ASOS Blog

Best Dressed List 2007

It was difficult, but we've carefully selected our top five best dressed celebs of the year. And the winners are...

You’ve got to hand it to Victoria Beckham – girlfriend knows how to work a look. Never mind the plethora of fantastically show-stopping chic dresses she wore throughout 2007, this is the woman who launched, like, a gazillion look-alikes with her ever-changing haircuts – from the Original Pob, to the bleach-blonde Pob, to the naturally brunette Long Pob she’s currently sporting. With a successful move to the US seeing her befriend the likes of the Cruises, a Spice Girl reunion tour and her own TV show under her belt (Victoria Beckham: Coming to America was absolute classic TV), it really has been the one they call Posh’s year.

What a year it’s been for Alexa Chung. Popworld may have had its day, but Alexa hasn’t let the upset of that stop her making a play for the Indie Queen crown – and hasn’t she put up a good fight? With the likes of Peaches Geldof and Kelly Osbourne enlisted as her A-List play pals, Alexa went on to bag herself a boyfriend in the form of Arctic Monkeys lead singer Alex Turner – too cool. Add to this her impressive indie wardrobe – plenty of high-waisted skirts, ankle boots and leather jackets for her – and you’ve got yourself a first class fashionista.

Good old Sienna Miller – you can always rely on her to come up trumps in the style stakes, and 2007 has been no exception. Having put the heartache of her oh-so-public affair with Jude Law behind her and finding love once again with new man Rhys Ifans, the starlet was given a chance to prove her fashion credentials and show a more sophisticated side with the launch of her own clothing line, twenty8twelve by s. miller. Featuring lots of tailored pieces and, of course, a touch of Sienna's trademark bohemian flair, the range was a massive success. The next Sienna-inspired fashion craze? We’re predicting a Sixties revival, with her film Hippie Hippie Shake set for release next year…

Just when we were starting to fear we were all becoming identikit La-La Landers, along comes Agyness Deyn and shakes up the entire fashion world. Not since Kate Moss first launched her unique brand of skinny chic in the 90s has a model caused such a sensation in style circles. A true original, Agyness wears exactly what she likes – from sequinned mini dresses with studded heels to androgynous skinny trousers with jazz shoes – and always manages to pull it off. Coupled with her angelic cropped blonde locks and big blue eyes, it’s no wonder the Northern beauty won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. Oh, how we love this girl.

Keira Knightley shrugged off her tomboy reputation this year with a succession of jaw-dropping dresses on just about every red carpet going. Starring in one of the big films of the year, 1940s-set Atonement, the actress was catapulted to leading lady mega-stardom and wasted no time in enlisting the help of Monsieur Chanel, AKA Karl Lagerfeld, in dressing her for premieres – in turn, the designer chose her as the new face of fragrance Coco Chanel. Scoring the front cover of British ELLE finished off what was a stellar year for the starlet.

And Three to Watch in 2008...

Face of Fashion - Chloë Sevigny

We couldn't help but wonder...just who is it that Chloë Sevigny reminded us of? And then, all at once, it hit us - this girl is like a real-life Carrie Bradshaw. Plucked from the uber-cool streets of New York's East Village by a fashion editor, she quickly achieved iconic fashionista status thanks to her unique and inimitable wardrobe. She wears the quirkiest outfits that just work, even though every fashion fibre in our body is telling us that it really shouldn't - the glasses, face print tee and ankle boots combo below for example, or the boater hat with the gorgeous sun dress. And then she just wears some fabulous outfits. Her red carpet successes lie in two key looks - bright block colour dresses and monochrome. When it comes to beauty, she sticks to a tried-and-tested regime with glossy locks, painted lips and a slick of eyeliner forming her trademark look. Carrie would be proud.

Face of Fashion - Zooey Deschanel

We can't even begin to tell you how difficult it was to put together today's Face of Fashion picture gallery of the lovely Zooey Deschanel, primarily because we absolutely adore every single outfit she's ever worn. Period. You'll probably recognise the face, rather than the name, from quirky roles in films such as Almost Famous, The Good Girl and Failure to Launch. She's one of those rare style savvy wonders that knows what suits her, develops a signature look based on this and sticks to it no matter what the trends dictate; and with her glossy full fringe, big blue doe-eyes and petite frame, she has the perfect canvas for building her distinct look. That look is distinctly feminine - she's most definitely a dresses girl, with a love of anything with bows, ruffles and frills or lace. One step ahead of the fashion game, she's been wearing this season's embellishment, block colours and oversized clutch bags for months now, long before they hit the mainstream. Definitely unique, which is just why we love her.

