10 FASHION MOMENTS

From athleisure wear to Pantsuit Nation, here are the year’s top style statements

1. No-makeup movement

When freckle-faced, multi-Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys decided to ditch makeup for a more natural look, she inspired women across the country to do the same. Even local media broadcasters, including KPRC Local 2’s Dominique Sachse and Fox 26’s Melinda Spaulding, went au naturale on social media. “I think it’s important for women to feel comfortable in their own skin,” Sachse said.

2. Athleisure wear

Few people outside Houston knew of Parkwood Park before Beyoncé unveiled her new “athleisure” line, Ivy Park, in April. The clothing collection is named for the superstar’s childhood park in Riverside Terrace and for her daughter, Blue Ivy. Though athleisure collections, which mix fitness and leisure apparel, are not new, the comfy wear is booming business for celebs. Kate Hudson is behind the Fabletics collection, and Carrie Underwood has CALIA by Carrie Underwood at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

3. Rise of the upscale boutique

In spite of the oil slump, Houston’s luxury retail market celebrated a boom with the opening of new doors at River Oaks District, including the city’s first NARS, Jo Malone, Fortyfive Ten, Harry Winston and other luxury boutiques. The city also welcomed its first Christian Louboutin and The Webster boutiques, among others, at The Galleria.

4. Hillary Clinton’s pantsuits

In a world in which women continue to be judged on their fashion choices, Hillary Clinton found a uniform that seemed to fit well on the political trail — the pantsuit. Her choices were more of a statement of practicality and empowerment than style. Her pantsuits even spawned a social-media sisterhood called The Pantsuit Nation.

5. Kanye West’s Yeezy Season 4 collection We’ve come to expect Kanye West to be

brilliant but dramatic. His Yeezy Season 4 fashion show at Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park for New York Fashion Week in September was filled with over-the-top moments. There were long bus rides for guests, a delayed start, blistering-hot temperatures, models who passed out from the heat and a stretch athleisure collection that was panned by critics. See, drama.

6.

MAC Selena collection

Some 15,000 fans stood in line for hours to get their hands on a new cosmetics line dedicated to slain Tejano star Selena. MAC Cosmetics launched its Selena collection in Corpus Christi, the singer’s hometown. The makeup collection, which included a blush, lipsticks, eye shadows, eyeliner and mascara, was the largest product launch in MAC history and sold out in record time. The collection was re-released last week, just in time for Christmas.

7. Melania Trump’s ‘pussy bow’ necktie

Melania Trump’s decision to wear a fuchsia Gucci blouse with a “pussy-bow” necktie at the second presidential debate in October captivated style watchers — if only for the blouse’s name. It’s called that because it resembles a bow tied around a kitten’s neck back in the day. The pussy-bow blouse has been a favorite with designers such as Coco Chanel since the 1950s. In the ’80s, the bow blouse was worn by female executives to add femininity to the “power suit.”

8.

Solange’s “Don’t Touch My Hair”

The Houston native singer drew critical acclaim with her fourth album release, “A Seat at the Table.” But her single “Don’t Touch My Hair” resonated with black women, who have for years faced scrutiny for their hair choices, from Afros to braids to locks. The song is a social statement about black women’s hair being the object of curiosity, so much so that it draws unwanted “petting” or “touching” from nonblack people. Ultimately, Solange’s anthem is about respect.

9. A pricey ode to Houston

Vivienne Tam’s New York Fashion Week spring/summer collection was an homage to Houston landmarks — NASA, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the Houston Ballet and Rice University. It featured denim jackets, T-shirts, tie-dyed skirts and relaxed dresses with the Rice Owl, the Rodeo H and NASA logos. It was endearing yet odd that a designer with no Houston ties felt moved by Houston’s landmarks. It was later revealed by KTRK that the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau paid Tam’s company $400,000 and sent numerous Houston tourism officials to New York for the September show. The tab was close to $450,000, a mix of private and taxpayer dollars, the station reported.

10. Christian Siriano takes a stand

When “Ghostbusters” star Leslie Jones called out designers on Twitter for not wanting to dress her for a movie premiere, designer Christian Siriano came to the rescue. He created a stunning off-the-shoulder red gown for Jones. But it opened up the conversation about the fashion industry’s lack of attention for women who are larger than size 4. “We should just try to make every woman feel great about themselves because there’s enough crazy hate going on in the world,” Siriano said in an interview.