This year was full of ups and downs whether it was the fall of the economy or the rise of the amount of actors turned designers.  Let’s take a look back at the top 5 most memorable moments in fashion.

1. The loss of a legend: Yves Saint Laurent. Pioneer of Le Suit, YSL will forever be one of the greatest fashion icons of a generation that produced so many.

2. Happy Anniversary!! Sonia Rykiel celebrated her 40th with a bang at the end of Paris Fashion week with a star studded dinner and a tres chic show.

3. The Year of the Black Girl: Italian VOGUE Editor in Chief, Franca Sozzani, brought fashion editorial to new heights with the Black Issue.  The first print issues sold out within the first day and sent a message more powerful than some critics think.  New faces such as Arlenis Sosa, and Sessilee Lopez are now the next Jourdan Dunn and Chanel Iman of 2009.

4. Celebrity Designer’s: From Victoria Beckham to MIA, Lindsay Lohan to Chloe Sevigny, celebrities want to do it all included design the clothes on your back.  Most lines are reasonably priced like Fergie’s line for Kipling, but all lines are worth a little splurge.

5. Our First Lady of Style: Michelle Obama set the stage for the new year.  We are in a wallet clinching time and in 2009 there’s no promise that times will get better. Mrs. President showed all women that shopping for less can still be chic and sweet; and maybe one extravagant buy for a very special moment (Like the Narciso Rodriguez dress she wore election night).