2009 CFDA Awards

New York City never ceases to amaze me. Last night, June 15, 2009, while I was watching TV, counting down the days until the Independence Day, the most fabulous fashion designers and insiders were living up the night at the 2009 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards.

Zuma Press

Much like the MET Costume ball a few months ago, part of the fun of the night was seeing who was wearing what and who was with who. As you can imagine there was a plethora of images to choose from. There were some fashion dos, like Blake Lively’s neon gown, and there were some don’t that I’m just not going to mention because these were fashion designer for goodness sakes!

The CFDA has a track record of honoring and recognizing up and coming designers, such as Jason Wu and Thakoon Panichgul who Michelle Obama absolutely adores (who were both nominated for Emerging Talent Awards but didn’t win). All award winners, whether Michelle Obama endorsed or not, received some type of financial backing as an incentive.

Oh, and speaking of Michelle Obama, the CFDA members honored the First Lady with a a special Tribute Award. The Award came a few days too late, Mrs. Obama was not at the ceremony to accept the praises of the CFDA president, Diane Von Furstenberg. However, the first lady did accept the award with a pre-tapped message saying that fashion is an  ”art form” with “ingenuity and craftsmanship that contribute so much to our economy and culture.”

The First Lady was not the only winner of course! Those who received some special recognition from the CFDA included:

Designer Jason Wu & Actress Diane Kruger

Accessory Designer of the Year: Proenza Schouler
Popular Vote Award: Ralph Lauren
Menswear Designer of the Year: Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein and Scott Sternberg for Band of Outsiders (tie)
Swarovski Award for Menswear: Tim Hamilton
Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Alexander Wang
Swarovski Award for Accessories: Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewellery
Womenswear Designer of the Year: Rodarte

All fabulous choices!

**The CFDA is a non-profit foundation which was created to encourage and develop American fashion design talent. Like most not-for-profit organizations, its main goal is to bring attention to the many facets of the fashion industry: ranging from the clothes (of course!) to the trade and leadership in the fashion industry itself. Like any good non-profit, the CFDA has a fabulous event to recognize its members and its cause, this event being the CFDA Awards. Now, I may be interested in the non-profit aspect of things, but most others are stoked about the clothes!

For More Information on Michelle Obama’s Tribute

For More Information on the Winners

For More Information on the CFDA

Jason Wu Pictures from INF