This time last year, we urged you to keep your eyes on the inevitable rise of then hardly knowns like Chloë Moretz, Kat Graham, and Emma Stone, all of whom have blossomed into full-fledged style icons over the past 365 days. Now, we're directing your attention to a new crop of burgeoning "It" girls. The following 12 lovely ladies, running the gamut from glamazon Lana Del Rey to fashion mogul Tavi Gevinson to the transfixingly elegant Rooney Mara, make up our Class of 2012 Ones to Watch.
LANA DEL REY:
Lana Del Rey
Photo: Courtesy of Lana Del Rey's Facebook
From the moment we first set eyes on the self-proclaimed gangster Nancy Sinatra, we were and have since been smitten with Lana Del Rey's captivating Hollywood sadcore aesthetic. Music critics may be torn about whether the budding songstress has merit, and rumors of major cosmetic surgery withstanding, you just can't stop looking at this girl. From her perpetual pout to her voluptuous cascading big barrel curls to a retro-inspired fashion sense that won't quit, Lana (aka Lizzy Grant) is without a doubt a gigantic rising style star to watch as 2012 unfolds.
ELIZABETH OLSEN:
Elizabeth Olsen at the Museum of Modern Art's fourth annual Film benefit "A Tribute to Pedro Almodovar" on Nov. 15.
Photo: Getty Images
You'd think that Elizabeth Olsen would be a shoo-in for this list just because the girl is cut from the same genetic cloth as the fashion mogul twin sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. While that may have influenced Lizzie's style prowess, she certainly doesn't dress anything like her sisters. If anything, the youngest Olsen has exhibited a slightly off-kilter personal style—not super trendy, not too willowy, not hyper-stylized—and it's the knowingness with which she carries an unexpected ensemble like this unique asymmetrically hemmed frock that renders her look consistently mesmerizing. With a stellar performance as the Martha Marcy May Marlene lead under the Tisch alumna's belt and a possible upcoming role alongside Dakota Fanning in development, we can't wait for Lizzie Olsen to be hitting many a red carpet as the year progresses.
ATLANTA DE CADENET:
Atlanta de Cadenet
Photo: Courtesy of Atlanta de Cadenet's Tumblr
Shutterbugs have loved Atlanta de Cadenet, daughter of Duran Duran bassist John Taylor and former actress/photographer Amanda de Cadenet, since she was just a little tyke, but it's not just her famous name and uncanny resemblance to Rachel Bilson that has The Cobra Snake dudes and much of the fashion community sitting up and taking notice. Atlanta runs with a very free-spirited hipster meets boho meets Americana attitude toward assembling ensembles that keeps the flashbulbs flocking and, we think, will propel her to huge fash notoriety in 2012.
MAE WHITMAN:
Mae Whitman at NBC's 2011 TCA summer press tour on Aug. 1.
Photo: FilmMagic
We've been fans of Mae Whitman as an actress for years, with her role as Amber Holt on Parenthood piquing our interest as of late. But it was a deliciously unexpected amping up of her fashion game this year that has really put her on our radars as a rising style star. I mean, that artfully swooping asymmetrical 'do? The layering of black on black on black with a three-quarter-sleeve top, tailored vest, and cuffed jeans for a jumpsuit-esque silhouette? J'maze. Her personal steez is a little bit hair spray retro, a little inspired by The Go-Go's, and major false eyelash skills. And with the release of The Perks of Being a Wallflower looming in the horizon, we can't wait to see more of Mae as the film's debut approaches.
AZEALIA BANKS:
Azealia Banks
Photo: Courtesy of Vice Style
The entire MTV Style crew has a DISGUSTINGLY gigantic girl-crush on Harlem-based lady rapper Azealia Banks. Ever since we caught wind of her filthily infectious breakout track, "212," and her adorably quirky Mickey Mouse sweater + cutoff jorts + quadra-braid hair situation combo, we've been deep, DEEP in love with Miss Banks. The all-too-short Vice fashion spread that came out in October was but a taste of things to come, since girl has already shot a slew of editorials poised to come out at the top of 2012. Also, Mugler mastermind and Lady Gaga creative director Nicola Formichetti is reblogging her tunes, sooooo [insert upcoming collab rumor here]. We anticipate only big things from this girl in the year to come.
