This year was a mixed bag for the fashion world with plenty of highs and many lows, including the loss of one of the industry's most talented designers. Some trends made the leap from the catwalk into our wardrobes, while others were consigned to fashion oblivion. Here's a look at the trends of 2010, and a peek into the future.
The democratisation of fashion
The trend of fashion designers collaborating with mass retailers hit an all-time high this year when Lanvin creative director Alber Elbaz decided to take his talents to Swedish high street retailer H&M. The collection, which launched last month saw diehard fashionistas lining up outside stores 48 hours before the clothes even hit the rails. Other big names hoping to cash in with the masses was ex-Paco Rabanne designer Patrick Robinson, who is currently revamping The Gap, and Belgian wunderkind and ex-Nina Ricci designer Olivier Theyskens, who was appointed artistic director of American brand Theory in October.
Other labels launching more accessible collections included Costume National whose EEqual line will be a collaboration with Italian fast fashion chain OVS. Even Karl Lagerfeld announced plans to go 'masstige' by cancelling his own label's runway show in favour of launching a more accessible line online and at mid-market American department store, Macy's, next year.
The buyouts
Natalie Massenet made history when she sold her stake in 10-year-old online fashion boutique, net-a-porter.com, for GBP50 million (HK$600 million) to Richemont, owner of luxury brands Cartier and Chloe. Meanwhile, Italian entrepreneur and founder of the Tod's empire, Diego Della Valle, continued to build up his stake in American department store Saks Fifth Avenue, securing 19.1 per cent of the shares (worth about US$350 million). On home turf, Li & Fung group's Trinity bought Italian brand Cerruti for Euro53 million (HK$542 million).