Fashion trends of 2017 all about female empowerment

The year 2017 will go down in the fashion books as the moment women reclaimedtheir power. From the Women's March in January to the swellof the #metoo movement in the fall, the callofvoices demanding gender equality has been emboldened.

Naturally, theexpression extendedtofashion choicesand it showed up in both obvious and subtle ways.

The power of pink

During the Women's March in Washington on Jan.21, as far as the eye could see, heads were topped with handmade pink knitwear. In addition to the main march in Washington theday after President Donald Trump's inauguration, more than 600 "sister marches" happenedworldwide.

What began as a viral response to Trump's infamous reference to the female body part turned into a global pro-woman movement. The must-have march accessory wasdubbed the "pussy hat"and served as a metaphorical peace sign. Or was it more of a raised fist?

• 'Pussyhats' on! Nanaimo shows solidarity with Women's March

• How to make a pink pussy hat if you don't knit

The pussy hatbecamesuch a significant fashion symbolthat London's Victoria and Albert Museummade the hatpart of its Rapid Response collection.

And more pink of the millennial variety

With "millennial pink" becomingthe colour-related catch phrase of the year, Instagrammers flocked to the streets to document the trend with the popular hashtag #millenialpink.

The term does not refer toa specific shade of pink, but rather a range of tones ranging from blush to bubble gum. After Pantone named Rose Quartz the co-colour of the year in 2016, along with a gentle shade of lavender, pink took on a life of its own and was seen this year in fashion, school supplies, interiors, flowers, and even tech products.

Reflecting changing ideas about gender fluidity, the shade once reserved for womenearned widespreadcred among men, who went way beyond the pink statement shirt by rocking rose-tinted shoes, pants, jackets, and workout wear.

Bold ruffles, colours and flowers

In this year of women speaking out loudly, designer clothingseemedto do the same. The catwalks and red carpets were bursting with bright hues,floral patterns and romantic ruffles.

One standout example: London FashionWeek, which looked like a festivalof florabundaas designers from Christopher Kane to Alice Temperley of Temperley London let flowers bloomonan varietyof silhouettes,from puffer jackets to delicate tulle dresses.

A sober moment

At the other end of the spectrum, styleon the screen reflected a sombre, serious look.

The television adaptation of Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel The Handmaid's Tale, starring Elisabeth Moss,re-focused attention on women's reproductive rightsat a time when those rights were being questioned in the U.S.

The wide-brimmed white bonnet and red cloak associated with theseries became a hallmark fashion moment of 2017.

Curiously, the striking costumes inspired an actual fashion show, funded by the Hulu streaming service. Hulu chose the upstart New York label Vaqueratoparticipate in a set of provocative art projects to promote the showand it sure got the fashion worldtalking.

First lady blues

This welcome-to-the-Whitehouseappearancebecameone of many looks that would raise eyebrows and questions about Melania Trump's outfits.

In providing her with the powder blue ensemble, American designer Ralph Lauren came under fire for simply agreeing to dressthe new first lady.Many startedseeing the #BoycottRalphLaurenhashtag in their Twitter feeds, followed closely by the#BoycottDolce&Gabbanahashtagfor the same reason.

Only, in the case of the latter, the Italian fashion housecreated its own backlash. Inan irreverent move aimed at critics, they launched a new campaign with apparel sloganeering a boycott of their own company.

The biggest reaction against MelaniaTrump's fashion choices arose when she wore stiletto heels before getting onboarda flightto visit Hurricane Harvey victims. Many questioned why people were focusing on her footwear instead of the plight of those suffering.

A royal flush

Meghan Marklewas another newly minted dignitary who got the fashion set talking, and in her case, buying. When the Suitsactress announced her engagement to Prince Harry, she chose a white coat from the Canadian fashion brand The Line. The savvy, Toronto-based designers renamed it "The Meghan" and within minutes, the$800 wool wrap was sold out.

• Meghan Marklewears Canadian coat in engagement photos
• Meghan Marklehasconnectionto Toronto

Buzz aboutthe coat was only outdone by purringover her three-stone engagement ring, designed by Harry himself to beflanked bytwo diamonds that once belonged to hislatemother, Princess Diana. It all points to the possibility of the internetbreakingwhen she reveals her wedding dress in May of 2018.

And speaking of putting a ring on it

Beyoncgives Instagram a bump

Beyonc's pregnancyphotoshoot announcement on Instagram in February now hasmore than 11million likes, making itthe most-likedInstagram post ever, according to thesocial media company. On Twitter, thephotoalso attracted 500,000 tweets injust 45 minutes.

And to follow the oohs with some aahhs, the singer sent out another pic in July, introducing twins Sir Carter and Rumi.

Set against a backdrop of blooming flowers, the posts painted Beyoncasanearth mother.After heradultery-themed visual album Lemonade in 2016, the posts were enough to createthe impression that she'sback on top, in all her feminine glory.

Cultural pride through fashion

This year saw the passing of a controversial lawthat requires people in Quebec who give or receive any public service to uncover their faces.But the law was partially struck downin December.

At the same time in the United States, fashion model and former refugee Halima Aden brokeboundaries as the first hijab-wearing model featured onmagazine covers and in high profile runway shows.

And Mattel introduced the first-ever hijab-wearing Barbie. It was inspiredby the U.S. Olympic fencerIbtihaj Muhammad, who won a bronze medal in the 2016 games and was thefirst athlete to wear a hijab while representing the United States.

Authentic Indigenous style

The year 2017 also saw a move towardthe empowerment of Indigenous fashion designers,who have long faced incidentsof cultural appropriation by prominent fashion labels.

• Canadian retailer pulls 'stolen' sacred Inuit design from stores

For example, designer Helen Oro,of Pelican Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan,showed her collection at Startup Fashion Week 2017 in Toronto. Her line ofintricately beaded fashion accessories speaks toher cultural heritage.

Another Indigenous designer, 26-year-oldTishynahBuffalo, who lives on the Alexander First Nation reserve, about 40 kilometres north of Edmonton, was invited to share herwork during London Fashion Week in February.

Her clothing collection incorporatesthe brightly-coloured geometric patterns of the Chief Joseph Pendleton blanketand beadwork in traditional Cree floral arrangements.

Looking ahead to 2018

It's easy to see which trends are building and will hit big time next year based on 2017.

Luxe conscious consumerism

Based on the ever-increasing number of organic products,juice joints andyoga studios, it seemspopular culture is careening toward a sense of wellness. Coupled with the riseof handmade and sustainablegoods, it's safe to say the trend of conscious consumerismwill continue to flourish. Whether the movementis sincere or just another status symbol, celebrities affirm the coolness of caring in their social media posts.

Back to the future

In September, designerDonatella Versacestaged a '90s supermodel catwalk reunion. And come January, the hit series American Crime Storyis set to focus on the murder of her brother, the fashion legend Gianni Versace. He was shot and killed in 1997on the steps of his home in Miami Beach, Fla., and police still don't know why.

Expect to see even more old-school, body-conscious, sparkly dresses in your world. The Versacename isknown for bright colours, flashy prints, and fiercely feminine silhouettes.

Consider it a fitting cap to a year thatheightened appreciation ofthe female body and mind.