So we’re beginning our end of the year festivities on the Fashion Bomb with what is always our most hotly contested feature:
Though Rihanna has dominated the past few years, snatching the title in 2007, 2008, 2009, AND 2010, it seems this year she’s got just a little competition. Let’s see who you nominated–and who might steal her spotlight.
1. Solange Knowles
The singer/DJ has cemented her title as a Stylista in 2011 with a series of looks we would describe as Bohemian-Afro-Luxe.
Whether laid back in a Boxing Kitten button down or stuntastic in a marigold asymmetrical Acne dress, Solange manages to add her own dash of edginess while exuding unquestionable elegance. Her sartorial dexterity also tranlates to her tresses, where she plays with various natural textures and lengths, working anything from a cropped cut to long braids to an Afro or Diana Ross like curls.
Sure, she’s hot on the trends, but she also doesn’t seem afraid to be herself.
Inspiring and risk taking, Solange Knowles has become a welcome fixture on the Fashion Bomb–with good reason. She’s set our stylish hearts aflame with a mixture of straight-off-the-runway couture and casual cool.
2. Kelly Rowland
2011 was a big year for Ms. Rowland. In addition to releasing a new album, she also became a judge on the X Factor UK, and thus debuted a new, saucier image.
The girl next door we’d grown to love in Destiny’s Child was replaced with a downright fashionable diva, who set red carpets and stages on fire with looks by Versace, Falguni Shane Peacock, and even Topshop.
Though we weren’t always on board with some of Kelly’s more risqué looks, there’s no doubt that she kept us talking in 2011.
And isn’t fashion about taking risks?
3. Kerry Washington
When it came to red carpets in 2011, Kerry Washington always managed to shut it down.
Whether sizzling in mint green Armani Privé, smoldering in Ralph Lauren, or turning heads in an acid colored Michael Kors column dress, Ms. Washington showed she can rock a frock like nobody’s business.
Kerry knows what works for her–whether color, cut, silhouette, or accessory. She rarely has an ‘off’ moment thanks to a cocktail of seasonless looks, vibrant hues, and flawless makeup.
4. Jennifer Lopez
Jenny from the block keeps it chic at all times, whether low key in California, or twirling at an awards show.
Though the years, she’s managed to stay on our chic radar for one reason only: she very rarely gets it wrong.
In every outfit she celebrates her sophisticated femininity, working everything from green Emilio Pucci to flowered and slightly sheer Gucci:
All we can say is: bish better werq!
5. Rihanna
Rihanna continues to transform before our eyes as she continues to grow as an artist, style maven, and consummate trend setter. 2011 saw her tip-toeing away from 24/7 glam, and adopting a more relaxed repertoire of Vans sneakers, A.L.C maxi dresses, jeans, and roomy sweaters:
Gone are the days of our Rih-Rih walking the streets in a head-to-toe Marc Jacobs runway look. Sure, she’ll still whip out the YSL, a BCBG all white suit, a Christian Dior gown, or even a feathered Antonio Berardi look for certain occasions:
But you’re more likely to find her in a leather jacket, for example, with jeans from her capsule collection with Armani…
Or a in a simple Herve Leger club dress to kick it with her girls:
Whose looks wowed you the most in 2011?
To reminisce on Solange’s looks, click here. For Kelly Rowland, click here. For Kerry Washington, click here. For Jennifer Lopez, click here. And for Rihanna, click here.
December 19, 2011 2:12 pm
I don’t think Rihanna was bringing it this year. Her style kind of fell off to me.
Now Miss J Lo, Solange and Kerri are slaying sh*t left and right.
December 19, 2011 2:14 pm
I really love rihanna’s style, but Solange dominated this year!
December 19, 2011 2:17 pm
JLo and Kerry Washington; I couldn’t choose one.
December 19, 2011 2:18 pm
I really think Kerri should take the lead…Solange<< IDK about this one.
December 19, 2011 2:21 pm
Although I think that Kerry was ultra fab this year I have to give it to Solange. The hair, quirky sense of style and finally coming into her own—she wins in my book!
