1. Alexander Wang Sweatshop Controversy. Well, this pretty much came out of nowhere but when a young designer at a crucial moment in his career gets hit with as serious as an allegation as using sweatshops to produce his clothes, the ramifications could be enormous.

2. Shake-Ups at Jil Sander and Yves Saint Laurent.  Would it be a Paris Fashion Week without someone leaving somewhere under a cloud of suspicion? Stefano Pilati finally submitted to the frequent rumors of his demise with Hedi Slimane set to replace him, but what of poor Raf Simons, who's now unceremoniously on his keester after years of loyal service?

3. Christian Dior's ever-revolving door of candidates. Yeah, this is still happening, but with Bill Gaytten finally getting a handle on this creative director thing -- the Christian Dior Fall 2012 collection wasn't awful...it was actually rather pretty, if nothing revelatory, and you know how much it pains me to say that -- there might be no need for Maxime Simoens or Haider Ackermann or whoever's the designer dujour.

4. Kanye West returns. God bless his heart. Like any artist with a pair, Kanye West isn't letting the negative reviews of his last collection get to him and he's returning today with his second offering. No one ever said fashion was an easy game to get into and Ye's got a long road ahead of him, but we all gotta crawl before we can walk. Unless you're Jourdan Dunn who tweeted that Kanye's shoes for the show tonight were "sexy as fuck but you can't walk in them!" Oh, and fellow model Leomie Anderson said Mr. West "cussed" at a girl for not being able to walk in the precarious pumps. Of course, Anderson threw some shade behind West, tweeting "her walk isn't top notch in kitten heels." #shitmodelssay

25. Beyoncé at the VMAs How does an internationally-renowned pop diva announce her alleged pregnancy with as little -- and yet as much -- fanfare as possible? Why in Lanvin and Dolce and Gabbana, of course. Cupping her burgeoning baby bump on the red carpet, Bey let loose the dogs of publicity war when she thew her mic to the ground, ripped open her Dolce jacket, and announced to the world the coming of the Messiah.

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24. Karl Lagerfeld's obsession with Blake Lively Blake Lively is Karl Lagerfeld's kind of girl. And he didn't hesitate to let everyone know, naming the Gossip Girl star Chanel's official purse ambassador, throwing her in print ads, parading her about the French Riviera and most terrifying of all, showing her something bearing resemblance to actual affection.

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23. The rise of the tween style icon -- Hailee Steinfeld, Chloe Moretz and Elle Fanning cover LOVE magazine The kids are more than all right, they're fucking fabulous. Hailee Steinfeld, Elle Fanning and Chloe Moretz showed that style knows no age limits, landing on best-dressed lists while barely in high school. Miu Miu tapped Steinfeld for its fall campaign and Rodarte had Fanning star in a short film, while all three graced the cover of LOVE magazine this summer.

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22. Emma Watson, style icon Emma Watson truly came into her own this year in a series of flawless looks both on and off the red carpet, some stunning editorial work, a capsule collection with Alberta Ferretti and a campaign with Lancôme. Hermione's not a girl, and very nearly a woman.

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21. Christian Dior's disastrous Haute Couture show 2011 had its share of disastrous runway shows, but none as disastrous as Christian Dior's fall 2011 haute couture show. Left to his own devices, poor Bill Gaytten offered up an overwrought and wildly incoherent mess that, despite being maligned by pretty much everyone, still wound up on at least one red carpet thanks to Katy Perry. Let's just say she didn't help matters any.

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20. Christian Louboutin trademark case Christian Louboutin tried, and failed, and is still trying to copyright its "trademark" red sole. By the way, I'm legally obligated to use trademark in quotations.

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19. Versace for H&M One of the most buzzed-about diffusion lines of the year, Donatella Versace's exclusive one-off collection reignited interest in the brand's sumptuous archives and had everyone from Anna Dello Russo to Kanye West clamoring for those Medusa heads and Miami prints.

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18. Karlie Kloss comes of age They grow up so fast! Karlie Kloss turned 19 this year, covered Life Magazine, shed her clothes on several occasions, became a Victoria's Secret Angel and got eye-banged by Leonardo Dicaprio -- in other words, she very publicly became an adult and a supermodel.