Face of Fashion - Gwen Stefani

What with her gracing the cover of this month's American InStyle and her L.A.M.B range due to show at New York Fashion Week (which kicked off today), our choice for this week's Face of Fashion was pretty much made for us - let's hear it for Gwen Stefani. Her CV practically oozes cool; from her roots as lead singer of '90s ska band No Doubt to fully fledged solo artist to fashion designer (and she's a mum), Gwen really is the girl that has it all. Her style is very much her own; with a love of block colours and bold prints such as checks and stripes, she's equally at home working a street, punk-inspired look as she is in couture gowns. Her inherent theatrical streak results in a host of fantasy-tastic costumes, such as the Alice and Wonderland themed video for What You Waiting For? and the stage outfit below, even spilling over into her red-carpet choices with flowers in her hair or a gaggle of Geisha girls bringing up the rear. Beauty-wise, she's best known for her classic blood-red lipstick and eyeliner flick, but she does natural equally as well, and it's this look we love on her - clear, matte skin, plenty of kohl and a slick of clear lip gloss set against her angelic blonde hair. Simple but oh-so-effective. With such impressive fashion credentials, we can't wait to see what her New York show holds...

Face of Fashion - Evan Rachel Wood

Is actress Evan Rachel Wood making a play for Dita Von Teese's crown as Queen of Old School Glamour? It would certainly seem that way. The 19-year old ex-girlfriend of Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell (she has a tiny 'j' tattooed on her lower leg as a lasting memory from their brief relationship) has perfected the 40's-reminiscent make-up that the Burlesque star wears as her trademark, appearing on many a red carpet all coiffed hair, flick-eyed and red-lipped. She's also got a wardrobe full 0f semi-prim, semi-fetish clothes and accessories that Ms. Von Teese would be proud to own, from the vamp-a-licious gowns to the towering patent heels to the belted and oh-so-proper mac. What's more, she's only gone and snared herself Dita's shock rocker ex-husband Marilyn Manson (and has caused quite a stir into the bargain, considering the 19 year age gap and the erotic opening to Manson's latest video featuring the young starlet). But don't be so quick to pass Evan off as a Dita-Clone - with singing credits in her next film Across the Universe, a campaign for Miu Miu under her belt and a passion for creativity (from poetry to painting to fashion) that means she is constantly growing in a late-adolescent effort to "find herself", we expect big things from this old soul glamour-puss.

Face of Fashion - Peaches Geldof

It's been a while since we've heard a squeak out of Peaches Geldof, so it was great to see her back to her partying ways last night, in the sweetest Peter Pan collar dolly jacket we've seen in a while. Not that we're surprised - in her few years as "Teen Scene Queen", she's worked a multitude of winning looks. From fifties sex kitten in a checked belted dress, to bohemian in her beloved Mina dresses, right through to red carpet royalty in fitted, curve-perfect evening dresses, Peaches always adds her own indie touch - be it Heidi plaits, black nail varnish or a headband. Her beauty regime is typical of the cool Camden crowd she courts - full, blunt fringe or messy long waves, porcelain skin and plenty of black kohl. This fashion magazine writing, Ibiza DJ-ing, TV presenting Rock Kid is growing up - and we like what we see.

Face of Fashion - Daisy Lowe

Ok, just to get you up to speed, Daisy is a DJ, fashion designer and model, with shoots for W and Italian Vogue under her belt. She's also the daughter of uber-cool designer and one time musician Pearl Lowe (ex-member of the Jude Law/Sadie Frost Primrose Hill set). Her estranged father is Gavin Rossdale (of Bush, now married to Gwen Stefani) while her stepfather is Danny Goffey (of Supergrass). Phew. All pretty rock 'n' roll, so it's no surprise she's got style to match. Whether at an opening, or backstage at London fashion week, Daisy's look is all about 'don't give a damn' Camden-esque cool (think stripes, volume and the latest designer accessories). We love it.

Face of Fashion - Bee Shaffer

It shouldn't be difficult to look good when you're American Vogue editor Anna Wintour's daughter, therefore having access to next season's collections long before they show, every designer worth knowing on speed dial and a bevy of fashion friends only too willing to dress you. Still, it's testament to 19-year old Bee Shaffer that she is generally considered a nice, well-mannered young women, unlike her mother who is rumoured to be infamously cold and unfriendly (remember The Devil Wears Prada? Meryl Streep's character is said to be based on Ms. Wintour). Bee's certainly made a name for herself in fashion circles, with contributions to TeenVogue and The Daily Telegraph's blog under her belt, plus regular front-row appearances (usually alongside her mother) at fashion's hottest catwalk shows - Marc Jacobs, Dior and Chanel to name but a few. Rarely seen in anything but a dress (there are rumours that she went though a "jeans-and-jumper" phase upon starting university, although these are yet to be substantiated), her style is youthful, polished and oh-so-chic. Her porcelain skin, heavy eyebrows (so next season) and long, shiny mane are testament to her good breeding, and her enviable collection of dresses and heels illustrate how well-connected she is. Definitely a name you'll Bee (we couldn't help ourselves) hearing more of in the future.

