CFDA 2010 Fashion Awards : Nominees

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is a non-profit trade association. The members of this council consist of over 350 of America’s most prestigious designers. The CFDA is responsible for a lot of charity events, including “Fashion Targets Breast Cancer”, and also raises funds for HIV/AIDS.

Alongside these things, the CFDA also hosts the annual CFDA Fashion Awards. This awards ceremony celebrates and honors fashion and designers. This year, the CFDA Fashion Awards will be taking place on June 7 at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center; from a long list of designers who have presented their designs for 2010, the nominees have finally been announced.

Here are the nominees for the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards:

Women’s designer of the year:

Alexander Wang

Marc Jacobs

Donna Karan

Men’s designer of the year:

Michael Bastian

Tom Ford 

David Neville and Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone

Accessory designer of the year:

Alexis Bittar

Proenza Schouler

Marc Jacobs

The Swarovski Awards are awarded to designers (working in America) who have shown to have made the greatest impact on the fashion industry, as a new and emerging designer, for his or her designs.

Swarovski Young Design (for women) Award:

Joseph Altuzarra

Prabal Gurung

Jason Wu

Swarovski Young Design (for men) Award:

Richard Chai

Patrik Ervell

Simon Spurr

Swarovski Young Accessory Design Award:

Eddie Borgo

Dana Lorenz

Alexander Wang

Other awards will be given out such as:

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award 

(awarded for a “lifetime” of consistent, creative influence and dedication to fashion)

Michael Kors

The Eugenia Sheppard Journalism Award

(awarded to a writer/photographer/editor who has done exceptionally well in reporting and covering the fashion industry)

Kim Hastreiter of Paper Magazine

The International Award

(awarded to a designer working outside of the US, who has made an impressive creative contribution to the fashion industry)

Christopher Bailey of Burberry

The Eleanor Lambert Award

(awarded for a unique contribution to the fashion industry)

Tonne Goodman of Vogue

The Fashion Icon Award 

(awarded to an individual who’s style has influenced the fashion industry)

Iman

In addition to all of these awards, a special tribute will be paid to the esteemed fashion designer Alexander McQueen. The CFDA felt that despite his apparent suicide (on the 11^th of February, 2010) McQueen deserved to be honored at the event for his significant contributions and his commitment to the fashion industry.

Spring 2010: Fashion Trends

Many trends are popping up for this spring. Some are new trends and others are old trends that are coming back to life. Either way, not everyone will always like every trend out there. Here are the latest spring 2010 fashion trends, where they’re available, and my personal input on them!

Hot Pants

Designer:

Balmain

Marc Jacobs

Affordable:

Topshop

H&M

Hot pants are back just in time for spring. I don’t know how comfortable I would personally be wearing them out, but I know I love them and need to find the courage to do so. They’re cute, and can be matched differently for different styles. I especially like the high-waist hot pants.

Overalls and Jumpsuits

Designer:

Roberto Cavalli

Karl Lagerfeld

Affordable:

River Island

Topshop

I don’t mind the overalls too much, I think some of them are quite cute and I’m on the lookout to buy some myself. The jumpsuits, on the other hand, I am not too pleased about. They were very in during spring/summer 2009, and I was hoping they would stay there, but I guess someone feels that the world hasn’t gotten enough of them yet.

Patterned Pants

Designer:

Roberto Cavalli

Givenchy

Affordable:

H&M

Topshop

Busy, patterned pants are in, and I am still undecided as to whether I like them or not. They’re definitely interesting and could be pulled off as long as the top isn’t as busy as the pants are. Also, they’re very colourful, which is a great way to slip into the springtime. I guess they’re just something that you need to get used to before attempting to show them off.

Blazers

Designer:

Charlotte Ronson

Elie Tahari

Affordable:

River Island

Topshop

Luckily (for me) blazers are still in! Light blazers in pastel colours work perfectly this spring. I am a big fan of blazers; they’re perfect for dressing up any outfit. Tip: match your blazer with a cute pair of shorts and pearls for a more feminine look.

Look out for more spring trends, coming soon.

Fashion Week 2010

Fashion week is a highly anticipated event for millions around the world. Whether it’s those who wish to attend or those eagerly waiting at home to see what new shows and designers will be participating, and what new designs they have to offer.

While watching the runway is always exciting, I like to focus more on the attendees and what they are wearing for this exciting event. Though some of the attendees look absolutely breathtaking, a lot of them take fashion week as the time of year to take a risk with their fashion sense and shock the world with what they’re wearing. The questions is, was this shock one that made us say “absolutely brilliant” or a shock that simply made us utter “what is going on there?”

Let’s take a look at some of the attendees who, in my opinion, were dressed to be discussed!

Natalia Vodianova (Model) and Stella McCartney (Designer)

I absolutely love Natalia Vodianova's dress, and not just because it's Louis Vuitton. The red flatters her and it's just the right amount of "puff", unlike dresses that make one look like a giant marshmallow.

Stella McCartney looks great, as usual. Showing off her own design, the contrast of a busy halter dress and solid black at the bottom is perfect. Both are dressed perfectly for the Love Ball in London.

Abby Lee (Model) and Freja (Model)

Caught with bags in hand while leaving Fendi in Milan, these two ladies definitely get a thumbs up from me. If they can look this good on the streets, they without a doubt have a gift when it comes to fashion!

Susie Lau (Style Blogger)

I am personally a huge fan of Susie Lau's style. Her colourful and upbeat fashion sense can bring a smile to the faces of the grouchiest people alive. However, I was personally disappointed this time. Caught on the streets of London, Lau is in an adorable dress and funky leggings that fit perfectly with her shoes. I think that the blue socks and striped undershirt really took away from those three things, which I find to be the best pieces.

Rachel Zoe (Stylist)

Rachel Zoe, I feel, never disappoints when it comes to fashion. The hat, the dress, the purse, the necklaces, the simple sweater, and of course the shoes. In short, she looks fantastic walking around Milan.

Leigh Lezark (DJ)

I am actually undecided about this outfit. Leigh Lezark looked great throughout fashion week in New York, however I am unsure whether I like this ensemble or not. The silver top is beautiful, without a doubt. The jacket is great as well, I think the sharp angles are very interesting. It's the leggings that I don't like. I'm not a fan of ripped leggings, and they do suit her style, but I'm not sure if I wouldn't have preferred to see the same outfit with solid black leggings.

Charlize Theron (Actress)

Here are two things that could never go wrong. Charlize Theron, and Dior. The two combined create a result that doesn't even need to be talked about. As usual, Theron looks stunning, elegant, and plainly: breathtaking. The combination of a lace top and a blazer never fails to look amazing. A great way to turn heads while walking down the streets of Paris.

Kanye West (Rapper) and Amber Rose (Model)

Meanwhile, also in Paris, Kanye West looks sharp as always, but I can't honestly say the same about his girlfriend, Amber Rose. I don't know what to call that thing she's wearing, all I know is that it's gold, and it is in no way flattering. Rose has a beautiful face, but obviously a really bad taste when it comes to her clothes. You can't win them all, can you?

Marc Jacobs (Designer)

Last, but most definitely not least, the legendary Marc Jacobs in New York. I couldn't help but adore his outfit. If calf-grazing skirts are in, and he is designing some, then why not? Hands down, this is a definite YES in my book. A shock that made me say "...wow".