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17. Lady Gaga wins over Anna Wintour Anna Wintour embraced Lady Gaga with open arms this year, putting her on the cover of Vogue and presenting her with the CFDA Fashion Icon Award. And Gaga thanked her by calling her a bitch and showing up in a walking wardrobe malfunction to the ceremony. BFFs, y'all!

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16. Elizabeth Taylor's death and subsequent jewelry auction Elizabeth Taylor's death was the passing of a true legend and a style icon but her legacy lives on not only through her films, but also her impressive collection of jewels and haute couture that is being auctioned off by Christies this month.

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15. Michelle Obama's McQueen controversy Michelle Obama had jaws dropping in her Alexander McQueen gown for China's state dinner but it was the fallout from the dress by Oscar de la Renta and other American designers that made the dress truly newsworthy.

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14. Victoria Beckham, fashion designer This year Victoria Beckham lived up to her nom-de-Spice by gaining real credibility as a designer, and not just another celebrity with too much time on their hands, while simultaneously stepping out of her husband's sexy shadow. A win at the British Fashion Awards for Design Brand of the Year capped off a year of living poshly.

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13. The Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum Sneaking in at the end of the year, the virtual Valentino museum is an innovative and ingenious step by one of the world's most iconic designers that makes his formidable legacy available to anyone who wants it. A novel and forward-thinking concept that belies Valentino's 800 years.

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12. The rise and subsequent fall of the fascinator Trends come and go all the time in fashion, but rarely has one particular trend impacted culture so hard and been discarded so fast. The Royal Wedding inspired ladies everywhere to make it a say-something hat day, but it was Princess Beatrice's fascinator that may go down as one of the most infamous pieces of millinery in modern recollection.

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11. Marc Jacobs stolen spring 2012 collection Lifted from a train en route from Paris, the theft of parts of Marc Jacobs' spring 2012 collection was this year's biggest and most intriguing mystery. Besides, of course, whether Marc himself would defect to Christian Dior or stick it out with Louis Vuitton -- who, coincidentally, was also a victim of theft just two weeks later. Yep, big coincidence.

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10. Fashion Week calendar controversy Tensions came to a head between the four fashion capitals, leaving the fate of upcoming fashion weeks up in the air. But if there's one thing we've learned from this is you don't fuck with the Italians.

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9. Kate Moss' fairytale wedding It was only a few years ago that Kate Moss was spiraling down a cocaine-encrusted rabbit hole, but fashion's favorite bad girl has finally settled down. Moss wed longtime beau Jamie Hince in an epic three-day long ceremony known cheekily as Mosstock. BFF Naomi Campbell was one of her bridesmaids, and in a show of solidarity, Moss chose a wedding dress by John Galliano. Kate Moss' wedding was not only front-page news, it garnered the most coveted cover of the year: Vogue's September issue.

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8. Bill Cunningham New York Originating and perfecting the art of streetstyle photography decades before The Sartorialist picked up a camera, Bill Cunningham finally got his time in the spotlight thanks to a heartwarming documentary that reveled a little of the man behind that ubiquitous lens.

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7. Kanye West shows at Paris Fashion Week Kanye West is a man of many talents, though fashion design may or may not be one of them. A true lover of fashion, West did his research and worked with the best people but in the end he let his usual over-zealousness get the best of him and the result? When prompted for her opinion on West's collection, Anna Wintour responded: "Ask someone else."

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6. Missoni for Target Missoni for Target took the high-low collaboration craze to a fever pitch, crashing Target's website and selling out shortly after hitting the shelves. That is, before those items appeared on eBay for several times what they had originally cost, thus negating the entire process.

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5. The rise of Lea T. and Andrej Pejic Transsexual lady Lea T. met Oprah and androgynous male model Andrej Pejic met the Queen of England this year. If that weren't enough of a moment, these two gals also shattered boundaries in fashion and modeling, and in the process became icons and role models to the LGBTQ community.

