2024 was a year packed with spectacular fashion shows, and blessed with many unforgettable designs. But which of them truly stood out as the most iconic?
Paris Vogue World Runway
An event that brought a lot of attention and discussions – Paris Vogue World Runway. It was held on June 23, 2024, at the iconic Place Vendôme which reflected the main focus of the show – highlighting French fashion history. The combination of great promotion, advertisement and recognition of the company, enabled the attendance of a variety of famous people like Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Sabrina Carpenter, Anok Yai, etc. Moreover, mixed runways with different kinds of performances by artists and participation from world-recognized athletes made the runway show even more special.
This event also covered various connections of fashion with sports and was on the eve of the Olympic Games in Paris, the event also received publicity outside its usual audience, as well as among sports fans and simply interested persons from close spheres. Thus, the runway presented standout designs from each decade, creatively intertwining fashion with corresponding sports, for instance there was a breakdance flashmob alongside models wearing pieces from Louis Vuitton Men or a celebration of France’s historic World Cup win in 1998, models wore Pieter Mulier’s reinterpretation of Azzedine Alaïa’s iconic tricolor dress. Additionally, Vogue said to donate at least a million euros from the money earned to the Secours Populaire Français charity organization, which fights poverty and discrimination.
Moschino’s Spring-Summer 2024
It is impossible to not mention Milan Fashion Week in February and Moschino’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection presentation. The brand has successfully showcased and mixed more casual outfits and styles with more playful and chic aesthetics. Among the highlights there were white suits, khakis, jeans together with items like Perfecto jacket and chunky turtleneck sweaters. While the first part of the runway was more about strict and official style with straight office pants and neutral color blazers, the second part was implementing more vibrant colors and creative palettes.
This season has been characterized by a move towards strong color choices and imaginative outlines, reverberating well with fashion devotees energetic for new points of view in their wardrobes.
Victoria Secret Show
One of the brightest performances organized towards the end of the year was the return of the Victoria Secret Show after a long break. The event was held at the Duggal Greenhouse in New York’s Brooklyn Navy Yard and showcased beloved-by-many veteran runway stars like Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel and others. After a lot of criticism towards the brand’s beauty standards and values, the new show was agreed to be different from the old one. Thus, transgender, plus-size or models over 40 years old were seen on the runway which highlights an important shift in the company’s approach to diversity and inclusivity. This marked a significant departure from Victoria’s Secret’s previous policies, where such representation was virtually nonexistent. Additionally, as an already known important part of the show, popular singers were invited, for instance Cher, Orianthi, Tyla and Blackpink’s Lisa.
While describing the show and new adopted changes, BMO Capital Markets Managing Director Simeon Siegel highlighted: “was more female-driven and did not restrict itself to a single version of ‘beauty.’”. Considering many different views and audience feedback, the Show can still be noted as one of the highlights of 2024.
Milan Fashion Week
Without a shadow of a doubt, any time a fashion event takes place in Milan, not only does it deliver remarkable performances, but it stays etched in the minds of people. That was the case for Milan Fashion Week 2024, held from 17-23 September, further validating the city’s being the capital of tradition and innovation. With over 60 shows and 3 digital presentations full of craftsmanship, the event exuded modern yet timeless beauty. We had the honour to witness iconic brands like Prada, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Bottega Veneta proving their dominance with collections full of boldness. No event is complete without world-renowned celebrities – Carey Mulligan, Gigi Hadid, Madonna, and Kendall Jenner – who embodied the vision of their respective fashion house. Overall, it’s a testament to Milan being the heart of the fashion industry.
Ultimately, this event highlighted 2 key concepts : sustainability and diversity. More specifically, designer Stella McCartney led the way with an eco-friendly collection, plus Vivienne Westwood emphasized the importance of sustainable fashion. Not to mention, the spectacle featured models of all ages, body types and ethnic backgrounds. When combined, the message delivered is loud and clear : fashion is for everyone.
Paris Fashion Week
Another incredible celebration of fashion advancement was Paris Fashion Week held from September 23rd to October 1st. Paris is a cornerstone of the fashion world, and if anything, this major event further reinforced the city being an influence in shaping trends and cultures. Over the days, the public was blessed with the presence of signature brands like Valentino, McQueen, Balenciaga and Chanel. Their anticipated collections served as a reflection of the brands’ everlasting legacies of luxury and expertise.
Though, it goes without saying, one of the standout moments of the event was Alessando Michele’s debut at Valentino. The designer added a touch of the 60’s & 80’s influences to the brand, showing off the collection titled “Pavillon des Follies”, which radiates exquisite elegance. As a result, Paris Fashion Week was symbolic for balancing creativity with an enhanced audience engagement. Especially thanks to the presence of multiple stars – Salma Hayek, Naomi Campbell, Emma Roberts – and the strategic online promotions. This way, the reach of the shows tremendously expanded way beyond the usual fashion elite, something that Paris Fashion Week exceeded at.
Chanel Spring-Summer Haute Couture Show in Paris
Unsurprisingly, Paris was the embodiment of energy and thrill of the fashion sphere this year, starting all the way back in January 2024. Almost as if the collection stepped out of the pages of a fantasy novel, this show was a true representation of pure sophistication, a feeling often associated with most Paris events. The creative director Virginie Viard cannot go unmentioned, as she creatively centred the runaway around ballet, using the iconic Chanel button – in other words, the symbol of utter grace.
Speaking of, the actress Margaret Qualley graced the runaway with her charming presence, stealing the show in a white but dazzling monochromatic look, an overall undoubtedly noteworthy moment of the show. It was certainly refreshing to see Chanel’s ability to fuse haute couture with performing arts, as it reaffirmed the brand’s eternal elegance. Plus, the emphasis on delicate makeup which reflected a more contemporary take on femininity helped as well, as in doing so, the brand appealed to a more diverse demographic.
Featured image: Harper’s Bazaar
