2024 was nothing short of a whirlwind in the fashion world, packed with bold statements, jaw-dropping comebacks, and unforgettable shows. From unexpected twists on classic trends to entirely new concepts, this year was a thrilling ride for fashion enthusiasts. Designers pushed boundaries, creating moments that will be remembered for years to come, while iconic personalities made their return to the spotlight. Whether it was through innovative accessories, striking runway moments, or the reimagination of well-loved aesthetics, fashion in 2024 left an indelible mark. Here’s the breakdown of this year’s 15 most iconic moments:
CHANEL names their new Creative Director- Mathieu Blazy
After months and months of waiting and guessing with gossip and speculation, Chanel appoints their new Creative Director: Mathieu Blazy. His move from Bottega Veneta to Chanel had fashion fans jumping for joy and style! Although heartbreaking for Bottega fans, his innovative, tactile approach will surely bring a fresh, modern edge to the iconic french brand, and we can’t wait to see how he redefines Chanel’s aesthetic in the years to come. 2024 was a year filled with dramatic creative director shifts in the fashion world, and Blazy’s appointment was one of the most talked-about moments and highly anticipated. The fashion industry speculated on who would take over from Virginie Viard at Chanel when they announced her departure since June, and amongst many guesses Blazy’s name dominated the conversation. As creative director at Bottega Veneta, he had redefined luxury with his minimalist yet emotionally resonant designs, which made his move to Chanel even more exciting. His transition marks a new era for the brand, and the excitement surrounding his first collections for Chanel is palpable, as everyone waits to see how he will inject his signature touch into the house’s storied legacy.
John Galliano x Pat McGrath for Maison Margiela
Alessandro Michele Debut at Valentino
After leaving Gucci, Alessandro Michele brought his whimsical touch to Valentino. His debut collection blended the brand’s timeless elegance with playful, modern elements, potentially giving Valentino a fresh, new edge. With his signature blend of eclecticism and romanticism, Michele infused Valentino’s storied heritage with a contemporary sensibility that pushed boundaries while honoring the brand’s iconic craftsmanship. The collection felt like a beautiful contradiction, where classic silhouettes were reimagined with bold colors, unexpected textures, and whimsical details. From oversized bows to intricate floral embroidery, each piece showcased Michele’s ability to fuse high fashion with avant-garde expression. His introduction to Valentino injected a breath of fresh air into the brand, captivating fashion critics and consumers alike, and sparking conversations about what the future of the legendary house might look like. In many ways, Michele’s work seemed to symbolize a new era for Valentino, one that embraces both tradition and innovation in equal measure, leaving fans eagerly awaiting what’s next in this exciting new chapter.
The True Fashion IT Girl: Nara Smith
Even though Alex Consani rightfully earned the title of Model of the Year and Bella Hadid made her triumphant return to the runway, we believe the true fashion “It Girl” of 2024 was none other than Nara Smith. Nara captivated the fashion world not just with her impeccable sense of style but with her unique ability to embody the Trad Wife aesthetic and lifestyle to absolute perfection. Seamlessly blending old-world charm with modern luxury, she became a cultural phenomenon by showcasing her enviable lifestyle of baking and crafting recipes entirely from scratch—all while dressed head-to-toe in the season’s most coveted designer pieces. From whipping up sourdough bread in head-turning Haute Couture gowns, Nara brought a chic, aspirational twist to domesticity. Her Instagram was a treasure trove of picturesque moments that married haute couture with homemaking, inspiring countless followers to embrace both fashion and household tradition in their everyday lives. By redefining what it means to be a modern muse, Nara not only dominated social media but also carved out a lasting legacy as 2024’s ultimate style icon.
The True Fashion IT Boy: Jacob Elordi
Even though Timothée Chalamet continued to reign as Hollywood’s heartthrob and turned heads with his impeccable red carpet looks especially for the Dune II Press Tour, the true fashion “It Boy” of 2024 was undoubtedly Jacob Elordi. Jacob captivated the world with his effortless embrace of the “old rich” aesthetic, inspired by his role in “Saltburn”. His on-screen persona of refined luxury seamlessly translated into real life, as he became the embodiment of understated elegance with a contemporary twist. Jacob’s penchant for tailored suits, cashmere sweaters, and sleek loafers redefined modern masculinity, blending timeless sophistication with a fresh, youthful allure. It came as no surprise when Bottega Veneta named him the face of their brand. Whether he was donning their buttery leather coats or minimalist yet luxurious ensembles, Jacob perfectly encapsulated the quiet opulence that the house is renowned for. His appearances seated front row in fashion shows and on magazine covers cemented his status as a sartorial icon of 2024, while his off-duty looks—think relaxed knits, neutral tones, and effortlessly tousled hair—made him the ultimate muse for both designers and fans alike. Jacob Elordi didn’t just wear fashion in 2024; he lived it, setting the tone for an era of understated yet undeniable cool.
Runways Out, Press Tours are In
Press tours have undeniably become the new runways, with stars turning each appearance into a meticulously curated fashion moment. Zendaya set the standard this year, dazzling in archival Mugler for Dune and stealing the spotlight with a custom tennis-inspired dress and matching heels for Challengers, proving once again that Law Roach’s styling prowess is unmatched. Roach, now considered one of the most coveted celebrity stylists in Hollywood, continues to hit the mark on every assignment, making each look a headline-worthy moment. Meanwhile, Jenna Ortega brought gothic glamour to the Beetlejuice press tour, with her wardrobe paying homage to the film’s characters through moody, avant-garde designs that perfectly echoed the movie’s eerie aesthetic. This phenomenon is a continuation of the trend Margot Robbie sparked during last year’s Barbie press tour, where she fully embodied the character with a parade of iconic pink ensembles. Press tours are no longer just about promoting films—they’ve evolved into high-fashion showcases that rival the best runways, solidifying their place as a major moment in the fashion calendar.
