2009 Retrospective: Fashionable Losses of the Year

Although there were many fashionable highs in 2009, there were a few lows as well. This year witnessed the loss of a music and fashion icon, a trailblazing model, a nascent clothing label and more. Let's take a look back in remembrance and reverence.

Michael Jackson:

In June, fans were shocked by the sudden death of music icon Michael Jackson. In addition to scoring dozens of number-one hits, MJ also initiated several trends, making red leather jackets, glitter gloves and fedoras de riguer for fashionable followers young and old. His memory lives on in the music and the movements he initiated. We will continue to reference them for years to come.Naomi Sims:

In August, we lost Naomi Sims, the model designer Halston called "the first. She was the great ambassador for all black people. She broke down all the social barriers." The Philadelphia native appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan and Life and was the first black woman to land the cover of Ladies Home Journal, in 1968. The pioneering glamazon paved the way for contemporary brown-skin models such as Arlenis, Chanel, Sessilee and Jourdan. She will be missed.

Kanye's Pastelle Clothing Line:

Before we could even get excited about Kanye's Pastelle clothing line, MTV News reported that the collection would, "never, ever, ever come out." Too bad. It seems the Chicago native has an eye for cut and design and already scored quite well with his Nike Air Yeezy's and Louis Vuitton sneaks. Better luck next year, Kanye. We're all watching and waiting for your next creative move. We're sure it'll be fabulous.

The End of Vibe Magazine:

In June, Daily Finance announced the shuttering of Vibe magazine. The hip-hop monthly, known for its intelligent, spot-on writing and finger-on-the-pulse reporting, closed its downtown offices and bid adieu to its talented staff. Though the print magazine recently relaunched in smaller form, we'll still miss the Vibe of the olden days, when ed notes by Danyel Smith and eye-catching fashion spreads by Memsor Kamaraké delighted and awed.

What will you miss the most?

See more Best of 2009 Roundups at http://fashionbombdaily.com/category/best-of-2009/ on The Fashion Bomb.