This Year's 20 Best Dressed (For the Fashion-Obsessed)

To compile 2011's list, I literally pored over hundreds (maybe thousands) of party pictures, to avoid picking the obvious (Lady Gaga, Kate Middleton, Emma Stone), in lieu of the more deserved, albeit perhaps more obscure, best dressed people. I chose a couple of actresses that are in the limelight quite a bit, but many of the people I chose work in the fashion industry realm. It took forever for me to narrow them down to 20, but here they are: 2011's Best Dressed (For the Fashion-Obsessed). Tell me if you agree or disagree in the comments!

1. Shala Monroque - magazine editor at Garage magazine

Shala Monroque is the girlfriend of art giant Larry Gagosian, and it's no wonder how she caught his eye - the St. Lucia born beauty is a walking work of art. A friend and muse of Miuccia Prada, Monroque is an expert at putting together beautifully styled ensembles. 

2. Giovanna Battaglia - Freelance stylist for W Magazine

Giovanna Battaglia is a true style chameleon - the gorgeous Italian can easily pull off any style. One day she's attending a party in vintage bondage Versace and another she looks chic and prim in a ladylike day dress. She is also regularly seen with one of the most covetable accessories on the planet - boyfriend Vladamir Roitfeld.

3. Michelle Harper - On the board of directors for FIT's Couture Council

Not since Daphne Guinness have I seen someone rock eccentric chic as well as Michelle Harper. She always manages to nab the runway pieces that I lust for most and wears them her own unique way.

4. Diane Kruger - actress

Diane Kruger never has a fashion misstep. I looked through dozens of pictures of her and she always manages to look flawless wherever she goes. Even still, she chooses interesting pieces and takes fashion risks - like the super cute tuxedo short suit she wore for an InStyle party earlier this year.

5. Karolina Kurkova - model

The Czech supermodel had some phenomenal red carpet appearances this year - I was totally in love with her hooded sparkly green jumpsuit she wore to the CDFA awards and the white, pearl-embellished Chanel couture she wore at Cannes. Kurkova also wore a flawless Chanel couture suit to the royal wedding in Monaco. And did I mention her off-duty look is just as great?

6. The Courtin-Clarins Girls - French heiresses to Clarins cosmetics company

Sisters Virginie and Claire Courtin-Clarins and their cousins, twins Jenna and Prisca Courtin-Clarins took the fashion world by storm when they showed up front row to all the best fashion shows this year. Tall, thin, and incredibly stylish, the French heiresses are my newest style obsession.

7. Hanneli Mustaparta - blogger for hanneli.com

Hanneli Mustaparta pulls off minimalist chic better than anyone I've seen. With her model good looks, the beautiful blogger is more often in front of the camera than behind her own. She can also pull off tricky looks with ease - like sandals with socks and sweaters tied around her neck - and looks great doing so.

8. Camilla Belle - actress

I'm not even sure if Camilla Belle has done any acting lately, but she sure always looks chic.  In every picture she's always classy, always sophisticated, and always on top of the trends. 

9. Abbey Lee - model

I really don't think Abbey Lee could give a flying eff about what the trends are. The platinum blond model always marches to the beat of her own drum and looks so damn cool doing so. I love how her style is part Victorian goth, part glam bohemian, and all her own.

10. Anna Dello Russo - Vogue Nippon fashion editor

I couldn't help but pick Anna Dello Russo two years in a row for my best dressed list. The fashion editor has a closet that my dreams are made of, brimming with the coolest and latest designer pieces.  Next time you see a model in an outrageous outfit marching down the runway and think, "Who the heck could wear that?" you'll have an answer.

11. Charlotte Casiraghi - Princess of Monaco

Sorry Kate Middleton, but Charlotte Casiraghi wins the title of the most stylish royal of the year. A true fashion fan, Charlotte likes to don fringed and colorblocked Gucci frocks at events, but still always looks princess appropriate. At the royal wedding of Charlene Wittstock and Prince Albert of Monaco last summer, Charlotte looked the picture of elegance in pink Chanel couture before changing into a Giambattista Valli couture gown that channeled her grandma Grace Kelly.

