Fashion hits and misses for 2009

Michelle Obama and Lady GaGa led the way for style trends this year.

Two diametrically opposite women led this year in fashion. And this might be the only context in which Michelle Obama and Lady GaGa could share space.

Here are the top five fashion stories, plus some leftovers, from 2009.

1. Michelle Obama sets a stylish example

Michelle Obama cut a fashionable figure on the campaign trail in 2008, and her style influence continued to expand from the first day her husband took office as president.

By the end of Inauguration Day, the whole nation had seen her in a lemongrass dress and coat during the day and a white sleeveless gown with floral appliqués at the balls. And they came to admire the American designers responsible for the respective looks, Isabel Toledo and Jason Wu.

As a young first lady with two school-age children, Michelle Obama, 45, set a new standard for how busy modern mothers, and all women, could look in America. While she enjoyed designer threads, she also emphasized practicality with cardigans from J. Crew and dresses from H&M.

The first lady's use of color, belts and brooches signaled a new way to be ladylike and professional without sacrificing personality.

Plus: Given the hot topics of the year, most people can agree that what the president wears is inconsequential. The only time Barack Obama made the fashion news all year was when he donned ill-fitting "Dad jeans" for throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at MLB's All-Star Game.

2. Economy is bad for retailers, good for shoppers

If you didn't get a good deal this year, you weren't trying. All manner of clothing retailers were slashing prices and extending sales in an effort to keep people shopping.

But their bottom lines still took a beating. Macy's, Target, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, as well as apparel, accessories and cosmetics brands, all cut jobs.

A few were left to restructure or go away in the night. Bill Blass filed for bankruptcy on Dec. 31, 2008, and Christian Lacroix, Escada and Yohji Yamamoto followed suit this year.

Abercrombie & Fitch closed its Ruehl stores, Talbots sold J. Jill, and Max Factor decided to phase out its business in the U.S.

Plus: Famously icy Vogue Editor Anna Wintour tried to connect with the common people in an effort to boost sagging sales. Among her public appearances was a stop at "The Late Show With David Letterman" to promote Fashion's Night Out, which she created to promote shopping.

3. Lady GaGa perfects avant-garde

It's hardly possible to pick just one of Lady GaGa's looks to highlight as her most courageous, since every time the pop singer steps out the door or on a stage, it's an adventure.

Who knew she would want to go shopping in just a bodysuit and jacket? Or that she would conduct an interview in a coat made entirely of Kermit the Frog dolls? Or accept an award with a lace stocking on her head?

When she met Queen Elizabeth in London this month, Lady GaGa wore a red PVC gown, with a full skirt and puffy sleeves, and decorated her eyes with red sequins. That must have been her way of dressing conservatively.

Plus: Singer Rihanna comes in second for her fashion risks. In 2009, she shaved part of her head and she wasn't afraid to wear spikes on her shoulders, harem pants, miles of necklaces and shredded leggings.

4. Project Runway delayed but not out

A nearly yearlong tug-of-war over "Project Runway" between Bravo and eventual winner Lifetime meant it stayed off the air this year until August.

When it finally returned, it still posted strong ratings and challenged other reality shows to replicate its success.

This year Bravo launched "The Fashion Show" and "Launch My Line"; MTV brought out "Styl'd" and "House of Jazmin"; and Style Network debuted "Running in Heels." Scripted show "The Beautiful Life," centered on a group of models, lasted just two episodes on the CW.

Plus: It was the stampede of short people heard around the world. A crowd of women in New York auditioning for "America's Next Top Model," which was casting models 5 feet 7 inches and shorter for the first time, in March became dangerous and several were injured.

5. Designer collaborations increase geometrically

Apparently, these are the new rules: A) If you are a celebrity of any kind, design a line of clothes or at least come out with a fragrance or skin care product. B) If you are already a high-fashion designer, design a budget line for the masses.

In 2009, Target welcomed Thakoon, Anna Sui, Alexander McQueen and Carlos Falchi. H&M collaborated with Jimmy Choo, Matthew Williamson and Sonia Rykiel. Walmart got in the mix with a line by Miley Cyrus and Max Azria. JCPenney introduced the Olsen twins' line Olsenboye, and Kohl's partnered with Lauren Conrad. Payless sold shoes by Christian Siriano.

Hilary Duff worked on a collection with DKNY. Nicole Richie designed maternity clothes for A Pea in the Pod. Alanis Morissette and Woody Harrelson created Reco Jeans together.

Plus: Lindsay Lohan's reputation took another hit when she joined Emanuel Ungaro as artistic adviser. The fashion world had little respect for the troubled starlet to begin with and widely panned the resulting collection, which included pasties. Neiman Marcus and Net-A-Porter decided not to carry Ungaro's Spring 2010 collection.

More from the year that was:

Tyra Banks finally takes off her weave during a taping of her talk show. The nation gasps (just kidding).

Glamour is heralded for featuring a photo of a model who is a size 12-14.

Ralph Lauren is criticized for so heavily Photoshopping a model that she no longer looked human — and then firing her.

Despite Taliban bombings in Pakistan, Karachi stages a fashion week that features women's bare ankles and shoulders.

Snuggies, the "blankets with sleeves," gets their own show at New York Fashion Week.

"Bruno" features Sacha Baron Cohen as a fashion reporter. He serves to shock, and he does.

Inexplicably, women copy "The Kate," the reverse mullet that reality TV mom Kate Gosselin wears.