December 19, 2011 2:24 pm
Solange hands down!!
December 19, 2011 2:25 pm
JLo and Kerry Washington, both beautiful women with awesome style. Hard to choose between the two. I really liked Solange’s style as well but its a little to quirky for my taste but I still admire.
December 19, 2011 2:30 pm
Are those seriously the best pics y’all had of Rihanna for 2011? I know she had better looks this year. Any who, I vote Kerry Washington.
December 19, 2011 2:37 pm
jlo cant sing cant act but she can dress…
December 19, 2011 2:41 pm
This time last year I would have voted Rihanna without a second thought, however this year Riri clearly has some tough competition. J Lo always does it for me but I have to say that if I’m looking for inspiration lately Solange has been my go to girl. I love Solange’s style.
December 19, 2011 2:41 pm
Jeniffer and RiRi are my favorites :)
December 19, 2011 2:42 pm
Gotta go with Solange! Kerry was a close second but all of her looks were red carpet or dressed up. Solo looks great dressed up and down and seemingly has the most confidence of the ladies listed. Love her!
December 19, 2011 2:43 pm
Kerry W and Rihanna
December 19, 2011 2:45 pm
Jennifer it taking it this year…with Riri and Kerry as 1st runner-ups.
December 19, 2011 2:53 pm
Solange totally stepped into her own this year! She has an amazingly bold and fierce sense of style. And, Kerry Washington is always so impeccably dressed. I love Rihanna, but I wasn’t inspired by her looks this year like I have been in the past. Still, she DRESSED down this year, take into account the all white suit at the VMAs – Totally Gorgeous! It is hard for me to choose here. (I see everyone is giving it up for Solange & she completely deserves it – Good Show!)
December 19, 2011 2:56 pm
Solange all the way. Though I love JLo, I do wish she would incorporate more looks besides tight, tight, tight. I loved Kerry too but Solange IS the 2011 fashionista. She had so many interesting looks that worked most of the time and even when they didn’t, it showed how willing she was to try different looks.
December 19, 2011 2:57 pm
Most definitely SOLANGE!
December 19, 2011 3:06 pm
I love and respect all these women but Solange should mos def for a fact win this because she has SERVED all year and its her time!
December 19, 2011 3:06 pm
While I LOVE all of the other ladies looks, I think what makes Rihanna Fashionista of the Year is the fact that her looks make statements that other people want to duplicate. She is most often seen in Mail Bombs and her looks are most talked about. Solange is my super close second, but I think Rihanna is still the leader.
December 19, 2011 3:10 pm
Rihanna didn’t quite deliver this year, unfortunately. Kerry Washington and Jennifer Lopez always looks great on the red carpet, but Solo BROUGHT IT this year!!! It’s Solo hands down, without a doubt. Not only does she look great, she definitely takes risks and is versataille.
December 19, 2011 3:12 pm
All these girls brought it this year. I’m a casual girl…so I love Rihanna’s style. Kelly stepped it up this year. JLo is looking so hot for her age. Kerry Washington looks good in everything that she puts on. But I loooove Solange’s style choices and it seems like she has a natural fashion eye. I give it to Solange.
December 19, 2011 3:13 pm
I’m sorry ya’ll, but this was an extremely hard one. All of those ladies look fantastic. So I went in alphabetical order and chose J Lo.
December 19, 2011 3:14 pm
Go Solo Go!!!!!
December 19, 2011 3:19 pm
Solange hands down.
December 19, 2011 3:32 pm
I love Kelly Rowland style this year she deserves it cause she never got the titles that she has deserved in the past. She showed up and showed out this year in many ways then one I expect more to come in 2012.
December 19, 2011 3:39 pm
It’s a tie breaker for me. Solo and Kerry did it for me this year.
December 19, 2011 3:40 pm
all of these fashionistas!!! they are so fabulous. but i have to give it to solange. she’s so true to her style. rihanna is always hot, kerry is the bomb and jlo can do no wrong…but there’s something about solange that just speaks to me on a completely higher style level.
