Year 2011 distinguished by its twenty prominent figures

In the world of fashion, 2011 was a year marked by change and growth. Several key events and appointments shaped the industry, with notable figures taking on new roles and brands making significant moves.

One of the most notable changes came in the form of leadership shifts. Jordi Constans, previously an executive at Danone, was appointed as the CEO of Louis Vuitton, replacing Yves Carcelle. Meanwhile, Amancio Ortega, the founder of Inditex, announced his resignation from the presidency of the company, with Pablo Isla, a lawyer by profession, taking over the reins.

The year also saw the departure of Christian Meyer from Desigual due to differences in international expansion strategies, and Isak Andic returning to the day-to-day management of Mango, reshuffling the management team.

In the realm of high fashion, Miuccia Prada led Prada to become a listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and Marc Puig, the president of Puig, led the group's acquisition of Jean Paul Gaultier's brand for 30 million euros, giving Puig a 45% stake.

The year was not without its controversies. John Galliano was fired by Dior in February following racist slurs he made at a Parisian restaurant. Meanwhile, Liliane Bettencourt was embroiled in a legal battle with her children over the management of her assets.

Fashion houses also capitalised on collaborations with high-street brands. Donatella Versace created a collection for H&M, following Alber Elbaz's collaboration with the same brand the previous year. This trend towards fast fashion was also evident in Versace's strategy, with the brand using collaborations with H&M to achieve greater popularity.

The impact of these fashion houses was felt far and wide. Kate Middleton, who married Prince William of England in May, became a style icon and a desired client for fashion houses worldwide. Her wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton, was a testament to this influence.

The Spanish fashion industry also faced its share of challenges. Adolfo Dominguez's company reported losses of 8.79 million euros in the first half of 2011, while El Corte Inglés is currently negotiating the acquisition of the accessories chain Fun & Basics, which is in liquidation.

In an effort to reposition itself, El Corte Inglés is focusing on increasing fashion offerings and recovering traditional values, with Isidoro Álvarez leading this process. On the other hand, Abercrombie & Fitch's models caused chaos in Madrid in December, attracting teenagers and becoming symbols of consumer desire.

Lastly, Jacques-Antoine Granjon founded Vente Privee and achieved its entry into the United States through an alliance with American Express, while Bernard Arnault returned to the spotlight as a key player in the fashion industry, orchestrating the takeover of Hermès by LVMH.

All in all, 2011 was a year of significant change and growth in the fashion industry, with key figures taking on new roles, brands making strategic moves, and the industry adapting to new trends and challenges.