Fashion 2010, the moments that made us gasp

2010, the year in fashion had almost as many epic high as it did heartbreaking low moments that simply took our collective breath away as we watched the industry shift, change, and move forward into the second decade of the new millenium.  Among the events we will remember the most for their impact, and influence on fashion throughout the world are  the following 10 Style Moments that made us gasp.

Project Runway winner Gretchen Jones/Image Courtesy of Lifetime Television

10.  Mickey Drexler sells out for major cash 

Mega retailer J. CREW has enjoyed a cult-like following for years, but sales reports during 2010 were surprisingly disappointing.  Never one to take a decline in popularity laying down, CEO and Chairman of the board at J. CREW Millard "Mickey" Drexler negotiated a shocking three billion dollar deal with private equity companies TPG and  Leonard Green and Partners to buy the brand .  The deal which included  a 100 million dollar investment of Drexler's own personal stock options will take the company completely off the stock market.  What does this mean to the legions of die-hard mall shopping J Crew-a-Holics?  Only time will tell for sure, but industry insiders are whispering that the off-the-market move will allow Drexler to completely overhaul the brand for a new, and possibly totally different Crew in 2011 and beyond.

9.   Project Runway crowns a winner whom the show's fans despise 

Reality TV shows and competitions often polarize fans into 'teams', but nothing created such a fervor of fanatical outbursts as the Season 8 finale of Project Runway where America's sweetheart Mondo Guerra faced off against "mean-girl" Gretchen Jones.   While watchers in red states and blue states alike felt confident that the plucky protagonist with the technicolor dream collection would walk away with the main prize, some of the actual judging panel had other ideas.  After a heated debate between the Mondo Blondes (Heidi Klum, and guest judge Jessica Simpson) and the Gretchen Brunettes (Nina Garcia and Michael Kors), the announcement was made: Jones was the winner.   What followed were weeks of angry accusations, and out and out Gretchen bashing which caused one blogger to wonder if  the Project production team had orchestrated the outcome solely to  create controversy.  In the end, the whole dust-up was put to rest with the always-honest Tim Gunn's caught-on-film declaration that "Mondo will be fabulous anyway, and Gretchen really needs the money." 

Sarah Jessica Parker in Halston on the set of Sex in the City2/Image: courtesy of HBO Films8.  Sarah Jessica Parker snapped in Halston on set; becomes designer for the label  

 One of the most positive outcomes from the release of the critically lambasted Sex and the City 2 began with a paparazzi photo of the film's star in a vintage Halston dress. Retro cool with a surprising freshness the dress quickly became a must-have inspiration piece for Spring 2010 wardrobes everywhere.  This publicity coup, which could not have been staged more perfectly for Halston started rumors  of a 'brand ambassador' role for the actress at the label itself.  Within a few short months those rumors were proven to be just the beginning of the Parker-Halston love affair as the label announced the actress had accepted a much larger role than was speculated; she would head up design for the new, affordable Halston Heritage line.  While critics wondered if another celebrity designed line was needed in the post-Lindsey for Ungaro fashion world, Parker got down to real work.  The result: A well designed, well priced collection that Carrie Bradshaw herself would be proud to wear.

Model Nina Porter falls during the finale/Image: Getty Europe7.  Nina Porter goes down at Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011

Navigating the runway in heels often poses challenges for the models, but at Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011 the stumbles were plentiful, and the spills gasp-inducing (not to mention spotlight stealing) which caused many in the industry to question Christopher Bailey's sanity and possible sadism in staging the show on a hyper-slick catwalk, when the models were forced to wear sky-high heels and spiked clothing.

 6.  Lanvin goes mainstream 

 There are designer labels,  and then there is Lanvin. By far the most exclusive label to ever attempt a mainstream budget-friendly collaboration,  Lanvin loves H&M  set hearts on fire with one shouldered dresses, sleek blazers and by far the best viral video the fast-fashion world had ever seen.

Chanel Fall 2010 collection/Image: Getty Europe5. Google gets in to the fashion space with Boutiques.com

Over the summer of 2010 rumors were rampant that Google was up to something style-related. By October, the buzz was deafening as bloggers and industry insiders made their wagers. Would Google launch a style business in collaboration with their recently purchased YouTube and Like.com sites?  Would Google open a marketplace similar to ShopBop or would it be simply a social media driven fashion site like Polyvore?  On November 17th 2010 Google answered: all of the above.  The company's newest project Boutiques.com utilizes a url owned by like.com, offers a new and dynamic online shopping experience, and  incorporates a social media angle. 

4.  Icebergs at the Palais

Big, fluffy, head-to- toe faux fur jump suits, can't be presented to the fashion world in just any setting, lest they seem ridiculous! So head Chanel designer, and legendary extravaganist* Karl Lagerfeld dragged an iceberg thousands of miles to Paris' Grand Palais to serve as a backdrop for his wooly-mammoth inspired styles.  The result? Fashion's elite journalists nearly caught hypothermia while the rest of the world wondered if the collection was an elaborate joke, or a very haute comment on global climate change.  Either way the show created a style moment that had everyone talking, and even a few high-profile editors seemingly mocking.

* yeah, we made that word up but it feels fitting, doesn't it?

First Lady Michelle Obama in Prabal Gurung/Image: Getty North America3.   Michelle Obama wears Prabal Gurung to the White House Correspondents  dinner

Stylites and Demi-Moore followers have been aware of, and hugely enamored with, designer Prabal Gurung for years, but on May 1st 2010 when First Lady Michelle Obama wore a flawless red Prabal gown to the White House Corespondents Dinner the whole world took notice of her beauty, and the designer's enormous talent. 

Alexander McQueen Spring 2011/Image: Getty Europe2.  Sarah Burton stuns with her first collection for Alexander McQueen Spring 2011 

Taking her immense personal grief in stride, McQueen protégé Sarah Burton stunned the world by doing what was toted as impossible:  she created a collection worthy of the master's legacy.  As light and delicate as it was tinged with sorrow, the Spring 2011 show embodied the spirit of rebirth more poetically than thought possible. 

Designer Lee Alexander McQueen, 3/17/1969- 2/11/2010 Image: Steve Klein for Vogue Magazine

1.  Lee Alexander McQueen commits suicide 

Standing in the tents at Bryant Park on February 11th 2010, the first morning of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week Fall 2010,  as news circulated that master designer Lee Alexander McQueen had taken his own life was an experience both horrifying and profoundly moving.  Grief was palatable  as some of the industry's most powerful players openly showed their disbelief and heartbreak over the news. Throughout the day designer after designer opened their collection with words of  adoration for a man who had been as infleuntial in shaping the industry over the last decade as he was apparently tortured by personal demons. The grieving continued throughout the week, the month and the year that followed as the industry, and the entire world recognized the talent that had been lost.  To say that he influenced everyone from Karl Lagerfeld to Christian Siriano is obvious, as should it be to say that the fashion industry, and the world will be forever less for his passing.