CFDA Award Winners - 2013

Last night at Lincoln Center, the fashion industry's elite came out with the celebrities who love them.  The occasion was to honor the achievements of their peers across multiple categories at the CFDA Awards.

Thom Browne won the award for Menswear Designer of the Year.  He was recently honored at the Pratt fashion design graduate show and Michelle Obama wore his coat on the day of the last inauguration.  I guess this win should not have been much of a surprise.

Philip Lim won the award for Accessories Designer of the Year.

Swarovski awarded honors in emerging talent to Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty for Suno for women’s wear, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne for Public School for men’s wear, and Pamela Love for accessory design.

The most coveted category, Women’s Designer of the Year went to Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler for their fifth win in the history of these awards.  It’s a wonder that we aren’t all issued the PS 1 handbag when we step onto 7^th avenue at this point.

The non-competitive awards that honored established figures in fashion included Oscar de la Renta for the Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert.  The award was presented to him by longtime friend/fan Hillary Clinton.

The CFDA Board of Directors’s tribute honored my favorite costume designer, Colleen Atwood (Snow White & the Huntsman, Chicago, etc.)

The committee awarded Vera Wang the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award to bridal/lifestyle/eveningwear juggernaut, Vera Wang. 

While I believe every major designer is “International”, the CFDA gave their International Award to Richardo Tisci of Givenchy.

I grew up following “Toronto Life Fashion” on local television.  I was very proud to hear that the host I watched for years, Tim Blanks receive the Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard.  Canadian in ‘da house!

Photo collage from cfda.com instagram round-up

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Parsons Fashion Show - Part One

My alma mater, Parsons School of Design held its fashion show for the class of 2013 last night.  The evening honored Patrick Robinson and attracted other Parsons alumni like Proenza Schouler. The first batch of designers here were all about a technique.  They took high tech and classic treatments and created a mini collection around it.

Sharon Yumen Wang above was about making sculpture out of pleats.  He used wide, sharp pleats and wound them around the body in different ways to in a grey, black and white palette.

Francine Frolich incorporated digital printing and laser cutting.  She took architectural forms and used them as motif and almost like armor when worn on the body.  I'm not sure how comfortable they were to wear, but I can say I haven't seen this on a runway before.

 Connie de la Cruz from the Domincan Republic also used digital printing.  He then took the printed fabric and manipulated it with bold solid colors for an easy sportswear look.

This collection by Jasmine Plantin was all about thick, woolly embroidery contrasted with sheer, light fabric.  The dark, natural colors and the swirled patterns looked a lot like an elevation map to me.  While the silhouettes were very simple, the looks were very effective.  It's hard to make embroidery look masculine, but this group made it work.

Stay tuned for more graduate work!  Good luck to all of the designers!

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SAMPLE SALES! DVF, Theyskens Theory, Proenza Schouler, Carlos Falchi & More...

In NYC:
Diane Von Furstenburg 
She's an icon in her own right.  Current fall stock and samples in all the bold prints you love (along with some furry pieces) are up for grabs.  According to Racked.com and Madison Avenue Spy, the selection is big, though you'll be competing with other fashionistas for it.  Prices are $125 for jackets and dresses, $20 for phone cases, samples are $50, in general, up to 75% off retail.

WHEN: Tuesday, December 13 through Saturday, December 16

Tues 9am to 6:30pm, Wed 10am to 8pm, Thurs 10am to 7pm, Fri 9am to 5pm, Sat 10am to 3pm

WHERE: 260 5th Ave. (bet. 28th & 29th St.)

photo via racked.com

Nanette Lepore

A crusader for keeping fashion made in NYC, shopping Nanette Lepore's contemporary sportswear would just be patriotic... Holiday 2011 available just in time for the best parties:

When:Tuesday, December 13 through Wednesday, December 14. Daily 9am—7pm. 

Where: 225 West 35th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves, fourth floor (no phone)

Helmut Lang & Theyskens Theory

Sleek, avant-garde, cosmopolitan.  The uniform of fashion's  uber-cool, Helmut Lang and Olivier Theysken's capsule collection for Theory will be up to 65% off this week.

When:Thursday, December 15 through Sunday, December 18. Thurs noon—8pm, Fri 8am—8pm, Sat—Sun 10am—6pm. 

