Biggest UK fashion stories of 2011

Along with the multiple inside stories, interviews and news, FashionUnited has covered over 2011, as the year draws to a close its interesting to look back at some of the biggest fashion stories which occurred across the landscape.

First and foremost, speculation and hype continued for months over the biggest design commission of a lifetime; the Royal Wedding.

With the accolade going to designer of the moment, Sarah Burton for Alexander Mcqueen, crowds were left in awe at the simple, feminine silhouette created for the Duchess of Cambridge to be.

In the Kate versus Kate race off, the other big wedding story of the year was supermodel and ubiquitous fashion icon Kate Moss’ marriage to Killers frontman, Jamie Hince, which saw her sport an ethereal John Galliano creation.

On the topic of Galliano, this year was one shrouded in controversy as the Dior creative director was dismissed after 15 years work for anti semitic insults and comments. The designer, whilst seeking help in rehab, has declared he will be back to the fashion scene but meanwhile endless speculation and enquiry has surrounded who will take over his position with endless names from Stefano Pilati, Ricardo Tisci, to Marc Jacobs being thrown into the mix over the last few months. Beyond Galliano other notable departures included Hannah Macgibbon at Chloe being replaced by previous Pringle head of design, Claire Waight Keller, and Christophe Decarnin leaving Balmain.

In world news, London’s high street took a battering as riots took hold across the country and saw many local shops and stores ram raided and sometimes completely destroyed. Closer to your home screen, fashion’s online efforts got a boost as the first Online Fashion Week in aid of charity was launched.

And design wise, high and low, there were plenty of hits as Versace produced their first collection for the high street at H&M, whilst designer wise, Christopher Kane kept going strong to scoop the BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund award. And with Mary Portas’ much awaited high street report now out, 2012 can only get better for fashion and retail across the UK.