2014, where have you gone? It’s been another stylish year; with red carpet risk-takers, gorgeous gowns and high fashion hijinks ensuring our attention was firmly on the fashion world at all times. We’ve seen trends come (hello midi skirts!) and go (see ya later flatforms!), watched a hundred runway shows and imagined being besties with Cara Delevingne. But what stood out the most in 2014? Read on to uncover the Best Style Moments of 2014.
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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West get married
It was, undoubtedly, the wedding of the year. (Sorry George and Amal Clooney, Brad and Ange – any other year and we would’ve given it to you!). It was a union of egos, fame, wealth and, above all, fashion (and love, we should definitely mention love, right?). The help of the world’s biggest fashion names were enlisted: Valentino hosted the pre-wedding brunch at his own private chateau, Balmain provided the bachelorette party outfit AND the reception dress, and Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy created not only Kim’s stunning wedding dress, but the bridesmaid dresses as well. The dress itself will go down in celebrity wedding history, say what you will about Kim and Kanye, but their sense of style is impeccable, and Kim’s dress was a reflection of this. Demure, classic and breathtakingly chic; the sheer panels, lace long sleeves and belted back combined to create an utterly beautiful fashion moment – and a dress that will probably never be matched.
Alexander Wang for H&M
Never before has a fashion collaboration caused such a worldwide stir, but that’s exactly what happened when it was announced that Alexander Wang would be launching a collection with Swedish retail giant H&M. As creative director for Balenciaga, known for his preference of the colour black and master of the athleisure fashion movement, it was a bold decision on behalf of both Wang and H&M, and one that left us counting down the days to November 6, when the collection would drop. We were not disappointed either. The range was sleek and sporty; neoprene and mesh detailing featured heavily, as did oversized, boxy silhouettes. The crop tops were sports-luxe at its best, the surprisingly flattering body-con dresses a must-have, and the cropped, WANG embossed jumpers on everyone’s shopping list. Almost everyone, that is, as the collection sold out in store within a matter of hours, and due to our time zone, Australia launched before Europe and America, meaning it had completely sold out before it was even available overseas. Affordable, yet exclusive and so on-trend it hurts, no wonder we couldn’t help ourselves!
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Rihanna at the CFDA Awards
It’s no secret Rihanna likes to push the boundaries of fashion, isn’t entirely partial to wearing a bra, and often ignores black tie dress codes; and her appearance at the 2014 Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards cemented all these notions. However, it also cemented her status as celebrity most likely to take a fashion risk and always pull it off. Rihanna’s look at the CFDA Awards, where she was receiving the 2014 CFDA Fashion Icon Award, from Anna Wintour no less, could have looked trashy, tacky or embarrassing on anyone else. The custom-made Adam Selman sheer, netted dress was embellished with over 216,000 Swarovski crystals and left little to the imagination, with Rhi Rhi choosing only to accessorise with matching gloves and head scarf, and a pink fur stole. Blessed with an amazing bod, and confidence to boot, Rihanna completely embodied confidence, sexiness and glamour in the outfit, creating a look that certainly raised eyebrows, but that no one was likely to forget any time soon.
Blake Lively
Blake Lively didn’t have just one single fashion moment in 2014, her entire existence this year was a fashion moment. No red carpet was left untouched, with Lively using the Met Gala Ball, Cannes Film Festival and CFDA Fashion awards to remind everyone that she is a style goddess and the rest of us merely walk in her (less fashionable) shadow. Wearing Chanel, Gucci and Michael Kors (to name a few; Serena van der Woodsen eat your heart out), Lively was flawless at every opportunity, and it doesn’t hurt that husband Ryan Reynolds is a ridiculously good looking handbag. Then, in October, Lively announced her pregnancy, and millions of pregnant ladies around the world were given a new style icon, with Lively taking maternity wear to the next level. Letting her dark roots grow out (regrowth has never looked this good!), Lively has wowed us all in tight black dresses, plunging necklines, cosy ponchos and flowing gowns. Of course her best accessory is that growing bump, and we can’t wait for the arrival of what will surely be the most beautifully styled baby ever – North West, you’ve been warned!
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Chanel at Paris Fashion Week
It started in a supermarket, and ended with a protest. Fashion weeks are always a flurry of anticipation and excitement; and one that never fails to live up to the hype is the Chanel shows. The Autumn/Winter collection kicked off in a supermarket, with models shopping/strutting down the aisles, which were filled with Chanel-branded everything. This alternate reality, brought to life by Chanel genius Karl Lagerfeld, was a magical world where Chanel was the only thing that existed, and models like Cara Delevingne and Kendall Jenner browsed the aisles for Chanel cereal in tweed two piece suits. It was a complete style experience, and it didn’t stop there, with the Spring/Summer collection taking place on ‘Boulevard Chanel’ with models walking down the runway/street as if going about their daily stroll. The climactic finale, with guest appearance by Gisele Bundchen on the megaphone (and in the signature Chanel cardigan dress) and the models chanting cries of “Make fashion not war” was another totally immersing encounter, highlighting the creativity that goes into staging style moments like these.
Images via hollywoodreporter.com, popsugar.com, mamamia.com, hollywoodlife.com, dailymail.co.uk, heraldsun.com, elle.com
