We take a look at the 10 most defining fashion moments of 2011. Scandals, designer dreams and the rise of the chadult (that’s child adult for those who don’t know), 2011 has been quite a year for the fashion world.

1. Galliano sacked

The creative director of Christian Dior was sacked in possibly one of the biggest fashion scandals ever, let alone this year. Caught on camera, his anti-Semitic rant towards a Parisian couple was both shocking and unsettling. Immediately pulled from his post, the future creative direction of Dior is still unknown. However, with rumours of his successor closing in, it seems Jil Sander’s Raf Simons will have the task of bringing Dior back to greatness.

2. McQueen: Designer of the Year

2011 was a great year for McQueen and creative director Sarah Burton. Since taking control of the fashion house last year (following on from Lee McQueen’s death), Burton’s beautiful designs secured her the Designer of the Year title at the British Fashion Awards only last month. Not only that, but Burton found a hugely influential fan in the form of royalty and is staging the first ever McQ show (McQueen’s cheaper sister line) at LFW in February.

3. The Dress of the Year

It would be futile to talk about the designer of the year without mentioning the dress that started it all. When Kate Middleton walked through Westminster Abbey in THAT Alexander McQueen wedding gown, the world stopped. Looking every inch the elegant and poised woman she is, Kate skyrocketed to the forefront of best dressed lists world over and put the spotlight on Sarah Burton’s amazing capabilities.

4. Kate returns to the catwalk

This would hardly be a best fashion moments list without mentioning the mighty Kate Moss. Cast your minds back to February when the two biggest supermodels in the world; Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell walked together on the catwalk for Louis Vuitton. Rocking the fetish trend, the old timers looked amazing. As if this wasn’t enough to get excited about, Kate also puffed on a cigarette down the runway; which coincided with International No Smoking Day. Hurray for Kate!

5. Show of the Year: Christopher Kane

The show that reduced people to tears, Christopher Kane’s S/S 2012 collection once again enthralled the audience at LFW. Innovative and boundary pushing yet beautifully modern and clean; the pieces showcased the reason why Christopher Kane’s designs are favoured and so highly praised by fashion editors the world over. 2011 was an amazing year for the Scotsman; both his LFW collections triumphed and he received the New Establishment award at the BFA.

6. Versace on the High Street

Ever since the news broke that Swedish high street giant H&M would be collaborating with none other than Donatella Versace for a one off collection, the fashion world went wild. It seemed everyone had something to say about the bright designs; from high-flying editors to casual fashion bloggers. Once it hit stores, the pieces were snatched up in a record time. The website crashed and hardcore Versace fans braced the cold for hours to lay their hands on a bit of fashion history. That’s what we call girls gone wild.

7. The Rise of the ‘Chadult’

When we were kids about the most stylish things we wore were a pair of striped leggings and a GAP T-shirt. Now, Hollywood seems to be churning out young girls that dress in top designer garments, are photographed for major fashion campaigns and still rock a pair of converse better than we do. Case in point; Chloe Moretz , Hailee Steinfeld and Elle Fanning, whose collective ages add up to a mere 42 years.

8. The New ‘Body’

Karlie Kloss, who made her debut at as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, was named the new ‘body’ this year. Vogue Italia’s editor praised the ex-dancer’s physique and Karlie wowed the world with her racehorse limbs in a shoot by Steven Klein, which appeared in the magazine. The images did not come without some controversy, however. Speculation arose around her tiny frame and the images were immediately published by pro-anorexia sites. Since then, multiple statements have been issued about the models healthy attitude to food and how shocked she was to hear her body could be viewed in a negative way.

9. Fashion Week: Schedule Scrambled

Seriously worrying news for fashion fans, the highly publicised catwalk clash is still on-going, still unresolved. To sum up what can only be described as an incredibly confusing and frustrating situation; Milan moved fashion week dates over NYFW and LFW (causing them to be shorter). Diane Von Furstenberg vented her frustration and proposed a new plan, to which Milan have refused. Who knew fashion could be so political?

10. Victoria’s Secret Show

The show that we simultaneously love to hate saw some of the hottest names in the fashion world walk down the runway in well, very little. If you haven’t watched it already, we suggest you do. Miranda Kerr looked amazing post-pregnancy while Orlando cheered her on. Maroon 5, Kayne West and Jay Z performed and Nicki Minaj pulled out all the stops for the pink finale. All in all, it was a glitzy, glamorous and very sexy affair.