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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FFAWNing over Blige and Malandrino's Collection

Fashion, like many other disciplines, require passion and creativity. It is no surprise then, that an accomplished musician and fashion designer would collaborate on a fabulous collection together.
Catherine Malandrino and Mary J. Blige presented the FFAWN collection Tuesday night to a room of notables from all walks of artistic life at the Museum of Modern Art. Fellow singer Estelle, celeb-chef Todd English, museum curator Thelma Goldin were all on hand to celebrate.

The clothes themselves were sexy and diva-worthy. The looks onstage were perfect to represent the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now in inspiring young women succeed with confidence and skills. Proceeds from the benefit will help Bronx students on their way to college this year.

Photos By Steve Eichner

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Louis Vuitton Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing

Last night, the science-nerd in me loved being at Louis Vuitton’s party at the Rose Center at the American Museum of Natural History to meet heroes of my youth. CEO Daniel Lalonde introduced guests of honor Buzz Aldrin and Jim Lovell at the party celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the lunar landing. National treasures in their own right, the two former astronauts, along with first American woman in space, Sally Ride, star in the new Louis Vuitton Journeys campaign.

With a history in creating high quality travel goods, I loved that this campaign focused on the accomplishments and dreams of the human race (rather than your typical pretty faces). The ad is simply gorgeous n’est-ce pas?

This being a fashion event, the party had no shortage of the chic and famous… Gossip Girl’s Jessica Szohr, Miranda Kerr, a glowing, pregnant Adriana Lima and handsome Lance Bass were mingling among the planets. Singers Cassie and Estelle also made their way across the red carpet. The celeb fashionistas were carrying the latest bags of the Louis Vuitton collection, Jessica with an embellished clutch, Miranda with the metallic leather purse.

Since I attend many more fashion events than I do for science and history, I have to admit I was much more ‘geeked’ about the guests of honor (no offense to the glamor crowd).

The nibbles were themed… “Moons” of white chocolate dipped rice krispy balls were served for dessert along with champagne topped “Cosmos”. (Beats Tang!)

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