The Hypebae Best: Top Fashion Brands, Runway Moments and Viral Items of 2025

We're getting to the tail end of the year, which means it's another opportunity to look back on our fave brands, viral items and the most memorable fashion moments of 2025. As a result, we're back with a new instalment of our annual series Hypebae Best, where we round up some of the biggest brands, designers and collaborations in fashion this year, according to our editors.

This year, we seemingly said goodbye to constant microtrends and instead, prioritized personal style and designer archives, focusing heavily on new designer debuts, playful color combinations and throwing out the fashion rulebook. Elsewhere, 2025 saw viral items like SKIMS' Pierced Nipple Bra sparking plenty of conversation online, plus major launches from brands like Telfar and Conner Ives.

In and amongst the biggest brands and products, we're also highlighting some of our favorite red carpet moments of the year, featuring debut teasers from the likes of Louise Trotter and Sarah Burton and major style shifts from actors like Jenna Ortega and Charli XCX.

Continue scrolling to see the top fashion brands, designers and collaborations of the year, and stay tuned for more from our Hypebae Best 2025 roundups in footwear, sport and music.

THE BEST FASHION BRANDS

Bottega Veneta

Blazy fans were sceptical when Louise Trotter took the reins at Bottega Veneta, but her debut this year changed absolutely everything. Her appointment symbolized the importance of giving women designers a seat at the luxury table, with her debut collection one of the most talked-about shows from Milan Fashion Week. Prior to that, the designer teased a few of her first looks with brand ambassador Jacob Elordi at Cannes Film Festival, but more on that later...

Burberry

Burberry has had an incredible year. That's a fact (and one backed by the most recent Lyst Index, too, might we add). From its pivotal High Summer campaign with Alva Claire and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to the festival campaign with Alexa Chung, the brand has had plenty of standout moments. The most recent is undoubtedly its "Back to the City" campaign, starring TikTok sensation, Bus Aunty. If you weren't sold before, that definitely changed things.

Chanel

We can't possibly talk about this year's debuts without talking about Matthieu Blazy for Chanel. In the latest season at Paris Fashion Week, all eyes were on Blazy to showcase what was pretty much the biggest debut of the year, and boy, did he deliver. Following the debut, Blazy recently presented his Metiers d'Art collection for the House, taking over the New York subway, resulting in even more glowing reviews.

Valentino

Similarly, Alessandro Michele has transformed Valentino in a way that no one else could. One of his standout moments for the brand this year was undoubtedly his red-tiled runway show back in March, attended by Barry Keoghan and Nara Smith. Since then, Michele has worked with killer names for his playful campaigns, including Sharna Osborne and Clairo, and the brand's most recent Paris show was attended by the mother of all mothers, Lana del Rey.

Willy Chavarria

Outside of the major luxury brands that dominate runways and red carpets, Willy Chavarria shone through. From evolving collaborations with adidas Originals and Tinder, the brand also made its PFW debut this year, celebrating the immigrant origin story whilst uplifting the LGBTQ+ community.

THE BEST RED CARPET MOMENTS

Jenna Ortega in Givenchy, EMMYs

Jenna Ortega is a name that needs no introduction, especially for fans of Wednesday or You. But for the actor's Wednesday season 2 press tour, it's safe to say she pulled out all the stops. One look in particular continues to live rent-free in our minds, though, and of course, it's this jeweled Givenchy top by womenswear hero, Sarah Burton.

Jacob Elordi in Bottega Veneta, Cannes

Jacob Elordi has been a style icon for a long time; there's no doubt about that, but his blossoming relationship with Bottega has done even bigger wonders for his fashion status. His appearance at this year's Cannes Film Festival was undoubtedly one of his best, with the actor sporting not one, but three looks a la Louise, each more chic than the last.

Charli XCX in Dilara, BRIT Awards

2024 was the year of Charli; we all know that to be true, but 2025 has still brought us plenty more iconic moments, enviable weddings and (the reason why we're all here) major red carpet looks. Our favorite of the year happens to be this show-stopping Dilara Findikoglu number, worn by the artist at this year's BRIT Awards.

Doechii in thom browne, GRAMMYs

Doechii is another artist who absolutely always delivers, and we've loved seeing her preppy fashion fits take over our feeds this award season. One of her most notable looks, in our eyes anyway, is this custom thom browne number, taking office siren to a whole new level.

Zoe Kravitz in Saint Laurent, Oscars

Zoe Kravitz looks good no matter what she wears, but there was something about this sultry Saint Laurent gown that took our breath away. Kravitz has had a ton of impressive style moments this year, partly because of her powerful relationship with YSL, partly because of her actual relationship with Harry Styles and mostly because of the fact that she's just really f-cking cool, isn't she?

THE MOST VIRAL FASHION ITEMS

havaianas x gimaguas Flip-flops

Havaianas had a major comeback this year, appearing everywhere from fashion week runways to Gigi Hadid's wardrobe. But one major collaboration got everyone talking more than usual. This year, havaianas teamed up with Spanish label gimaguas, resulting in a DIY-inspired pair of charmed flip-flops that went straight to the top of every it-girl's wish list.

Miu Miu Demi Socks

When these launched, they were perfectly described online by an Instagram user as "a tiny little dollop of sock," and now we can't think of any other way to word this... Designed to be worn with the brand's fun summer clogs, the Miu Miu demi sock became a summer staple, with its vibrant, contrasting colorways acting as the ultimate way to jazz up a basic summer fit.

Gentle Monster Glasses

Everything Gentle Monster touches turns to viral. From its playful packaging and killer campaigns to iconic talent, every drop offers something different. This year, countless optical releases put the brand in our viral items list, but it's the Bratz collaboration that definitely took the cake.

Telfar Plastic Bag

Telfar's plastic bag was probably one of this year's most sought-after items, and for good reason. It's cheap, it's cheerful and it's a New York City staple. Not surprising that it makes our viral items list, especially given our previous obsession with Uniqlo's everyday crossbody bags and adidas sprinter shorts. This is... cooler.

SKIMS Pierced Nipple Bra

We still can't decide if this is good or bad, but whichever way you look at it, it was most certainly viral. A triumphant release for those who desire to go braless but can't, the SKIMS Pierced Nipple Bra added an extra touch of intrigue and edge to an already viral product.

Conner Ives ‘Protect the Dolls’ Tee

Conner Ives first debuted the "Protect the Dolls" T-shirt during the brand's Fall/Winter 2025 fashion show and since then, it's become one of the biggest slogan tees around. Showcasing support for the trans community, all proceeds from the T-shirt sales will be donated to Trans Lifeline, a trans-led US-based charity, according to the brand's website.

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