December 19, 2011 3:40 pm
But I did vote for Solange! Love her and her style to death.
December 19, 2011 3:46 pm
Between Rih & JLo imo. I’ve nvr liked Solanges style… ever. Kerry looks amazing allll the time & Kelly?? Really??? Nah. She shouldnt have made the cut, sorry.
December 19, 2011 3:53 pm
Kerry
December 19, 2011 3:59 pm
Kerry was lowkey serving it all year! Wow, not one look was miss!
December 19, 2011 4:09 pm
I love Kerry’s looks for sure, I do agree with you on that and Kelly Rowland also looks fab and I can see why she made your list. Overall, you have some great pics and they all look great! Thanks for the list!
December 19, 2011 4:11 pm
SOLANGE! She is versatile and makes her style look so effortless. Wow @ Kelly Rowland even being a nominee :|
December 19, 2011 4:11 pm
I* was torn, but i really feel like Solange is effortless.
December 19, 2011 4:11 pm
Estelle should have been on this over Kelly because Kelly gets it wrong more times than she gets it right (Sorry Joel but you’re styling is so hit and miss) Other than that, Solange all the way!
December 19, 2011 4:12 pm
SOLANGE! She is versatile and makes her style look so effortless. Kerry for the runner up. Wow @ Kelly Rowland even being a nominee :|
December 19, 2011 4:13 pm
The always fab J.lo does it for me!
December 19, 2011 4:16 pm
I love Rihanna but this year, she failed in the fashion category! I voted for Kelly Rowland. FYI, Solange does have a stylist, his name is Charles Wade…..rude Af tho……
December 19, 2011 4:22 pm
Solo for the win
December 19, 2011 4:33 pm
Jlo duh! But I think if Solange come out with a clothing line she will outshine her sister!
December 19, 2011 4:53 pm
It was between Solo and Kerry for me. But Solange won out simply because I haven’t seen any of Kerry’s casual looks. She can work a red carpet, but what does she look like on a regular day?
December 19, 2011 4:54 pm
Solange can do no wrong in my book. Though I would have loved to see Blake Lively nominated mainly because she’s known get dressed without the aid of a stylist
December 19, 2011 5:03 pm
SOLANGE without a doubt!! She absolutely dominated in terms of being effortlessly chic this year. Confident, edgy, elegant, etc. – she has embraced every trend and even brought back trends that weren’t even relevant until she rocked it. Rihanna would definitely be runner-up because I’m personally a huge fan a grunge/edgy looks. I can’t believe that Kelly or J-Lo were placed on this list, both a pretty irrelevant in my opinion.
December 19, 2011 5:08 pm
I went with Jennifer Lopez and a Solange in a close second. I prefer glamour over personality LOL!
December 19, 2011 5:09 pm
Solange is closer to my personal style and I think she’s been deserving of the title for sometime, BUT Kerry Washington can do NO WRONG! It’s a tough choice!
December 19, 2011 5:16 pm
Solange was very inspirational this year, I voted for her x
December 19, 2011 5:26 pm
Solo no question!
December 19, 2011 5:27 pm
For me, it’s either Solange or Kerry. But I will give it to Solange because she had more looks (as oppose to Kerry all dresses/gowns)!! And I love Solange’s use of color :)
December 19, 2011 5:29 pm
I think J. Lo could snatch this title easily. She’s always been pretty fashion forward and whether she’s out on the town or on the red carpet, her makeup is always flawless and her wardrobe is always on point! Solange and Kerry could definitely tie for first runner-up.
December 19, 2011 5:43 pm
Solange, Jenny, then Kerry.
December 19, 2011 5:51 pm
I just voted for Kelly Rowland and can’t believe she is getting only 6% of approvals :crying out loud:
oh well we still got next year…
December 19, 2011 6:07 pm
Kerry Washington and J-Lo always brings it, but I had to give it to Solange. She is in her own lane and is versatile with her style. I would love to see Kerry dress down or anything other than gowns.
