When it comes to sharing your opinions on everything from favorite products to parenting styles to celebrity moms, LilSugar readers are never shy, and that's why our Best Of polls are such a fun way to wrap up the year. You've weighed in on what you loved in 2012, and now we're prepared to share. Check out the best of the best — in everything from social-media-savvy celeb moms to baby names, toys, baby gear, and more!
Fashion films often take the form of fawning moving portraits in which beautiful models languish on balmy beaches or in well-appointed mansions, but this year's best stand out for being much more than that. Below, a countdown of the trippiest, most thought-provoking videos we saw in 2012.
5. Prada's Real Fantasies Spring 2012
It should have been clear early on that there was something in the water when this video, which juxtaposes new images against visuals from the '50s and '60s — the decades that inspired Prada's Spring 2012 collection — debuted in April.
4. Prabal Gurung's Spring 2012 Campaign Video
There are only two subjects in this video: an orchid and Candice Swanepoel. A quick pace is set by unrelenting jump cuts between the flower and Swanepoel's lovely face. The soundtrack of a drum mimicking the human heartbeat makes the video even more haunting.
3. Alexander McQueen's Fall 2012 Campaign Video
If David Sims's almost luridly neon Fall 2012 campaign for Alexander McQueen wasn't colorful enough, his video certainly is. It primarily features a loop of model Suvi Koponen taking the oversize visors from the collection off of her face, accented by dancing geometric neon shapes and clouds of pixelated pigment that explode all over the screen.
2. Prada's Real Fantasies Fall 2012
Attempts to explain what's happening in this video are probably best left to the people who created it. From the official description: "Set within a dystopian society of machines and jagged geometries, genetically perfected clones roam digital colonies. Each scene depicts an antiquated landscape within a galaxy of characters engrossed in oblique and possibly deviant power dynamics."
1. Proenza Schouler's Desert Tide
Jack McCollough's sister Kate worked as the creative director for this film, which was created with the virtual world Second Life. Everything in it — from the models who levitate while doing a peculiar dance, to the purple dolphin that swims through sand — is CGI.
We put Céline's Luggage Tote in the running for 2012's handbag of the year — other very qualified nominees included Fendi's 2Jours structured satchel, 3.1 Phillip Lim's Pashli bag, and Valentino's Rockstud oversize clutch — and it came out on top. Are we surprised? Not in the least. Why? Because nearly every street styler who strutted could be seen with one this year. Many opted for the larger size, while some fell for the adorable mini version. Two-toned, snakeskin, crocodile, leather, you name it — there were an array of finishes, and all were equally wow-inducing. Step inside to see how fashion insiders carried their statement totes this year, and draw inspiration from their cool outfits, even if you don't own a Céline yourself.
It was a close call between Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, and Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield for 2012's most stylish celebrity couple title, but in the end, the costars of The Amazing Spider-Man proved triumphant. Apart from Kristen and Rob, the duo also beat out Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, and Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux for this year's top stylish celeb couple honors. Lucky for Emma and Andrew, they promoted their flick all throughout the year, so they had many work-related excuses to coordinate their red-carpet and photocall looks. Whether they were in their fanciest gowns and suits (respectively) at premieres or in casual-cool hoodies and jeans jet-setting around the world, these lovebirds proved they've got some seriously in-sync styling chops. To celebrate, here are six amazing style moments from Emma and Andrew in 2012.
There were many noteworthy online retailers that opened up for virtual business this year — check out the list here — but you know how it goes, there can only be one winner. And this year we're happy to announce that it's Club Monaco! The brand opened its proverbial ecommerce doors at the end of March and has been serving up understated style to both men and women ever since. Amid all this, Club Monaco also produced many inspirational lookbooks: Fall 2012 referenced Scottish luxury, William Morris prints, and art nouveau, and Spring 2013 offered up cool-girl wares inspired by a New York state of mind. What's more, the retailer collaborated with Mayle on a collection of awesome bags, too. Given all that, we think this win is very well-deserved. Congrats to our friends over at Club Monaco!
In a year that was filled with covetable shoes, Isabel Marant's wedge sneaker took the win for the It shoe of the year. It was a close call — Christian Louboutin came in a close second — but there was no denying the huge wedge sneaker craze that took over 2012. Right in line with the year's sporty trend, Marant's cool sneakers have been spotted on numerous celebrities (Marant's futuristic Bekett and girlier Bobby designs were the most popular) and fashion girls alike. And ringing in at about $640 for a pair, we weren't surprised to see a huge spawn of knockoffs — and neither was the designer. "I cannot say I'm surprised, because I worked a very long time to achieve it," said Marant. "It took a long time because when you have a wedge in the shoe it can be very bulky. When I finished it, I knew it was going to be a hit, and that it would be copied." We can't wait to see the new designs she has in store for us next year, but for now, click the slideshow to see the celebrities who donned Marant's ultracool sneakers in 2012.
While we're always loyal to our veteran fashion girls — Diane Kruger, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and Alexa Chung, to name a few — 2012 brought a whole new exciting crop of style stars whose fashion sense we just couldn't get enough of. British model Poppy Delevingne perfected the marriage between sophisticated and youthful dressing (and she always makes the demure hemline look so damn cool). Speaking of perfecting things, Solange Knowles is a pro at mixing prints and she did it ever so fabulously time after time this year. Nina Dobrev wasn't afraid to take risks on the red carpet — so she always stood out from the pack — plus, have you seen those mile-long legs? Ashley Madekwe was another star that made her mark in fashion this year. Not only does she have her own personal style blog, but she makes both day and night dressing look equally and insanely effortless. And finally, Allison Williams captured our attention with her bold dress choices, and her megawatt smile — not to mention her breakout role on our new TV obsession Girls. Now that you know a little bit about the fabulous nominees for breakout star of the year, it's time to cast your vote below.
If one of your New Year's resolutions is to become more organized, your smartphone is a great place to start. Whether you're already up to date on the most innovative and mom-friendly apps or are in need of a refresh, chances are, you'll find something new and useful in our roundup of the year's best apps for parents. Here, our top 20 high-tech ways to become more organized, efficient, and on top of your mom game.
When it comes to beautiful parties, it's hard to pick which we love more: birthday parties or baby showers. This year brought us dozens of stylish soirees held in honor of moms-to-be, and we'll admit, it's been hard to narrow it down to our favorites. After much debate, we picked our 12 most-loved showers of the year, all full of sweet, creative themes, lots of lovely details, and some lucky new moms. Keep clicking to pick your favorite.
Now that we've gotten the ball rolling on 2012's best red-carpet queen, it's time to move on to the street-style star of the year. Here are our five equally fabulous nominees: Jessica Alba, Kate Bosworth, Olivia Palermo, Diane Kruger, and Miranda Kerr. They all have different style aesthetics, but you have to admit: they always look flawless on the sidewalks of whichever city they're in. In 2012, Jessica kept her looks trend-driven (have you seen how many colored jeans she owns?!), Kate was loyal to her cool bohemian flair, Olivia turned it up in an array of chic ensembles, Diane stuck to her effortlessly cool denim and stripes, and Miranda exuded megasophistication in chic designerwear. This isn't going to be an easy decision, but we need your help making it, so cast your vote for your favorite street-style star below.
