While 2016 is been a pretty crazy year (understatement of the decade), fashion is used to the mayhem, taking each and every twist and turn that 2016 threw at us in it’s stride. From the comments on USA/Cuba relations to discussing racial and social tensions, fashion has made sure that the discussion is taken out of the internet and into the real world. With daring silhouettes, outlandish colour combos and some of the weirdest and wildest designs we’ve seen, here are our top 7 fashion collection picks from this year.

Chanel Resort 2017 Show in Cuba

In May 2016, Karl Lagerfeld drew attention to Cuba and its unique place in today’s modern world, by showing Chanel’s Cruise Collection just a day after the first American ship was allowed to dock in Cuba, after years of frosty diplomatic relations. The French house took over the city of Havana, with nearly two hundred guests arriving in colourful vintage cars. The show must be one of the best in 2016, not only because of the sharp tailoring and the ever beautiful designs of Lagerfeld but because the setting was historically, politically and creatively wonderful.

House of Holland Spring/Summer 2017

London’s favourite playful man celebrated 10 years of House of Holland with gingham, graphic tees and garish colours. The collection (read our review), shown in September as part of LFW, mixed femininity with streetwear edge, resulting in t-shirts shouting rhymes, such as ‘‘I’d pay millions for a night with Ashley Williams.’ The netting in this show is probably the reason everyone on Instagram seems to be rediscovering fishnets recently, and the 70s influence reminded everyone of an era associated with the hope of flower power.

Fenty X Puma by Rihanna Spring 2017

Whilst Kanye’s September show may have been a logistical disaster (remember the models passing out?) Rihanna proved that entertainers can create relevant pieces by bringing an attitude to fashion that sometimes trained designers don’t. Her collaboration with Puma has proven really popular, especially in the kicks department. Gigi Hadid has been seen wearing her slides and Cara Delevingne has been sporting the creepers on the regular. The spring/summer 2017 show in Paris (check out our review here) was opened by the beautiful Imaan Hammam, showing streetwear interpreted through a high fashion lens.

Marc Jacobs Autumn/Winter 2016

Lady Gaga walked in the neo-goth fall 2016 Marc Jacobs show, that took place at New York Fashion Week. Voluminous silhouettes and a blacker than black colour pallette created an atmosphere only Jacobs is able to pull off. Although his spring/summer 2017 collection was embroiled in debate about his use of dreadlocks and therefore relationship with cultural appropriation, in February, Jacobs put on a show during NYFW that killed it.

Moschino Ready to Wear 2017

Jeremy Scott’s ready-to-wear collection for SS17, shown in Milan, featuring the pop culture references that have come to be expected of Moschino under Scott’s spirited reign. Peace symbols and mock chains joined together in a collection that had both class and a hint of the light hearted attitude that is so often missing from fashion. Lapels made the pieces look as if they were from a child’s book, where you place different outfits on the image of a barbie and dress her up. The playful take on depth led to Gigi wearing a mock up of the aprons that the more embarrassing Dad’s insisted on wearing at barbecues.

Ashish Spring/Summer 2017

Ashish Gupta, the man behind Ashish, had a revolutionary show this September, in more ways than one. The collection was a loud, visionary use of colour, and an ode to his immigrant heritage: a very important, positive political statement in a world that could be said to losing it’s sense of acceptance. Using religious symbolism and working with traditional Indian silhouettes, the second T’aint collection shone at fashion week.

Read Wonderland’s interview with the inspiring man, here.

Erdem Autumn/Winter 2016

Erdem Moralıoğlu put on a show in February during London Fashion Week, that blew the audience away with sophisticated characters and an unusual interpretation of glamour. Flowing skirts and texture proved Moralıoğlu to once again be an expert in his craft.

Taking inspiration from Hollywood and the women that graced the silver screens in the earlier part of the 20th century, meant that the autumn/winter 2016 collection from Erdem stood out from fellow designers, leaving everyone drooling for an Erdem dress with the ruffles that dominated the February fashion week.