12. Sarah Jessica Parker - actress

I know this is a more obvious choice, but what can I say? Sarah Jessica Parker still has got it going on. For every red (or blue) carpet event this year, SJP stunned in fabulous designer confections.

13. Theophilus London - musician

The lone male on my list, Theophilus London perfectly mixes flamboyance with testosterone. Channeling a modern Jimi Hendrix, the hat aficionado caught my eye all year with his stylishly eccentric flair.

14. Caroline Sieber - Stylist

The London-based stylist and Chanel muse has a seriously well rounded closet. Scandalously see-through Christopher Kane? Check. Bespoke gray wool suit? Check. Chanel minidress with thigh high leather boots? Check. If I could only raid her closet...

15. Hailee Steinfeld - actress

I'm usually not one to obsess over tweens, but Hailee Steinfeld has incredible taste (or an incredible stylist, more likely). Out of every Hollywood star this year, I would take a gander and say that the 15-year-old actress had the best red carpet attire.

16. Anja Rubik - model

Anja Rubik always dresses to kill. Whether in tribal Balmain or colorblocked Gucci, the sexy model knows how to make an entrance.

17. Natalia Vodianova - model

In fairy-princess red Valentino couture at her Love Ball, Natalia Vodianova solidified her spot on my best dressed list in one appearance. But the Russian model also looked smashing at the Met ball in another vintage Valentino gown and at Carine Roitfeld's Bal de Vampires event in a stunning sheer white number.

18. Blake Lively - actress

Say what you will about Blake Lively, but the girl has style. How could you not if your BFFs are Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Louboutin?

19. Karen Elson - model

I've always adored Karen's bohemian style. I think it's what Florence Welch is trying to do, except with a little more polish and sex appeal.

20. Kirsten Dunst - actress

This one surprised me too, but I could not deny how well Kirsten Dunst dressed this year. She was always wearing risk-taking fashions, but never looked like the clothes were wearing her. Not to mention, she recently wore one of my favorite looks from Spring 2012 - the Dolce & Gabbana chili pepper dress. Gorgeous!

Abbey Lee rocks out the new Versace commercial

I'm full-blown obsessed with Abbey Lee Kershaw.  In addition to her awesome white blonde hair and rock chick persona, I can now add this new Yellow Diamond for Versace video to the list of reasons why I want to be her. Shot by Mario Testino, it's a super glam commercial for the new frangrance.

Also, have you seen her H&M commercial? Not the Versace one, the one where she's dancing around? I was going to post that too, but I can't find it anywhere. Let me know if you know where to find it!

I wanna be Abbey Lee in Balmain's new videos

I'm so obsessed with model Abbey Lee Kershaw right now.  She's gorgeous, a fantastic model, she's in an awesome band Our Mountain, and would you look at those cheekbones?

Most recently, she stars with her aforementioned band in the new Pierre Balmain campaign, Balmain's upcoming diffusion line. Balmain just released a couple of new videos of the band prancing around NYC in Pierre Balmain clothes and looking totally amazing and cool.

I'm also loving Abbey Lee's platinum blonde hair. Check her out in the gorgeous Tom Ford eyewear ads. I might just have to dye mine like that, but I would probably just end up looking like this instead.

Supermodels are Dead: Introducing the Catwalk Queens you've never heard of

Once upon a time in the land of the 90s, there were six beautiful supermodels and they reigned supreme over all the catwalks, tabloids, and magazine covers. They dated rock stars, partied their pants off, didn't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day and they were much more glamorous than the boring old movie stars. They were notoriously referred to as the "Big Six." You might remember them as Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer and Kate Moss.

One day, something called reality TV came out of nowhere and entranced us with its trashy filth and utter hot messiness. Turns out, real-life headcases are more interesting to watch than glamazons with divatude. Nowadays, Vogue is more likely to put Snooki on its cover than a model, because believe it or not, it would probably sell more magazines.

Models are now only known well by the fashion worshippers among us. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to the best catwalk queens in the industry in the hopes that you will choose to pay more attention to these ethereal creatures instead of pregnant Kardashians or pickle eating carnival freaks.