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4. The reinvention of Carine Roitfeld Quele scandale! Did she get fired? Did she quit? Are she and Emmanuelle Alt no longer friends? The rumors have been buzzing around Carine Roitfeld since she officially exiting Vogue Paris in February -- and in the process creating a future supermodel in Saskia de Brauw --  after 10 landmark, nipple-bearing years. But through it all, Carine has been the picture of calm and chic, hiking up her pencil skirt and reinventing herself as a brilliant and in-demand stylist/the coolest bitch on the planet. Stay tuned for another reinvention when Carine launches a new magazine and starts life as a grandmother next year.

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3. Kate Middleton's Alexander McQueen wedding dress The speculation was unbearable for what was the biggest and most well-kept secret in an age of superfluous information. Though an unsurprising but nevertheless brilliant choice, Sarah Burton's handiwork cemented the Duchess of Cambridge (née Kate Middleton) as not only a bona fide style icon but a phenomenon on both sides of the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Burton proved she was the right person to carry on McQueen's brilliant legacy and take it to the next level.

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2. Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty The most successful fashion exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's  history, Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty set records and inspired fashion lovers and neophytes alike. The exhibit proved so popular, in fact, the Met extended its run twice. Even then, there were still lines of people waiting hours to get into the museum, but for 661,509 people it was well-worth the wait.

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1. John Galliano stars in Gallianogate John Galliano's downfall has loomed large all year, particularly since Christian Dior has yet to announce his replacement, despite a neverending back-and-forth with a stubborn Marc Jacobs. Following a stint in rehab, a guilty conviction in Paris for making anti-Semitic remarks, and the general destruction of his reputation, Galliano at least had one bright spot this year: designing good friend Kate Moss' wedding dress. Galliano's dismissal also raised questions about the stress designers are under to deliver  multiple collections a year -- just ask Balmain's Christophe Decarnin. Everyone's still waiting to see who Dior picks to take the throne and if Galliano can make a comeback after such a devastating fall. As 2011 comes to a close, 2012 has the promise of even more scandals, breakdowns and breakthroughs that we cannot wait to cover obsessively for you. If we missed any epic moments or if you're particularly incensed over Lindsay Lohan's Playboy spread not making the list, leave a comment below.

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The series stars Lagerfeld boytoy Baptiste Giabiconi, Anja Rubik, & Brad Kroenig. And if you think that this looks super familiar then you’re right. FashionIndie totally did this last month.

Keep reading for more photos

- Karl Lagerfeld, contrary to popular belief, will not be involved in the creation of Paper Passion, a fragrance inspired by the smell of books as reflected in a badly-worded statement allegedly from his European PR  person. [Mimi Frou Frou]

- Vidal Sassoon? More like Vidal Sassy.When asked about Kate Middleton‘s hair, the iconic hair-raiser said that it was “kind of neither here nor there” and said of Michelle Obama, “Oh! What wonderful straightening techniques they have today.” Hmm, someone’s sharpened their scissors and they. Are. Out. [Financial Times]

- Sassoon might want to keep comments like that to himself, no matter how innocent, since the British police are not having it for the Royal Wedding. 5,000 cops will be on hand this Friday to ensure that no one ruins this most beautiful, and costly, of days. They are ready to respond “robustly, quickly and firmly,” which is coincidentally how I respond to most “threats” or as I like to refer to them, “come-ons.” [Reuters]

- Balmain officially announced today that Olivier Rousteing (whom Styleite pointed out is a total hottie, thank you) will supercede Christophe Decarnin. [NYT]

- Dov Charney‘s  been busy fellating various financial resources and he’s come up a winner! The professional perv has secured $15.2 million from investors to keep American Apparel from descending into a unique circle of hell reserved for overpriced crotchless pants. [WWD]

- Karl Lagerfeld responded in his typical thoughtful and sensitive manner when asked about Christophe Decarnin‘s departure from Balmain: ”Forget about it! This was a job done by a fashion editor. I don’t even know the name of the man who did it, so don’t ask me about that.” [Fashionologie]

