The year in fashion and beauty had some high points that were pretty undeniable—and you didn’t need to be an insider to notice. From classic sneaker reissues to the popularity of “nude” lingerie for women of color (finally!) to socially conscious clothing, 2015 was filled with the kinds of inspired moments that kept our smarty-pants editors saying “Yasss!” —The EBONY Style Team
 
1     Return of the Nike Air  Huarache
These timeless kicks, originally released in 1991, resurged, much to the delight of die-hard sneakerheads around the globe. 
2 Red-Hot Miss Tina
Being 61 never looked hotter, thanks to Queen T., aka Tina Knowles Lawson, who officially “got her life” on our July #sexyforever cover. The newly remarried bad girl showed ladies everywhere that true sexiness is forever while working it in an all-red palette of custom designs with cutouts, thigh-high splits and plunging necklines. Daughters Beyoncé and Solange gave their seal of approval, posting to social media and breaking the Internet because, well, they get it from their mama. 
 
3 Pyer Moss’s “They Have Names” T-shirt
Kerby Jean-Raymond, the founder and creative director of Pyer Moss dropped his “They Have Names” T-shirt as a statement of Black solidarity after yet another life was lost at the hands of police. Refusing to be silent, Jean-Raymond affixed the names of victims to the front of his signature tees. The shirts quickly sold out, and proceeds were donated to the American Civil Liberties Union. 
 
4 J. Cole for Bally
Rappers have a long history of proclaiming their love of luxury wears on wax (see A$AP Rocky’s album on the next page). And 30 years after Slick Rick declared his affection for Bally shoes on “La Di Da Di” in 1985, J. Cole (né Jermaine Lamarr Cole) collaborated with the prestige brand. His curated collection of limited-edition hiking boots and backpacks, inspired by the “urban explorer,” can seamlessly go from Forest Hills Drive to the Swiss Alps.
 
5 Black Model Moment
Our statement-making September cover invited readers to revel in the beauty of Black skin. The Style team spent weeks casting this monumental shoot, scouring agency after agency to assemble the perfect mix of young talent. Trailblazing models, including catwalker Diondra Forrest, who has albinism, and  contestant Chantelle Winnie, who has vitiligo, shared their stories of self-love and triumph while rocking Black designers and some of fall’s fiercest trends.
 
 
6 curve appeal
A bevy of voluptuous beauties set Venice Beach on fire for our July “Give Me Bawwdy!” swimwear shoot that celebrated women with curves. Rocking retro-inspired bikinis and one-pieces by plus-size swimwear lines GabiFresh and Monif C., the stunners set social media ablaze, sparking an outpouring of celebratory posts. 
 
Read more in the December 2015/January 2016 issue of EBONY Magazine.