Top designers honored at CFDA Awards in NYC
Sarah Jessica Parker attends the 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on June 7, 2010 in New York City. Credit: Getty Images
The annual CFDA Awards - the Oscars of fashion - is normally a night for America's top designers to shine. But at last night's ceremony, held at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, the glittery crowd took a moment to honor a fallen British comrade, the legendary designer Alexander McQueen, whose suicide in London shocked the industry at the start of New York's Fashion Week in February.
"He was in a league of his own . . . so winning, so talented," said Sarah Jessica Parker, a major fan, who presented a posthumous Special Tribute Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Parker wore a vibrant purple gown created by the late designer.
Of course, the night was one of celebration, too, especially for Long Island native Michael Kors, who won a lifetime achievement award. "It's great when you know ahead of time you've won," he said, smiling. On his arm: Gwyneth Paltrow (wearing a slinky Kors number). Then he ran to give hugs to model Carmen Kass, entering in a 1997 camel Kors gown that plunged down the back. Wow - way down.
Other stunners: Rachel Weisz (in a purple dandelion photo print by Jason Wu), Amanda Hearst (in flirty yellow Peter Som), and Bernadette Peters (about to enter "A Little Night Music" in July) in Donna Karan.
The big winners
WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR: Marc Jacobs for Marc Jacobs
MENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR: David Neville and Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone
ACCESSORY DESIGNER OF THE YEAR: Alexis Bittar
SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR WOMENSWEAR: Jason Wu
SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR MENSWEAR: Richard Chai
