the best of 2007

i think its pretty obvious that i'm a big fan of countdowns. so here is in my opinion, the best of 2007.

THE MODELS

sasha pivovarova, sean opry
for five seasons now sasha has been the face of prada, appeared on the cover of italian and american vogue, walked all the right runways, and has worked on some of the years best editorials. in my opinion, she still should've been number one on models.com. anyways, on the boys side, sean opry was everywhere. nabbing an exclusive spot on the calvin klein show (which he also stars in its ad campaign) in milan and yves sain laurent in paris, starring in some of the years best fashion spreads and earning the title of "man of the season" by gq style magazine.

THE BREAKOUT STAR

christopher kane
since showing his graduate collection for central saint martins in 2006 to rapturous applause, the young designer has been scooped up by donatella versace as a consultant and became the brightest light of london fashion. responsible for kick starting the early nineties leger/alaia/versace bondage dressing trend, kane has managed to do what few designer his age can, be able to get stores to buy his clothes and have them actually sell. moving away from his bandage and lace dresses to playing with leather and velvet for fall and a less structured silhouette for spring, kane continues to surprise everyone.

THE LIVING LEGEND

valentino
celebrating fourty five years in the business, valentino garavani proved that even in his old age, when it comes to high glamour, no one does it better than him. a few months after showing his fall/winter haute couture collection during a week long celebration in rome, valentino confirmed the long speculation that he was about to retire from the fashion world. although he was forced out of the business he founded, valentino, the consumate gentleman bowed out with class by presenting a knockout ready to wear collection for spring. this january he will present his final haute couture collection before being succeeded by ex gucci designer alessandra frachineti. the closing of valentino's couture house is yet another mighty blow to the future of haute couture and it will undoubtedly mark an end of an era. but i am sure that it will be one of the most beautiful exit in fashion history.

THE AD CAMPAIGNS



yves saint laurent hommes spring/summer 2007
photographer: jeff burton
model: vincent gallo




miu miu fall/winter 2007
photographer: mert and marcus
model: laeticia casta

THE MOST TRANSCENDENT

christian dior
john galliano has been guilty of providing the fashion world with more than his fair share of fashion moments. who could forget his debut dior couture collection, or his all black geisha inspired collection of fall '96, or the global melting pot via mongolia of '04? this year john returned to all of that and reminded the world that of all designers, his vision is the most romantic and is the most powerfully moving on the strength of its beauty alone. whether it be with using origami techniques in his spring couture collection or channeling all the great artists with his fall couture extravanganza, galliano celebrated the 60th anniversary of dior by elevating fashion not just as something that we put on our bodies, but as art that makes us feel alive in its presence.

THE COMEBACK QUEEN

isabeli fontana
if you're gonna come back after a season off, then how else do you come back but by posing in your underwear being hella sexy. she makes $14.90 h&m bra and $7.90 panties look like a billion bucks.

IN MEMORIUM

gianfranco ferre, isabella blow
the past year saw fashion losing two of its brightest lights. gianfranco ferre, who is often refered to as "the architect of fashion" passed away last summer as a result of a brain hemorrhage. lars nisson has been hired to replace the legendary designer, although i can't really see anyone else doing ferre but gianfranco. he really was one of the few designers who owned their own vision. isabella blow, the english ecentric who famously discovered alexander mcqueen and philip treacy commited suicide after a long battle with depresion. for his spring/summer show, mcqueen and treacy presented the most moving tribute to blow by dedicating and using her as an inspiration for their latest collection.