Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed List 2013

Vanity Fair International Best-Dressed List is finally over as the most fashionable people of 2013 have been declared.

Some of the choices were far from surprising. Kate Middleton makes the list for the fourth time since she first appeared in 2008.

Princess Letizia of Asturias is also on the List, as is Princess Madeleine of Sweden.

Scandal actress Kerry Washington, who graced the cover of the magazine’s August issue, made the number one spot.

Gisele Bundchen, Charlize Theron and Justin Timberlake also appeared, as did Stella Tenant.

Victoria Beckham was also listed.

There were the obvious choices, and then the more intriguing ones. Peng Liyuan, the wife of the Chinese President Xi Jinping, makes her debut this year. Peng Liyuan, who is also a singer and performing artist, has been feted for adding some glamor to her husband’s staid office.

But if the List charts those whose star is on the rise, those whom it excludes must feel the burn. With that in mind, it’s interesting that the List’s compilers have failed to include Michelle Obama – for the second year running. Barack Obama hasn’t appeared since 2009.

In fact, the wives of Western politicians are conspicuously absent. Samantha Cameron hasn’t appeared since she was included for the first time in 2010. And, while Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is a veteran of the List, having appeared four times, the wife of the former French president isn’t in the List this year.

For some, the List is a sacred affair, but there are those who treat it more lightheartedly. While Lara Stone, appearing in the Couples category with husband David Walliams, said her favorite item of clothing is “my wedding dress, made by Riccardo Tisci”, David said his were his “Charvet pajamas”.

He added that his style icon is Italian actress “Ornella Muti as Princess Aura in Flash Gordon”.

When asked who his is, Keith Richards, new to the List, responded: “Why should I [have one]… I am one!”

He also insisted that: “I don’t shop!”

Other newbies include Beyonce and Dita von Teese. The burlesque dancer said her favorite article of clothing is “The <<Hussar>> gown from Jean Paul Gaultier’s 2002 winter haute couture collection”. Fittingly, her style icons are “the women of 1940s-era fetish artist John Willie”.

Ronan Farrow, a writer, human-rights lawyer and diplomat but better known as the son of Mia Farrow and Woody Allen, was also included.

For the first time in its history, the fashion’s who’s who has been opened up to the public. The International Best-Dressed Challenge, as it was known, invited submissions from readers. Fashion blogger Hallie Swanson and interior Designer Darren Henault were selected.

Hallie Swanson’s style icon is Miranda Kerr.

Darren Henault’s styel icon is “Bill Blass with a touch of Pee-wee Herman and the Mad Hatter thrown in”.