Natasha Poly (b. July 12, 1985)

Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 33-24-34
Hometown: Perm, Russia
Campaigns: Alberta Feretti, Blumarine, D&G, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Gucci , Jil Sander , Jimmy Choo, La Perla, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, Missoni, Nina Ricci, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Balmain, Gucci Fragrance, Philosophy, TSE
What's special about her: In 2004, her breakout year, she walked in 54 runway shows. She has scored French Vogue's cover five times and she has walked in the Victoria Secret runway show twice.

Chanel Iman (b. November 30, 1989)

Height: 5'10.5"
Measurements: 32-23-34
Hometown: Atlanta, GA, US
Campaigns: Bottega Veneta, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Gap, Jean Paul Gaultier, DSquared2
What's special about her: Her name came from her mother's favorite designer and model.

Lara Stone (b. December 20, 1983)

Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 34-24-35"
Hometown: Geldrop, Netherlands
Campaigns: Calvin Klein, Chloe, DKNY, Eres, Givenchy, H&M, Hugo Boss, Jil Sander , Levi's, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, Miss Sixty, Zara, Belstaff, Jean Paul Gaultier, Nicole Farhi, DSquared2, Replay Jeans
What's special about her: She singlehandedly brought curves back to high fashion by giving those waifs a run for their money.

Karlie Kloss (b. August 3rd, 1992)

Height: 5'11"
Measurements: 32-23-33"
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Campaigns: Christian Dior, See by Chloe, Marc Jacobs Lola Fragrance, Hermes, Bvlgari fragrance, Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics
She's special because: At the ripe old age of 17 years old, this girl is an industry veteran. Also, did you see that Vogue editorial where she's wearing a swimsuit in a NYC blizzard? And she looks like she's having fun? That's what you call a PRO.

Crystal Renn (b. June 18, 1986)

Height: 5'9"
Measurements: 38-30-42
Hometown: Miami, FL
Campaigns: Dolce & Gabbana, Torrid, Lane Bryant, Evans
She's special because: She's the most famous plus size model right now. Probably the most successful cross-over model as well. She recently has walked in high fashion runway shows, including Chanel.

Dree Hemingway (b. December 4, 1987)

Height: 5'9"
Measurements: 32-23-34
Hometown: Sun Valley, ID, US
Campaigns: Chanel, Abercrombie & Fitch, DKNY, Gianfranco Ferré
What's special about her: She's Ernest Hemingway's great-granddaughter!

Daria Werbowy (b. November 19, 1983)

Height: 5'11"
Measurements: 34-24-33.5"
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Campaigns: Prada, Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Hermes, Dior, David Yurman, Jean-Paul Gaultier, H&M, Yves Saint Laurent, Missoni, Isabel Marant, Roberto Cavalli, Lancome
What's special about her: She has appeared on six covers of Italian Vogue. She now resides in NYC and is an avid sailor.

Jac (b. January 15, 1994)

Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 32.5-22.5-34"
Hometown: Poland
Campaigns: Calvin Klein
What's special about her: This one is a newbie, but Jac is taking the fashion world by storm. For Fall 2010, she opened for the holy trinity of American runways: Donna, Calvin and Ralph! Style.com just featured her as one of its top 10 rising stars.

Georgia May Jagger (b. January 12, 1992)

Hometown: London, England
Height: 5'7"
Campaigns: Chanel, Versace, Hudson Jeans, Rimmel
What's special about her: She's the spawn of Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and Supermodel Jerry Hall

Freja Beha Erichsen (b. October 18, 1987)

Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 31-23.5-33.5"
Hometown: Roskilde, Denmark
Campaigns: Balenciaga, Chanel, Valentino, Hugo Boss, Jil Sander, Gucci, H&M, Pringle of Scotland, Karl Lagerfeld, MaxMara, Hermes, Chloe, Roberto Cavalli
She's special because: Known for her edgy, androgynous appearance, Freja has 16 tattoos.

Abbey Lee Kershaw (b. June 12, 1987)

Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 32-23-32"
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Campaigns: Chanel, Gucci , H&M, Karl Lagerfeld, Mulberry, Gucci Fragrance
She's special because: You'll see her in the upcoming Fall/Winter 2010 Chanel ads. Abbey Lee has also modeled twice for the Victoria Secret fashion show.


So now that you've read up on all the hottest models... who's your fave? Let me know in the comments!