Fashion moments

Fendi X Versace. Photo: Instagram.com/ellehongkong
What better way to round up 2021 than with a look back at the year’s best fashion brand moments? This year, brands amazed us with unexpected collaborations like Gucci x Balenciaga, major comebacks (hello, Mark Jacobs!) and sadly, a heartbreaking loss too, with the passing of one of the greatest fashion design icons of the 21st century, Virgil Abloh.
Gucci and Balenciaga stunned the fashion world when they announced a collaboration, launching the collection “hack” into stores. Alessandro Michele (creative director for Gucci) used quotes and logos from Demna (creative director for Balenciaga) and mixed them with his personal taste and signatures—the 70’s, suits and feathers. Later in 2021, the link-up between Versace and Fendi, better known as Fendace, was another collab to take note of.
Photo: Instagram.com/gucci
Known for his unexpected surprises, Kanye West announced The First Yeezy x Gap collaboration this year too. Out of nowhere, a cerulean puffer appeared on Gap’s website, which was the first product of the collaboration to be put up for sale. Balenciaga’s Demna definitely had a great year too. Not only was he a part of the collaboration with Gucci, but he also presented his first couture collection this year, a series of  beautifully sculpted gowns, trench coats and haute jeans. And that’s not all for Balenciaga. 2021 was also the year that the brand teamed up with the video game Fortnite and to create an unforeseen  line of skins.
Photo: Instagram.com/voguerunway
While everyone was focused on virtual shows and lookbooks, Marc Jacobs decided to stay old-school in 2021. After being absent from the runway for over a year, he returned with a special showcase at New York’s Public Library. Cocoon shapes and huge platform shoes mixed with holographic dresses and faux furs was the way to go for Jacobs.
Celebrating his 10th anniversary at Balmain this year, creative director Olivier Rousteing brought, strength, bold beauty, diversity, and craftsmanship on to the runway. Balmain’s spring/summer 2022 line was the talk of the town during Paris Fashion Week, which showcased iconic designs from the fashion house’s past decade while being surrounded by iconic women such as supermodel Naomi Campbell. A personal message from Beyoncé was also shared with Rousteing.
Photo: Instagram.com/olivier_rousteing
After a decade of working as the creative director for Celine, 2021 was also the year that Phoebe Philo launched a brand under her own name. But of all the big moments, nothing resounded quite like the loss of the iconic fashion designer Virgil Abloh. Two days after his death, Abloh’s spring 2022 collection was celebrated at Art Basel in Miami. Friends of the designer including Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Rihanna were present to pay tribute to the unforgettable talent.
Fendi x Versace. Photo: Instagram.com/ellehongkong
Yeezy x Gap. Photo: Instagram/ yeezyxgap
Balenciaga x Fortnite. Photo: Instagram.com/voguerunway
Virgil Abloh. Photo: Instagram.com/virgilabloh
Phoebe Philo. Photo: Instagram.com/phoebephilodiary
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Photo: Instagram/@irisapfel
American fashion icon Iris Apfel is one of the industry’s oldest tastemakers. A self-appointed “geriatric starlet”, this New York-based personality is the living embodiment of age is just a number. After founding an international fabric manufacturing company with her late husband in the 50s, Apfel’s penchant for style quickly became world-renowned. Nine US presidents welcomed her on board as the interior designer for one of the most famous houses in the world, working with everyone from the Kennedys to the Clintons and earning her the nickname “First Lady of Fabric.” The subject of a featured Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibit, curator of an acclaimed Bergdorf Goodman collection, star of an Emmy-nominated documentary, and MAC Cosmetics cover girl at the age of 90, Apfel’s claim she is an “accidental icon” is no match for her diverse and unparalleled success in the creative community for more than seven decades.
With an Instagram bio exclaiming that “more is more & less is a bore,” it should come as no surprise that Apfel is a master of bold and eclectic sartorial choices. Her signature oversized glasses are often paired with vibrant hues and layers of chunky jewelry, mirroring her flair for the flamboyant in a unique sense of style that is wholly her own. As a firm believer in individuality, Apfel’s daring charisma shines through in not only her wardrobe but also her words, exuding a no-nonsense—almost blunt—attitude crafted from an admirable sense of self-confidence.
To celebrate the style entrepreneur’s milestone 100th birthday today, August 29, scroll through the gallery below for a look at Apfel’s most memorable fashion moments and candid words of wisdom we would all do well to remember.

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