AN EVENING OF ELEGANCE WITH CFDA AWARDS 2013
By: Â Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
It was almost like Fashion Week all over again at Lincoln Center  in New York City as designers, models, entrepreneurs, corporate sponsors, celebrities and the executive members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America came out to celebrate the 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards in Alice Tulley Hall.
Curious onlookers crowded the steps to watch the Red Carpet arrivals in the pleasant evening atmosphere as the rain subsided just in time on Monday evening, June 3, 2013.
Like every Oscar, Emmy and Grammy Award that is handed out, this is the ultimate achievement in the fashion industry.  Having arrived at a major milestone of the 50th Anniversary year, the celebration was downright ostentatious.  Spotted were some of the most sought-after models in the industry.  Miranda Kerr stepped out in a bluish-green Proenza Schouler dress.
Adriana Lima wore Givenchy while Alessandra Ambrosia was in white and Karlie Kloss was outfitted in a low-cut gown with leather bustier and silk bottom.
Nicole Richie was magnificently metallic and Kerry Washington was in a yellow Jason Wu gown.
When it came to designers, Michael Kors was the hit of the evening.  He was surrounded by beauties who seem to be in love with his collections.  Karolina Kurkova wore a silver short sleeve top and matching shorts with silver python sandals  from the Kors 2014 Resort Collection and Cody Horn sparkled in a black crystal encrusted peplum gown from the Kors Fall 2013 Collection.
The lovely Olivia Palermo joined the very personable Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week winning designer, Dennis Basso, on the Red Carpet and his muse for the evening.
Betsy and Lulu Johnson added their vivacious personalities to the mix with Lulu in a strapless leopard  gown and Betsy in treasured tulle.
Contemporary designer Zac Posen and talented actress & musician, Juliette Lewis, were a dancing duo looking totally chic.
Tommy Hilfiger , Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan remind us how much style, design and chic creativity play an influential role in our everyday society.
The designer list continued with Carolina Herrera, Jill Stuart, Kenneth Cole, Naeem Kahn, Olivier Theyskens, Prabal Gurung, Rachel Roy, Rachel Zoe, Tory Burch and more all present to cheer on their fellow designers and encourage the new emerging entrants to the industry.
We caught a glimpse of some of the biggest stars in Hollywood from Tobey Maguire to Rooney Mara to Liv Tyler, Lindsey Vonn, Sofia Vergara and even Hillary Clinton who was presenting the Founders award to a timeless classic of his time, Oscar de la Renta.
Andy Cohen played host and the audience was filled with well-known supporters and those we all look up to as experts to guide us through the evolution of style.
It isn’t just about the accomplishments of established designers but also of students being awarded scholarships to pursue their passions and CFDA’s promise of their ongoing commitment to design education. Â Here are the winners in this area:
- Geoffrey Beene Design Scholar: Justin Chu of Parsons The New School for Design
- Liz Claiborne Design Scholar: Katherine Absher / Savannah College of Art & Design
- CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholar, in partnership with Target: Erin Robertson from Massachusetts College of Art & Design
Swarovski was one of the largest supporters and sponsors of the event, having a tremendous amount of faith that each of the winners would be able to take that next step into a future bright with dreams of success and the ability to carry them out.
The Swarovski Award for Womenswear was given to Erin Beatty & Max Osterweis for Suno. The Swarovski Award for Menswear was presented to Dao-Yi Chow &Maxwell Osborne for Public School. The Swarovski  Award for Accessories Design went to Pamela Love.
Recipients in each category will receive generous financial support from the company as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative crystal products and applications for fashion.
The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Vera Wang by Ralph Lauren for her consistent, creative influence on fashion.
The Media Award for excellence in journalism, originally created in honor of Eugenia Sheppard, was presented to Tim Blanks by Linda Evangelista.
Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy was recognized with this year’s International Award, presented by Jessica Chastain.
The Board of Directors’ Tribute was given to Colleen Atwood by Ethan Hawke. Atwood is the first costume designer to be recognized by the CFDA.
Secretary Clinton gave a moving tribute to Founders Award recipient Oscar de la Renta, a designer of distinction that she she met while hosting the Kennedy Center Honors in 1993. Clinton praised de la Renta for his unique contribution to fashion.
It was an evening that was anxiously relived on Tuesday evening, June 4, 2013, as Swarovski presented the ceremony once more, exclusively on Style.com for the world to admire in awe.
And so now the Council of Fashion Designers of America will continue their monumental efforts in the cultural world of design for the next twelve months and next June we will see a whole new set of winning designers.
PHOTO CREDITS: Â Sylvain Gaboury/PatrickMcMullan.com