- Britney Spears caused a minor riot when she made a surprise appearance at raptress Nicki Minaj‘s after party this weekend, causing six fans to reportedly hyperventilate and pass out from exhaustion dehydration excitement. The two femme fatales will tour this summer and recently collaborated on a remix of  future Song of the Summer,”Till the World Ends” with dumpster diver cum popstar Ke$ha. [MTV]

- 18-year-old Scots Guard Cameron Reilly should have been more guarded over his Facebook. The palace guard has been banned from the wedding march after lashing out online against Kate Middleton, calling her a “stupid, stuck up cow,” a “posh bitch” and asking who “gives a fuck about her?” after the future Princess apparently slighted him. Aww, someone’s got a crush! And someone needs to be put on 24-hour surveillance! [Daily Mail]

- Though she claims she never thought much about pursuing acting, after being tapped to host the ck one -sponsored MTV Push event, Lara Stone says she would “definitely be a Bond girl if they asked me. For sure — I would make a great evil Bond girl!” Now casting, Chesty Von Gaptooth for the next 007 flick. [WWD]

- Sir Elton John has confirmed that Lady Gaga is indeed the godmother to his newborn son Zachary, thus ensuring the gayest kid this side of Chaz Bono. [Daily Mail]

- Red carpet favorite Marchesa is hopping into less formal territory with its one-off Playboy Bunny costume design for the new Playboy Club opening in London June 4th. Using the original iconic costume design, Georgina Chapman and co. added “Marchesa’s signature details, such as hand draping and embroidery.” I better not see a forty-foot train of tulle cascading from that bunny tail. [Vogue]

- Anna Wintour parachuted into the J. Crew store on Fifth Ave to celebrate CFDA winner Billy Reid and the two designers who subsequently ate his dust, Prabal Gurung and Eddie Borgo.  All three designed capsule collections for the Crew; Reid’s seven piece collection is available online now through May with Gurung’s premiering in June and Borgo’s in July. [Fashionista]

Photo: Nicola Formichetti’s Blog!!

- Someone somewhere told Elle UK that Balmain will be naming a new designer in the next few days, but that name will most likely be followed by a question mark. This source says: ‘They’re going to choose someone unknown. Christophe [Decarnin] was an unknown when he came to Balmain, and the owners want to support lesser-known design talent.’ Support and then drive them insane…allegedly. [Elle UK]

- Supermodel Doutzen Kroes is trading in her stilettoes for some Moon boots. The Dutch beauty has signed on to be part of Space Expedition Curacao, a sort of galactic travel agency where ordinary citizens — or at least supermodels  – can observe the Earth from space. Doutzen was one of a  select fifteen passengers invited on the initial launch meaning she will be the first person to catwalk in space. Eat your still-beating heart out, Neil Armstrong.  [Modelina]

- As if we needed further reminder that Beyoncé basically runs shit, the superstar will sport a crown of epic proportions for her new video — in addition to maybe-possibly-could-be some Givenchy HC. [Stylite]

- Noted news  publication Supermarket also-ran, Star Magazine is “reporting” that Kate Middleton’s wedding dress might have to be built for two. Following pressure to “produce an heir,”  Prince William and Kate may have started knocking the royal boots  before their stroll down the aisle. And if the mag is to be believed — which it clearly isn’t — the Queen Mum could care less since she all she wants is to hear the pitter-patter of little feet again…just as long as those little feet pitter and patter far away in some other part of Buckingham Palace.  [Jezebel]

- Vivienne Westwood is opening up her first flagship store in the states and she’s doing it in Los Angeles. Why L.A.? ”I don’t actually like New York.” She explains. “New York people are a bit stuck up and self important, and think that just the fact that they live in New York makes them better than anybody else.” Not better than anybody else. Better than everybody else. So-what? Who-cares? Is it our fault our city kicks every other city’s ass? I don’t think so. Please don’t punish us for being the bestest, Viv. [W]

