Moments That Defined Fashion in 2022

The year is drawing to a close, and here at YUNG we’re rounding up the best, most exciting moments the fashion industry gave us over the course of the past 12 months. With the pandemic clearly behind us, Fashion Weeks returned to their fullest forms and brands took advantage of a wider stage, putting on some of the most jaw-dropping spectacles we’ve seen in recent years.

Away from the runway, there have been several power moves by some of the biggest brands – we’re sure you’ve been following our coverage of the creative director merry-go-round among big brands. Couture houses broke barriers with menswear and genderless collections, while streetwear brands and high fashion houses collaborated, and sportswear became Avant-Garde through high quality craftsmanship. It was a year of many things, but most importantly, it was a year where fashion had fun.  

A Return to the Runway

The SS23 season saw the first runway shows since the pandemic to host full audiences. The two shows prior to the Spring Summer show hadn’t been received as the industry would have hoped, but the SS23 shows marked a return to form for the Fashion Weeks. From New York to London, Milan and Paris, creative directors put on their best shows, with some of the most incredible collections seen in the last couple of years. Fashion editors, tastemakers and influences were all out in full regalia, as newcomers made a mark while established houses brought change. This will always be known as the year when fashion hit back and rose to its full glory. 

Coperni’s Spray-Painted Dress

You’ve seen it, Bella Hadid standing in the middle of the runway, her gown being spray painted onto her. It was Coperni’s moment that stole the show, a moment of innovation and pure genius that will go down in the history books. 

Valentino Pink PP

Pierpaolo Piccioli teamed up with Pantone to create a hot pink collection. For his AW/22 collection, the designer created 40 different looks in Hot Pink. Even men were sent down the runway dressed in the hue. The Barbiecore trend reigned, and Valentino was at the forefront. 

Designer Merry-go-round

2022 will probably be remembered as the year when creative directors resigned, were appointed and were axed. New creative directors made stunning debuts, while others left a legacy to be remembered after their time in the hot seat of some of fashion’s biggest names. Matthieu Blazy replaced Daniel Lee at Bottega Veneta, putting on arguably one of the shows of the season, featuring clean silhouettes and relaxed tailoring. Maximillian Davis took the reigns at Ferragamo, and, as has become customary in the world of fashion, offered his own take on the brand’s logo. When Riccardo Tisci stepped down as creative director at Burberry, Daniel Lee soon replaced him – leaving fans of both the brand and the designer looking on with excitement. At Gucci, Alessandro Michele announced his exit after nearly an eight-year reign, and an overhaul of the brand’s outlook brought it back to relevance with today’s biggest spenders: Gen Z. While Tom Ford found a new home for his brand at Estee Lauder, Raf Simons shuttered his namesake label after 27 years. 2022 is a year fashion will always remember. 

Collabs Galore

You may think it’s all fashion magazines ever report on these days. And we forgive you for it. The truth is that streetwear has become so relevant in recent years that brands around the world have been looking to add a streetwear line to their offerings. The best way to do it? A collab with a streetwear giant. Virgil Abloh knew this. While we marked one year without the trailblazing designer, we saw many of his creations come to life. Louis Vuitton and Nike delivered a collaborative take on the Nike Air Force 1. 

Supreme proved that they are the absolute collab king. The streetwear brand presented several collabs this year, most notably with Burberry, with caused something of a stir. The brand also worked with Yohji Yamamoto to create one of the standout collabs of the season. 

Gucci put out two monumental collabs this year, the first with German sportswear giant Adidas for Fall 2022, welcoming a collection that featured a trefoil and Three-Striped branded suiting, knitwear, coats, and dresses. The brand then paired with Palace for a collection that instantly became iconic.