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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