Glamour and Glitz: A Recap of the Hottest Fashion Events of the Year

A new year comes with the promise of bigger and better things to come — this is especially accurate when talking about the world of fashion, where the latest trends and runway debuts are hotly anticipated events by those in the know. This year was no exception; 2020 served up a fashion-filled extravaganza of glamour and glitz, with some of the hottest styles and designers taking read the industry by storm. Here’s a look back at the year’s best fashion events that set the tone for the upcoming year.

1. Glitzy Catwalks, Grandeur Looks: A Reflection of the Year’s Most Eye-catching Fashions

From Paris to Milan, the catwalks have glittered with stylish looks over the past year. Models strutted their stuff in some of the most creative, grandeur designs, with a wide range of eye-catching and breathtaking fashions that left everyone in awe. Here’s taking a closer look at the most memorable statement looks from the world of fashion.

The show-stopping ensembles on display tended to go one of two ways: sleek and minimalistic or elaborate and full of drama. We saw ethereal tulle frothy gowns in modern-day Victoriana silhouettes, intricate stiff tuxedo and dresses with neck-tie bows, stunning nostalgic gowns and more. One can’t help but marvel at the amazing craftsmanship and detail that’s gone into these designs while they were being crafted.

Another highlight of the runway shows were the accessories – from jaw-dropping crystal covered masks to refined silk scarves draped around the neck, the details elevate the look as pieces that empower the wearer with a beautiful confidence.

The year was definitely filled with some of the most extraordinary fashion moments. From the rainbow sequinned gowns, velvets and lamés, to statement floorsweeps and elevated athleisure looks, there’s no doubt that the collections this year left us with some of the most inspiring and memorable looks. Here’s a few memorable pieces to look out for:

• Miu Miu Beaded Coat – The classic embellished coat features a collection of vibrant multi-coloured beads and crystals, zig-zagging along the length of the fabric for a super eye-catching piece.
• Louie Vuitton Waist Bag – This sleek, streamlined bag truly made a statement on the runway. It features a bold metallic finish and sleek styling, designed to glide over garments and a wonderful, luxurious touch.
• Gucci Oversized Sequins – An outfit adorned with oversized sequins is sure to make heads turn. The Gucci oversized sequinned look offers a fun, playful take on a classic piece.

Whether you like to keep things sleek and simple or go for something a little more creative, there’s something for everyone in the fashion world. The unique looks available this season are an ode to the visionary designers that put in the thought and effort to bring us these statement pieces.

2. From London to Milan, Shining Stars of the Fashion World Take the Stage

This year’s Autumn Fashion Week saw a flood of shining lights hit the stages of London, Milan, and Paris. With bright colors, bold cuts, and avant-garde attitude, designers from all over Europe descended on the cities to show off their own interpretations of the season. From up-and-coming couturiers to fashion veterans, the runways were a kaleidoscope of daring trends, one-of-a-kind styles, and creative craftsmanship.

Maverick designer Vivienne Westwood had her usual show of rock and roll glamour, showing off her signature pieces in couture gowns, glittery accessories, and bold tuxedos. Her crystal-studded corsets and sheer lace skirts made a spectacle of the evening, an atmosphere of style that continued on to the Swedish designer Academy of the Bizzarro. Their sharp, cut out piece illuminated the runways in a flurry of bright blues and metallic pinks that made each model look like a dream.

The focus on London to Milan was further advanced with the likes of celebrated brands, such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci. All of them rocked the catwalk with an eye-catching extravaganza, featuring models decked out in punk-inspired ensembles, sweeping ballgowns, and classic tailored suits. Highlights of the shows included Vuitton’s sparkling dresses and handbags in vibrant oranges and reds, while Gucci’s vibrant prints and luxurious fabrics hit the mark for a stylish finale.

Meanwhile, emerging designers, such as Zoolander’s Ben Stiller, stepped up to the challenge with their own collections. His line of classic silhouettes blended with modern cuts and unexpected patterns brought a playful take to the runways, making it one of the most talked-about shows.

At the end of it all, the skies over London, Milan, and Paris were filled with stars. From the masters of classic styles to the contemporary stars of the fashion world, each designer made their own mark in the fashion world.

3. From Couture Creations to Street Style: The Year’s Hottest Trends

The world of fashion is a complex and fascinating sphere, where creativity and influences from the four corners of the world collide to create new trends. This year, it’s all about marrying the worlds of high fashion and street style. Here are the three looks that have been dominating runways and style blogs all year long.

Retro Chic:

• Vintage-inspired rocking the ’70s vibe with wide-legged trousers, frayed jeans, bell bottoms, and suit trousers
• Funky floral dresses, blouses with delicate ruffles and sexy lace tops
• Wardrobes updated with bold colors, such as mustard yellow and bright pink.

Retro chic is all about taking the best of the past and making it truly modern and cool. Mixing and matching is the key to this look, such as pairing your bell bottoms with a sheer blouse and long necklaces.

Athleisure:

• Comfortable, functional clothes blended with cool street style
• Luxurious sportswear pieces, such as velvet tracksuits and designer sneakers
• Transforming basic t-shirts and sweatshirts with embroidery and high-end details

Athleisure is all about taking gym-wear to a new level. This year, it’s all about mixing and matching designer pieces with casual wear for a look that is both fashionable and comfortable. The key to mastering this trend is to be creative and bold with your choices.

Neo-Minimalism:

• Geometric prints, lines and shapes
• Simple silhouettes featuring structured cuts and fluid fabrics
• A monochromatic palette featuring whites, blacks and grays.

This trend is the perfect balance of classic and modern fashion. It’s all about textures and simple shapes that can be paired with statement jewelry, scarves and other accessories for an effortless stylish look.

4. Staying in Style: Wrapping Up the Year with the Finest Sartorial Offerings

As the year draws to a close, adding the most fashionable items to one’s wardrobe can be an important way of closing out the year with style. Indeed, having the best and most current garments can help to create a stunning look in the new year, not to mention a sense of confidence.

And when it comes to sartorial offerings, this year has been chock full of options, ranging from classic custom-tailored pieces to avant-garde ensembles and everything else in between. With that in mind, here are the top items to consider incorporation into one’s wardrobe for 2016:

• Custom-Tailored Suits: Nothing screams sophistication quite like a perfectly fitted, quality suit. With custom tailoring, the options are truly limitless; from more traditional two-piece suits to three-piece and even tuxedos fit for the red carpet, like a tailored suit, a person’s style will always stay sharp and classic.
• Statement Outerwear: In this case, function and fashion come together to create a look that will make heads turn. From classic trench coats and blazers to avant-garde bombers and even velvet styling, having an item of clothing that stands out can turn any outfit into a perfectly tailored one.
• Prints and Patterns: Prints and patterns are definitely going to be front and center in 2016. Everything from classic prints such as pinstripes and checkered to bolder designs like African prints and graphic florals can be seen in the latest collections. Whether it’s a stand-alone piece or part of a layered ensemble, prints and patterns can make an outfit instantly dynamic.

From custom fit suits to statement outerwear to exotic prints, there is plenty of sartorial choices this year to add a stylish finish to the year. And with the perfect mix of sentiments and attention to detail, the possibilities of sartorial selections are simply limitless.

As the year comes to a close, one thing is certain: the hottest fashion events of the year left us with plenty of show-stopping glamour and glitz. From high-end runway shows to designer debuts, this year amplified the boutique experience and gave us the fashionable escapism we needed to get away from it all. Until next year’s fashion trends beckon, let’s revel in the grandeur of the fashion events we were privileged to experience.