December 19, 2011 6:08 pm
I have to give it to Solange. Kerry is a close second!
December 19, 2011 6:24 pm
Solo is killin it with the afro but Im so sorry…BRONX IS TAKING THIS ONE! JLO HANDS DOWN!
December 19, 2011 6:30 pm
Even though I’m a Stan of Rihanna’s lol I think J.Lo or Solange should win this year. They Brought it!!! I love Rih but I miss her working with Mariel H. Tbh. Her Mariel & Ursula Stephens were the ultimate Fashion Dream team lol. Kerri & Kelly look great too.
December 19, 2011 6:31 pm
I voted for Solange, but I wanted to vote Melanie Fiona :(
December 19, 2011 6:37 pm
Thx everyone for your comments…looks like it’ll be an interesting race! For everyone disappointed that Blake Lively, Melanie Fiona, etc weren’t nominated or confused by our inclusion of Kelly Rowland, please note we asked EVERYONE to nominate someone in this post:
http://fashionbombdaily.com/2011/12/16/submit-your-nominations-for-best-of-2011/
And the women above are the ones who received the most nominations from you guys. x
December 19, 2011 7:43 pm
This year it has to go to Solange! She brought it. People need to stop voting for rihanna, she didnt deliver this year, ppl need to stop focusing on the past.
December 19, 2011 7:54 pm
Rihanna and Kerry gets my vote, Hands down!
December 19, 2011 9:05 pm
What happened to Rihanna’s chin in that billboard pic?????????
December 19, 2011 9:53 pm
Gosh, that was ahard decision!
Kerry got my vote though.
December 19, 2011 9:54 pm
JLO is killing the fashion game…one outfit at a time! JLO has my vote hands down…Kerry Washington gets an honorable mention!
December 19, 2011 10:12 pm
Solange and Rihanna have the most versatile style. They have looks for every occassion. Whereas Keri and Jennifer never seem to dress down – that’s just not realistic. And Kelly had some cute looks, but got it wrong too many times. Overall, Solange is the winner in my book!
December 19, 2011 10:21 pm
oh lord no not rihanna again. she fell off!
December 19, 2011 10:22 pm
Solange definetly is the Fashionista of the year. I love her style. Rihanna did some slacking but she is still very much a style icon.
December 19, 2011 10:48 pm
How could you NOT put a pic up of J.Lo at the 2011 Glamour awards in that Versace dress???! The look blew ALL of these chicks combined out of the water!!
December 20, 2011 2:45 am
Rihanna is always on top but this year I dont know what happened.So Lolange takes it. Kelly is on top 2
December 20, 2011 6:33 am
RIHANNA!!!!!!!!! Solange has stepped up her game but she doesn’t have consistency
December 20, 2011 9:07 am
Solange all the way!!!!
Rihanna left me uninspired this year. I would usually save her photos and draw inspiration, but this year I was like “meh”
December 20, 2011 9:29 am
I’m torn between Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna
December 20, 2011 9:57 am
Im biased because I love me some RiRi but it’s between her and Solange.
December 20, 2011 10:06 am
Solo for me she really killed the game this year.
December 20, 2011 10:54 am
I’m going with J Lo reluctantly. Kelly and Rihanna had way to many oh no she didn’t moments this year in terms of fashion. Kerry’s looks aren’t diverse enough. Too much of a red carpet focus. Solange, her “bohemian” look comes off as contrived to me. Just never bought into it. Seem forced. Like, I don’t want to be compared to my sis so let me go the total opposite direction in terms of my fashion.
December 20, 2011 1:21 pm
Kerry allll day!
December 20, 2011 2:49 pm
Miss Kerry BABY!!! Man she did the damn thang this year!
December 20, 2011 3:42 pm
Kerry is beautiful but her style is red carpet only. I need to see her street style, not just a stylist pulled some fabulous gowns for her to choose from. I lived for Solange and J.lo this year. Solo owns who she is and I loved it. J.lo has always been one of top fashionistas and she didn’t let me down this year. I went with J.Lo
December 20, 2011 4:17 pm
Kerry is pretty much the only one who has wowed me out of all the women listed. So I gotta give it to her.
