10 of the Most Memorable Moments in Fashion for 2016

Reflecting on the year that was, the consensus is 2016 was the worst. However, we should all consider that we may probably - definitely - be exaggerating how awful this year was compared to years prior.

In the fashion industry we had our fair share of dramaful, impactful, defining moments that shaped the year and our perspective on the year to come.

Here are ten of 2016's most memorable moments in fashion.

Bill Cunningham

The original street style photographer documented what people wore on the streets for The New York Times since 1978, passed away at the age of 87.

Magazines

Publishers like Condé Nast and Hearst have been taking cost-cutting initiatives such as pooling staff and sharing content across brands in the face of continued decline in print ads sales and circulation. When it was announced that Teen Vogue would be a quarterly publication many saw this as a hopeless attempt to extend the life of a dead entity. However, Teen Vogue rallied with its coverage of social issues and activism, contending that there is hope yet for the brand.

When Kim Kardashian was robbed during Paris Fashion Week This moment is still hotly discussed as Kim Kardashian hasn't posted on social media following the ordeal back in October.

The Kanye West shit-show

The messy release of Kanye's album, The Life of Pablo, at the top of the year may have been an indication that the year ahead would be wild for West. Reports published of models (maybe only one, however) fainting at his Yeezy Season 4 show in September, amid rumors of rather odd and quite strict demands for the models walking the show. Not to mention the not-so-pleased press who were held hostage on the #YeezusBus for an hour to attend a show that started 90-minutes late.

After some additional more-bizarre-than-usual behavior, Kanye was hospitalized “for his own well-being and safety". Following his hospitalization, Kanye emerged with bleach-blonde hair and was seen posing for pictures with President-elect Trump.

Rihanna x PUMA

This "influencer collaboration" has been one of Puma's most successful partnerships with the brand attributing it's boost in sales to the collaboration with the international pop-star. Rihanna was honored with Footwear News' Shoe of the Year award for her highly-coveted Fenty Puma by Rihanna creepers.

ELLE on Earth

This one was a doozy. A writer authored a piece for the Observer in which he attacked ELLE's Fashion News Director and makes claims to dating models and states ELLE ruined his interview with 73-year-old Comme des Garçons founder, Rei Kawakubo.

VOGUE.com Versus Bloggers

As previously discussed, this was the conversation no one working in fashion could believe was happening in 2016.

Major designers pull out of New York Fashion Week

Rebecca Minkoff, Tom Ford, Tommy Hilfiger, and Rachel Zoe have all announced they’ll be moving their runway shows to Los Angeles come February. Hugo Boss announced that they will not be showing at NYFW and instead will be taking “strategic steps to orient its creation, marketing and communication activities more pointedly towards menswear.” At least New York has Raf Simons’ runway debut for Calvin Klein to look forward to in February for the Fall 2017 season.

The Roberto Cavalli dress that inspired a million Halloween costumes

Beyoncé's Lemonade album was a cultural moment within itself, so it was certain from the outset that fashions from the visual album would too have a lasting impact. The cold-shoulder gown from the Fall 2016 Roberto Cavalli by Peter Dundas collection inspired nearly every girl to seek out a Zara replica in the perfect hue for her Halloween Costume. Hot Sauce sold separately.

Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani passes away at age 66.

Sozzani helmed Italian Vogue for 28 years. In July 2008, Vogue Italia released their now iconic “all black” issue which featured models Liya Kebede, Sessilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell on a series of covers, inside, over 100 pages of black models, all shot by Steven Meisel. Sozzani stated that the issue was inspired due to the “the lack of diversity on the runways in recent years and the debate it fueled last fall [in September 2007] in New York.”