The year in fashion

The year got off to a great start with some truly bizarre headgear by Christian Dior at Paris haute couture week. Unlike tartan, lace and goth, fruit-bowl hats were not a trend that really caught on Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP

Before we knew it, it was February and Oscar season was upon us, replete with beautiful types shuffling down the red carpet in fabulous gowns. Here Marion Cotillard, winner of the best actress award, shows off a fishtailed ode to Splash Photograph: Steve Granitz/Getty

The French first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, hit town in March. The former supermodel wowed us all with her chic Parisian ways, and made poor old Sarah Brown look a little dowdy Photograph: Martin Argles for the Guardian

In April, Gwyneth Paltrow showed off her very long legs in a very short skirt and a pair of very high heels. Here she is arriving at Leicester Square for the UK premiere of Iron Man Photograph: Shaun Curry/AFP

The Sex and the City movie was released in May. As in the TV series, the real star of the show was Patricia Field, the costume designer. Here is SJP wearing a Vivienne Westwood wedding dress Photograph: Kristin Callahan/Rex Features

Ladies' Day at Ascot is the big event on every fashionista's calendar come June. Come rain or shine, attendees put some serious effort into their hats for the day. Some looks are more successful than others ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Italian Vogue launched their controversial all-black issue in July. Photographer Steven Meisel hoped the move would encourage other magazines to diversify. At the very least, it made a star out of cover model Jourdan Dunn, who graced many a catwalk come September Photograph: Michelly Rall/Getty

In August, swimmer Rebecca Adlington won two gold medals at the Olympics, but told reporters that she really wanted a pair of Jimmy Choos. Here she is presented with the object of her desire by the mayor of Mansfield Photograph: Rui Vieira/Press Association

The Beckhams launched their new fragrance at Macy's, New York, in September. Victoria stole the show with her freaky $6,000 Antonio Berardi heel-less boots Photograph: James Devaney/Getty

In October, British actor Sacha Baron Cohen was spotted hijacking various catwalks during Paris fashion week for his new comedy series Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Madonna was promoting her new film, Filth and Wisdom, in November. The headlines were dominated not by her directorial skills, however, but by her shoes. Known as the 'Miami Vice', they were by Chanel and cost the princely sum of £900 Photograph: SIPA/Rex Features

The Queen looked a picture at the state opening of parliament in December. But her all-white outfit with jazzy silver accessories was overshadowed by the furore over Sarah Brown purple beret. For shame! Photograph: Richard Pohle/The Times/PA