- As if there weren’t enough fashion reality shows hosted by supermodels, now NBC has thrown their chapeau into the ring with Fashion Star, hosted by Elle Macpherson. But don’t expect high concept challenges requiring yards of tulle and a metric ton of beading; this show will focus on everyday items, “like bathing suits or lingerie, or surf wear and jeans.” And the winner gets a multi-million dollar contract and the chance to have their line sold at a “massive retail store.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve all but given up on PJ Runway (Lifetime? Ew.) and The Fashion Show, despite Iman being the best person ever, just doesn’t make the cut. Will a show about designers making mass-retail jeans intrigue you? Especially on NBC? [Modelina]

Photo: Homotography

- Gallianogate overshadowed much of Paris Fashion Week, that is until Christophe Decarnin raised the crazy bar. [Fashion Indie]

- CKOne proves that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Their new ads bring 90s Calvin roaring into the new millennium featuring a multi-ethnic cast of hotties parading around in their underwear. [ckone]

-Finally something I actually enjoy watching Jennifer Aniston in. [Jennifer Aniston's Sex Tape..for smartwater]

- Daniel Craig is a questionably attractive man but an undeniably ugly woman. [Oh La La Mag]

- You know when your career is over? When you become a judge for a reality show that purports to find someone to replace you. Christina meet J. Lo, J. Lo, meet Paul Abdul, Paula Abdul, meet your reflection whom you claim you’ve never seen before. [The Socialite Life]

- So maybe I’m putting the cart before the horse, but I’ve found my wedding ring. Luckily, it  will be useful in finding my future fiance — you have two options: marry me or get a face-full of diamonds. [Refinery29]

- Daphne Guinness has an 80-foot hallway that doubles as a runway in her New York apartment. I don’t know what’s more amazing, the fact that she has an 80-ft long runway or that she has an apartment in New York with 80 ft lying around. [Style.com]

- America’s newest sweetheart, Charlie Sheen, joined Twitter and almost immediately has found himself a second career. Which comes in handy since his first career has gone down in a blaze of glory. 2 million followers and counting! [The Sheen Twitter]

Photo: Interview Magazine

Original word had it that the designer has been in a mental hospital since January and was not coming back to Balmain. Well, turns out that is at least half true.

Turns out Decarnin was recently released from the loony bin after being treated for depression and stayed away from the show under doctor’s orders, a Balmain spokesperson tells WWD.

It almost feels like it’s a fashion Apocalypse! I have half a mind to start ransacking Barneys. There is, however,  a bright spot on the horizon…depending on how you define “bright spot.”

John Galliano’s namesake collection, previously thought to be cancelled, will instead be held as an informal presentation on Sunday, “consisting of 30 looks that were already completed.”

That’s bright, right…?

If you need me I’ll be in the Barneys fur department.

Link Love: WWD, Fashionologie, NY Mag

Pierre Balmain once said “dressmaking is the architecture of movement,” and Christophe Decarnin managed to make a sexy and sophisticated collection with movement using mainly animal skins and metallics. A Joan of Arc inspired collection, critics claimed his designs were “a returning heroine moment of great zest and epic edgy beauty, saying Decarnin knows “how to rock–and how to sell.”

Via NY Mag

View the entire collection here.

Never thought I’d write a ‘moment of style’ on Jacko…

Here’s Micheal wearing a women’s Balmain crystal encrusted zepra top from Spring 09 collection by Christophe Decarnin. Doesn’t actually bother me that it’s women’s, I think that’s mightly androgenous of him. Now if he was wearing the open front pants, that would be a different story.

LINKAGE: Grazia

GALLERY: RUNWAY RUNDOWN: Balmain Fall 2009

LINKAGE: Style 

Gianfranco Ferre (designers Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi of 6267), Gareth Pugh, Roland Mouret, Carlos Miele, Christophe Decarnin and Matthew Williamson, all announced their transition into men’s wear.

LINKAGE: Fashionista

Louis Vuitton: The Bags, The Shoes, The Jewelry

Louis Vuitton: The Arm Jewerly, The Feathered Garments

Stella McCartney: The Dresses

John Galliano: The Hair, The Makeup

Chanel: The Jewelry

Alexander McQueen: The Hair, The Silhouettes

Christophe Decarnin: The Metallics

Stelly McCartney: The Dresses

John Galliano: The Hair, The Makeup

Chanel: The Jewelry

Fatima Lopes: The Colors