What do you get when you cross the biggest celebrity fashion stories with one of the biggest celebrity gossip websites? You get Vanity Fair’s Vanity Fair Style section, where we look at the people, places and things that define fashion in 2019 and beyond.

The most talked-about celebrity couple this year was undoubtedly Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Between their wedding in Italy and their highly publicised (and postponed) honeymoon trip to Europe, the couple stole the limelight as they embarked on a journey that would see them visit the most famous fashion cities: Rome, Milan and Paris.

While we’ll never know the real story of the postponed honeymoon, one thing is for sure: the couple had the world at their fingertips, and they made the most of it. A cavalcade of fashion photographers were there to catch the action, and Vanity Fair’s resident style editor, Christian Zucca, was on hand to give us an insight into the most romantic, luxurious trip of the year.

The Most Famous Fashion Cities

Even those who weren’t exactly following the couple religiously will be well aware of their world travels. From the lavish, exclusive weddings that saw the couple travel the length and breadth of Italy in style to the iconic places that their travel stories have now become synonymous with, it’s clear that Paris, Milan and Rome were all important stops on their itinerary. In fact, it was in the city of Rome that the ‘Breaking Pointe’ theme park attraction was named after one of their popular Instagram posts.

It’s fair to say that Europe was the destination of choice for the royal couple, who were joined on their trip by their respective families and some close friends. For those unable to fly abroad, it was the perfect opportunity to recreate some of the glamour and romance of a high-end escapade without leaving home. With so many iconic fashion cities to choose from, let’s take a look at which ones made the cut and why.

Paris

For many, Paris is the ultimate romantic city, and it’s easy to see why. The City of Lights has a cosmopolitan vibe that draws those from all over the world, and its sophisticated style is something that even those who live there cannot help but be inspired by.

Of course, Paris is most well-known for its luxury hotels, boutiques and designer shopping centres, but the city is more than just fashion. Those who visit are treated to a range of cultural experiences, from fine dining at a five-star restaurant to catching a premiere at the nearby cinema.

Milan

For many, Milan is the fashion capital of Italy, and it certainly lives up to its reputation. Since the 16th century, the city’s design culture has been synonymous with style, and today it is home to a number of high-end fashion houses, luxury hotels and exclusive boutiques. For anyone who has visited, the most eye-catching sight is undoubtedly the fashion week, an annual event that draws people from all over the world. For those who can’t make it to fashion week, the city has hundreds of boutique stores, designer galleries and chic eateries that offer a taste of what Milan is known for.

Rome

Often considered the ‘cultural capital of Europe’, those visiting Rome for the first time will be impressed by the city’s historic sites, temples, monuments and galleries. It’s not just about ancient history, however. The city is bursting at the seams with trendy boutiques, designer hotels, scenic parks and galleries that offer visitors a taste of Roman culture and style.

In fact, Rome is home to some of the most glamorous hotels in the world, which provide a glimpse of the city’s imperial past. As well as fashion, those travelling to Rome may also be interested in the city’s nightlife, which centres around Piazza Trinità dei Monti. Here, guests can sit beside fountains and restaurants that attract the city’s after-work crowd. There’s something for everyone in Rome.

The Most Influential Instagrammers And Bloggers

Over the last couple of years, a number of high-profile celebrity couples have gone public with their relationship, resulting in a major shift in how celebrities present themselves to the world. Thanks to influencers and bloggers, the fashion industry has shifted from relying on catwalk shows to showcasing street style, which has in turn changed the way that we look at fashion. The most influential Instagrammers and bloggers include:

  • Kate Moss
  • Kylie Jenner
  • Caroline Flack
  • Jessica Alba
  • Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
  • Amal Clooney

Each of these influencers offer a different perspective on style and fashion, with captions that are often as witty as they are informative, providing a wealth of style advice to those following them.

The Rising Influence Of Street Fashion

It would be remiss of us not to highlight the fact that this year has seen a distinct shift in the way that celebrities present themselves. Those who follow fashion will notice that it is now centred around fashion influencers and bloggers, with street style rising as an influence and a major factor in determining the way that celebrities present themselves.

Thanks to a combination of social media and online influencers, those seeking style advice can now find what they’re looking for, and it is often found outside of the catwalk. Perhaps the most iconic example of this is Carole Middleton’s wedding dress, which famously caught the attention of the world thanks to its unusual choice of material and the way that it was constructed. The dress was such a success that it was reissued as a standalone item for women a year later. The selection of wedding dresses that caught the public eye in 2019 would range from classic to trendy, with some designers taking the opportunity to reinvent the classic, white wedding dress.

Retro Influences

While many fashion-related stories will be firmly planted in the distant future, it is more common than not for retro influences to crop up in unexpected places. This year, we can’t help but be reminded of the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and its iconic ‘50s atmosphere, as we see the influence of that decade in everything from hair and fashion to home interiors and of course, style. In 2019, retro influences are as prevalent as they’ve ever been, from clothes and accessories to furniture and interior decoration. Be it yellow gold jewellery, big, bold clothing choices or faux wood paneling, the ‘50s spirit is alive and well.

The Influencers’ Impact

The fashion industry is constantly developing and changing, and thanks to the ‘influencers’, this has resulted in a major shift in the way that celebrities project an image. Thanks to social media sites like TikTok, where users can post their glamorous evening outfits, the way that celebrities present themselves is now totally dependent on what they’re able to share online. This has undoubtedly had a significant impact on consumers, changing the way that we view online fashion and social media influencers altogether. For those seeking style inspiration, there are thousands of creators to choose from on TikTok, with many offering fashion, beauty and lifestyle advice along with the occasional meme or satirical video.

What Does This All Mean?

It’s fair to say that fashion in 2019 is a very different kettle of fish to that of a decade ago, with the way that we navigate the world of style and the way that we consume and engage with information on social media playing a significant role in how we define fashion today. It seems fitting then, that in this increasingly digital world, Vanity Fair’s Style section would reflect the way that we now consume and engage with celebrity – through social media and beyond.