NORA ZEHETNER:
Nora Zehetner at the Fashion's Night Out celebration of Calvin Klein's collection on Sept. 8.
Photo: Getty Images
Nora Zehetner's striking doe eyes, glowing smile, and a sort of Twiggy meets Winona Ryder fashion aesthetic have made her a staple in off-duty style roundups. Toeing the lines between mod and classic and twee, Nora's steez of late consists mainly of bold solid colors, crisp clean lines, and fresh-faced beauty looks.
TAVI GEVINSON:
Tavi Gevinson at Lucrecia Martel's "Muta" presented by MIU MIU on July 19.
Photo: Getty Images
We've been watching Tavi Gevinson for years, but between gallivanting with Hailee Steinfeld in Disneyland and launching an industry empire with Rookie Mag, she is poised for astronomical liftoff in 2012! From her shocking New York Fashion Week wedding dress this year to all of the important power moves we expect her to make in the coming months, Tavi is one to watch for a host of reasons outside of her inspired personal style and well-voiced convictions.
HOLLAND RODEN:
Holland Roden at the Charlotte Ronson Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Sept. 10.
Photo: Getty Images
We'll just come right out and say it. Holland Roden dresses her balls off. We love any excuse to rep our homegirls, but make no mistake, Holland isn't on this list just because of Teen Wolf. Her effortless wielding of vintage in a way that is retro-inspired rather than eye-achingly costume-y is boggling and admirable, and you can be sure that the glamorous ginger bombshell will turn up in an interesting cut or silhouette or unexpected color combination to every. single. event. Also, cameras LOVE her.
ABIGAIL BRESLIN:
Abigail Breslin at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "New Year's Eve" on Dec. 5, 2011.
Photo: Getty Images
Remember when Abigail Breslin was a bespectacled little babychild in Little Miss Sunshine? Well, this past year she has grown the eff up before our eyes. Not only that, but she has been making some spectacularly interesting red carpet choices, and with three movie releases on deck for 2012, we're beside ourselves with anticipation for how this budding style star will evolve over the next year.
LOTTIE MOSS:
Lottie Moss at older sister Kate Moss' wedding in Abingdon, England on July 1, 2011.
Photo: Getty Images
Lottie Moss may just be a wee teenager, but you can't ignore how instinctively Kate Moss's little sis knows how to pose as she smizes and finds her light with the ease and precision of an old pro. Looking at this first photo shoot, it's hardly evident that Lottie is only 13 years old. Who knows if it has anything to do with the superhuman Moss gene pool or not, but it's definitely notable that Lottie was able to stand out in even the most candid crowded shots from Kate's wedding.
ROONEY MARA:
Rooney Mara at "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" world premiere on Dec. 12.
Photo: Getty Images
Rooney Mara is on the fast track to style greatness. Fortunate enough to play the title character of an über-popular book/movie series with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, we will definitely be seeing more and more of the strikingly angular Mara. What makes Rooney's personal style so interesting is the dichotomy of those girlish blunt bangs with her eccentric, at times even severe, fashion choices: large, haphazard cutouts; mixed sheers and opaques; stark colors. Already featured on a Vogue cover rounding out 2011, we're excited to watch the editorial love for Mara to skyrocket this year.
2NE1:
The ladies of K-Pop mega band 2NE1.
K-Pop has picked up an insane amount of steam domestically between Girls Generation and 2NE1, with both of their major stateside performances eliciting an inexplicably bananas amount of crowd support. We're keeping our eyes glued on 2NE1 as the new year progresses, namely because of their bestie collab status with our beloved Jeremy Scott and their enviable collection of high-drama streetwear like JoyRich.
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