Where: 139 Fifth Ave between 20th and 21sts Sts, second floor (212-398-2777)

Proenza Schouler
One of the fastest rising designer duos this century, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez were an instant hit with models and hipsters everywhere.  Look for goodies up to 75% off:
When: Saturday, December 17, 9am—9pm. 
Where: 495 Broadway between Spring and Broome Sts, 3rd Floor


Carlos Falchi
Covetable handbags in exotic skins and leathers.  They're usually too prohibitive for me, but now that there is a sample sale of 40% - 70% off, watch out... Bring this flyer for entry.
When: Thursday, December 15 through Friday, December 16. Daily 9am—4pm. 
Where: 1450 Broadway between 40th and 41st Sts, suite 802


Zang Toi:
Have a truly glam soiree to attend this season?  You can't get more elegant than Zang Toi.  Ballgowns, the richest fabrics, these are the pieces you dream of...
When: December 13th - December 14th
Where: 30 West 57th Street, 7th Floor


 

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Fashion, Music and Hollywood Elite for CFDA Awards

The CFDA awards used to be about hardcore fashion industry insiders celebrating their achievements.  Last night's awards though, brought out the top names in music (Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Estelle), Hollywood (Jessica Alba, Olsen Twins, Kirsten Dunst) and journalishm (Andersen Cooper).  Designers, merchants, retailers still ruled the carpet and took home the trophies.

Designer of the year for womenswear was awarded to Proenza Schouler's  Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.  For menswear, Michael Bastian took home the designer honors.  Alexander Wang won the award for Accessories Designer of the Year.

While it seems that the fashion crowd has been aware of Prabal Gurung's achievements for quite some time, he won the Swarovski award for emerging talent.  The forever-hot Marc Jacobs won the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award, (even though he has yet to hit middle age). 


A turquoise-wigged, Thierry Mugler wearing Lady Gaga own the (least surprising, yet highly deserved)  Fashion Icon award.  
photos by  Larry Busacca

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WWD at 100 Exhibit

Across the street from Lincoln Center, a quiet fashion presentation is taking place.  Womens Wear Daily has installed an exhibit featuring iconic looks from the last 100 years re-interpreted by today's hottest young designers.  Marilyn Monroe's iconic white subway dress, Bruce Springsteen's denim, Audrey Hepburn just to name a few.

Gilt.com will auction the one-of-a-kind looks at the end of the exhibit.  The exhibit runs until September 16th and is open to the public.

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FAB Sales Alert: Proenza Schouler,Helmut Lang

In NYC:

Proenza Schouler started today and reportedly causing mass hipster hysteria (at least according to Racked NY) Prices are actually starting at $20 for tissue tanks, $125 for bandage dresses
When: Wednesday, July 21 through Thursday, July 22. Daily 9am—6pm.
Where: 495 Broadway between Spring and Broome Sts, eighth floor

Theory and Helmut Lang is doing a second run of an earlier sale. The samples and irregular pieces are being sold off at heavy discount for anyone who wants them. Women's clothing from all seasons will be available as well.

When: Wednesday, July 21 through Thursday, July 22. Daily 11am—7pm.

Where: 261 West 36th Street between 7th and 8th avenue (2nd floor)

Online:

Avant-garde designers Ann Demeulemeester and Rick Owens will be onsale with Morgane Le Fay and Haider Ackerman. Sexy rocker-chic or hipster revolutionary? Get it all...

When: Thursday, July 22

Shoplink: Register and shop here.

Photos from Racked.com and Gilt.com

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Designers For Earth Day - Fashion Showing Love for our Planet

Is it an oxymoron for fashion houses to get involved in Earth Day? It may seem like an industry that promotes consumption and capitalism wouldn't put it high on their priority list, but that is simply not true. Major fashion designers, luxury, trendy and sporty are using their cachet and merchandising skills to help our dear planet.

Designers like Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, Vivienne Westwood and Gucci have contributed items for Christie's Bid to Save the Earth auction. The proceeds of which benefit charities that focus on environmental causes. Prizes include lunch with Vera Wang and tickets to the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Uber-chic department store Barney's has partnered with Loomstate label to create a series of organic cotton inspired by NBC's peacock logo. A percentage of proceeds will benefit the oganization 1% for the Planet as well as the charities involved with the Christie's auction.

Louis Vuitton will celebrate the 40th anniverwary of Earth Day by donating 10% of the day's online purchases to Global Green. The non-profit works with the Green Schools initiative in major cities.

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CFDA Announces Nominees

Last week held a lot of news for the Council of Fashion Designers of America. First, Diane Von Furstenburg was elected president for a third time (a first for the organization). Second, the designer held a soiree at her studio to announce the nominees for the CFDA awards.

Prabal Garung, Joseph Altuzarra and Michelle Obama favorite, Jason Wu were nominated for the Swarovski Award for emerging talent in Womenswear. Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan and Alexander Wang are competing against each other for Designer of the Year. For accessory design, nominees include Alexis Bittar, Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler, and Marc Jacobs.

Project Runway’s staple, Michael Kors will be receiving the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award. The awards will take place at Lincoln Center June 7 in NYC.

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