By Claire Benarroch

Style Editor

From street style and music to celebrity and film, fashion has never shied away from reflecting pop culture of both the present and the past. There are clear divisions between decades, whether it be in politics, the economy or public opinion, but fashion illustrates each decade with clothing design as well.

Each decade has its own advances that add a signature to that period, with the inspiration of pop culture.
But what did the 2000’s bring?

This waning decade is now defined. Our generation experienced the best and the worst of times and we’ve gone through it all with style at our feet, documenting each moment. Our decade concludes with a supermodel comeback, new, iconic pieces, influential designers, a celebrity-obsessed audience and defining editors.

After Cindy, Linda, and Naomi left their imprint on the world, most thought no model would reach the same level of fame and influence. They were sorely mistaken. The 2000’s produced industry superstars like Gisele Bundchen, Daria Werbowy, Raquel Zimmerman, and Natalia Vodianova; all of whom graced the covers of major magazines and are regularly featured in ads and editorials around the world. These models are now the names that define fashion, and with their talent come incredible spreads with imagery the old supers could only dream of duplicating.

Each photograph taken was styled and planned out by the industries most talented like Patrick Demarchelier, Craig McDean, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, or Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin to create memorable spreads that are both shocking and impressive. Editors like Carine Roitfeld of Paris Vogue, Franca Sozzani of Vogue Italia, and creative director Grace Coddington of American Vogue, have all created editorials that will not be forgotten. In particular, a rather avante garde spread in US Vogue of model Vodianova (styled by Coddington) as Alice in Wonderland, clad in various outfits posing with the designers of the clothes, or the Roitfeld styled spread with models wearing bloody butcher aprons staring into the camera with raw intent.

Along with the stylists and editors come the clothes and, once in a while, there is a piece that will be remembered for years to come. After September 11, Catherine Malandrino created an american flag printed dress with a classic cut that instantly became a red carpet favorite and a symbol of unity for everyone working in fashion. The dress is a staple when remembering important instances in fashion, though Malandrino is just among many who have changed the industry.

The decade provided a new list of talented designers as well, with styles ranging from tailored looks to leather creations. Alber Elbaz for Lanvin created season after season of new wearable designs for a modern woman whom Suzy Menkes, one of the industry’s toughest critics, loves to praise, while Nicholas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga never fails to impress with eccentric styling and incredible draping. Christophe Decarnin for Balmain and Ann Dumeulemeester have reinvented rock n’ roll chic with their chain adorned peices and skin tight metallic dresses.

But even with internal praise from editors, designers depend on celebrity to sell their product. With the fame-obsessed culture of today, fashion has switched gears to follow the trend and rely on celebrities to appear on magazine covers, wear designer clothes for red carpet appearances, and sit front row adjacent Anna Wintour in the previously unimaginable seat.

Pop culture has inlfluenced fashion throughout the years quite obviously, and now our decade is defined. With new struggles, what the world will bring and how it will change will effect fashion directly and the industry will be redefined yet again.