Last night, fashion designers, editors, stylists, models and Hollywood’s A-list gathered at the Lincoln Centre in New York for one of the most highly anticipated occasions in the fashion calendar – the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards – celebrating industry insiders and the best American fashion talent.This year’s ceremony was particularly special as it celebrated the 50th anniversary of the CFDA. With the opening of the Awards featuring a two-minute film in homage to the CFDA, directed by Zoe Cassavetes, followed by a live retrospective of five decades of fashion designed by CFDA members.
Olsen Twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley, bagged themselves the Womenswear of the Year award – the most coveted prize of the night – for their collection The Row. Mary-Kate, dressed in signature monochrome, accepted the award and thanked twin, Ashley, who wore an amethyst jewel-toned maxi dress, both by their own label.
The award for Menswear Designer of the Year was presented to Billy Reid, whilst Reed Krakoff took home the Accessory Designer of the Year Award as presented by Mad Men‘s Jessica Paré. Honoured with the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent and presented by actress Lily Collins were Joseph Altuzarra for Womenswear, Phillip Lim for Menswear and Tabitha Simmons for Accessory Design. Anna Wintour presented Tommy Hilfiger with The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award for his continual and creative influence on fashion and The Founder’s Award was given to Andrew Rosen by designer Kenneth Cole. Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons was honoured with 2012’s International Award and although unable to attend the ceremony, Johnny Depp was given the Fashion Icon Award.
“This is fashion’s night to celebrate each other,” said Diane von Furstenberg, President of the CFDA, dressed in a stunning black and white monochrome floor length dress. Black seemed to be the order of the evening for New York designers, with Donna Karan donning a sexy skinny-legged and sequinned tuxedo, and Prabal Gurung accompanying actress Zoe Saldana in his own customised, cut-out maxidress.
- Anna Wintour, Solange Knowles, Kate Bosworth
Anna Wintour, in customary sunglasses (at night) and signature sharp bob, wore a neon bright Marc Jacobs midi shift dress and nude accessories, whilst actress Kate Bosworth followed suit in an equally bright and heavily-embellished orange Altuzarra midriff-baring creation and sharp black heels and clutch. Solange Knowles, wearing one of the hottest – and most unwearable – colours of the season, shone in a Marni white and yellow patterned paillette dress.
We were sadly underwhelmed by actress Jessica Chastain‘s white angelic Prabal Gurung dress. The far-too-voluminous skirt and sheer puffed sleeves together with Nicholas Kirkwood multi strap sandals came off a little too mumsy and not quite high-fashion enough for us (or the occasion). Model Joan Smalls looked suitably summery in a racer back ivory Michael Kors gown and gold python textured accessories. The surprise of the night however was singer Mandy Moore (where has she been?), showing exactly how off-white should be worn and looking truly ethereal in an embellished cap-sleeved Lela Rose design.