12 Images

Top fashion moments of 2011

Colorful designer John Galliano shocked the fashion world and lost his job as creative director at Christian Dior when he unleashed a string of racist, anti-Semitic comments in a bar in Paris in February. He headed for rehab, was judged guilty of breaking French laws and paid a fine. Dior spent the rest of the year searching for his replacement.

Colorful designer John Galliano shocked the fashion world and lost his job as creative director at Christian Dior when he unleashed a string of racist, anti-Semitic comments in a bar in Paris in February. He headed for rehab, was judged guilty of breaking French laws and paid a fine. Dior spent the rest of the year searching for his replacement.  (Gerard Julien / AFP / Getty Images)

And Alexander McQueen, the label he founded, was responsible for the most speculated about, photographed and copied garment of the year: the wedding gown Kate Middleton wore to marry Prince William of England .That dress made Sarah Burton, who took over as McQueen¿s creative director, a star in her own right. (And it drew a record 600,000 people to Buckingham Palace when it was displayed over the summer.)

And Alexander McQueen, the label he founded, was responsible for the most speculated about, photographed and copied garment of the year: the wedding gown Kate Middleton wore to marry Prince William of England .That dress made Sarah Burton, who took over as McQueen¿s creative director, a star in her own right. (And it drew a record 600,000 people to Buckingham Palace when it was displayed over the summer.)  (Martin Meissner / Associated Press)

The royal wedding also left us fascinated with fascinators. The antler-shaped Philip Treacy headpiece worn by Princess Beatrice was debated around the world: high style or hideous?

The royal wedding also left us fascinated with fascinators. The antler-shaped Philip Treacy headpiece worn by Princess Beatrice was debated around the world: high style or hideous?  (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images)

Royalty of the rock persuasion got our attention this year. Lady Gaga's unique style won accolades from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, which gave her its American Fashion Icon Award in June.

Royalty of the rock persuasion got our attention this year. Lady Gaga’s unique style won accolades from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, which gave her its American Fashion Icon Award in June.  (STR / AFP/ Getty Images)

Rihanna made news for one thing or another all year long, wearing interesting clothes (or wearing not enough clothes, which got her booted from a farmer's field in Ireland during a video shoot). She launched her first perfume, modeled for Armani (for whom she also designed a small capsule collection) and was on the cover of Vogue -- a cover, it should be noted, that, along with one featuring Lady Gaga, was credited with helping the magazine increase sales in the first half of the year.

Rihanna made news for one thing or another all year long, wearing interesting clothes (or wearing not enough clothes, which got her booted from a farmer’s field in Ireland during a video shoot). She launched her first perfume, modeled for Armani (for whom she also designed a small capsule collection) and was on the cover of Vogue -- a cover, it should be noted, that, along with one featuring Lady Gaga, was credited with helping the magazine increase sales in the first half of the year.  (Balazs Mohai / EPA)

Designer Stella McCartney's dad (Sir Paul) got married.

Designer Stella McCartney’s dad (Sir Paul) got married.  (Leon Neal / AFP / Getty Images)

In New York, artist and fashion maven Daphne Guinness turned the act of getting dressed into performance art - dressing for the Met's Costume Institute Gala in the window at Barney's New York Madison Avenue flagship. Later, she was the subject of a show at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

In New York, artist and fashion maven Daphne Guinness turned the act of getting dressed into performance art - dressing for the Met’s Costume Institute Gala in the window at Barney’s New York Madison Avenue flagship. Later, she was the subject of a show at the Fashion Institute of Technology.  (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)

Performance seems to be the reality of Kim Kardashian's whole life. We swooned over her 20.5-carat engagement ring in May. But the ring -- and husband Kris Humphries -- were gone by the end of October.

Performance seems to be the reality of Kim Kardashian’s whole life. We swooned over her 20.5-carat engagement ring in May. But the ring -- and husband Kris Humphries -- were gone by the end of October.  (Evan Agostini / Associated Press)

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher teamed with jeweler Jack Vartanian to design Valentine's Day baubles shaped like little handcuffs. But the jewelry wasn't charmed: a few months later this couple split.

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher teamed with jeweler Jack Vartanian to design Valentine’s Day baubles shaped like little handcuffs. But the jewelry wasn’t charmed: a few months later this couple split.  (Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images)

Carine Roitfeld lost her job as editor of Vogue Paris but quickly filled up her dance card by working with Karl Lagerfeld on a campaign for Chanel, guest-editing V magazine and designing and appearing in the windows at Barneys New York.

Carine Roitfeld lost her job as editor of Vogue Paris but quickly filled up her dance card by working with Karl Lagerfeld on a campaign for Chanel, guest-editing V magazine and designing and appearing in the windows at Barneys New York.  (Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images)

Fashionable weddings: model Kate Moss got married (with exclusive coverage in Vogue, of course).

Fashionable weddings: model Kate Moss got married (with exclusive coverage in Vogue, of course).  (Jonathan Short / Associated Press)

West Hollywood adopted the nation's first ban on the sale of fur clothing, which is slated to take effect in 2013.

West Hollywood adopted the nation’s first ban on the sale of fur clothing, which is slated to take effect in 2013.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

1/12