December 20, 2011 4:20 pm
Kerry because elegance is the hardest aspect of fashion to pull off – and really, I would have voted for Zoe Saldana were she in the polls as she’s elegant with her own unique edge
December 20, 2011 6:04 pm
Are yall some of you guys serious ??? Do yall see NOT see J.Lo’s swag is heavy?, followed by rihanna cuz she DID have a lot of breakout pieces, but the others fall to the way side….sorry Sol Angel and Kelly R facts is facts
December 20, 2011 7:48 pm
Solangle took 2011 Fashionista of the year, from red carpet to casual chic she did her thing! Kerry Washington work the red carpet & J.Lo like you said always get it right w/ each outfit. I love Rihanna style, i dont feel that she fall off I think she just went for a more casual look this year. She still look cute too… But yeah Solange just gave fashion business this year!!!
December 20, 2011 9:20 pm
Solange killed it with her style. She into the tribal print and such, with the african print. I’m diggin that. :))) S.W.A.G
December 20, 2011 10:23 pm
They don’t really get that much exposure, but NIna Sky should be on this list.. the duo has great style.. -morethanstats
December 21, 2011 1:09 am
Idk how people could vote for Kerry! All we’ve seen from her are red carpet looks. When have u seen this girl walking down the street in a nice alt-fit? Never! We never get to her in her everyday atire. JLo dresses nice but she doesnt have her own style, and ummmm who voted for Kelly!?
Its honestly between Solange and my boo boo Rihanna. I nominated Solange, and voted for Rihanna
December 21, 2011 1:11 am
Kerry………(Yawn), can u say booorinnggg!
December 21, 2011 1:14 am
@Claire how come everybody except Rihanna is dressed up in a nice gown/dress in the first collage?
December 21, 2011 1:21 pm
All decent sense of style. Rhi is quirky. Solo is Boho. Kerry and JLo are glam. The only links I’m rushing to load are ones with Solo though, because I know she’s gonna kill it from head to toe. Seriously check her clothes AND her nails.
Kerry is #2, but she’s always on the red carpet. No diversity of looks.
December 21, 2011 2:53 pm
Solange for sure due to it being everyday and red carpet fab. But Kerry Washington did classy on the red carpets.
December 21, 2011 3:32 pm
Definitely between Solange & Jennifer Lopez.
December 21, 2011 8:25 pm
Damn…Rihanna is bad! she gets my vote
December 21, 2011 11:56 pm
Solo has my favorite personal style of any celeb. She’s not afraid to take risks, loooves her some color and print and amazing jewelry. Aaaand her birthday is the day before mine so clearly she’s a winner.
December 22, 2011 12:38 am
blah to all of these.
Nicole Richie out dresses all of these chicks. But out of these J.Lo easily.
December 22, 2011 1:03 am
i love rihanna, she is my fashion guru, but this year i love to Kelly Rowland and love so much to Solange Knowles
December 22, 2011 1:05 am
i love Rihanna, she is my fashion guru, but this year i love to Kelly Rowland and love so much to Solange Knowles………….. Solange made amazing look whit color block
December 23, 2011 1:00 am
JLo didn’t miss with the dresses she chose this year every event she turned heads but Solange style is amazing! In just one year she became a style icon. Creating her own style and everyone followed.
December 28, 2011 8:18 pm
Rihanna wore a beautiful strapless cotton white dress, a pink dress with brown leather shug, a taupe velvet dress on American Idol and a one shoulder black lace gown at the Met Costume Institute Gala 2011. I haven’t seen those pics here.
December 29, 2011 1:26 am
Solange killed it! Why? Because she put outfits together that were 100% original that set her apart from everyone else. Showing style is not an outfit, it is an attitude. Also, Kelly should not be on the list. Epic fail. The pic where she failed to wear a bra and the one where she showed her bra should disqualify her for being tacky.