The Greatest Fashion Moments Of 2020

2020 was a slow year for fashion. Most Fashion Weeks and award shows were either postponed or cancelled as countries went into lockdown in March last year. Consumer spending on luxury goods dipped significantly as most people cut down on discretionary expenses. Nevertheless, even in the midst of all the chaos and stressful times, there were some incredible sartorial moments that got us excited. 

In the post-COVID era, facial masks have become a mandatory style statement. Designers, globally, added their savant touch to upscale this essential item to a high fashion accessory. We saw Lady Gaga model 5 over-the-top designer face masks in the VMAs last August. While a  business may have been slow due to the shutdown of physical stores and breakdown in global supply chains, it definitely did not stifle creativity. 

Political and social justice movements also shaped the fashion industry, with bigger and meaningful conversations happening around issues like inclusivity, equal representation, cultural appropriation, tokenism, sustainability, and consumerism. Social media users were quick to call out influencers who used BLM marches as a backdrop of fashion shoots. There were entrepreneurs and brands who were ‘cancelled’ by people for profiteering off the backs and ideas of BIPOC designers and stifling garment workers of their hard-earned wages. 

The industry is not without problems but now more than ever there is a willingness to usher meaningful cultural and corporate changes in the fashion industry. Controversy aside, there were moments of solidarity and compassion that warmed hearts everywhere. At the peak of the pandemic, designers like Christiano Siriano and major high fashion labels including Gucci, LVMH, and Burberry donated hundreds of thousands of masks, PPE kits, sanitisers as well as donations that ran up to millions of dollars. 

We are kick-starting the new year with a list of most memorable fashion moments from last year:

• Iconic Grammy looks– Grammys was one of the last big red carpet events in 2020. There were plenty of big fashion moments that are ingrained in our minds. Ariana Grande’s stunning Giambattista Valli grey tulle dress, Lil Nas’s hot pink Cowboy Barbie ensemble, and Billie Eilish’s head-to-toe Gucci outfit were some of the night’s biggest highlights.
• Beyoncé’s Black Is King moment– Beyoncé new album, a masterpiece, was a visual treat for Beyhives and all lovers of art. The ‘Black Is King’ album was a powerful display of the singer’s talent, music, culture, fashion, and choreography. The Marine Serre’s crescent moon print body stockings that Beyoncé and her back-up dancers wore in the video became one of the most sought-after pieces of the year.  
• Meghan Markle’s last Royal tour– The world was shocked when Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle announced their departure as senior members from the royal family. On her last public tour as a royal, Meghan Markle dazzled the world with a string of stunning outfits. The Duchess wore a number of vibrant ensembles in bold colours. For her final performance, she wore an emerald green Emilia Wickstead dress paired with a matching hat and nude Aquazzura heels.
• Lady Gaga’s looks at VMAs– Lady Gaga is known for her bold, quirky fashion statements. The singer didn’t disappoint her fans when she showed up to the VMAs with futuristics and over-the-top costumes paired with equally futuristic, artistic face masks. The singer didn’t let the pandemic and protective gear dampen her style. The five masks were eye-candy and definitely one of the highlights of the VMAs.
• The Royal fashion craze– Viewers just couldn’t get enough of the popular Netflix series The Crown and it has been a source of fashion inspiration since it started airing. Fashionista’s everywhere are recreating late Princess Diana’s 90s style. Princess Beatrice’s summer wedding gave more royal fashion moments. The beautiful bride wore a dress loaned by The Queen, the same dress worn by The Queen in 1962 at the premiere of Lawrence of Arabia. 
• Harry Styles on the cover of Vogue– Harry Styles featured on the cover of Vogue in a Gucci dress and it divided the internet. Harry Styles has been at the forefront of the fluid fashion movement, openly discussing his disdain for gender-restrictive norms. While critics didn’t fancy this Vogue issue, it was a winning moment for gender-fluid fashion.
• Virtual runways– Brands turned to technology to drive their creativity. Labels like Gucci, Ferragamo, Balmain, and YSL created immersive experiences with the help of augmented reality technology, live streaming events, and cinematic backdrop for their fashion shows. Designers embraced innovation to meet the changing needs of the market and consumers.