To describe 2021 as a whirlwind would be an understatement, especially in the world of fashion
As restrictions eased, we found ourselves back in familiar territory following an 18-month halt: red carpets were back, fashion weeks dominated our September calendar, and the Met Gala made its long-awaited return. Life felt normal again - or at least as normal as it gets in a pandemic.
From the lowest lows to the highest highs, the past 12 months have brought everything from mesmerizing milestones to irreplaceable losses. Above all, however, inspiration and creativity have prevailed. The future of fashion feels more progressive than ever, and one theme, in particular, has been at the forefront of it all: unity.
We’ve felt it as much in the tragic moments of mourning like the passing of fashion icons Virgil Abloh and Alber Elbaz as we have in celebratory occasions like the 100th anniversary of Gucci and the powerhouse collaboration between Versace and Fendi. Unity has been the fashion industry’s comfort blanket in an otherwise turbulent time. So as the year draws to a close, we reflect on some of the most memorable moments of 2021- many of which display togetherness like never before.
Vigirl Abloh’s death
Photo: Louis Vuitton
The fashion world came to a standstill on Sunday 29 November when the news of Virgil Abloh’s death was announced. The 41-year-old fashion designer and visionary, who passed away following a two-year-battle with cancer, revolutionised the industry with his appointment as creative director for Louis Vuitton - a position he’d held since 2018 - whilst making waves with his own brand, Off-White. Not only did he redefine the idea of the modern fashion designers, constantly leaving the door open for others to follow in his footsteps whilst offering his mentorship but he also expanded his own creative arsenal with firm reputations as a DJ, artist and furniture designer. Abloh touched the lives of many and his death created a sense of solidarity within the industry that only the mourning of a legend could achieve.
Pyers Moss made history with an ode to Black Excellence
Photo: Vogue Runway
It’s no secret that Pyer Moss is one of the most exciting fashion brands of the moment. In fact, founder and designer Kerby Jean-Raymond has been making his mark in luxury fashion for years, placing Black culture and history at the forefront of his work. This year, the brand reached new heights when Jean-Raymond, became the first Black-American designer invited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to make his couture debut. The show took place at the Villa Lewaro in upstate New York, a venue that once belonged to the legendary Madame CJ Walker, one of America’s first self-made Black millionaires.
Gucci X Balenciaga’s ‘Hacker’ Project
Photo: Gucci
Earlier this year, Gucci celebrated its 100th anniversary. The moment was a huge milestone for not only the brand but across the entire fashion industry, especially with the luxury fashion house marking the occasion by joining forces with Balenciaga for a one-of-a-kind “collaboration.” The Hacker Project is a co-branded collection described as “an exploration on ideas of authenticity and appropriation within the fashion industry” by the two fashion giants. First announced back in April, the capsule - which sees various eras of classic Gucci and Balenciaga silhouettes combined to create something new - launched in November, with each house selling items more commonly associated with the other. Gucci offered items in Balenciaga’s floral print, as well as the Triple S colorways and technical jackets, while Balenciaga sold the “This Is Not a Gucci Bag” accessories, as well as the flipped take on the GG logo. It was geniu
Phoebe Philo announced the launch of her own brand
Photo: Getty
Phoebe Philo may have kept her life outside of the limelight ever since stepping down as the creative director of Celine back in 2017, but this year the design extraordinaire announced her official comeback with the launch of her very own self-titled fashion brand. Philo introduced the exciting new venture via statement in July, in which she explained that her label would sell "clothing and accessories rooted in exceptional quality and design.” The British designer, who built Celine and Chloé (where she previously worked under Stella McCartney) into the ‘It’ labels they are today, has received minimal backing from LVHM but is otherwise independent. "Being in my studio and making once again has been both exciting and incredibly fulfilling,” she said at the time. “I am very much looking forward to being back in touch with my audience and people everywhere. To be independent, to govern and experiment on my own terms is hugely significant to me."
The Fendace Catwalk
Italian fashion houses Versace and Fendi closed Milan Fashion Week in style with the launch of their exceptional collaboration - a moment promoting unity within the fashion industry like never before. Working together on a historic catwalk show introducing the collection, long-time friends Donatella Versace and Fendi’s Kim Jones celebrated togetherness with a selection of designs merging signature Fendi and Versace modelled by the likes of Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Amber Valletta. "It’s a first in the history of fashion: two designers having a true creative dialogue that stems from respect and friendship," Donatella Versace said on Instagram. "It led to us swapping roles to create these two collections."
The MET Gala
The biggest event on the Fashion calendar returned this year after a pandemic-fuelled hiatus and it did not disappoint. Taking place in September instead of its usual first Monday of May slot, the 2021 MET gala was themed “American independence” and co-chaired by Gen-Z darlins Billie Eilish, Naomi Osaka, Timothée Chalamet and Amanda Gorman. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement in the summer of 2020, the theme was embraced by everyone from Hollywood royalty to politicians, with congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez making one of the biggest statements of the night in a suffragettes white gown with the words “Tax the Rich” printed in bold, whilst Kim Kardashian showed up in an all-black, fetish-inspired Balenciaga outfit with her face fully covered.
Related: All the looks from the Met Gala 2021
The Alber Elbaz tribute show
Photo: Getty
Fashion icon Alber Elbaz’s tragic death united the entire fashion industry this year, with over 40 designers, along with leaders in retail, business, and politics, who all came together to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Lanvin creative director who passed away from Covid on 24 April, in an exceptional tribute show in Le Carreau du Temple in Paris. Titled “Love Brings Love”, the runway show saw each designer create a look that echoed both the personality and the design aesthetic of Elbaz with their own personal twist.