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Farewell 2020: Looking Back on 10 of the Biggest Fashion Moments of the Year

Although 2020 has not been the year that many hoped for, it has certainly been a time that we won’t forget. The pandemic disrupted many things, the realm of fashion among them. However, while fashion shows were canceled and red carpet events postponed, this year saw the world get creative. As we say goodbye to 2020, Vogue Arabia looks back on 10 of the biggest fashion moments of the past 12 months.

Jean Paul Gaultier’s final catwalk show

Jean Paul Gaultier, Final Show, Haute Couture Week, 2020

Bella Hadid for Jean Paul Gaultier’s final catwalk show. Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com

At the beginning of this year, Jean Paul Gaultier announced that his SS20 couture show would be his final catwalk spectacular. The show, which took place on January 22, saw the French designer out in style, with the ultimate runway cast, featuring models Karlie Kloss, Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk, Yasmin Le Bon, and the standout appearance of former supermodel Farida Khelfa.

Zendaya goes vintage for the Green Carpet Fashion Awards

Actor Zendaya wears a vintage Versace made in the year she was born

Actor Zendaya wears a vintage Versace made in the year she was born, to the Green Carpet Fashion Awards. Photo: Supplied

When Zendaya picked up the Visionary Award at the virtual Green Carpet Fashion Awards on October 10, her outfit was quick to make headlines. The actor wore a vintage slinky brown Gianni Versace dress from the year she was born, in 1996. “She was actually born in 1996, so I thought that it’d be fun [for her] to wear something from that year. It’s taking her back – if Zendaya had been of age then, maybe she would have been a Versace model,” said celebrity image architect Law Roach on Zendaya’s outfit.

Meghan Markle’s final appearance as a member of the royal family

Meghan Markle wore an emerald green Emilia Wickstead dress for her final appearance as a senior member of the British royal family at the Commonwealth Service in March. Photo: Getty

Some of the biggest news this year was Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s announcement that they would be stepping down as senior members of the royal family. The couple officially marked the end of their royal lives at the Commonwealth Service in London, in March; and Markle showcased one of the most-talked-about fashion moments of the year, wearing an emerald green Emilia Wickstead dress.

Farida Khelfa and Jean-Paul Goude Reunite for Vogue Arabia

Farida Khelfa, Jean-Paul Goude, Vogue Arabia October 2020

Farida Khelfa x Jean-Paul Goude for Vogue Arabia October 2020

The October issue of Vogue Arabia saw the iconic artist Jean-Paul Goude and his forever-muse, Algerian-French filmmaker Farida Khelfa, reunite after 30 years. The pair came together for the cover shoot, creating two unforgettable images and echoing their unique creative relationship and trust in each other. “The images that Jean-Paul creates, they stay forever. They are not something that disappears,” Khelfa shared.

Natalie Portman’s Dior cape at the Oscars

Natalie Portman, oscars 2020, academy awards

Natalie Portman in Dior at the 2020 Oscars. Photo: Getty

Natalie Portman delivered one of the most powerful feminist statements in Hollywood this year, with the black Dior gown she wore to the Academy Awards in February. The actor topped the gown with a long black coat, where the inside edge was embroidered with the names of several female directors who did not receive nominations at this year’s Academy Awards,  including Lorene Scafaria, director of the film Hustlers, and Greta Gerwig, who directed Little Women.

Emily in Paris

How To Get Emily In Paris French-Girl Waves In 3 Simple Steps

Lily Collins’ envious curly locks in Emily in Paris. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix

Since its launch in October, the Netflix series Emily In Paris has been the subject of much discussion throughout the world. Both loved and hated by viewers and critics alike, there was no denying that the show featured some exceptional fashion looks on actor Lily Collins. The show has also been named as part of the most influential style moments of the year, with online platform Lyst citing a 342% increase in searches in Kangol bucket hat after Collins’ character was featured wearing one.

Kim Kardashian West and Paris Hilton bring velour tracksuits back

Kim Kardashian West, Paris Hilton

Kim Kardashian West and Paris Hilton bring back velour tracksuits. Photo: Courtesy of Skim

Kim Kardashian West offered the ultimate early 2000s throwback this year, bringing back velour tracksuits for her Skims label. Kardashian West brought in close friend, and fellow velour-lover Paris Hilton to show off looks from her Skims collection that launched in October. “Velour is one of my favorite collection launches to date! It’s the perfect blend of 2000s nostalgia and present-day loungewear,” Kardashian West said at the time of the collection’s release.

Gigi Hadid’s maternity shoot

Gigi Hadid's maternity shoot.

Gigi Hadid’s maternity shoot. Photo: Instagram/@gigihadid

One of the more exciting pieces of news this year was the announcement that Palestinian-American model Gigi Hadid was having a baby with her partner, British-Pakistani singer Zayn Malik. Although Hadid kept relatively quiet through her pregnancy and the subsequent arrival of her daughter, she released a series of images from a maternity shoot that took place in July. The stunning photos saw Hadid cradling her bump, with the model noting she was “growing an angel.”

Kamala Harris named as first-female Vice President of the United States

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris wore a white pantsuit at victory speech with President-elect Joe Biden, in November. Photo: Instagram/ @kamalaharris

In one of the most historic moments of the year, the world watched the US elect its first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, the running-mate of President-elect Joe Biden. Harris provided a statement fashion moment, signalling the re-birth of the power suit as she wore a white pantsuit, at a victory speech with Biden in November.

Emma Corrin makes her debut in The Crown as Diana, Princess of Wales

Emma Corrin Princess Diana

British actor Emma Corrin made her debut in The Crown as Diana, Princess of Wales. Photo: Courtesy of The Crown

British actor Emma Corrin made her debut in the fourth season of the Netflix series The Crown, in November, and her striking resemblance to the late Diana, Princess of Wales certainly didn’t go unnoticed by the world. Throughout the season, viewers saw Corrin wear replicas of many of Princess Diana’s famous outfits, including the royal blue suit worn by the Princess of Wales for her engagement photos, as well as her iconic wedding dress, originally designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel.

Read Next: 10 Best Celebrity Looks by Arab Designers in 2020

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