This year, there were a big helping of fashionable stars who smoldered on the red carpet in statement-making patterns, gowns that literally stopped traffic, athleisure, and curve-hugging designs. From the reigning champ with her out of this world ‘fro and love for mixed prints to a new mother whose stylish husband took her fashion cred to a whole new level, let’s see who is nominated for 2015.
1. Solange Knowles
Solange is back to hold down her crown! She truly does get better with every year: representing brands of color, indie designers, and showing us all how it’s done. She’s one of fashion’s biggest influencers and sets trends with little to no effort.
This year, she took NYFW by storm, hit the stage at FYF Fest, released more collections with Puma, and even landed on our Outfit of the Year list with a stunning Stephane Rolland jumpsuit worn at Versailles.
Whether in a cutout one-piece from Cushnie et Ochs or a ruffle-accented Milly dress, she always stood out: one of our favorite style chameleons in the game.
She twirled outside of 3.1 Phillip Lim in a frothy number that made everyone want to grab their best retro-inspired dress and hit the streets.
Her bold use of color inspired us all to commit to head-turning hues for every possible occasion.
We have no idea what Solange is going to do just yet in 2016, but we know it will be very very good and very stylish!
See all of her big fashion moments from 2015 here.
2. Kim Kardashian
The new mother spent most of her time this year pregnant with her son, Saint, but she didn’t hold back in the fashion department for one second!
She donned lots of black, with Kardashian-Jenner fashion house favorites Balmain and Givenchy leading the pack that is her stylish wardrobe. Kim slipped on Wolford spandex separates for the ultimate in comfort—and the better to flaunt her baby bump in of course.
She went blonde again because she knows the power of beauty…and loves to keep us guessing!
No matter what she wears, Kim works it. And we all know she’s no wallflower: latex, mesh, and sheer dresses were all on the agenda for her in 2015.
With her new app of Kimojis to her own book, she’s an unstoppable force in media and pop culture.
From Variety to ELLE, she also dominated in the editorial realm.
It’s very obvious that Kim is comfortable in her own skin, though we know she’s currently on a quest to lose all of her baby weight and then some. We know Kim is going to storm Fashion Month starting in February: we’re excited for her looks, aren’t you?
Mrs. Kardashian-West loves taking risks, so we’re expecting every scantily clad Balmain number from the latest collection and a whole lot of Yeezy x Adidas Originals.
See all of her 2015 ensembles here.
3. Rihanna
We didn’t get a new album from Rihanna this year (perhaps in the next two days?), but we surely did get a slew of stylish sightings of the Bajan beauty! She spent a lot of time stomping the pavement and eating dinner at favorite eatery Giorgio Baldi, as well as documenting so many of her comings and goings for Instagram and Snapchat.
From stunning Dior Couture looks to accoutrements which showed that her accessories game is definitely on point, Rih sauntered in gowns from the biggest fashion houses in the world to her very own Puma creepers with ease.
When it comes to swag, confidence, and bravado, few have more than the inimitable Ms. Fenty.
We’re only talking fashion here, but her flawless face makes even the most casual athleisure getup look like gold. Rih also has a ton of fun on both the red carpet and off, which makes it a joy to see what she wears each and every single time.
I mean who could forget her pink number at the Dior show or her Guo Pei Couture gown at the Met Gala? Both are looks etched in fashion history.
And you know the glossy covers and editorial spreads were plentiful because she’s one of the most photogenic women on the planet.
We never know what Rihanna will give us next, but we do hope her new album is coming very soon! We expect a lot more Dior numbers in the future, more pieces from her Puma line, and even a star-studded NYFW show.
If you want to see everything the bad gal did this year, click here.
4. Jennifer Lopez
J.Lo proved that she could literally do everything in 2015: in sky-high pumps and a curve-hugging dress no less.
She stepped out daily for her judging duties on American Idol, though she also hosted the American Music Awards, and hit almost every red carpet anyone cared about this year: we only say that because there seemed to be a red carpet event every night!
Few do it better or sexier than Jenny. She opted for favorite designers like Zuhair Murad and Mugler, but also added David Koma, August Getty, Balmain, Nicolas Jebran and more into the style mix. You all sounded off on her looks without hesitation and Jennifer was hands down one of the most talked about celebs across all of our social media and on the site.
J.Lo isn’t new to this, but true to this! Each year, she gets even bolder and definitely leaves it all on the line with every single look. She was also snapped for Interview’s September 2015 social-centric issue, covered Marie Claire, and posed with Olivier Rousteing for Paper’s September issue.
Some of the superstar’s looks were a bit too risqué for our taste (sheer gowns should be worn in small doses in our minds), but we were never ever bored with her ensembles. She often had boyfriend Casper Smart by her side and with all the good fortune and power moves made on her end in 2015, we’d say she had a pretty amazing year.
And who could forget the Bao Tranchi LBD on her birthday? It landed her on our Outfit of the Year list!
With almost 34 million Instagram followers and a little over that on Twitter, all eyes will be watching. We know Jennifer will not disappoint, whether in a casual hoodie and sweats or her most glamorous attire.
Get a recap of J.Lo’s year here.
5. Zendaya Coleman
Zendaya had one heck of a year! She literally grew up before our very own eyes and did it in style, every step of the way. With stylist Law Roach by her side, they literally made magic each and every time the KC Undercover star and co-producer hit the red carpet.
Whether she’s in an on-trend and fun Rosie Assoulin crop top or chic Ports 1961 trousers, she always looks absolutely flawless—and looks like she’s having the best time might we add.
Zendaya was honored as one of Ebony’s Power 100 this year, as well as getting her very own Barbie doll—fashioned after her head-turning Oscars look.
She released her own shoe line with Roach: aptly named Daya. She also hit the Met Gala with Fausto Puglisi: a designer she wore in 2015 again and again…slaying each and every time in his designs.
She also covered numerous glossies and was featured in a slew of editorial spreads.
There are more KC Undercover episodes in the works for next year and we know she and Roach are cooking up even more showstopping looks for awards season and Fashion Month in February.
View all of Zendaya’s looks from the year here.
6. Lupita Nyong’o
The Oscar award-winning actress landed a coveted role in the new Star Wars flick: catapulting her straight out of the stratosphere. Naturally, she did it all fashionably: working with stylist Micaela Erlanger on looks that dropped jaws at every turn.
Lupita sauntered down the red carpet in embellishment, futuristic accents, stripes, and bold hues. Her hair choices were just as varied—showcasing the versatility of natural hair and epic skills of Ted Gibson.
Her off-duty style—while heading into her Eclipsed performances at The Public Theater—lit the Internet on fire. Few looked as effortlessly fashionable.
Lupita’s face was all over high-fashion magazines this year, including VOGUE, ELLE, and Bazaar UK.
With The Jungle Book and Queen of Katwe in post-production, we already know that 2016 will be another huge year for Lupita.
Look back at the highlights of her year here.
So what do you think? Who deserves the Fashionista of the Year title?
