Business of Fashion’s 500 lists new names, fresh faces, and a new system.
Upon the unveiling of the 2019 BoF 500 ahead of their annual gala, the fashion news outlet also announced that instead of making a totally new list each year, they will now keep existing members and add 100 new names. This is in an effort to create “a community that grows stronger and more meaningful with time”. The change seems to have improved the selection process and the exposure brought to the members; along with well-known names are up-and-comers, past members are still acknowledged as in vogue, and a smaller list is inherently more discerning.
Here are some of the highlights of this year’s BoF 500:
Lizzo
Known for her body-positivity and uplifting lyrics, Lizzo has really made an impact on pop culture this year. She has an untouchable style, emanating self-love and empowering others to follow in her footsteps. Playing in music festivals Coachella, Glastonbury, and more, 2019 has been Lizzo’s year.
Zhang Yiming
You may not know his name, but you definitely know his work. Yiming is the founder of Beijing ByteDance Technology Co., the conglomerate that created TikTok. With TikTok being the most downloaded app in the first quarter of 2019, and ByteDance being valued at $75 billion, Yiming is definitely one of the key trendsetters of the year.
Bethany Williams
Williams, a newcomer on the fashion scene, has made waves with her sustainable and activist design collections. She creates garments made exclusively from recycled materials and collaborates with charities; women’s shelters and food banks in particular. In her clothing designs and the way she runs her business, Williams seeks to shed light on often underrepresented issues such as youth homelessness and hidden hunger.
Yoon-Soo Yoon
Yoon-Soo is the chairman of Fila Ltd, and has been largely responsible for the brand’s “comeback”. By 2017, Yoon-Soo had solidified Fila’s new image as a trendy streetwear label with a 90’s flavour. 2019 has seen further high fashion collaborations and the brand reaching an iconic status, including the well-known Fila Disruptor sneakers.
Zendaya
Zendaya’s star has been rising since 2010, but 2019 saw her become not only a household name but a favourite among diverse audiences. Her charisma and acting range were showcased this year in Spider-Man: Far From Home and Euphoria. These lead roles gave Zendaya a chance to shine, and her fashion at red carpet events is nothing short of iconic.
To check out the full list of 2019’s Cover Stars, head to BoF.
Subscribe to FIB’s newsletter for your weekly dose of music, fashion and pop culture news!
