2016 -The Year of Shock and Awe In Everything but Fashion

Michelle Obama in Versace

The year in fashion was practically nonexistent as the election overshadowed any interest in subjects as trivial as clothing. Even the great fashion moments were political in nature: such as when Michelle Obama appeared in a rose gold chainmail Versace at her last state dinner and Melania Trump wore a pink pussy bow Gucci blouse to her husband’s debate. Yes Gucci had an incredible year with celebrities such as Beyonce and Gaga choosing the designs of Alessandro Michele, the new creative director who has taken the fashion world by storm.

Kylie Jenner

However, this year Trump dominated the newspapers and storyline so completely that even sartorial choices became inconsequential as many were far more concerned with the momentous nature of the election. Dependable style stars such as Rihanna, and Taylor Swift were largely ignored with Rihanna choosing to debut a more modest and covered up look. The Kardashians continued their barely there attire with Kylie looking more and more like a porn star every day. With Kim out of the picture since her October 3rd robbery the world continued to wait for a more demure reemergence and were left with nothing.

RIhanna concert clothing

When Kim does come out of hiding I am optimistic that she will try to positively impact society and forego nudity and exhibitionism. Her husband Kanye had a tumultuous year with a highly criticized fashion show, a nervous breakdown and a controversial endorsement of Trump and I am predicting he and Kim will split this year. Despite Kanye’s support of Trump, most of the African American community voted with Hillary – 89% to be exact.

While this was the most bitter, vitriolic election in history one thing is assured – Hillary Clinton’s loss may mean pantsuits will never make the comeback they deserve. Clinton wore Ralph Lauren attire to the debates and rallies. I still haven’t decided whether I liked her attire – it was appropriate but a bit too staid for my taste. It was is if she couldn’t decide whether she wanted to be viewed as a man or woman so she chose something in between. Maybe she should have spiced it up with some cleavage baring dresses or a sequined mini-at least the press would have paid some attention to her.

Melanie Trump pink pussy bow blouse

Poor Hillary, since Trump announced his candidacy on June 16, 2015 he dominated the airwaves so completely even CNN and MSNBC should have been renamed Trump TV. The media who so reviled Trump, actually scored him his victory by breaking every news story with a Trump “breaking news” story. When they tried, at the last minute, to destroy his candidacy it was already too late; his persona had taken on a life of its own. Nearly every poll and newspaper predicted a landslide win for Hillary and were left looking like complete fools for failing to gage the mood of a growing, disenchanted middle class.

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt in happier days

Some other hard to predict occurrences included celebrity splits; as I would entitle this year “shock and awe”-with some surprising divorces. The most unbelievable jaw-dropping news was the demise of Brangelina. This magnificent couple who shared a brood of six-and that’s just their nannies-said adios in a less than cordial manner. How could this happen and who saw it coming? Did Brad have an affair with Marion Cotillard? Was he a pot smoking alcoholic? I have no clue but I mourn the fact that I will no longer be able to catch a glimpse of them strolling on a beach in Africa or canoodling at an Awards show-they were heavenly. Why Angie – what did Brad lack? Were his eyes not blue enough? His jawline not defined enough? Were you just sick of his lackluster personality? Couldn’t you have stayed together just so the public could have one couple they could place on a pedestal – one couple whose names we could merge together unapologetically.

After losing Bennifer (Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck) and TomKat (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) weren’t we entitled to keep the one and only Brangelina? We still have Amal and George but they have largely disappeared from the radar – where are they and why are they never photographed together? Some more surprising breakups included Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, Toby Maguire and Jennifer Meyer, Jennifer Lopez and Casper (not so) Smart, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, Will Kopelman and Drew Barrymore, Yolanda Hadid and David Foster, and Christie Brinkley and John Mellencamp. I just heard that Brinkley and Foster are dating but I think they are doomed to failure – between the two of them they have eight divorces.

Prince Harry and television star Meghan Markle

There are others whose status I am unsure of including: Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez, and Julia Roberts and Danny Moder. Hollywood is in a bad state when Warren Beatty remains one of the few left married. One piece of good news was that Prince Harry has found true love with television star Meghan Markle; however, we know Queen Elizabeth is going to kibosh this pairing very soon. Kate Middleton and Prince William had a largely uncontroversial year, with Kate dressing to impress and son George wowing the public – the camera loves this adorable boy. Some other public phenoms included Hamilton which won 11 Tony Awards and continued to break box office records. This show can do no wrong – unless you are Mike Pence. Michael Phelps also broke some records becoming the most decorated Olympian in history this August with 28 medals – 23 of them gold. Phelps said he will be retiring while colleague Ryan Lochte remained prominent in the headlines due to his made up robbery story that cast a pall on Brazil.

Florence Henderson

Speaking of sad situations we lost so many greats this year including: Leonard Cohen, Florence Henderson, Prince, Zsa Zsa Gabor, David Bowie, Garry Marshall, Alan Rickman, Muhammad Ali, Gene Wilder, and Nancy Reagan. I am optimistic this year will be filled with great news, hopeful storylines and most importantly spectacular fashion. With no more bitter debates or unpleasant headlines it is almost certain fashion will once again gain ascendancy. Former model, Melania Trump will certainly be front and center with some incredible apparel choices during inauguration, despite Sophie Theallet, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford refusing to dress her. Whether Huma Abedin or Hillary Clinton will reenter politics is dubious; however, one thing that is irrefutable is that this year was anything but run of the mill – “believe me” it was not.

– Lieba Nesis