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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Shop to Help Japan - Designers Save For Tsunami

In times of need, the fashion community gets together to help those who require it most.  Designers and retailers across the board have banded together to produce fundraising events.  Others have donated product for sale with the proceeds going to Tsunami victims like H & M and Uniqlo.  Shopping sites like Ideeli and Gilt have created portals to donate directly.

United Bamboo, Philip Lim body held sample sales to raise aid money.  Theory set up drop boxes for direct donations of items.

If you want to shop for a cause, some designers created a specially-designed product to help. Rebecca Minkoff is donating $100 of each red handbag sold to the Red Cross.  Polo Ralph Lauren is selling a special edition polo where the proceeds will benefit the United Way.  Lady Gaga's website is selling "We Pray for  Japan" wristbands.

The BIG shopping event is coming up from Fashion Girls for Japan.  Over 60 NY designers like Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Alice + Olivia, Derek Lam, Richard Chai, Diane Von Furstenburg (just to name a few) will have rolling racks of goodies to be sold to benefit the American Red Cross.  The event takes places this Saturday and Sunday at the Bowery Hotel (335 Bowery Street, NYC).

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Ecco Domani Fashion Designer Award Winners Announced

Good wine and fashion...A well known combination.  Winemaker Ecco Domani started a fashion foundation several years ago to award grants to up-and-coming designers in the industry.  They have a good eye, as past winners included Prabal Gurung, Alexander Wang and Rodarte.  

This year, they announced winners Pamela Love for accessories and Kyle Fitzgibbons of Native Son for menswear.  For womenswear, Mandy Coon, M. Patmos, Nikki Dekker of The Lake & Stars and friend of Ms. Fab, Bibhu Mohapatra took home honors.  Tara St. James won the award for sustainable design for her label Study NY.  

Each of the designers will receive $25 000 towards the costs of presenting at NY fashion week.  Congratulations!!! You have all earned it!

Are you a designer and think you're due?  Apply for next year's grant here.

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Fab Sales Alert: Alexander Wang, Y-3, Marc Jacobs

In NYC:

Alexander Wang
Uber-hipster Downtown threads beloved by models, celebs, and editors.  Pre-Fall 10 and Fall 10 RTW, Handbags, Footwear and Men’s and Women’s T by Alexander Wang. Discounts are up to 80% off!  
When: December 16th - 18th, 10am-7pm, December 19th, 10am - 2pm
Where: 
93 Mercer St., NY, NY
Y-3 and AdidasActive and stylish?  Grab sporty designer essentials for those New Year's resolutions in the making. When: December 16, 9am - 7 pmWhere: 610 Broadway, 3rd Floor
Zang ToiFor the Ladies Who Lunch with elegance and character...The holiday super-sale.When: December 16th - 18th, 11 am - 8 pm  (Wine will be served!)Where: 30 West 57th street, 7th floor
In Los Angeles: 

Undrest by the SeaSwimwear for that New Year's getaway and escape from cold weatherWhen: December 17th, 9 am - 4 PMWhere: 833 Spring Street, Suite 301
Echo Park50% - 70% off Mens and Womens' merchandiseWhen: December 17th and 18th, Noon - 7 PMWhere: 1154 Glendale Blvd
Online:

Marc By Marc JacobsTrendy Downtown handbags by fashion's most coveted designer When: Friday, December 17th, 2010,  Noon (EST)Where:  Shop Online here.

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FAB Sales Alert: Alexander Wang, Barney's

In NYC:
Alexander Wang's much-coveted pieces are up to 80% off. The sale includes bags, shoes and clothes. I just saw a cute asymmetrical leather skirt for $238 (originally $595)
When: Thursday, August 5th - Sunday, August 8th Th (2–7), F–S (10–7), Su (10–3).
Where: 93 Mercer St., nr Spring St.
In LA/SF:
The Legendary Barney's Warehouse Sale is where you will find the most fashionable catfights of the year. Merchandise will be 50-75% off.
When: In SF, through August 8th. In LA, August 5h - August 15th, See website for hours
Where: See the website

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FAB Sales Alert: Alexander Wang, Dolce and Gabbana,Kooba,Diesel...

In NYC:

Kooba's stylish handbags. A favorite of young celebs and socialites.

When: Tuesday, July 27 - Thursday, July 29, 2010. 11 am - 7 pm

Where: 261 West 36th street, 2nd floor

Diesel Warehouse Sale! Slick designer denim at binge-shopping prices

When: Tuesday, July 27 - Thursday, July 29, 2010. 10 am - 6 pm
Where: 220 West 19th Street (between 7th/8th ave), 2nd floor

Online:

Alexander Wang is HOT all over the world. Devoted fashionistas declare themselves "Wangsters". Erin Wasson, Courtney Love are fans.
When: Monday, July 26, 2010

Where: Register or shop immediately HERE

D & G Dolce and Gabbana. One of Madonna's favorites.

When: Tueday, July 27, 2010

Where: Where: Register to shop here.

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CFDA Fashion Awards 2010 - Emerging Talent Sparkles

Lincoln Center was the scene of fashion's most accomplished Monday evening. The CFDA awards honored the best of designers in a celebrity-packed red carpet event. Guests to the show were presented with a line of models representing all of the design nominees as they entered the auditorium.

Most moving was a special tribute to Alexander McQueen presented by Sarah Jessica Parker.

The lifetime achievement award was presented to Michael Kors by Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Womenswear Designer of the Year went to Marc Jacobs. Top honors in Menswear went to Rag & Bone. Alexis Bittar took home Accessory Designer of the Year



Swarovski sponsored the awards for emerging talent. Alexa Chung and Gossip Guy Ed Westwick presented awards to Jason Wu for womenswear, Richard Chai for menswear and Alexander Wang for accessories. Emerging talent winners also get financial support for Swarovski as well as access to their crystal libraries.

For those still studying their way into fashion, Monday night also presented scholarships. Carmen Chen Wu was the recipient of the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholarship. The Liz Claiborne Fashion Award went to Jusil Carroll and the CFDA/Vogue scholarship was awarded to Nicole Goh. For a complete list of winners, click through to cfda.com



Photos by Getty Images, fabsugar and Associated Press

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NY Fashion Week: Alexander Wang Fall 2010

One of my favorites this season, was Alexander Wang’s collection. It was a truly brilliant twist on the menswear vs. womenswear look. Using pinstripes and tailoring details, the runway showed look after look of re-proportioned pieces that were sexy and new. Velvets and leathers added richness and an urban edge. I witnessed first hand on my visits to the loft, how hard the Wang team works (late, late nights and weekends)

The bags had the same inspiration. An oversized backpack got extended long satin tails, boxy leather briefcases were reinterpreted into smaller clutches. A classic attache or file case was also reinvented to be smaller in waxed leather.

Spotted in the front row: Agyness Deyn, Nina Garcia, Zoe Kravitz

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