Top 10 Best Fashion Moments of the Last Decade

Top 10 Fashion Moments of the Last Decade

Welcome to MsMojo and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Fashion Moments of the Last Decade.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the most sensational sartorial milestones of the past ten years.

Is this list hot or not? Let us know in a comment down below!

#10: French Girl Mania

In 2020, “Emily in Paris” took over Netflix with its take on an American girl in Paris. The show's outfits were a mix of French chic and American kitsch, and they sparked a lot of debate online. Some people loved them, some people hated them, but everyone was talking about them. Despite commentary left and right, this way and that, costume designers Patricia Field and Marylin Fitoussi seemed to have kept their focus on making fun and fabulous clothes that challenge our idea of fashion. The show also tapped into social media’s trend of the “French girl style”. This fashion sub-genre has millions of fans thanks to influencers like Jeanne Damas and Caroline de Maigret.

#9: Dressgate

Kim Kardashian has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world. For instance, her brand’s partnership with Fendi sold out almost instantly. In 2022, her daring fashion instincts caused a stir at the Met Gala when she wore Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress. The skin-tight masterpiece was embellished with thousands of rhinestones, making it an irreplaceable fashion artifact and a symbol of Monroe’s bombshell status. However, the legendary costume designer himself, Bob Mackie, who first sketched the dress, publicly criticized Kardashian for wearing the dress, stating that it was a “big mistake” and that nobody else should be seen in it. Either way, the history, prestige, and influence surrounding this piece are undeniable.

#8: Red Band at the White House

Amanda Gorman’s poetry and fashion at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration wowed the world. Her red headband was a huge hit, as searches for the piece soared by 560% on Lyst in the first quarter of 2021. Amanda later shared on Instagram that her mom suggested she wear it horizontally with her braids. She also said her yellow outfit was a tribute to Jill Biden, who selected Gorman for the inaugural poem. Her jewelry was also special, as it was sent over from Oprah Winfrey herself. Gorman’s fashion choices is evidence that she is not only a brilliant poet, but also a style icon.

#7: The Supermodel Returns

Linda Evangelista made a stunning return to the runway after a long hiatus. The supermodel is one of the most successful and influential models ever, with over 700 magazine covers to her name. She is famous for being photographer Steven Meisel’s “muse” and for saying: “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day.” But, in 2021, she shocked fans by revealing on Instagram that she had been maimed by a fat-freezing treatment called CoolSculpting. She said her mental health had been deeply affected by the side effects of this procedure, and took some time for herself. Her comeback to the runway was a major fashion moment of the decade, as she walked for Fendi at New York Fashion Week, showing her resilience and beauty.

#6: Barbie-Core

Barbie-Core, in essence, was inspired by Valentino's 2022 Fall collection featuring bold hot pink shades. The trend exploded when leaked photos from the upcoming Barbie movie revealed the same color scheme, perfectly aligning with the resurgence of Y2K styles. Barbie-Core is all about embracing your inner femininity and unleashing boldness, much like the iconic doll herself, and gives fashion lovers the freedom to explore various versions of her. Nicki Minaj has fully embraced Barbie as part of her image, even referring to her fans as "Barbz." This trend brings positivity and joy after months of global lockdown, making it the perfect antidote to pandemic blues.

#5: Later, Cowboy

Lil Nas X has dazzled fans with his spectacular fashion moments since he rose to fame, especially at the 2021 Met Gala where he rocked three different looks. He has reinvented the cowboy style with high-glamor and flair, and his outfits are often colorful and futuristic. He stunned everyone at the 2020 Grammy Awards with a fuchsia Versace suit and a pink harness that took 700 hours to make. His fearless fashion choices have certainly helped him stand out, not to mention one particular controversy concerning a pair of Nikes that reportedly contained a single drop of human blood in their creation. Doesn’t get much bolder than that.

#4: Bombshell Billie

Billie Eilish defied expectations with her June 2021 British Vogue cover. The singer swapped her oversized clothes and punky-green roots for a soft blonde hairstyle and designer corsets. A radical change from her previous style, Eilish channeled a “classic Hollywood” vibe we all fell head over heels for. She had also made history with her blonde hair reveal on Instagram, which hit a million likes in six minutes, a record on the platform. The Vogue cover was a rebellious move, reversing the old-school trend of pop stars going from “pinup” to “edgy”. With it, Billie Eilish proved she is not just a music megastar, but also a fashion innovator.

#3: Zendaya, The “It” Girl

Despite only being in her 20s, Zendaya is a fashion icon of the decade. She made history as the youngest person to win the CFDA Fashion Icon Award, joining fashion legends like Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Jennifer Lopez. Zendaya has worked with fashion image architect Law Roach to create many stunning fashion moments. She supports both emerging and established designers, and also launched her own clothing line in 2016. Whether it’s serving stunning looks on red carpets or innovation by her own design, we can’t wait to see what Z does next in the fashion world.

#2: The Fenty Effect

Rihanna has made significant contributions to both the music and fashion industries, with her innovative approach to maternity wear being one of her major accomplishments. Instead of hiding her pregnancy, Rihanna proudly displayed her baby bump, in the process setting a new standard that other brands have followed. Her dedication to inclusivity and diversity in beauty has raised the bar for the industry too. Her makeup line, Fenty, has been a catalyst for the “Fenty Effect,” once again inspiring other brands to follow in her footsteps and make inclusivity a priority. Rihanna’s partnership with LVMH in 2019 marked a historic moment, making Fenty the first label created by the luxury conglomerate since Christian Lacroix. There’s no doubt about just how far-reaching her influence is in both fashion and beauty.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Gaultier's Final Show
The Iconic Designer, Known for His Outrageous Spectacle, Displayed His Final Collection

Kamala Harris on Election Night
The Newly-Elected Vice President Gave an Inspiring Speech Rocking a Simply Elegant Pantsuit

Megan Fox & MGK at the VMA's
This Infamous Couple Spooked Audiences with Devilish Red & Flesh-Toned Ensembles

The Spray-On Dress
This Moment Stunned the Fashion World with an Incredible Technological Achievement

Squid Games Tracksuits
The Viral Netflix Series Spawned a Plethora of Halloween Costumes

#1: Pose For Justice

Billy Porter, star of the groundbreaking TV series “Pose,” has been a pioneer in fashion throughout the decade, using his red-carpet ensembles to make bold statements on gender and Black masculinity. One of his most iconic looks was at the 2019 Academy Awards where he arrived in a finely tailored jacket paired with an immaculate ball gown, designed by Christian Siriano. This look sparked controversy and conversations around societal expectations of fashion choices informed by gender. In an interview with Vogue, Porter described his goal as being a "walking piece of political art" and continues to use fashion as a way to challenge socio-political norms in public spaces.