Face of Fashion - Lily Allen

Anyone can claim to "keep it real" - every rapper from here to Compton, Jennifer Lopez in her J-Lo days, even Charley of Big Brother "fame" (and didn't we know about that?). Few actually do. The exception to this rule, of course, is the lovely Lily Allen. Since she burst into our lives last year with her infectious brand of sing-song pop, the starlet has endeared herself to us with her normal, un-starry ways. From getting mildly "worse-for-wear" every now and then (we admit it, we're guilty) to publicly declaring that her weight depresses her from time to time (oh, how we can relate) to airing her thoughts on pretty much everything, not least fellow celebs, via her blog (that's our job for goodness sake) it seems to us that Lily keeps things more "real" than every other star in World Celeb put together. And then there's her style. Equally as happy in Reebok as she is Chanel, her look is changeable - laid-back and comfortable one minute, then elegant and ladylike the next (sometimes even both at the same time). Colour plays a big part in her style, which is reflected in her trademark neon eyeshadow set against a thick flick of black eyeliner and, with a winning mix of femininity and "loveable chav" that curiously works, her love of prom-style dresses, chunky gold jewellery and comfy trainers (or the other end of the scale completely, teetering high heels) creates a look all of her own. And it's a great look - a "real" great look.

Face of Fashion - Maggie Gyllenhaal

There's no doubting Maggie Gyllenhaal's fashion credentials - as a regular front-row attendee at Marc Jacobs, the former face of Miu Miu and soon to replace the World's Favourite Fashionista Kate Moss as the face of lingerie brand Agent Provocateur, Jake's big sister has proved her worth.

Not that it's difficult when you're working with a fabulous, curvaceous figure, big doe-eyes, a beautiful heart-shaped face and jutting cheekbones. Refreshingly, Maggie bucks the usual Hollywood trends in favour of a more edgy, Forties-influenced look. On the red carpet she chooses interesting shapes and cuts from directional designers such as Proenza Schouler, whilst dressed down her look remains chic in simple day dresses and flat sandals (pretty and practical now that she's a "mom"). Beauty-wise, hair tied in Heidi plaits of a slick of red lipstick add a quirky edge to her look.

And with a move away from her usual indie films into blockbusters next year in The Dark Knight, the sequel to Batman Begins in which she replaces Katie Holmes, Ms Gyllenhaal's star seems set to keep on rising.

Face of Fashion - Victoria Beckham

God bless Victoria Beckham. Just when you think she's got no tricks left up her sleeve, she does something like Victoria Beckham: Coming to America and reaffirms herself as a mega-star, fashion icon - and actually quite a cool gal.

If you didn't see the programme on ITV1 last night, let's recap - VB is on a mission: to find a pad for la famille in LA whilst endearing herself to the US public and establishing herself as an all-American superstar - all in 5-inch stiletto heels. Fabulous.

So what gems of knowledge did we glean from the hour long programme? Well...she's actually funny. Really funny. Seeing her march into the LA coffee shop that celeb blogger Perez Hilton uses as an office (and who has called her, amongst other things, an "alien"), shaking her boobs at him and proclaiming "they're not as big in the flesh" had us on the floor. She laughs - Posh Spice LAUGHS! This in itself is a revelation, being accustomed as we are to the lip gloss-tastic pout she wears religiously in pap shots. She and David really are still very much in love - they were all "love you", "love you too" and impossibly sweet with one another. And she's a simply fabulous dresser - but you knew that already.

Showcasing a fabulous wardrobe of figure-hugging skirts and shirts, to-die-for-dresses and an impressive collection of designer bags, the VB we know and love is taking on the Californian "cool and casual" fashion vibe one outfit at a time.

And with Victoria fronting the latest issue of ASOS Magazine (free with every order from ASOS.com, and also features an exclusive look at our exclusive collaboration with Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field, all the pictures and gossip from our Fame, Fortune and Fashion design competition and catwalk show, plus an interview with Mrs Beckham herself), things are going from strength to strength for the Spice Girl. She may be in LA, but Victoria's still our favourite Face of Fashion.

Face of Fashion - Alexa Chung

Style starlet Alexa Chung has come a long way from dubious beginnings - she was Mike Skinner's girlfriend in The Streets' 'Could Well Be In' video, and shared a kiss with Holly Valance for her single 'Down Boy.' But dating fashion photographer David Titlow, and being a successful model in her own right (before launching her presenting career) evidently taught Miss C a thing or two about oh-so-chic offbeat style. Whether she's at the Royal Academy's summer exhibition private view, or braving the storms at T in the Park, Alexa always hits the right note with her edgy femininity. She's currently working long pendant necklaces, strapless shapes with gentle volume (a la Lanvin) and an effortless mix of high street clothing alongside designer bags. They should call it Alexaworld.

Face of Fashion - Agyness Deyn

With Italian, British and American Vogue covers under her waist-cinching belt (the latter edition hailing her as a leading face in the new breed of supermodels), Agyness Deyn is a name you need to know. Hailing from Manchester where she used to serve chips to now-best-friend and fashion designer Henry Holland (of bright slogan t-shirts fame), she's currently the face of Mulberry, muse for Giles Deacon and has strutted down the runway of everybody who's anybody. Add to that the fact her boyfriend is Josh Hubbard from Brit band The Paddingtons. Add to that her big angelic eyes, flawless skin and androgynous crop. Add to that her individual, quirky sense of style (the high-waisted trousers, printed tee, big scarf and studded bag ensemble in the pic below was swiftly added to our "looks to emulate" list) and you've got yourself a bona fide Moss in the making. This girl's so cool, we want her to be our new best friend...