Vogue UK as a guest fashion editor for the December issue. Photographed by Tim Walker, the fashion shoot featured Kate Moss who is also John’s close friend and a supporter.

44.Style icon and singer David Bowie was roped in to star in Louis Vuitton’s L’Invitation Au Voyage campaign, alongside Arizona Muse.

45.Supermodel Kate Moss graced the cover of Playboy's 60th edition. For her debut in the Playboy magazine's 60th anniversary edition Kate wore the classic bunny outfit with Saint Laurent Paris Escarpin heels.

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