The big recap

Year 2008 in fashion, in a glance:

The leader: Jourdan Dunn became the first black model to walk Prada since 1997.

Winning it: Marion Cotillard wore a stunning Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 08′ couture piece to pick up her Best Actress Oscar statue.

Fall 08′ show season in-and-outs: Peter Som showed a critically acclaimed debut at Bill Blass while Paulo Melim Andersson tried to save the boat with his last effort for Chloé but was dismissed in March.

The beehive obssession: Don’t deny the power of the (troubled) style icon, even Carine Roitfeld loves her.

Kanye does fashion: He has been spotted at the front row/backstage of major fashion shows this year very often, and not forgetting his blog, talking about Thierry Mugler, Tow Ford… and Angela Lindvall. “I am going to paint the fashion world with my clothes the same way I did with music”—his quote, during a visit to Singapore.

Changing offices: Nina Garcia left ELLE and accepted a position at Marie Claire.

The King Kong issue: Lebron James became the third man ever to appear on the Vogue US cover but it also happened to be their worst selling issue this year with 350,000, and tons of racial controversy circling around it.

Party of the year: the annual Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum. Not many guests dressed to pay tribute to superheroes but still, it’s fashion’s most glamourous, star-studded night. Anna’s Chanel couture is the killer.

RIP.1: Ruslana Korshunova’s suicide. One of the saddest model deaths since Heather Bratton in 06′.

RIP.2: Yves Saint Laurent’s passing.

RIP.3: Japanese makeup mastro Shu Uemara. His high end make-up line under his own name is still

very much well loved till today.

Divine debut: Alessandra Facchinetti presented her very first couture collection for under Valentino during Fall 08′ couture fashion week, with Giorgio Armani in the audience as a form of support.

New York tribute: Francisco Costa won ‘Womenswear Designer of the Year’ at the CFDA awards while Tom Ford received the Men’s honour.

Simply epic: Vogue Italia dropped their much talk-about all black issue in late June. The aftermath: black models invaded August. September covers.

Poisoned beauty: Black lipstick is in. Blame YSL Fall 08′…

The downturn: Steve & Barry’s filed for bankruptcy.

Surprise outfit: Michelle Obama donned a Thakoon resort dress over Herrera or Rodriguez for the Democratic convention.

New entrance: Gareth Pugh made a dazzling debut at Paris Fashion Week.

Paying tribute: Sonial Rykiel’s Spring 09 show was crazily fun, with the usual smiling dancing models and a slew of looks designed by fellow big name designers in celebration of her 40th anniversary in fashion.

Controversial move: Alessandra Facchinetti was unceremoniously axed from Valentino on her show day and replaced by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, longtime accessories designers at Valentino. The news stunned and saddened many, as Alessandra was beginning to find her feet at Valentino.

Mens division: While Men’s Vogue had a major scale-back, Vogue Hommes Nippon debuted its first issue with big names like Hedi Slimane and Nicola Formichetti collaborating.

Industry backing: Alexander Wang became the fourth winner of the $200,000 cash prize in the CFDA/Vogue fashion fund awards.

Kill bill vol. 3: Peter Som resigned from Bill Blass and Spring 09′ was a no show, NexCen had sold the brand to Peacock International Holdings, who hinted that they might revive it in around a years time.

That is basically, the best I can summarize the entire year into, it could have been longer. I am interested to know what are your favourite moments?

images: style.com, vogue.fr, flickr