The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), along with the city of New York City, Vogue, NYC and Company  announced that the fabulous event will be held September 9, 2010. Last year more than 800 retailers participated in the event. One of the biggest focuses of the upcoming year’s event will be to increase overall participation in the program which encourages shoppers to shop locally and to increase consumer confidence.

In a study conducted by NYC & Company, in response to Fashion Night Out 2009, it was found that a full 61% of shoppers shopped in neighborhoods they had never visited before, 75% actually purchased items, and retail traffic increased a whopping 50%.  When people talk about getting things done, and seeing results, those are definite results! It’s fabulous! We all know shopping is, as the NYC and Company CEO George Fertitta, “shopping and fashion have long been a staple of the New York City experience…something that is quintessentially New York.”

The Fashion Night Out Model is looking to expand to other large markets, such as Tokyo, Madrid and London. For more information on Fashion Night Out you can go to the CFDA’s website.

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Fashion Night Out 2010 Announced

They’ve enlisted the help of some jewelry design greats to design the charms and the proceeds go to the CFDA’s charity “Fashion Targets Breast Cancer”.

Prices ranges from $23 to $76 and the sterling silver charms can feature Swarovski crystals, semi-precious gems or enamel accents.

RLM Studio by Robert Lee Morris teamed up with Julianne Moore and Leslie Fremar to create the sterling silver caged bird charm:

Vivienne Tam created this cutie of a panda, sporting a red and white dress with her signature “Viv” on the back.   It’s made from epoxy enamel and accented with silver-tone metal:

Judith Ripka used a double-sided carved turquoise heart as the focal point of her charm, and wrapped it with a decorative sterling silver bezel to hold it:

images: QVC

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Designer Charms for Charity

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

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2009 CFDA Awards

The Gap chose talented South African accessories designer Albertus Swanepoel to design five unique khaki hats for this special collection.  These limited edition hats are beautiful and innovative with simple yet unique twists on a traditional safari hat.  The hats will be available in Gap stores nationwide starting Wednesday, July 17 (today in NY) but are available to order online today.  I can’t wait to try them on in the stores!  Get one before they sell out!

Here is the complete collection:

Albertus Swanepoel Khaki Fedora $39.50

Albertus Swanepoel Khaki Bucket Hat $39.50

Albertus Swanepoel Button-Trimmed Khaki Hat $39.50

Albertus Swanepoel Pleated Khaki Hat $39.50

Albertus Swanepoel Khaki Wide Brim Hat $39.50

Check out the entire collection of CFDA/Gap Special Edition Khaki collection online to see the clothing pieces designed by Vena Cava and Alexander Wang.

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Gap Design Editions Khaki Hats