Coperni x Disney
Coperni hosted their runway show at Disneyland Paris, fusing couture with childhood nostalgia. Models walked through the iconic fairytale backdrops, bringing fantasy to the runway in the most magical way in front of the legendary Disney Castle. Coperni’s show at Disneyland Paris — was also a statement on how fashion can come from the unlikeliest of places. The highlight? A humble €8 Mickey Mouse T-shirt, bought secondhand on Vinted, even bargained down to its final price, becoming one of the key items on the runway. It proved that luxury doesn’t have to mean expensive, and style is truly about storytelling, not just price tags. Paired with Coperni’s signature sleek silhouettes, we can say the 90s Kidcore aesthetic stole the spotlight, encouraging everyone to dig out their favorite childhood cartoon tees. With nods to individuality and sustainability, Coperni reminded us that fashion can be found everywhere—and nostalgia never goes out of style.
Met Gala Gemstones
The 2024 Met Gala, with its theme “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” was an unforgettable night, brimming with mesmerizing designs and groundbreaking artistry. Mona Patel, one of the evening’s most underrated dressed, stunning in a sculptural Iris van Herpen couture gown featuring kinetic, moving butterfly sleeves that seemed to flutter with life, turning her into a living piece of art. Tyla owned the red carpet in Balmain’s breathtaking Sand Dress, dressed as “Sands of Time” a masterpiece of sculptural sand-like textured dress that transformed her into a literal sculpted goddess, but the drama didn’t stop there—Tyla’s dress was so intricately crafted that she had to be cut out of it and carried up the iconic Met Gala stairs. Meanwhile, Anok Yai delivered pure fashion spectacle in a custom Swarovski gemstone gown that took eight artisans, over 1 million shimmering blue crystals, and 130 devoted hours to create. The opulence and craftsmanship of the dress were so extraordinary that it caused a “supply shortage” for blue gemstones across New York, leaving the artisans scrambling to keep up with the demand for this Kira Kira app dream dress.
Calvin Klein sexy Controversy- AGAIN.
Calvin Klein sparked another wave of controversy in February 2024 with a campaign being compared to their iconic and provocative Brooke Shields ads of the ’90s. This time, the brand leaned into seduction with understated allure, featuring “The Bear” Jeremy Allen White in an ad that had audiences everywhere wishing they were quite literally a literal couch just to make a cameo in the ad. Adding to the drama, FKA Twigs’ Calvin Klein campaign was banned from the UK market for being deemed “too sexual,” causing an uproar over the double standards when it comes to female vs. male body stigmas, further cementing even further the brand’s reputation for pushing boundaries with provocative campaigns. In the end, Calvin Klein remains the ultimate sensual Scorpio, effortlessly making waves with its sexy, minimalistic, yet oh-so-sensual clean-cut underwear. The real question is, do you think it’s “too” sexy?
Step aside Anna! Marc Jacob's Editor in Chief of VOGUE
In a groundbreaking, unprecedented move, Marc Jacobs made history in 2024 by becoming the first-ever co-editor-in-chief of Vogue USA, sharing the helm with Anna Wintour. You might think, “But Anna doesn’t share!” The announcement sent shockwaves through the fashion world, with headlines declaring, “Step aside, Anna Wintour—Marc Jacobs has arrived.” But there is no bad blood, as many would like to suspect. In fact, Marc Jacobs himself said, “My first thought was, actually, to have Anna Wintour on the cover, but she flat-out refused. ‘Move on,’ she insisted.” Jacobs’ appointment sparked much speculation about a new era for Vogue. Fans and critics alike wondered if this marks the beginning of a new wave toward designer-editor collaborations, blending the lines between content creation and high-fashion design… Jacobs’ debut issue featured a daring, art-meets-fashion approach, with layouts as bold and eclectic as his runway collections. The partnership showed Vogue embracing a fresher, more innovative direction while still honoring its legacy. As Anna herself has said, “There was never anyone else in my mind. If he had said no, I would have gone a different route, not to another person.” ANNA WINTOUR
2024 was truly a year of unforgettable fashion moments, filled with boundary-pushing creativity, iconic returns, and bold new creative directions. From groundbreaking collaborations to unforgettable red carpet moments, the industry has never been more exciting. And as we look ahead, some of these trends and milestones are already sparking excitement for what’s to come in 2025. The future of fashion feels as thrilling and innovative as ever, with new eras waiting to be written and even bolder moves on the horizon. What will be next ?
Authors Jolana Prokešová & Tanny Onsalo
“One of the things I love about fashion is how it intertwines with other forms of art. Whether it’s blending elements from dance, architecture, or visual art into a fashion presentation, it all unites to create a spectacular experience.”- Jolana Prokešová is a dynamic fashion business student with a diverse background in photography, event management, and interior design. With her keen insights and fresh perspective as a member of Gen Z, she’s uniquely positioned to observe the future of fashion.
Tanny Onsalo is Creative director, fashion forecaster and style consultant of TROUVER agency, she has worked for the magazine Vogue as Global Editorial Expert and led multiple global tentpole editorials. She directed the fashion forecasting of trends for Vestiaire Collective, spearheading the Fashion Journal, Newsroom and annual fashion data reports.