Yearbook of 2005

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2-gether 4-ever: Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana

Never known as low-key hosts, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana pulled out all the stops for their brand’s 20th-anniversary celebration during Milan fashion week. Things started with a runway show nearly 100 looks long and ended with a no-expense-spared bash featuring the Lido de Paris dancing girls and a performance by Donna Summer. Though D and G’s partnership is now purely professional, their shared love for maximalism, leopard print, and divas endures.

Most Entrepreneurial: Stella McCartney for H&M

Not since that other British invasion have masses of women swooned like they did when Stella McCartney’s collection for H&M arrived at the chain’s New York City stores. Priced to move, the coveted pieces sold out within hours of their release, causing headline-making near riots. Stella’s peers and former protégés may be the critical darlings now, but the new mom is laughing all the way to the bank.

The new Kate Moss? Gemma – the girl of the moment

The doll type beauty has achieved giddy success. The guest star of Austarlian Vogue. Behind the glitz and the glamour, there’s laughter, tears and chronic fatigue. Gemma invites you front row, backstage and behind the scenes.

Most “Overexposed”: Tom Ford

For a designer who quit the runway early last year, Tom Ford sure showed up a lot in 2005. The former creative director at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent launched a sunglasses collection, sexed up Estée Lauder, took a high-profile guest editor gig for Vanity Fair’s Hollywood issue, and announced plans for a menswear line. But the place we saw the most of Ford was the November issue of W, where he appeared in a 19-page photo spread. Nude.

Class Jock: Madonna

While critics debate whether Madonna has regained her musical mojo with November’s Confessions on a Dance Floor, we can emphatically report that Madge retains firm control of her abs and thighs and biceps. Dusting herself off after a midsummer equestrian accident, the 47-year-old yoga enthusiast did some serious strutting in the “Hung Up” video, making Gen Y’s pop starlets look like the soft, pampered brats they are.

Comeback Kid: Kate Moss

It was the fastest turnaround since Steve Jobs rescued Apple. Yes, Kate Moss lost a slew of lucrative contracts after her drug scandal. But since coming out of an Arizona rehab clinic, she’s bagged new campaigns with Longchamp and Stella McCartney, not to mention landed on the covers of Vanity Fair and Paris Vogue. The words printed on Alexander McQueen’s T-shirt when he took a bow at his October show clearly spoke for the whole fashion community: “We love you Kate.”

Hypnotic beauty of year: Daria Werbowy

Daria exclusively only for Lancome. Fashion week without Canadian beauty broke many people hearts, bu hopefully we will see Daria in Haute Couture week From January 2006, 23rd to 25th.

Most Theatrical: John Galliano

No contest here, of course. Fashion’s favorite impresario turned July’s Dior Haute Couture presentation into one for the history books. To mark Christian Dior’s 100th birthday, the showman conjured the spirits of a young Master Dior and his maman, who entered a magical mist-laden landscape in a horse-drawn Edwardian carriage. By contrast, Galliano’s spring ‘06 show for his own label, a stirring procession of gigolos, tattooed sailors, and bearded transvestites, was a mere divertissement.

Exchange Student: Stefano Pilati

Promoted from within to succeed Tom Ford as Yves Saint Laurent creative director, Stefano Pilati wasted no time putting his own stamp on YSL and the fashion world at large. The tulip skirts and ruffles he showed in his spring 2005 collection became staples at many houses for fall—by which time Pilati was emphasizing restraint, with ecclesiastical touches like choirboy collars and strict tailoring. “I’ve made a start, yes,” Pilati told Vogue, “but there is still more to do.”

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