The year 2025 was a landmark period for personal expression through clothing, marking a shift towards individualized and impactful style choices rather than transient trends. This compilation celebrates the luminaries who left an indelible mark on the fashion landscape. From the polished yet relaxed aesthetic championed by rising pop figures to the striking and audacious ensembles gracing major events, these individuals demonstrated a profound understanding of sartorial artistry. They not only captivated audiences but also influenced contemporary fashion dialogues, proving that true style transcends fleeting fads and resonates deeply within the cultural consciousness. Their innovative approaches ranged from reimagining classic silhouettes to embracing avant-garde designs, solidifying their status as true style arbiters of the year.
Among the standout personalities, Ayo Edebiri, guided by stylist Danielle Goldberg, emerged as a red-carpet icon. Her choice of a vintage purple sequined Comme des Garçons gown and a sleek satin mini from Kallmeyer underscored her ability to blend historical fashion with modern sensibilities. Edebiri's influence expanded further with her ambassadorship for Chanel, frequently showcasing pieces from Matthieu Blazy's initial collection. Jennifer Lawrence also captivated with her versatile style, seamlessly transitioning from casual everyday wear to opulent red-carpet attire. Her partnership with stylist Jamie Mizrahi saw her don several of Jonathan Anderson's inaugural designs for Dior, highlighting a refined elegance that garnered widespread admiration.
A$AP Rocky, a true titan of fashion, was rightfully honored with the CFDA Fashion Icon Award. His distinctive ability to imbue traditional preppy styles with his unique flair was evident throughout the year. Memorable appearances included a sophisticated white Miu Miu suit at Cannes and an original creation at the Met Gala. Addison Rae, transitioning from social media sensation to pop star, also made significant fashion waves. Her notable looks included a piece from Dario Vitale’s new Versace collection worn during a performance and a striking latex dress by Atsuko Kudo for the Variety hitmakers event, cementing her evolving style narrative.
Rihanna continued her reign as an enduring style icon, effortlessly blending high fashion with personal moments. Her pregnancy announcement was made in a memorable pale-blue Miu Miu set, followed by a custom Marc Jacobs suit at the Met Gala. Her casual yet chic Alaïa ensemble worn for a dinner in Los Angeles further exemplified her unique fashion sensibility. Greta Lee, another of Danielle Goldberg's well-dressed clients, consistently impressed on the red carpet. Her choices ranged from an inky purple Colleen Allen gown with a bold keyhole slit to a graceful Diotima piece from Rachel Scott’s spring collection, showcasing her sophisticated and adventurous taste.
Rosalía demonstrated her profound fashion acumen, not only through her visually rich "Berghain" video, which featured numerous archival references, but also through her cool and distinctive red-carpet looks. Her crinkled Calvin Klein ensemble, paired with sunglasses and a black headscarf, highlighted her ability to effortlessly combine contemporary edge with a touch of mystery. Timothée Chalamet continued to be a viral sensation with almost every public appearance. His matching orange Chrome Hearts outfits with Kylie Jenner and the striking butter-yellow Givenchy leather suit he wore to the Oscars were just two examples of his bold and trend-setting fashion choices.
Miley Cyrus, known for her unapologetically daring sartorial selections, delivered several unforgettable looks. Her leather ensemble from Saint Laurent, featuring dramatic shoulders, and a sheer mesh Schiaparelli couture gown worn during the summer, underscored her fearless approach to fashion. Chloë Sevigny's innate style always ensures she makes a powerful statement. Her Vaquera outfit, a blend of scarf dressing and athletic wear, and a dramatic Saint Laurent gown at the Emmys, showcased her distinctively creative and avant-garde aesthetic. Lotta Volkova, celebrated for her role in shaping Miu Miu’s iconic runway looks, also exhibited impeccable personal style, as seen in her off-the-shoulder satin dress accented with a sparkling brooch.
Solange Knowles maintained her status as a perennial style icon, continually delivering innovative and captivating looks. Her striped Fendi leather skirt and matching boots at a USC event, followed by a backless top and cow-print shoes at the Calvin Klein show in New York, exemplified her adventurous and confident fashion sense. Michelle Obama, a figure of grace and elegance, was among the first to wear a design from Matthieu Blazy’s debut Chanel collection. Throughout her book tour for The Look, she continued to wear creations from esteemed designers like Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez at Loewe, affirming her influential presence in high fashion.
Bad Bunny consistently challenged conventional tailoring with remarkable success, both on and off the red carpet. His pairings included a white T-shirt with a navy suit and a blazer with shorts, demonstrating his innovative approach to menswear. Doechii stood out for her exceptionally bold red-carpet ensembles, from a sleek Thom Browne outfit at the Grammys to a vibrant two-piece red Miu Miu set at the BET Awards. Josh O’Connor, with stylist Harry Lambert, infused traditional attire with subtle quirks, exemplified by his psychedelic Prada top and a purple overcoat adorned with a floral brooch at Cannes. Little Simz, the British rapper, embraced a distinct and self-assured style, particularly noted for her coordinating green hat, overcoat, and skirt at the British Fashion Awards, where she won Innovator of the Year.
Alexa Chung, a long-standing fashion darling, reinforced her prowess with a butter-yellow Saint Laurent dress at the British Fashion Awards. However, it was her everyday style, particularly her trendsetting scarf-dressing looks during the summer, that truly showcased her influence. FKA Twigs captivated at the Met Gala with a flapper-inspired embellished dress by Grace Wales Bonner, consistently drawing attention with her dramatic red-carpet choices. Finally, Zoë Kravitz delighted audiences with her versatile style, from popularizing track shorts to turning heads in a casual Auralee ensemble and dazzling in a Saint Laurent red-carpet ballgown, solidifying her status as a multifaceted fashion influencer.
