A roundup of the most surprising sartorial events of the year.
From fashion faux pas to style scandals, 2011 has seen its fair share of turmoil, intrigue and OMGs. Here are the 10 most buzz-worthy fashion moments of the year (in no particular order).
1. Kate Middleton’s McQueen wedding dress
Kate Middleton and Sarah Burton’s Alexander McQueen successfully kept the best–guarded secret in fashion history. While media outlets joked that, next to the assassination of bin Laden, it was the world’s biggest international secret, they weren’t exactly far off. From secret sewing rooms to confidentiality agreements to bold-faced lies (even Burton’s parents were unaware of the commission), Team Royal Wedding took on Interpol-worthy operatives to prevent the fashion Twitterverse and Wikileaks from figuring it out. That such a feat was accomplished in a world of Internet gossip, Instagram photos, blogs and vlogs, is in itself incredible and definitely brings new meaning to the term Costume Drama.
2. Pulling a Pippa (Middleton, of course)
While the new Duchess of Cambridge captivated the world in her breathtaking dress, it was Maid of Honor, Pippa Middleton, who managed to steal the entire show. Dressed in a body-hugging McQueen sheath, the sexy younger sibling unwittingly upstaged the bride and became an instant media darling. In the weeks that followed the wedding, PMiddy’s (aka her Royal Hotness) face was splashed across magazine covers and Facebook fan pages were created in her honor – or at least that of her now infamous posterior.
Remember that ratty old nylon knapsack you used to carry to class? Well, the Olsen twins put it to shame this past summer with the introduction of their uber-luxe backpack for their label, The Row. Much was made of the crocodile-constructed carryall’s price tag – an eye-watering $39,000 – and it even landed on CNN’s silver fox Anderson Cooper’s RidicuList. Not that the mini-moguls minded; the bag proved to be an instant bestseller.
We're counting the most jaw-dropping fashion moments of 2011 on the next page...
